Cozumel Travel Guide

Introduction to Cozumel

Map of Cozumel  | 360 Virtual Tour: Cozumel Attractions

Thanks to a Jacques Cousteau documentary on its world-class reefs it has been a favorite international diving destination since 1961. It is literally swimming with diving sites - about 100 have been identified around Cozumel, and at least a dozen of them are shallow enough for snorkeling.

The 100 or so high-quality diving sites include Palancar Reef, Santa Rosa and Punta Sur. The most idyllic places to don your snorkeling apparatus are reached by boat. Half-day tours cost a pretty penny but are worth it, though you can save the fare by walking into the gentle surf at Playa La Ceiba, Bahía Chankanaab, Playa San Francisco and elsewhere.

The only town on the island is San Miguel, which, despite the growth of the last 20 years, can't be called anything more than a small town. It's not a stunningly beautiful place, but it and its inhabitants are agreeable -- on Sunday evenings, everybody congregates around the plaza to be sociable and have a good time. Staying in town can be fun and convenient. You get a choice of a number of restaurants and nightspots. Because Cozumel enjoys such popularity with the cruise ships, the waterfront section of town holds wall-to-wall jewelry stores and souvenir shops. This and the area around the town's main square are about as far as most cruise ship passengers venture into town.

Attractions

Cozumel Certified Scuba Diving  
Cozumel has the second largest coral reef in the world. The waters surrounding Mexico’s largest island often exceed 200 feet of superbly clear visibility. The sea life and the deep ocean walls are impressive in the waters of Cozumel. Come practice certified scuba diving in Cozumel and experience an unparallel adventure in the Mexican Caribbean.

Cozumel Reef Snorkel   
The island of Cozumel is legendry among divers and snorkelers. The waters surrounding Mexico’s largest island often exceed 200 feet of superbly clear visibility. The sea life, the coral reefs, and the deep ocean walls are impressive. This is a full day of adventure in the Caribbean Sea.

Cozumel Snorkel Aquaworld   
Enjoy a fabulous coral reef snorkel tour with the amazing Cozumel Snorkel program offered by Aquaworld. Spend an unforgettable day with this 40-minute tour which will provide you with a professional guide, snorkeling gear, buffet lunch, beer, sodas and water, and a shopping trip to downtown Cozumel. 

Dolphin Interactive Adventure "Dolphinaris" Cozumel   
Kids will be fascinated with this marvelous experience that will allow them to interact with bottlenose dolphins, caress them, kiss them and receive a pectoral fin shake. This amusing activity starts with a brief introduction explaining to kids the dolphins’ behavior, as well as the basic guidelines of the program.

Dolphin Swim "Dolphinaris", Cozumel  
Establish an up-close and safe connection with dolphins. Swim with them while playing and caressing their smooth skin. Get a gentle kiss and a handshake from your new friends and watch them perform exciting acrobatics right in front of you. Top off the experience by feeling the dolphins’ power as they foot-push you across the expanse of our lagoons.

Dolphin Swim and Ride "Dolphinaris", Cozumel  
Before the encounter, our trainers will give you an introductory briefing on dolphin anatomy and the basic guidelines of the activity. Start the program with a short dolphin presentation and observe them jumping and performing flips, an ideal moment for a picture. After this, you will be guided to a submerged platform to get up close with the dolphins and receive a kiss and a pectoral fin shake.

Dolphin Trainer "Dolphinaris" , Cozumel   
At your arrival, we’ll welcome you with a delicious tropical fruit cocktail. Then we’ll introduce you to the trainers who will teach you how to interact with and to train dolphins and feed them. This activity starts with a tour around the “fish house”, where the dolphins’ food is prepared. After visiting our restaurant, you’ll be guided to a fascinating snorkel cove, where you can admire the marine flora and fauna. From a submerged platform, you’ll interact with dolphins, ask them to complete a variety of behaviors and practice what you’ve learnt. All the participants receive a kiss and pectoral fin shake.

El Cedral
This Mayan ruin, which functioned as a jail in the 19th century, is the oldest on the island, dating way, way back to AD800. It's not a very obviously alluring attraction, but is the most accessible of Cozumel's ruins; it's 3.5km (2mi) down a paved road that heads off to the left a kilometer or two south of Playa San Francisco's access road. The ancient structure is only the size of a small house, so keep your eyes peeled for it. El Cedral is thought to have been an important ceremonial site, and today there is a small stucco church sitting next to the ruin.

Golf Club Cozumel Country Club  
This wonderful golf course was carved from the Mayan jungle is environmentally friendly; it was carefully crafted from the surrounding mangrove, marshlands and tropical rainforest to preserve its environmental integrity and it possess very thick vegetation around it. Created to provide a first-class golf test for players of any skill levels, Cozumel Country Club offers a challenging experience to the serious golfer and allows an enjoyable surrounding for the not so serious one.

Parque Chankanaab
This park on the bay of the same name swarms with snorkelers, even though there's really not a whole lot to see in the water aside from a few brightly colored fish and some deliberately sunken artificial objects. However, its beach is a stunner; walk 50m (164ft) inland to reach a limestone lagoon that is home to a host of iguanas and turtles. You can't swim or snorkel here with the lovely little creatures, but it's a pretty place to view nonetheless. Also on the park grounds are a small archaeological park containing Olmec heads and Mayan artifacts; a small museum holding objects imported from Chichén Itzá opportunities to swim with dolphins or watch sea lions strut their stuff (for a price); and a botanical garden sprouting 400 species of tropical plants. Travelers with kids will appreciate the children's playground.

Playa San Francisco
A 14km (9mi) jaunt from San Miguel on Cozumel's west coast, Playa San Francisco is one nice sandy spread. And with white sands running for more than 3km (2mi) it's a popular spot, where locals and day-trippers from the cruise ships go to snorkel, relax and play beach games like volleyball. It's a great spot to picnic, or alternatively, pricey food is available at one of several restaurants within reach. If dive shops get your heart pumping, you'll find plenty to keep you occupied here. A little more isolated in nature, Playa Palancar, a few kilometers south, has calm jet-ski-less waters to its credit. It is a beautiful place for a swim

San Miguel de Cozumel
Isla Cozumel's only town is San Miguel de Cozumel, and it is where you'll find many restaurants, bars, hotels, tour agencies, banks and other amenities. It is well-equipped to deal with the global influx - you can chow down on food ranging from vegetarian to Mediterranean to local mesquite-grilled chicken. The waterfront Avenida Rafael Melgar is generally bustling with cruise-ship tourists; wander off the track a little for a dose of the vibrant local scene. But before leaving Avenida Rafael Melgar, check out the fine Museo de la Isla de Cozumel, which presents a clear and detailed picture of the island's flora, fauna, geography, geology and ancient Mayan history. Well-scripted signs in both English and Spanish accompany the exhibits. Get your lesson on Coral 101 here before heading out to the reefs. Plaza Del Sol, the town's main square, is a popular spot for strolling, hanging out and people-watching, especially on Sunday evenings when all of the locals seem to be out, soaking up the atmosphere.

Getting to Cozumel and Getting Around

By Plane -- There's always something happening at Cozumel's international airport, which sees many direct flights from other parts of Mexico and the USA. Flights from Europe and other continents are usually less direct, routed through Mexico City or the USA.  Cozumel's airport is inland from downtown. Transportes Terrestres provides hotel transportation in air-conditioned Suburbans. Buy your ticket as you exit the terminal.

By Ferry -- Passenger ferries run to and from Playa del Carmen. Barcos México and Ultramar offer departures almost every hour on the hour between 5am and midnight. The trip takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on conditions. Tickets can be bought next to the dock. The boats are air-conditioned. In Playa del Carmen, the ferry dock is 1 1/2 blocks from the main square. In Cozumel, the ferries use the town pier (Muelle Fiscal), a block from the main square.

The car ferry that used to operate from Puerto Morelos now uses the Calica pier just south of Playa del Carmen. Marítima Chancanaab (tel. 987/872-0916) has 4 departures daily from Calica at 7am, 1pm, 5pm, and 9pm. Arrive one hour before departure. The schedule is subject to change, so double-check it. The ferry docks in Cozumel at the Muelle Internacional (the International Pier, which is south of town near La Ceiba Hotel).

Please Note: These ferry schedules and prices can change. Contact the ferry providers, listed below, for specific schedules.

COZUMEL FERRY PHONE NUMBERS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Cruceros Maritimos
From the U.S. and Canada: 011-52-987-872-1588
From Cozumel: 872-1588
From the Mainland including Cancun: 987-872-1588
e-mail: info@crucerosmaritimos.com.mx    Visit their Website

Ultramar
From the U.S. and Canada: 011-52-998-843-2011
From Cozumel: 843-2011
From the Mainland including Cancun: 998-843-2011
e-mail: info@granpuerto.com.mx    Visit their Website

Transcaribe
From the U.S. and Canada: 011-52-987-872 7688
From Cozumel: 872-7688
From the Mainland including Cancun: 987-872 7688
e-mail: transcaribe@transcaribe.net    Visit their Website