10 Incredible Things to Do in Cozumel
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Often referred to simply as “Cozumel”, San Miguel de Cozumel is one of the most sought-after tropical islands in Mexico. Each week, the developed Cozumel Port receives cruise-loads of international tourists eager to spend time soaking up the sun on Cozumel’s famous beaches.
There is an incredible amount of things to do in Cozumel that you can’t miss out on! But the island precedes itself as being one of the best locations in the world for scuba diving!
Many people flock to this island in the Caribbean Sea, known for its turquoise waters, looking to see what all the fuss is about. My first scuba diving experience was in Cozumel and loved it!
Although the island is largely untamed and wild, as soon as you arrive at the Cozumel Port, you’ll know you’re in a town full of things to do and see. Think of it this way, Cozumel, Mexico is to paved highways and shiny shopping plazas as Isla Holbox is to sandy roads and boho shops!
Here is my ultimate guide for things to do in Cozumel, Mexico, including where to stay, how to get around, the best spots for snorkeling and diving, and more!
Ultimate Guide for Things to Do in Cozumel Mexico
Whether you have only a couple of days or a whole week, here are some of the best activities, including the non-touristy and free things to do, in Cozumel, Mexico.
1. Discover the Punta Sur Eco Park
At the southern tip of the island sits a natural reserve, the Punta Sur Eco Park, which boasts a variety of wild fauna and flora native to the island.
You can enjoy a beautiful, secluded beach, climb up the Celerain Lighthouse, bird-watch from the observation tower, hang out in hammocks, walk along a nature trail, kayak in the lagoons, snorkel on the Cozumel reef, and observe crocodiles and other wildlife in their natural habitat.
Entry costs for Punta Sur Eco Park: $24 USD/adult. You can book tickets for Punta Sur on the website or hop on a guided tour!
2. Snorkel in Cozumel’s turquoise waters
Snorkeling in Cozumel is a must! Even better if you already have your own gear, as snorkeling is one of the best free things to do in Cozumel (unless you go with a tour).
The best places to snorkel in Cozumel will be at the Palancar and Colombia reefs, Playa Mia, Punta Sur Eco Park, Buccanos, Paradise Beach, Sky Reef, Tikila, among others.
3. Scuba dive in the Cozumel reefs
Unless you’re a master diver, you likely won’t be going scuba diving on your own in Cozumel. But there’s no need to worry about choosing the best scuba diving location in Cozumel, as your scuba dive guide and PADI master will take you to the best spots.
You will likely dive at one of these locations:
- Palancar Reef and Horseshoe, Colombia and the Santa Rosa Walls, Punta Tunich, Paradise Beach, Barracuda Reef, etc.
If it’s your first time scuba diving, make sure to book your trip in advance. Also, plan for a second dive (in case you LOVE it, like I did) so you have enough days in your trip left to book that, too.
(More on my diving experience and the best dive shops in Cozumel below!).
4. Explore Cozumel’s best beaches
Unless you are at a beach park, it is hard to find central beaches in Cozumel that are public. We found this out after the fact, as we drove around Cozumel in search of the best beaches.
In truth, it all depends on what you envision by “beach.” There are many beaches near the Cozumel Port on the west side of the island, but lots of them have little sand and rocky waters (which is great for snorkeling, but not for lounging), while others are not free or are owned by hotels.
The best public sandy beach we found, where you can lay in the sand or swim in the shallows and snorkel in turquoise water, was Palancar Beach. Driving there from Cozumel Port will take about 20 mins.
Alternatively, you could seek out the beaches on the east coast of Cozumel. The east coast has long stretches of sandy beaches and surfable waves, and it’s less crowded. Of the entire east side of Cozumel island, the best idyllic (and free) beach we found was Playa Chen Rio.
5. Road trip the scenic east coast of Cozumel
Simply take a drive down the east coast of Cozumel for an escape from the center. It’s one of the best relatively free things to do and the road isn’t crowded.
There are beaches, small rock pools, waves for surfing, and there are also several vistas (miradors) to stop at along the road. Most of the road trip is wild and untamed, with only a few restaurants and stores at either end, so pack a snack and lots of water.
6. Eat your way around Cozumel Port
You’ll find a cluster of restaurants around both the Cozumel Port and the main downtown area (el Centro) – from big names like Hard Rock Cafe to local Mexican eateries.
Of all the restaurants we tried, my favorite was by far the Cerveceria Punta Sur (microbrewery) for its homebrewed craft beers, wood-fired pizza, and delightful plates.
7. Visit the San Gervasio Ruins
The San Gervasio Ruins is your chance to see ancient Mayan ruins! The ruins were once a strategic political and commerce hub for the Mayas and were connected by important sacbé (white roads).
Although you may not find them as impressive as the Chichen Itza or Coba Mayan ruins, the San Gervasio ruins offer another birds-eye view into this ancient civilization.
Entry to the San Gervasio ruins in Cozumel costs around $14.50 USD. The opening hours are from 8 am – 4 pm.
8. Go off-roading in a Jeep
Off-roading in a Jeep is one of the more touristy things to do in Cozumel, but it is worth it if you want to discover more off the beaten path areas of the island.
Because the off-roading Jeep excursion tours are pricey, most will also include access to beach parks, snorkel gear and guide, private driver, beer and soft drinks aboard, lunch, and a tequila tasting. All of these are things tourists usually like to do in Mexico, so why not?
Though I personally wouldn’t immediately choose this option (as I prefer more non-touristy things to do), I can see why lots of people go for it! If you arrive in Cozumel via a cruise, you’ll likely get a pricier Jeep offer while onboard. Book in advance instead and save some money.
9. Explore and shop in downtown Cozumel
Similar to the restaurants, you’ll find an endless list of name-brand stores and boutiques amid the sprawling streets and shopping plazas in Cozumel.
In El Centro, there are tons of local vendors selling handicrafts, but if you choose to buy from these vendors, make sure what you’re buying has been sourced/made responsibly.
For more tips on how to be a sustainable and ethical traveler, read my guide here.
10. Join a Cozumel excursion
Understandably, sometimes the best way to see an island is to go on an all-inclusive tour (especially if you’re short for days). From snorkeling to sailing or foodie tours, here are the best excursions in Cozumel!
- Cozumel Food Tour
- El Cedral Town & Jade Cavern Cenote Tour
- Catamaran Sail & Snorkel Tour
- Mr. Sancho’s Beach Club All-Inclusive Day Pass
- Snorkeling & Jeep Tour
- Private Personalized Sightseeing Tour
Whether you want to snorkel and explore the island, discover the local food scene, or lounge by the pool with bar access at your fingertips, there’s a Cozumel excursion for every type of traveler.
Cozumel’s east coast beaches
How to Get to Cozumel
How to get to Cozumel: There are two ways to reach Cozumel – by flying into the Cozumel International Airport, or taking the ferry from Playa del Carmen.
There is no ferry service from Cancun to Cozumel, only from Playa del Carmen. You can either rent a car and cross with your vehicle on the Transcaribe car ferry or take the Winjet or Ultramar ferries and cross as a passenger.
Cozumel ferry prices:
- Car fee including all passengers one-way = 800 pesos at ticket office, 1,200 pesos online for compact cars (takes 1hr 15 mins)
- Passenger fees per adult one-way = Winjet 286 pesos and Ultramar 320 pesos (takes 45 mins)
As you see, it’s a better deal to travel by family in one car than it is to cross as separate passengers. Renting a car for Cozumel is ideal if you need to come back to Playa del Carmen and want to explore the Riviera Maya more.
Where to Stay on Cozumel Island
The best place to stay in Cozumel is definitely around el Centro (if anything but for ease of access and walkability to shopping and dining).
We chose to stay at a local Airbnb, which worked out great for our family, but the downside was that we didn’t have immediate beach access.
As for the best hotels in Cozumel, here are some top favorites:
Alternatively, if you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort (beach access, pool, bar, food, etc.,) then these popular all-inclusive resorts in Cozumel are the way to go: Allegro, Mr. Sancho’s, Sunscape Sabor, and Occidental.
My Cozumel Diving Experience
Scuba diving has always been at the top of my bucket list. So finally, when I saw an opportunity to do a Discovery Scuba Diving course in Cozumel learning the basics in the open water, I jumped at it. After doing a bit of research, I decided to go with Cozumel Dive School.
Having one of the best-rated profiles, I was certain in choosing a safe and professional dive team. And I was right!
Our little scuba diving discovery team and the only photo from our scuba trip!
Price, suiting up, & training
Their Discovery Scuba Diving course costs around $100 USD and includes a morning-long training of around 13 scuba diving techniques. I went at the beginning of January 2018.
My diving guide Jack (the Aussie) had several hundred dives under his belt and was extremely laid-back and knowledgable. With help from two up and coming dive masters, we headed out and met up with one other beginner that day.
We first learned the hand signals and techniques from Jack on the ground. Then, we suited up and navigated into the open water until we were about waist-deep. Here, we practiced the techniques we just learned on land.
We then waded more into the water to practice the underwater breathing techniques; how to find your mouthpiece, how to freshen your mask underwater, and so on.
After we succeeded in these skills, we then went on a tour around a protected coral reef observation site. After the hurricanes, and due to coral bleaching from climate change, lots of the Cozumel coral reefs are in a regrowth stage which is being monitored 24/7.
Scuba diving with Minecraft creatures!
The statues and figurines that were constructed to help regrow the coral were in the shape of large Minecraft figures. A large dome with a camera inside jutted out from the middle. We waved at the camera and continued on. At first, I had trouble depressurizing my ears. But Jack resurfaced with me and helped me go down slower.
We didn’t go lower than 5-6 m (16-19 feet). We apparently stayed underwater for around 30 minutes, which was perfect for my first time, but it definitely went by too fast!
The two assisting guides were also there to train, so they were constantly at our sides in case we panicked, but I loved the freedom of being underwater. Scuba diving felt natural to me, and I quickly escaped my assistant’s grasp without realizing it.
So, he just let me do my thing and navigate around. I was completely unaware that he wasn’t trailing me until he surfaced at the end and told me I was too quick to keep up with (oops!).
The Best Dive Shops in Cozumel
I would highly recommend the Cozumel Dive School for your scuba diving experiences in Cozumel. If I had more time, I would have booked a second trip and would have been on my way to get my PADI certification.
Although these guys really seem at the top of their class, I know there are other great Cozumel dive shops. Here are some other suggestions for well-rated dive shops in Cozumel:
Any of these guys offer PADI certifications and other Open Water classes, so you can advance further after your first class if you wish! If you do, you’ll have the opportunity to dive in other beautiful spots in Mexico, like the nearby cenotes.
A popular beach shack for drinks and snacks
Last Travel Tips for Visiting Cozumel, Mexico
Before I wrap up this guide to Cozumel, I want to lay out some helpful Cozumel travel tips.
The weather in Cozumel is tropical year-round so you could visit virtually anytime. The winter months are ideal for vacationers escaping the winter in their home countries (plus, holidays), so you can expect heavier crowds. The low season (June-October) might be more hot and rainy, but the upside is there will be fewer people.
The best way to get around Cozumel, at least downtown, is by walking. The streets are easy to navigate. And considering that the center isn’t that gigantic really helps too.
You could also rent a bike if you want to skirt around downtown a bit faster, but you want to get around to other parts of the island, your best bet is to rent a car.
Renting a car in Mexico is fairly cheap, although on the island it might be more expensive because of exclusivity. There’s a large store (MEGA) nearby downtown for those big grocery hauls.
Tipping in Mexico is generally expected and Cozumel is no different. As a foreigner, I’ve come to learn I almost tip too much compared to the local rate (which my friend pointed out).
Now we usually tip around 15%, which is deemed great for good service, but since Cozumel sees so many international tourists, tipping like in the USA (18-20%) is fairly normal too.
Is Cozumel safe? Like most parts of Mexico, it’s safe. Especially in tourist towns like Cozumel, you’re safe. There’s still a small risk of petty crime, such as theft. So be mindful of your whereabouts and secure your belongings.
When you are walking in town, don’t stay out too late. Don’t walk the streets alone at night. And don’t flash your shiny phone or camera. Keep your valuables hidden and stay low-key.
Planning a trip to the Riviera Maya?
Cozumel is such a great place to visit in Mexico. Even though I’ve already been, I can’t wait to go back! Who knows, maybe we’ll even think about slow traveling long-term in Cozumel one day! If you’re traveling to Cozumel and the Riviera Maya, make sure to check out my other guides:
- The Ultimate Digital Nomad Guide to Tulum
- Floating Down Ancient Mayan Canals in Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
- Kayaking in Bacalar’s Lagoon of 7 Colors
- 15 Unique Things to Do in Cancun (+ 5 Day Itinerary)
Have you been to Cozumel, Mexico? If not, is it on your bucket list? Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments below!
Awesome post once again Bri!!!! Thanks So Much! 🙂 Keep up the great work!!!!!!
Thanks so much for reading, Paul! 🤗
Diving in Cozumel must be amaaazing! Those beaches look like the perfect place to relax. I had to admit, I am not very good at beach holidays. After a day or two I want to be out exploring/hiking or seeing cultural sights, so it is great to hear how more you can get up to away from the beaches.
I know Cozumel is a popular cruise port, but I had no idea there was so much to do on the island. I would LOVE to go off roading in a jeep. I think that would be so fun. Or go snorkeling!
What a great guide to Cozumel and your photos are awesome! I hope I get to visit Mexico someday!
Cozumel looks amazing! I have only been to Cancun, and visiting Mexico again is high on my list! Thanks for all the tips!
I went to Mexico for the first time last year and fell in love. Cozumel will be my next trip in Central America! Thanks for these great tips.