Why Go to Cozumel
YOUR DESTINATION AT A GLANCE
Cozumel is Mexico's island of turquoise water and powdery sand, just off the coast of Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, and on days when several big ships are in port, the waterfront shops and restaurants of San Miguel can get very busy.
Don't let the crowds fool you, though. Cozumel's real treasures are away from downtown. The reefs here are some of the best for diving and snorkeling anywhere on the planet, with clear water and colorful marine life. Charter a fishing or dive boat, take a glass-bottom boat tour or find a quiet beach on the island's wild eastern side and simply relax. In the evening, after the ships sail away, the town calms down, and it's a great time to find a local bar with live music.
The island is about 29 miles long and 9 miles wide, so it's easy to explore by renting a golf cart, scooter or small car for a day or two. Whether you're coming by cruise ship or staying a week, I'll set up snorkel and dive trips, beach clubs and the right resort for your style.
BEST FOR
Cruise visitors, snorkelers, divers and beach lovers
BEST MONTHS
December to April
EXPLORE
- San Miguel: The island's only town, with the waterfront, shops, restaurants and the main square.
- South Hotel Zone: Most resorts, cruise piers, beach clubs and the best reefs.
- North Hotel Zone: Quieter resorts and calm water, close to town.
- East Coast: Wild, undeveloped beaches with crashing surf and small beach restaurants.
- Punta Sur: The protected southern tip, with the lighthouse, lagoons and quiet beaches.
SIX18 SIGNATURE DESTINATION GUIDE
Cozumel
North America › Caribbean Coast & Yucatán › Mexico › Quintana Roo
Crystal-clear reefs, laid-back beach clubs and Mayan history on Mexico's favorite island.
Beach & Resort
Diving
Snorkeling
Cruise
SIX18 INSIDER TIP
For a calmer beach day on a busy cruise day, skip the clubs near the piers and head south toward Punta Sur, where the water is just as clear and the crowds thin out.
Experiences Worth Exploring
THINGS TO DO
Go early in the morning or late in the day to beat the heat and the tour groups.
San Gervasio Archaeological Site
Once a sacred pilgrimage site dedicated to the Mayan goddess Ixchel, San Gervasio's temples and stone roads sit quietly in the jungle at the center of the island.
Arrive at opening to snorkel the reef before the cruise crowds arrive.
Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park
This eco-park combines a natural lagoon, snorkeling right off the beach, botanical gardens and sea lion encounters, all in one easy-to-reach spot.
Climb the Celarain Lighthouse for the best panoramic view on the island.
Punta Sur Eco Beach Park
A protected park on the island's southern tip with a lighthouse, a quiet beach, mangrove lagoons where you can spot crocodiles, and great reef snorkeling.
Look but don't touch; the starfish are protected and can be harmed by lifting them out of the water.
El Cielo Reef Area
A shallow, sandy area famous for its starfish, reachable only by boat. The water here is so clear it looks like a swimming pool.
Book with a reputable dive operator that keeps groups small and follows marine park rules.
Palancar Reef
One of the most famous dive sites in the world, with towering coral walls, swim-throughs and drop-offs into deep blue water.
A beloved oceanfront resort with its own reef right off the beach, elegant rooms and some of the island's best snorkeling from shore.
InterContinental Presidente Cozumel Resort Spa
Southwest coast near Chankanaab
Beach
A modern resort just north of San Miguel with an infinity pool, beach access and an easy taxi ride to town.
The Westin Cozumel
North Hotel Zone
Beach
An all-inclusive resort on the south side of the island, near popular reefs and beach clubs.
Iberostar Waves Cozumel
South Hotel Zone
All-Inclusive · Beach
An adults-only all-inclusive with sleek rooms and ocean views, ideal for couples.
Secrets Aura Cozumel
South Hotel Zone
All-Inclusive · Adults-Only · Beach
An all-inclusive resort on the waterfront just outside San Miguel, with an easy ride into town and reef access steps from the pool.
Cozumel Palace
San Miguel waterfront
All-Inclusive · Beach
A family-friendly all-inclusive with a good beach and snorkeling right offshore.
Grand Park Royal Cozumel
South Hotel Zone
All-Inclusive · Family · Beach
An all-inclusive with the island's largest pool, a beach club and an on-site dive shop.
Hotel Cozumel & Resort, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
South Hotel Zone / Carretera Costera Sur
All-Inclusive · Family · Value · Beach
An art-filled, adults-only boutique hotel with a private beach and a spa, a short drive from town.
Hotel B Unique – Adults Only
North Hotel Zone
Adults-Only · Boutique · Beach
A good-value hotel on the waterfront in San Miguel, steps from shops and restaurants.
Casa Mexicana Cozumel
San Miguel waterfront
City · Value
A small beach hotel on a calm stretch of the north shore, with a relaxed boutique feel.
Playa Azul Cozumel
North Hotel Zone
Boutique · Beach
Curated Accommodations
WHERE TO STAY
November in Cozumel
High 84°F · Low 72°F · Rain 3.5 in
Cooler, drier weather returns, and Day of the Dead celebrations brighten San Miguel in early November.
The best time to visit Cozumel is December through April, when the weather is warm and dry and the seas are calm for diving. Summer brings heat, humidity and afternoon showers, while hurricane season runs June through November, peaking in September and October. Late spring and early summer often offer good deals and excellent visibility underwater.
Best Times to Visit Cozumel
WHEN TO GO
Where to Dine
DINING
Cozumel's food scene is all about fresh seafood and authentic Yucatán flavors. Try fish tacos, ceviche and cochinita pibil, a slow-roasted pork specialty, washed down with a cold local beer or fresh lime agua fresca.
- In San Miguel: Walk a few blocks off the waterfront for local taquerías and family-run restaurants.
- At the beach clubs: Fresh guacamole, ceviche and margaritas with your toes in the sand.
- Must-try: Tikin xic (achiote-marinated fish), fish tacos and marquesitas, a crispy rolled crepe sold from street carts.
06
Walking
San Miguel's waterfront and downtown are compact and easy to explore on foot.
05
Rental Cars & Scooters
Renting a jeep or car is the best way to explore the eastern shore and the island loop road. Scooters are popular but best left to experienced riders.
04
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful and use fixed zone fares rather than meters. Confirm the price before you get in.
03
Cruise Piers
Most ships dock at the International Pier or Puerta Maya south of town, or at Punta Langosta right in San Miguel. Taxis wait at every pier.
02
Ferries from Playa del Carmen
Fast passenger ferries make the crossing between Playa del Carmen and San Miguel in about 45 minutes, running throughout the day.
01
Flying In
Cozumel International Airport (CZM) is just a few minutes from San Miguel, with nonstop flights from several U.S. cities. Cancún (CUN) offers more options, followed by a drive to Playa del Carmen and a ferry.
Most visitors arrive by cruise ship, fly into Cozumel or take the ferry from Playa del Carmen. Taxis with fixed fares are the easiest way to get around, while a rental jeep is perfect for a day exploring the island's wild east coast. San Miguel itself is very walkable.
Getting Around Cozumel
GETTING AROUND
KEEP EXPLORING
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