After spending 10 days in this tropical island paradise, here are my top recommendations for things to do in Cozumel, Mexico!

Cozumel is a gorgeous island located just off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in the Caribbean Sea. 

With white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, coconut-clad palm trees, and vibrant coral reefs, it’s the perfect place for ocean-lovers and beach bums. 

I just spent 10 days on the island, and I honestly could stay another week if I had time. There are so many things to do in Cozumel!

Of course, the water activities are the main event here.

Cozumel’s west coast is free from the abundant red seaweed that plagues much of the Caribbean, so you can enjoy incredible swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and more. 

Aside from the beaches and reefs, the majority of the island is UNESCO World Heritage-listed jungle. 

You can explore the remote East Coast by scooter or jeep, check out ancient Mayan ruins, taste delicious Mexican coffee, and learn about the unique history and wildlife. 

Or, you can just chill out in the main town of San Miguel, where there are amazing restaurants and cool landmarks. 

To help you plan your stay on this warm, welcoming island, here are some fun things to do in Cozumel, Mexico!

24 Best Things To Do In Cozumel, Mexico

With 10 days on the island, I’m happy to say I was able to do most of the activities on this list. 

Some of these activities I didn’t get to, but I spoke to people who did and loved them. So based on my own experiences, research, and recommendations from others, here are the top things to do in Cozumel. 

You can further plan your stay on the island with my complete Cozumel travel guide!

1. Go scuba diving on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef

The Caribbean waters around Cozumel are home to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. 

It’s the second-largest reef system in the world (after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia), and is home to some truly mind-blowing corals and marine life. 

Cozumel in particular has some of the best dive sites on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. 

With calm, warm, clear waters and exquisite reef systems located right offshore, it’s hard to imagine better scuba diving conditions. 

Cozumel is home to countless dive shops and schools where you can do intro, certified, and advanced dives. 

I recommend doing your own research to find a company with the tours, prices, and reviews that suit you. There are just so many to choose from!

I did a day of certified diving with the amazing dive guide Pepe from Casamaya Hostel & Diving. It cost $140 USD and included all gear, transport, water and snacks, and 2 dives. 

We dove at Palancar Gardens, where we swam through crazy caves and cliffs piled high with colorful, giant corals. 

Then we dove at El Cedral, where we saw a black-tipped reef shark, a hawksbill turtle, a green sea turtle, a lobster, a few barracudas, and lots of cool fish and corals. 

2. Go snorkeling

If you’re not into scuba diving, you can also explore the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef by snorkeling!

Join a full-day snorkeling tour by boat to see the best offshore reef sites. 

Or just hire a snorkel from a dive shop, beach bar, or resort and snorkel right off the beach. 

Even at the shallow beaches you can still spot cool corals and fish. I saw a huge triggerfish and a wild-looking lion fish right around the jetty at our resort. 

So definitely make sure you get in the water and snorkel, even if it’s just a quick little swim right off the beach on Cozumel’s west coast. 

3. Take a boat tour to El Cielo

El Cielo is a gorgeous place for a beach day and snorkel session. Many say a visit to El Cielo is one of the best things to do in Cozumel!

This pristine sandbar has calm, turquoise waters and a healthy population of adorable starfish that you can see while snorkeling. 

El Cielo is located off the southwest tip of Cozumel. You can find it on Google Maps, but you can’t access it from land. You can only get to El Cielo by boat.

So unless you’re chartering a private boat, you’ll have to book a tour. 

Luckily, half day tours to El Cielo only cost around 15 USD, and full day tours cost around 50 – 100 USD depending on the inclusions. 

View all the best tours to El Cielo on Get Your Guide!

4. Try parasailing

While relaxing along Cozumel’s west coast, you’ll likely see lots of people parasailing.

Parasailing is when you strap into a harness and parachute, then get pulled by a motorboat. It’s like flying over the ocean, in a slightly more secure and relaxed way than something like paragliding or skydiving.

Parasailing is also a relatively quick activity. So it’s easy to fit into a busy schedule or a cruise ship itinerary.

5. Relax in Parque Benito Juárez

If you’re taking the ferry from Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel, the first thing you’ll see is Parque Benito Juárez. 

It’s the heart and soul of the downtown area in San Miguel, Cozumel’s main (and only) city. 

This wide, pedestrian-friendly public square has park benches, greenery, and a few cool landmarks. 

First, you’ll see the giant, colorful bubble letters “Isla Cozumel”, where every tourist stops to take a cheesy photo. 

In the center of the square is the iconic orange clock tower, gifted to Cozumel from London in 1910 to celebrate Mexico’s independence. 

Next to the clock tower, you can see a statue of Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of fertility and the moon. The Mayan people used to paddle canoes from the mainland to Cozumel to honor Ixchel, and she is the main deity associated with the island. 

Parque Benito Juarez also has a cool archway made from recycled trash that Is designed to look like coral, in honor of the Mesoamerican Great Barrier Reef. 

After admiring all the landmarks in Parque Benito Juarez, you can browse through the shops and cafes lining the square.

6. Admire the street art

Cozumel is packed full of vibrant street art! All you have to do is wander around and you’re bound to find some beautiful murals. 

From the town center, to the quiet local streets, to the main highway, there is honestly street art everywhere you go. 

Make sure you have comfy walking shoes and a fully charged camera!

7. See the San Gervasio Mayan Ruins

When the Mayan people made their pilgrimages to Cozumel to honor the goddess Ixchel, they had to trek through the dense jungle to reach the center of the island. 

Here, they built temples and shrines where they could connect with the spirit of Ixchel and hopefully be blessed with fertility and good health. 

Now a very special archeological site, the ruins of San Gervasio supposedly date back to around 100 BC.

The ruins themselves are quite small and not as impressive as other Mayan sites such as Chichen Itza. But they are still cool to see if you’re in the area and are interested in history. 

Read next: Can You Visit Chichen Itza Without A Tour?

8. Explore Punta Sur Ecological Park

One of the best things to do in Cozumel is explore Punta Sur Ecological Park in the south of the island. It’s also called Punta Sur Beach Park.

The southern tip of Cozumel is mostly composed of jungle, mangroves, and beaches. There is very little development and a whole lot of rich natural beauty. 

It costs about $24 USD to enter, but it’s worth it if you have a few hours to explore all the scenery and attractions!

A highlight is the Celarain Lighthouse (Faro de Celarain). Climb to the top for an amazing view, and stroll through the museum to learn about the history and nature of Cozumel. 

Also be sure to climb to the top of the Observation Tower in the Colombia Lagoon. You can also get amazing views of Punta Sur. Apparently you can often spot crocodiles in the lagoon as well, though I wasn’t lucky enough to see any. 

There are also stunning beaches, tequila tastings, coastal drives, walking trails, and lagoon boat rides that you can add to your Punta Sur itinerary. 

9. Join a guided food tour or cooking class

Mexican food is some of the most universally loved around the world. So while you’re in Mexico, definitely indulge in the local cuisine every chance you get.

If you’re a real foodie who loves learning about a culture through food, you may want to join a guided tour in Mexico. 

Cozumel is a small island, but it’s packed with some amazing local eateries. 

A food tour with an expert local guide is the best way to taste delicious dishes while also learning about the history and traditions behind the food. 

Or enhance your food experience with a Mayan cooking class!

10. Feast on tacos

If you’re not joining a guided food tour on Cozumel, still try to eat lots of the local food. 

You can find all sorts of Mexican dishes on the island. But my personal favorite was tacos. 

I found lots of incredible eateries that had amazing tacos. 

My favorite was Guisados, a tiny little restaurant where the sweet, flavorful chicken mole tacos cost 40 Pesos each ($2.15 USD). 

My next favorite was Mahi Mahi, a touristy restaurant that was more expensive but it had nice outdoor gardens, a pool, and live music. I had fish tacos with the catch of the day, and they were out of this world!

11. Do a coffee tasting

Another way to learn about the local delights of Mexico is a coffee tasting. 

Mexico grows its own coffee beans in several states. Cozumel imports beans from the highlands of Mexico and roasts them locally. 

I did a quick, 30-minute coffee tasting at Aqui + Ahora Coffee Bar. 

The friendly staff member gave us samples of espresso, cold brew, brewed Mexican coffee with herbs and spices, and a creamy Mayan hot chocolate. 

It was a fun way to learn about the different local drinks and get a crazy caffeine buzz!

12. Ride an ATV through the jungle

A guided, off-road ATV tour is an epic way to explore Cozumel. 

The jungle in the middle of the island is incredibly dense, so you can’t go through there with a normal car or bike. 

But with a local guide and a sturdy ATV, you can see the untouched natural wilderness of Cozumel. 

This guided ATV tour includes a visit to a hidden cenote for swimming, as well as beach club access for after.

13. Drive around the island by scooter or jeep

It’s definitely worth exploring the island of Cozumel with a scooter, jeep, or car! 

You can easily spend all your time in the town center or at a resort. But if you have time, get out and see the island. 

Because Cozumel is mostly jungle, there is only one main road that runs around the island. So it’s quick and easy to drive around Cozumel. 

You only need a few hours, or maybe a day if you plan to stop and enjoy some sights and attractions. 

Popular stops along the drive include the San Gervasio Mayan Ruins, Punta Sur Ecological Park, and the beaches along Cozumel’s coast. 

Scooter rentals are the cheapest option, but cars are also affordable and safe. There are rental options all over town, and most resorts offer them as well. 

With warm, tropical weather and an easy-to-follow, uncrowded road, driving around Cozumel is a blast. 

14. Visit one of Cozumel’s east coast beaches

The east coast of Cozumel is lined with wild, sandy beaches. 

There are a few cafes and souvenir stands along the beaches, but it’s mostly undeveloped. 

If you’re driving around the island by car or scooter, stop at a few of the beaches for a swim or a cold drink from the local snack stands. 

Chen Rio Beach, Playa Bonita, Punta Chiqueros Beach, San Martin Beach, and Punta Morena Beach are a few highlights. 

However, if you’re visiting the Cancun area of Mexico between May and August, it will likely be seaweed season unfortunately! All of Cozumel’s east coast beaches (and the mainland beaches) were covered in brown seaweed when we visited in August. 

So we drove past the beaches but didn’t stop as it didn’t look very inviting.

Keep that in mind when planning your trip to Cozumel (the west coast beaches were completely free of seaweed, even in August). 

15. Shop for Mayan crafts and souvenirs

Right next to Parque Benito Juarez, you’ll see lots of street vendors selling souvenirs.

There are endless rows of bright colors and patterns adorning things like ceramics, jewellery, clothes, and the usual trinkets like keychains and magnets.

I’m not usually big on souvenir shopping, but there are so many cool things to browse through. There is also a big colorful plaza right next to the main square that has indoor shops as well.

Whether window shopping or looking for the perfect gift, shopping is one of the best things to do in Cozumel.

16. Visit the white sands of Isla de Pasion

Isla de Pasion is a tiny strip of soft white sand about 1km off the north coast of Cozumel. 

It’s very undeveloped and is only accessible by boat. So either chat to some locals or the staff where you are staying to enquire about how to get there, or just book a guided boat tour. 

A trip to the little slice of paradise is well worth it! 

There is a restaurant and bar on Isla de Pasion, as well as beaches where you can enjoy water sports and enjoy postcard-like views. 

Explore the stunning Isla de Pasion on a boat tour from Cozumel!

17. Bike or walk along the west coast

While you need to hire a scooter or car to ride along Cozumel’s remote east coast, the west coast is easily accessible from the town center. 

From the ferry pier right in the heart of San Miguel, you can either head north or south and walk along the paved coastal sidewalk. 

The coastal paths are wide, sunny, and great for walking or biking. You’ll see colorful monuments, cool statues, seaside cafes and bars, and gorgeous beaches along the way. 

18. Walk around the Mayan Plaza

The Mayan Plaza is an adorable, colorful square located right near the Cozumel cruise ship terminal. 

It’s where cruise ship guests like to walk around, shop, eat, drink, and sightsee during their short breaks onshore. 

However, if you visit outside of peak cruise ship times, it’s absolutely deserted! I walked down here at 9am on a Sunday morning. There was literally no one in the whole square. 

Granted, that meant all the shops and cafes were closed. But I did get to admire the colorful flags and vibrant street art without any crowds, which was nice. 

19. Join an island tour with a local guide

I did an island tour around Cozumel with a local guide and it was absolutely incredible! 

We started in the town center and did some sightseeing around San Miguel. Then we drove around the island, and stopped at the Plaza de las Dos Culturas, Chen Rio Beach, Punta Sur, and a hidden cenote where a few local families were swimming. 

Though I had already seen most of the sights on my own, I learned so many fun facts about the island from our guide, Lorenzo. 

Lorenzo taught us about Mayan history, current local traditions and cuisine, and the biodiversity of Cozumel. 

The whole tour was only 3 hours, but I had such a deeper appreciation for the island and its culture after the guided experience. 

20. Visit a beach park for the day

If you’re staying in downtown Cozumel and want to escape to the beach for a day, head to one of the beach parks. 

Beach parks are basically just private stretches of beach where you can go snorkeling and kayaking. 

The bigger beach parks have more of a theme park feel with rides and excursions. Smaller beach parks just have lounge chairs and a bar or restaurant where you can hang out for the day. 

The biggest and most touristy beach park on Cozumel is Chankanaab.

Paradise Beach Park, San Francisco Beach Club, and Kuza Beach Park are other slightly more relaxed options.

21. Go paddleboarding

A fun way to sightsee and enjoy the crystal clear waters around Cozumel is paddleboarding. 

There are lots of rental places in town where you can hire a paddleboard for an hour or two. Or join a guided tour from a beach park.

Many hostels and hotels also offer their own paddleboard tours and rentals, so just enquire for the best options.

Check Booking.com for the best hotels on Cozumel!

22. Tour the Museo del Cozumel

Anyone interested in history and culture should check out the Museo del Cozumel, or Cozumel Museum. 

The historic building is located right on the waterfront near the city center. 

Here you can check out the exhibits and artifacts while learning about Cozumel’s heritage. 

23. See the Plaza de las Dos Culturas

Just north of the downtown area and the Cozumel ferry terminal lies the Plaza de las Dos Culturas. 

You can get here on a 20-minute walk, 5-minute bike ride, or 3-minute drive from downtown. 

The square itself is quite small. But it has a cool monument that signifies the joining of the Indigenous Mayan culture with the Spanish Catholic culture. 

There is also a beautiful beach right next to the plaza where you can swim, snorkel, or watch the sunset. 

Stop in the little cafe for a drink or buy some fresh fruit from the local ladies as well. 

24. Watch the sunset on the west coast

Cozumel has absolutely stunning sunsets along the west coast. 

On clear days, you can see right across to the Mexican mainland. The Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico is flat as well, meaning there are no mountains or hills to block your view of the sunset. 

So you can watch the sun dip right below the horizon with tranquil views of the ocean surrounding the scene. 

I highly recommend trying to catch the sunrise every night if you can. The view never gets old!

Any west-facing pier, resort, beach, walkway, cafe, or bar will offer perfect views of the sunset from Cozumel. 

Thanks for reading my list of things to do in Cozumel, Mexico!

Here are some other resources I used for planning my own trip to Cozumel:

☼ Booking.com to find the best hotels on the island. We ended up staying at Iberostar Waves, which was absolutely amazing.

☼ Hostelworld to find the best hostels! After our fancy hotel experience, I wanted to save money so I stayed at a few hostels on Cozumel. I always check Hostelworld for the best ratings and reviews.

☼ Squaremouth Insurance is my go-to web platform for finding a travel insurance plan that suits your travel style and budget.

☼ Saily for purchasing an eSIM. I bought data for my 3 weeks in Mexico and it was so easy to set up via the app on my phone.

Read about more of my travels in Latin America:

Lake Atitlan Travel Guide: Towns, Transport, and More

Hiking Volcan Acatenango In Guatemala

Budget Travel Guide To Semuc Champey, Guatemala

6 Reasons To Volunteer At Dreamsea Surf Camp, Costa Rica

10 Best Things To Do In Quito, Ecuador

11 Best Things To Do In Baños, Ecuador