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Cozumel
Hotels
Cozumel
hotels are all on the island's
west side. Divers and snorkelers
tend to congregate at the southern
properties. Sailors and anglers
prefer the north side.
Cozumel Hotels |
Tours and
Attractions
Tours to
Cozumel,
departing from
Cancun and the
Riviera Maya,
and tours to
area attractions
departing from
Playa del Carmen
if you are
staying on
Cozumel.
Tours
and Attractions
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Airport
Transportation
Airport
Transfers can be
reserved one-way
or round-trip
from the airport
to a ferry dock
or your hotel.
Shared shuttle
van service and
private taxis
are available.
Airport Transfers
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Introduction
to Cozumel
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 Cozumel
has ranked for years among the top five
dive destinations in the world. Tall reefs
line the southwest coast, creating towering
walls that offer divers a fairy-tale landscape
to explore. For non-divers, it has the beautiful
water of the Caribbean with all the accompanying
watersports and seaside activities. The
island gets a lot more visitors from North
America than Europe for reasons that probably
have to do with the limited flights. It
is in many ways more "cozy and mellow" than
the mainland -- no big highways, no big
construction projects.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.
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Attractions
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Arrecife
Palancar
The reefs are where it's at for prime
scuba diving off this island. One of the
best is the kilometers-long Arrecife Palancar
(Palancar Reef), where stunning coral formations
and a 'horseshoe' of coral heads offer some
of the world's finest down-under - all at
an amazing 70m (230ft) visibility. Underwater
photographers should come ready to shoot
like mad. The water around the reef is about
24m (80ft) deep, providing pros opportunities
for fantastic deep-water diving. The north
end of the reef, called Palancar Gardens,
is shallower but just as gorgeous. There
are caverns and plenty of brightly colored
sea creatures. The Palancar Reef areas are
popular, so their much-lauded coral is always
vulnerable to attack. Be careful to leave
the area no less pristine than it was before
your arrival. To get to this reef, which
is over a kilometer (not quite a mile) off
shore, you can sign up for a day cruise
or charter a boat from a tour agency. |
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 Cozumel Certified
Scuba Diving
►Rates & Reservations◄
Cozumel
has the second largest coral reef in
the world, and this is one of the reasons
why people from around the globe come
to this magnificent island to go certified
scuba diving. The sea life and the deep
ocean walls are particularly impressive
in the waters of Cozumel. Come and do
a certified scuba dive on Cozumel and
experience an unparalleled adventure
in the Mexican Caribbean. |
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 Cozumel Reef Snorkel
►Rates & Reservations◄
Cozumel
Island is worldwide renown as one of
the most beautiful paradises for snorkeling
and diving as well as for featuring
the second largest reef in the world.
Exploring its gorgeous waters, 200 feet
of superbly clear visibility, is all
a privilege that you shouldn’t miss
if you visit the Mexican Caribbean.
This attraction provides you an entire
day of adventure, exploring during 40
minutes the spectacular Cozumel turquoise
waters |
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 Cozumel Snorkel
"AquaWorld"
►Rates & Reservations◄
Enjoy
a fabulous coral reef snorkel tour with
the Aqua World's Cozumel Snorkel program.
Spend an unforgettable day visiting
the most beautiful coral reefs in America,
as well as the favorite destination
of stunning cruises. At this 40-minute
tour we’ll provide you with a professional
guide, a snorkeling gear as a gift,
and also a delicious International buffet
lunch, as well as a shopping trip to
downtown Cozumel. |
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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. |
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 Folkloric
Dance
&
Mexico's
Magic
►Rates & Reservations◄
This
adventure
in
Cozumel
begins
with
a
video
presentation
of
the
most
representative
aspects
of
Mexico,
from
its
extraordinary
natural
wonders
to
the
magic
of
its
traditions.
Then
visit
the
Museum
of
Popular
Arts,
where
very
experienced
craftsmen
display
their
finest
creations.
After
that,
view
impressive
scale
models
of
archaeological
sites,
colonial
and
contemporary
buildings,
and
various
monuments
in
Mexico's
history.
As
the
highlight
of
this
tour,
enjoy
one
of
the
finest
traditions
of
Mexico,
the
folk
dance. |
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 Fury
Catamarans
►Rates & Reservations◄
Set
sail
aboard
a
custom-built
65
ft.
Catamaran
towards
Cardona
Reef
and
Palancar
Reef.
The
friendly
crew
provides
instruction
on
the
use
of
snorkeling
equipment.
Plunge
to
100
ft.
under
water
with
excellent
guides
who
will
show
you
the
stunning
and
colorful
submarine
life.
After
snorkeling,
it’s
all
you
can
drink,
ice-cold
beers,
tropical
margaritas,
refreshing
sodas
and
purified
water
as
you
sail
to a
private
white
sand
beach.
There
you
can
relax
in a
hammock,
kayak,
play
volleyball
or
just
enjoy
the
sun's
rays
before
a
nice
lunch
on
the
beach,
without
additional
charge. |
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 Golf
Club Cozumel Country Club
►Rates & Reservations◄
The Cozumel Country Club is this island's
first golf course and the Riviera Maya’s
newest championship test of golf. It
took five years to be sculpted in the
limestone and out the coral and saltwater
marshes on the northwestern shores of
Cozumel Island. This wonderful golf
course carved from the Mayan jungle
is environmentally friendly. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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Getting to Cozumel and
Getting Around
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 CANCUN
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
►Rates
& Reservations◄
We offer 2 types of Cancun airport
transfers with comfort and security
from the Cancun International
airport to any hotel in Cancun
and the Mayan Riviera, including
Playa del Carmen and to the
ferry docks for Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox. We
also provide VIP service to
Chetumal, Chichen Itza, and
other areas in the Yucatan Peninsula. Our shuttles are late model
air-conditioned vans carrying
up to 10 passengers comfortably. |
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Getting Around
Aside from
the minibus from the airport into town,
there is no bus service on the island. Taxis
are available, however. For a look-see at
the sights, you could probably haggle with
a taxi driver to give you a tour of the
island, drop you at a beach, and come back
and pick you up, and still pay out less
than you might for a rental car. But for
more freedom, a rental car is definitely
the go; there are agencies aplenty around
the main plaza. Moped rental prices are
often negotiable - be sure to ask for a
helmet, or risk a fine. Bicycles are the
most inexpensive way to get about.
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.
Check the following web site for
schedules and prices: http://www.granpuerto.com.mx/cozumel.htm
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
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