Cozumel

Cozumel is the most-visited cruise port in the Western Caribbean, and it shows — in both the best and worst ways. The island itself is gorgeous, with world-class snorkeling and dive sites. The port area, however, is a wall-to-wall gauntlet of jewelry stores, t-shirt shops, and aggressive vendors who've perfected the art of "just looking? let me show you something."

Up to five cruise ships dock here simultaneously, flooding the tiny island with 15,000+ day-trippers. The port area feels like a cruise-themed shopping mall rather than a Mexican island. Get past the tourist zone, though, and Cozumel has real charm — local restaurants, quiet beaches, and the Punta Sur Eco Park.

The State Department lists Mexico at Level 2 ("Exercise Increased Caution"), but Cozumel specifically is very safe for tourists — it's an island economy that depends on cruise passengers. The real risk is to your wallet, not your safety. Just don't buy jewelry at the port, and for the love of all things, negotiate taxi prices before getting in.