Ultimate Cozumel Travel Guide, Mexico

Here is my complete Cozumel travel guide with tips for where to stay, how to get around, the best beaches, and more!

If you’re looking for a fun yet laid-back Caribbean getaway, Cozumel is a fantastic choice.

This small island off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is packed with amazing things to see and do.

There are dense jungles and mangroves where wildlife thrives, protected by UNESCO World Heritage status. Framing the forest, you can find white sand beaches, towering palm trees, and upscale resorts.

Further off the coast lies the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, an incredible coral reef system with epic snorkel and dive spots.

There is delicious, flavorful Mexican food and coffee, plus a fascinating history including ancient Mayan ruins and legends.

Throw in the tropical weather, friendly locals, vibrant street art, and the constant flow of infectious Latin music, and you’ve got one fabulous destination.

Here are all my top travel tips for planning your stay in Cozumel, Mexico!

The Ultimate Cozumel Travel Guide, Mexico

I recommend doing some research so you can plan the perfect trip to Cozumel.

For example, choosing the right season, location, and amount of time on the island can help you have a better experience.

The island is relatively small – you can drive around all of it in one day.

But there is a lot to do, and figuring out where to stay and how to get around is essential.

In my ultimate Cozumel travel guide, I’ll answer some FAQs and give my recommendations based on personal experience.

How long do you need on Cozumel, Mexico?

I would recommend at least 3 days in Cozumel, with 5-7 days being more ideal.

You could even spend 10 days or more here, depending on how packed you want your schedule to be.

Some people like to just relax, in which case Cozumel is perfect. You can post up at a beachfront resort and spend your days lazing away in the Caribbean sunshine.

If you like to pack in lots of fun activities while traveling, you are spoilt for choice in Cozumel.

Consider your own travel style and make sure you leave enough time for relaxing and exploring.

I spent 10 days on Cozumel, with 4 of those being work days and 2 being relaxing days where I didn’t do much.

So without the work time and downtime, I had about 4 days of exploring and doing activities around Cozumel. And there are still a few things I didn’t have time to do.

I could easily have spent 2 weeks here!

Can you visit Cozumel in a day?

You can also just explore Cozumel on a day trip from Playa Del Carmen or Tulum on the mainland of Mexico. One day on this beautiful island is better than not visiting at all.

However, there are so many amazing things to do that I would highly recommend staying for at least 3 days.

You can go snorkeling, scuba diving, beach hopping, museum touring, taco tasting, tequila tasting, bike riding, sunset watching, paddle boarding, crocodile spotting, road tripping, surfing, sailing, kayaking, and more.

So do yourself a favor and try to extend your trip to at least a few days.

How to get to Cozumel, Mexico

You can get to Cozumel by ferry or airplane. Both are easy and affordable, depending on where you are coming from.

Flying to Cozumel

Flying directly to Cozumel is the quickest way to get here. However the airport is small and only has direct flights to a few cities such as Mexico City, Miami, Houston, Denver, and Dallas.

I recommend browsing Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights.

If you are flexible with your travel dates, you might be able to find an affordable flight.

From the airport, it’s just a 5-10 minute taxi ride into the downtown area of Cozumel.

Find the best flights to Mexico on Skyscanner!

Ferries to Cozumel

If you can’t find an affordable or direct flight to Cozumel, it’s very easy to get there by ferry as well. Here are your step-by-step directions:

Step 1 – Fly to Cancun International Airport

First, you will need to fly into Cancun International Airport.

Cancun is a much bigger and more popular airport than Cozumel Airport, so it’s usually easier to find cheap or direct flights here.

Step 2 – Travel from airport to Playa Del Carmen by ADO bus or private transfers

From Cancun Airport, travel to Playa Del Carmen by bus or private transfer.

Playa Del Carmen is the easiest departure point for Cozumel on the Mexican mainland. It’s located about an hour south of Cancun on the Quintana Roo coast.

If you’re traveling on a budget, you can easily get the ADO bus from Cancun Airport to downtown Playa Del Carmen.

This bus costs about 250 Mexican Pesos (13 USD). You will be dropped off at the Terminal Turistica, right in downtown Playa Del Carmen near the ferry.

If you have more money to spend, you could also book a shared minivan or private transfers from the airport to the ferry in Playa Del Carmen.

To break up the travel, you could also spend a day or two exploring Playa Del Carmen before catching the ferry to Cozumel.

Find transport between Cancun and Cozumel on Bookaway!

Step 3 – Catch the ferry to Cozumel

From the ADO bus station in Playa Del Carmen, it’s a 5-minute walk to the ferry terminal.

You can buy tickets right there when you arrive. There is no need to book in advance, unless it’s peak season or there is a specific time slot you absolutely need to make and you don’t want to risk it selling out. You can book ferry tickets online in that case.

Ultramar, Xcaret, and WinJet are the 3 ferry companies that run between Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel.

They are all similar, so just book the next available one when you arrive. Ferries run roughly every 30 minutes from 6:30am – 9pm.

The ferry costs around 320 pesos, or 17 USD, and the ride is around 30 minutes.

ferry ticket between playa del carmen and cozumel mexico

Cozumel Travel Guide – Where To Stay

Upon arriving in Cozumel, you have a few options for accommodation. There are budget hostels, work exchanges, budget and mid-range hotels, all-inclusive resorts, and luxury hotels.

Before I explain each accommodation type, I’ll briefly touch on the different areas of the island. This is important to consider when deciding where to stay, as each part of Cozumel offers something different.

The majority of Cozumel is undeveloped and protected jungle. So there is nowhere to stay in the center of the island, or on the north, south, and east coasts.

That leaves the west coast and the main city of San Miguel as your only options for accommodation.

I did all of my hotel research for Cozumel on Booking.com and Hostelworld. Highly reputable and easy to use websites for finding accommodation!

Downtown San Miguel (Centro)

Pros – Walking distance to ferry, eateries, local tours and attractions
Cons – Busy, loud, slightly farther from the beach and reefs

Cozumel’s only city is San Miguel, located in the middle-west of the island.

As soon as you disembark the passenger ferry, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the downtown area, or Centro.

It’s a charming little city with colorful buildings, cafes, restaurants, and touristy shops.

If you want to be right in the middle of the action, there are lots of hotels and hostels in downtown Cozumel.

Downtown is also the perfect place to stay if you don’t want to rent any sort of transport. You can walk to everything, and tours and activities around the island will pick you up if needed.

However, downtown Cozumel can be busy and loud.

clock tower and shops in downtown cozumel travel guide — The iconic Cozumel Clock Tower is the centerpiece of the downtown.

Outskirts of Downtown San Miguel

Pros – Local vibe, laid-back, cheaper than downtown
Cons – Can still be loud, far from downtown, reefs, and beaches

If you prefer a more laid-back, local atmosphere away from all the crowds, you can find hostels and hotels on the outskirts of San Miguel.

Just walking a few blocks outside the main Centro area, you’ll find quieter streets and barely any tourists.

Accommodation can be cheaper out here. However, it can still be loud due to local traffic, especially if your hotel is near a main road.

It can also be 20-40 minutes to walk to the downtown area, which isn’t very convenient unless you have your own transport such as a bike, scooter, or car.

street art and motorcycles in cozumel mexico — There is still cool street art outside the main tourist area of Cozumel.

Southwest coast of Cozumel

Pros – Beachfront, quiet, surrounded by reefs and jungle
Cons – Far from downtown, need transport to leave your resort

The southwest of Cozumel is an amazing place to stay if you want beaches, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

The beaches along this part of the island have soft white sand and crystal clear water that is protected from the hordes of seaweed that you’ll find on the mainland or Cozumel’s east coast.

Some of the best snorkel and dive sites are right offshore as well. You can book boat tours that will pick you up from your hotel’s private jetty.

Because the southwest of Cozumel is gorgeous, it’s also prime real estate. That means it’s mostly all-inclusive resorts and luxury hotels around here.

So there are no hostels, but you can still find semi-affordable hotels here if your budget is more flexible.

The resorts down here are quiet and peaceful, with just the ocean on one side and the jungle on the other.

But you are far from downtown, meaning you’ll need to get taxis or hire transport if you want to explore off the resort.

scuba tanks on a mexico resort jetty — Book a scuba tour that picks you up right from your resort’s private jetty!

Northwest coast of Cozumel

Pros – Beachfront, quiet, close to ferry, airport, and local tours
Cons – Longer walk to get to downtown, farther from the best dive sites and reefs

The northwest of Cozumel is similar to the southwest.

Up here you’ll find luxury hotels and resorts with beach access. It’s quiet, peaceful, and amazing for swimming and snorkeling.

Divers may prefer the southwest to the northwest as it’s closer to the best reef sites. Dive boats and tours might not pick you up from the northern hotels.

But it’s a quick drive or taxi ride into downtown if you want to join any tours.

sunset over the beach in cozumel travel guide — Nothing like a beachfront stay in Cozumel!

Types of accommodation in Cozumel

Now that we’ve covered the best areas to stay on the island, here is a rundown of the types of accommodations on Cozumel.

There are options for all budgets and travel styles!

Budget accommodation – hostels

Cost – around 10 – 20 USD per night
My recommendation – The adorable Casa Samay hostel, 300 pesos per night, 10-minute walk to downtown in a quiet neighborhood

If you’re traveling Cozumel on a budget, there are lots of cheap hostels where you can stay in a dorm bed for 300 Pesos per night (16 USD).

Most hostels are downtown, or on the outskirts of downtown.

Many hostels have air-conditioning in the dorms so you can sleep comfortably in the tropical heat.

There are also shared kitchen facilities if you want to cook some of your own meals. However it’s pretty cheap to dine out at the local spots or taco stands in Mexico!

Hostels are great because they often have a social atmosphere and are fun for solo travelers. They usually provide bike rentals for exploring the island as well.

Find the best Mexico hostels on Hostelworld.

Common area at Casa Samay Hostel, Cozumel

Budget accommodation – work exchanges

Cost – Free accommodation in exchange for roughly 20 hours of work per week (plus $49 yearly Worldpackers fee)
My recommendation – Casamaya Hostel & Diving, local neighborhood, run by super nice and passionate divers

For an even cheaper and more immersive experience in Mexico, consider a work exchange!

You can volunteer a few hours of work per day in exchange for free accommodation.

This is an incredible way to connect with the local culture and lifestyle, while making new friends and gaining new experiences abroad.

You can find work exchanges in Cozumel or around Mexico on websites like Worldpackers or Workaway.

I spent a few nights at Casamaya Hostel & Diving as a guest, but there were a few people volunteering there through Worldpackers.

It looked like a super chill place to do a work exchange, especially if you want to do lots of diving with the awesome team there.

Save $10 USD on your Worldpackers membership with promo code GABBY!

two girls in scuba gear on a boat in cozumel

scuba diver underwater in cozumel mexico

Mid-Range accommodation – hotels and resorts

Cost – Around 60 – 120 USD per night
My recommendation – Casa Mexicana or Suites Colonial in downtown

Mid-range hotels and resorts are ideal for couples, groups, families, and travelers who want a bit more comfort on Cozumel.

You can find affordable hotels around the downtown area with private rooms, air-conditioning, and lots of activities on offer.

Mexico is also an affordable place to treat yourself if you want to stay at a fancier resort.

Some resorts are as cheap as 100 – 120 USD per night, which is only 50 – 60 USD per person if you’re a couple sharing a room.

These resorts also usually offer bike rentals and tours where you can explore the island.

walkways and buildings in downtown cozumel — Downtown Cozumel

Luxury accommodation – beachfront or all-inclusive hotels and resorts

Cost – Around 150 – 300 USD per night
My recommendation – Iberostar Waves Cozumel

The west coast of Cozumel has plenty of options for five-star hotels and resorts.

El Presidente, Cozumel Palace, and The Westin are some of the nicest resorts on the island.

You can even find nice resorts that are decently priced for those with more of a mid-range budget!

As a budget traveler who normally stays in hostels or does work exchanges, I had a blast treating myself to an all-inclusive resort with my partner. We wanted a bit more privacy with our own room, and we really wanted a relaxing beachfront vacation.

So we stayed at Iberostar Waves, which was decently priced at around 200 USD per night for a king bed room and all-inclusive food and drinks (100 USD per person).

palm trees and lounge chairs at a beachfront resort — The beach area at Iberostar Waves Cozumel

A note about all-inclusive resorts

All-inclusive resorts are popular for tourists in the Caribbean. You pay a nightly rate and it includes your stay plus all food and drinks. Activities are often included as well.

But all-inclusive resorts are pretty controversial.

Many are owned by big, international hotel chains, and they often play a huge role in the gentrification of underdeveloped countries. They also promote over-indulgence with their never-ending offerings of food and alcohol.

But they are also extremely convenient and safe for families or big groups. I can see why people love them, and I think it’s ok to indulge once in a while.

But if you want to be a responsible traveler, you’d be doing a much better service to the country you’re visiting by staying in locally-owned accommodation rather than an all-inclusive resort.

You’re also in a little bubble when you’re on an all-inclusive resort. So it can be good to get outside the resort and stay in a more local area as well if you want to experience what a country is actually like.

man walking into water with snorkel gear — We chose an all-inclusive resort because it was the best option for a beachfront stay in the south of Cozumel.

Cozumel travel guide – how to get around

You can get around Cozumel Island by taxi, rental car, scooter, bicycle, and good old fashioned walking.

There are some public buses, but they are mainly for the locals.

For tourists, you can easily walk around the town center and either take taxis or hire your own transport for traveling further distances.

Cozumel is very safe to walk around. I explored on foot all around the city of San Miguel and never felt unsafe once.

For transport on wheels, first ask your accommodation what options they offer. Most hostels and hotels have bicycles for rent, and they can help you organize scooter or car rental as well.

Otherwise, just walk around the downtown area you’ll find lots of locals offering scooter, jeep, and car rental.

man riding a scooter in front of a beach on cozumel — Renting a scooter is a cheap and fun way to explore Cozumel!

Where to eat in Cozumel

Even though Cozumel is pretty touristy, you can find some amazing, authentic Mexican food here. There are also international eateries like sushi, pizza, and burgers, but I would try to indulge in as much Mexican food as you can.

I ate tacos basically every night because they were so delicious at every place I visited.

The majority of eateries will be around downtown San Miguel. The further away from the town center you get, the more local the restaurants get, and staff may not speak English.

The west coast of Cozumel is also lined with a few beach bars, cafes, and restaurants that you can get to if you have transport.

My Cozumel food recommendations

Here are my two favorite places that I ate in Cozumel.

These spots were so good that I went to both of them two times!

Guisados – Try the pollo mole tacos, the flavor is out of this world and they come with a light dusting of chocolate powder (trust me it’s delicious).

Mahi Mahi – Try the tacos with the fish of the day, honestly some of the best fish tacos I’ve ever had. They also have a local band playing live music on Sunday afternoons.

three fish tacos on a place at a restaurant — The delicious fish tacos with catch of the day at Mahi Mahi

These are some other places I ate that were also very good:

Los Sera’s Tacos
Taqueria El Mexicano
Aqui + Ahora Coffee Bar

Here are some other places I was recommended that I didn’t get to:

K’ooben Laab
Mr Tacos
Casa Mission

tacos on a plate at a restaurant in cozumel

When is the best time of year to visit Cozumel?

The best time to visit Cozumel is the cooler months of the year between December and April. This is when the weather is sunny and clear, with little rain or humidity.

December through April also brings a clearer ocean that is ideal for snorkeling and diving. Less rain means less runoff and therefore crystal clear waters!

There is also little to no seaweed in Mexico during these months.

However, December through April is also the busiest and most expensive time to visit Cozumel.

Visiting Cozumel in the off-season

I visited Cozumel in August, which many would consider the worst time of year to visit. But I still had an amazing time!

Flights were cheap and crowds were minimal. Despite all the seaweed on the mainland and on Cozumel’s east coast, the west coast had picture-perfect beaches with soft white sand and clear turquoise waters.

The weather was insanely hot and humid in August in Cozumel. I was dripping sweat by 9am every day.

But it’s all part of the experience! I didn’t come to the Caribbean for nice, cool weather. I just wore bathing suits all day, relaxed in the shade, and swam in the ocean every chance I got.

You can still have a fabulous time on Cozumel in the off season. Just be prepared for some rain and lots of heat and humidity.

ocean and lagoon at punta sur ecological park in cozumel — Before the torrential downpour at Punta Sur Ecological Park in Cozumel – luckily this was one of the only days it really rained during our visit!

Does Cozumel have seaweed?

Cozumel does have seaweed (sargassum) on the east coast between the months of May and August.

The Cancun area of Mexico is notorious for its huge waves of brown seaweed that wash up onshore for part of the year. Climate change seems to only be making it worse!

Luckily, Cozumel has lots of stunning beaches that are completely seaweed-free, even in the height of seaweed season.

All the seaweed-free beaches are on Cozumel’s west coast, where the waters are calm and protected. Here you will find fine white sand and crystal clear water that is amazing for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.

The beaches on Cozumel’s east coast were, unfortunately, covered in seaweed when I visited in August.

Which side of Cozumel has the best beaches?

Cozumel’s west coast has the best beaches because the waters are calm, clear, and protected from the seaweed and swells of the ocean.

All along Cozumel’s west coast, and even around the south coast of the island, the beaches are stunning.

The east coast of Cozumel is more exposed to the elements. The waves are bigger, the beaches are windier, and the seaweed can wash up in huge amounts between May and August.

Outside of seaweed season (September – April), Cozumel’s east coast beaches are still beautiful when the water is clear.

But for a nice beach day with calm waters, head to Cozumel’s west coast.

blue ocean waters off the coast of cozumel travel guide — Crystal clear waters on Cozumel’s west coast – even in peak seaweed season!

Cozumel Travel Guide – Packing List

Here is what I would recommend packing for Cozumel!

If you can pack light and only have carry-on bags, you’ll save money on your flight. It’s also just a lot easier to hop around Mexico with just a light backpack or duffel bag.

In addition to all your usual essentials, here are my top recommendations.

eSIM

I never travel without an eSIM anymore. They are the best things ever!!

Check out my full guide to eSIMs if you have more questions. But basically it’s just a super easy way to get data in foreign countries, without needing to change physical SIM cards.

In Cozumel, the only thing I needed data for was directions while driving around the island by scooter. However, it’s so easy to drive around Cozumel that we barely needed directions.

But I just bought 1GB of data for 7 days on Saily and it was 6 USD. So if you like having internet anytime while traveling, I recommend using an eSIM.

See prices for a Mexico eSIM with Saily!

Insect repellent

There are lots of mosquitoes on Cozumel! Particularly in the evenings or in humid, shady spots.

I would definitely recommend insect repellent so you can relax outside without getting bitten like crazy. Or just wear long pants and shirts when it’s muggy or dark.

Sun protection

As a tropical destination, the sun is super strong in Cozumel.

Make sure you protect your skin with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Try to get a mineral-based, reef-safe sunscreen to keep harmful chemicals out of the pristine oceans and reefs.

palm trees on the beach in cozumel mexico

Lightweight clothes

Cozumel is very hot and humid, especially between June and August.

Prepare to sweat through all your clothes! Just wear things that you don’t mind getting sweaty or dirty. Loose, lightweight clothing is ideal.

Microfiber towel

Most resorts, hotels, or even nice hostels provide beach and bath towels for you in Cozumel.

I still like to travel with a microfiber towel, just in case a hostel doesn’t provide them or I find myself on a day trip without a towel.

Microfiber towels are lightweight, fast-drying, and take up minimal space in your bags.

Plastic bag

I always like to have a plastic bag when traveling to tropical destinations.

First of all, they are handy for packing wet bathing suits or clothes if you’re swimming often.

I also like to use a ziplock plastic bag for my phone so I can take photos while I’m doing any water-based activities.

Try to reuse plastic bags rather than getting tons of new ones every time, in order to limit waste.

Comfy walking shoes and sandals

I only wore two pairs of shoes for my entire stay in Cozumel – flip flops and comfy sneakers.

It’s handy to have sandals for your days of beach hopping and water sports.

But I also think Cozumel is such a fun island to explore on foot. So pack some comfy walking shoes for those days that you want to explore.

mayan plaza cozumel travel guide — Walking around the Mayan Plaza on Cozumel’s west coast

Water bottle

Because Mexico is so hot, you’ll want to drink lots of water.

Bring a reusable water bottle so you don’t constantly need to buy plastic bottles.

Most resorts and even budget hostels in Cozumel have filtered water stations where you can refill your bottles.

You cannot drink the tap water in Mexico!

So if you’re stuck without a place to refill, buy a water bottle to be safe. Or you can invest in a self-filtering water bottle.

Debit card to withdraw cash

Mexican pesos are the best currency to have on Cozumel.

You’ll want cash for taxis and small local restaurants. Though lots of hotels, dive centers, tour companies, ferries, and bigger restaurants accept credit cards.

You can also often pay for things in USD, so you may want to have both on hand. Some ATMs, particularly those at big resorts, only dispense USD.

To get pesos from an ATM, visit one of the local banks in town and withdraw cash with your debit card.

Read my complete guide to exchanging money while traveling for more tips!

Don’t forget travel insurance for Mexico!

Travel insurance is a must when visiting Cozumel. It’s a very safe island, but there are things like tropical insect-borne illnesses that could pose a risk.

Also, if you’re doing higher-risk activities like scuba diving or driving a motorised scooter around a foreign country, it’s smart to have travel insurance.

I always use Squaremouth Insurance, an online platform where I can filter the results to show the best plans for me. I’ve had amazing experiences with them.

Get your travel insurance for Mexico before you leave for your trip.