If you’re going on a cruise ship to the Western Caribbean, you’re going to Cozumel. If you’ve been to Cozumel before, you’re looking for something different to do. If you’re looking for something different, find Margarita and Santiago.
Fortunately, we did. It wasn’t the first time we’d met a Margarita in Cozumel, but the others all came in a glass. With ice. Also salt. You get the message. This Margarita was in a car rental office, and she came with Santiago, and a very old Volkswagen bug. With seats. Also wheels. You get the message.
It was just what we were looking for, or at least just the price we were looking for, to see more of Cozumel than the vendor-driven streets of San Miguel, the port. Since we had six or seven hours, driving the island seemed to be a good idea, preferably for less than $100 (insurance included).
The bug belonging to Margarita and Santiago was ours for $30 (insurance included). Not to 
buy. To rent. For the day. The whole day.
Now, while we grew up in the ’60s, we were never hippies. Old hippies, don’t be offended. It just wasn’t our thing and, perhaps as a result, neither were Volkswagen bugs…although one of us once had a job washing new bugs with kerosene to get the wax off, but that’s another story.
This old bug was perfect.
We had it for about five hours, long enough to need $6 worth of gas (Margarita told us where to gas up). We drove as much of the island of Cozumel as you can drive without taking tributaries, and we made several stops, including the beaches on the “other” side where there are few
swimmers and rough, picturesque waters. You can’t spontaneously do those things on a bus.
When we returned the bug, there were no surprises. The bill was $30, as promised, and as an added bonus Margarita showed us where to get the best Mexican blankets (she was right!).
Now, how to find Margarita and Santiago.
You can walk away from the waterfront where the ferries to Playa del Carmen arrive. Go three blocks. Or maybe it’s four. It’s about two blocks to the left. Or maybe it’s three. Whatever. Margarita and Santiago call their little business Rentadora ISIS. The address is 5a AV. Norte No. 181…and good luck with that. The phone number is 987-872-33-67…maybe better luck with that. And if you’re thinking ahead, email them at rentadpraisis@prodigy.net.mx.
This is not a commercial for Margarita and Santiago, but if it was it would be a good one. It’s just an attempt to pass along our fortunate find.
And if it doesn’t appeal to you, then find another Margarita!