Mexico is a huge country and there is so much to see and do there. However, visiting Cozumel can be one of the most memorable spots that you visit on your trip, and here is why.
The island of Cozumel is located 12 miles off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and directly across from the city of Playa del Carmen.
Making it a great spot to visit when you are either visiting Playa del Carmen or Tulum.
It’s a beautiful and mostly undeveloped island mainly known for its unbeatable scuba diving and snorkeling experiences.
From Playa del Carmen, it’s very easy to access Cozumel for a mini-vacation or even just an explorative day trip.
It’s the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle and lean into the tropical and natural life of the island.
After visiting Cozumel, you’ll see for yourself that it’s a sought after paradise known for its authentic natural beauty.
Why you should be visiting Cozumel
Whether you’re hoping to relax on the beach or enjoy an adventurous vacation, Cozumel will intrigue you.
You’ll get to experience just how beautiful and serene the tropical island is and what it’s like to be one with the undeniable beauty of Cozumel.
If you’re in need of relaxation or you’re looking for your next great adventure, you’ll find the relief you’re looking for.
It’s both a humbling place to relax and one of the most beautiful places to explore, making it the perfect spot for your vacation.
For those looking to relax and enjoy the Caribbean sun, you’ll find the beaches to be powdery and soft all along the coast.
You can dig your feet in the sand and enjoy the sound of the water crashing on the coast.
The Caribbean ocean is 50 shades of turquoise blue and crystal clear. Without access by foot to mainland Mexico, the inhabitants of Cozumel enjoy a slower and more relaxed lifestyle.
The simple pleasures are enjoyed thoroughly on Cozumel’s beaches.
If you’re hoping to visit Cozumel because you’ve heard that it’s one of the best places to go scuba diving you’re in luck.
Cozumel isn’t only known as a relaxing retreat, it’s also a place to explore the natural beauty.
The reefs in Cozumel are sacred and well-preserved. You’ll experience sea life of every size and color you could imagine.
Besides scuba diving, you can rent scooters and tour the island, swim, snorkel, and even visit ancient Mayan ruins.
Now that you’re anxious to experience Cozumel for yourself, everything you need to know about getting to the island and what to do once you’re there is shared below.
Cozumel is worth the visit if you’re in Mexico and get the chance to do so.
Before you head off on your Mexican Vacation be sure to pack these essential items for Mexico.
Best Way to Travel to Cozumel
The easiest way to travel to Cozumel is by ferry from Playa del Carmen. It leaves every day of the week and every hour from 8 am to 8 pm.
There are two companies, Ultramar and Winjet that leave from the same location and time each day but vary in price and speed.
Ultramar is slightly more expensive and gets you to Cozumel in 20 minutes whereas Winjet takes 40 minutes.
Either option will get you to Cozumel for less than $25 USD roundtrip.
You’ll need to get to Playa del Carmen first if you’re not already there because it’s the only place that sends a ferry to Cozumel.
It’s easy to take a bus, taxi, or another car service to Playa del Carmen from a location such as Cancun.
If you’re heading to Cozumel straight from the Cancun airport, you’ll easily be able to find accommodations to arrive in Playa del Carmen with the easiest option being a shuttle straight from the airport.
The only other option is to fly directly into the Cozumel airport. You can fly directly from Cancun to Cozumel in under 30 minutes, but it’s a more expensive option and there isn’t a large range of flights available.
Nevertheless, it’s a convenient choice, especially if you have a lot of luggage that you don’t want to carry from one mode of transportation to the other.
More reasons visiting Cozumel is a MUST!
Cozumel is famous for its scuba diving and if you’re adventurous, it’s a must-try experience.
There are many tour companies on the island that will take you on an adventure of a lifetime and share their knowledge and harboring love for the reefs with you.
There is a wide range of activities to enjoy in Cozumel and you’ll have the experience of a lifetime.
From snorkeling to catamaran rides to a dune buggy drive along the coast, you’ll find some fun on the paradise island.
1. Scuba Diving
There are many great scuba diving spots in Cozumel known for their diverse, colorful sea life and unique features.
Many tour companies offer excursions for scuba diving in Cozumel. Both the experienced and the novice diver will find the perfect scuba diving tour for their interests.
A favorite spot among novice divers is Paradise Beach. It’s comprised of three reefs located only 200 yards from shore and a maximum of 40 yards deep.
It is the only reef that can be accessed by beach divers and has an abundance of sea life including crab, lobster, and tropical fish among so many other marine animals.
This location is also a popular night diving spot. Another great location is the Santa Rosa Wall with its sponges, caves, swim-through tunnels, and cavern systems with giant coral pillars for exploring.
You’ll also see barracuda, sea turtles, and eagle rays among the diverse marine life. No matter where you end up scuba diving you can’t go wrong with visiting Cozumel.
2. Helmet Diving
If you’re not ready to fully commit to scuba diving but still want a similar experience, you may want to try helmet diving.
Your head will be fully enclosed in a helmet with a steady stream of air that will allow you to walk the ocean floor while breathing regularly and experiencing the amazing sea life.
Different tour companies offer this unique excursion. It’s a great way to try something similar to scuba diving without having to fully commit to it.
3. Snorkeling
Like scuba diving, snorkeling in Cozumel is a popular activity. The Mesoamerican Reef is the world’s second-largest reef and a great place to see diverse, colorful, and unique marine life.
It’s a fun way to explore the island and get to know the marine life that inhabits the turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean.
Money Bar Beach Club is a great place for snorkeling because it’s both a restaurant with great food and a place to borrow snorkel gear and use the showers and changing rooms.
Once you’re done, you can enjoy a meal and relax on the beach while reminiscing on the unique sea life you encountered.
4. Cozumel Tours
Numerous tours will take you on informative trips around the island. One company offers your own personal tour guide for the day on a private jeep that includes lunch and snorkeling.
Private tours are almost always customizable to your interests so let your tour guide know what you’re hoping to see and they’ll make it happen.
There are walking tours, snorkel tours, and jungle tours among many other options.
5. Catamaran Tours
After exploring much of the island, you can experience the coast by hopping aboard a catamaran for exploration from a different point of view.
You can treat this boat ride as a relaxing or adventurous excursion. Some boats even have glass bottoms for peaking into the life of the sea animals below.
You’ll also have a chance to snorkel and swim during a catamaran tour. Another great reason why you can’t go wrong visiting Cozumel. It’s fun for the whole family.
6. Visit Punta Sur Ecological Park
The eco-park on Punta Sur Eco Beach covers 2,500 acres and is home to many exotic birds, crocodiles, and sea turtles. Nature lovers will enjoy exploring this piece of paradise.
The entrance fee is under $20 USD per person and gives you access to the Celarain Lighthouse which was once an important landmark that would warn sailors at night.
You can climb the 127 steps of the lighthouse for 360-degree views of the island. If you’re lucky, on a clear day you can even see the coast of Cuba from the lighthouse.
The Mayan Ruin of El Caracol dating back to 1200-1500 AD can also be explored at this park.
This ruin was built to warn the Mayans of hurricanes by a humming noise that would occur when a strong breeze filtered through it. This eco-park is a beautiful place to explore the beautiful land of Cozumel.
7. Visit a Beach Club or Park in Cozumel
Playa Mia Grand Beach Park is considered a natural water park. You’ll have access to snorkel equipment, waterslides, pools, kayaks, and paddleboats for use among other fun activities in the park.
It’s roughly $30 USD but gives you the opportunity to explore the coast in many different ways.
The Uvas Beach Club is another location that offers snorkel gear, guided tours, kayaks, and access to restaurants, bars, and beach hammocks.
There are other parks and clubs on the island with similar offerings that would be just as enjoyable.
If you are adventurous or used to beaches in Europe, you can even try your luck at one of Cozumel’s Nude Beaches.
8. Explore the Island of Cozumel by Rental Car
A great way to see as much of Cozumel as possible is by renting a car, scooter or dune buggy and touring the island.
There is a narrow road on the coast created just for pedestrians on foot, bike, or scooter that is separated from the main road.
You could even rent a car or take a taxi to explore the entire coast of the island. When was the last time you got to ride a dune buggy around the coast of an island… never!
Your dune buggy tour guide will take you to the undeveloped eastern side of the island to explore the completely inhabited natural beauty. It’s a great option for uniquely exploring the island.
9. Exploring Mayan Ruins
Walking through ancient Mayan ruins is an exciting way to explore the island of Cozumel. Ed Cedral is one of the oldest Mayan ruins on the island and dates back to 800 A.D.
Visiting this temple is a great way to learn about the historical and archaeological significance of the Mayan influence on Cozumel.
San Gervasio is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and another Mayan ruin on the island.
There are nine temples at this site that sit in the lush jungle and can be accessed by a path.
Mayan ruins are an important part of Mexico’s history and make for an interesting and historical experience.
10. Wander Around Cozumel
After lots of activities and exploring, it might be nice to slow down and wander around.
San Miguel, the capital of Cozumel is the perfect place for just that. The boardwalk is large for visitors to aimlessly stroll along the coast.
It’s a great spot to shop for unique local items that will commemorate your trip or grab a bite to eat.
Cozumel is one of the most serene islands to visit and will leave you wanting more.
If you’re visiting anywhere on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico you must make a trip to Cozumel, even if just for the day.
You’ll be very glad you took an excursion to the quaint, yet boastful island with so much beauty.
Visiting Cozumel will be one of your most memorable spots in Mexico because it truly is breathtaking.
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