Although it’s possible to snag a wheelchair-accessible taxi at the port in Cozumel, it can be a hit or miss proposition. If you want to make sure you have accessible transportation while you’re in port, then it’s best to book a wheelchair-accessible Cozumel tour through This is Cozumel thisiscozumel.com/tours/packagedetails/cozumel-wheelchair-accessible-tours).
This local tour company has ramped vans with the rear seats removed, so there’s plenty of room for a wheelchair, a scooter, or even two manual wheelchairs. Tours can be customized to individual tastes, and they can include stops at the Hacienda Antiqua Tequila Center, the Discover Mexico Exhibition or an accessible beach bar and restaurant. Along the way knowledgeable English-speaking guides give visitors the low down about the local sights, history and culture. Alternatively, if you’d like to enjoy a beach day, they also offer a wheelchair-accessible beach excursion (thisiscozumel.com/tours/packagedetails/cozumel-accessible-beach-tour).
The tours depart from local hotels, cruise ship piers, or any downtown meeting place. For more information, or to book your wheelchair-accessible Cozumel tour, call (866) 677-0058 or e-mail info@thisiscozumel.com.
Barrier-Free Travel 22 Accessible Road Trips for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
If a Caribbean vacation is in your future, then check out these wheelchair-accessible Costa Rica casitas. Located on the southern Nicola Peninsula in Playa Hermosa, these homes were built to be accessible by wheelchair-user Mark Overson. The Costa Rica homes can be rented together for a family gathering, or separately for a more intimate getaway.
Casa Elios
Casa Elios is the larger of the two homes. This two-bedroom, one-bathroom house can sleep up to five, and features good pathway access throughout the unit. The fully equipped kitchen includes new appliances and all the dishes and utensils you need to whip up a gourmet spread.
The master bedroom has an adjustable king-sized bed, while the second bedroom has three single beds. The bathroom has a Continental-style shower with grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. It’s also equipped with a roll-under sink and an accessible toilet. Even better – all of the furniture in the house was custom built to be wheelchair-accessible.
Casa Tranquil
The adjacent home — Casa Tranquil — is equally accessible. It features good pathway access throughout the unit, and it can sleep up to three people. There is a queen-sized futon on the main level, and an additional sleeping loft that can accommodate one or two people. It’s also equipped with a kitchen and a small dining table.
The bathroom has the same access features as the one in Casa Elios, including a Continental-style shower with grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. It also has a roll-under sink and an accessible toilet with grab bars.
As an added bonus, Casa Tranquil is surrounded by trees for privacy, so it’s the perfect choice for a couples getaway. And both homes have secure parking, air conditioning and high-speed internet.
The Public Spaces
Both wheelchair-accessible Costa Rica casitas share a tranquil public space, which includes a large deck with private pool in a tropical garden setting. There’s barrier-free access around the pool, which is equipped with a pulley style lift. Says Mark’s wife Susan, “We had to buy all the equipment in the states and then take it to Costa Rica and install it.”
The houses are close to the beach, but it’s best to bring a wheelchair with fat tires for easier rolling. There’s also a surf camp nearby that can provide adaptive surf lessons and equipment. And if you’d like to try yoga, the Oversons can recommend an instructor who will work with you.
As an added bonus, Mark and Susan are happy to help guests plan an accessible getaway to Costa Rica, as they have been visiting the country for many years, and they’ve developed some good local contacts that can lend an accessible hand. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of traveling to Costa Rica, or hitting the surf – or both – Mark and Susan can help make it happen.
For more information about these wheelchair-accessible Costa Rica casitas visit airbnb.com/rooms/24129359.
And if you have any questions about the units, then give Susan Overson a call at (952) 270-3027 or drop her an e-mail at oversonlanding@yahoo.com. She can also send you a drone video of the house and the surrounding area. So start planning your wheelchair-accessible Costa Rica getaway today.
Barrier-Free Travel the Grand Canyon for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Although it’s possible to snag a wheelchair-accessible taxi at the port in Cozumel, it can be a hit or miss proposition. If you want to make sure you have accessible transportation while you’re in port, then it’s best to book a wheelchair-accessible Cozumel tour through This is Cozumel thisiscozumel.com/tours/packagedetails/cozumel-wheelchair-accessible-tours).
