Ah, to be in Cozumel – an island on the Caribbean, surrounded by the ocean, the jungle, ancient ruins, giant sea turtles, and the serenity of seclusion from all the worldly concerns and sorrows. That’s surely a dream you should realize as soon as possible!
The island is in the Quintana Roo state, just off the coast of Playa del Carmen. It’s one of the safest tourist destinations in Mexico, with a crime index of 34.57, among the lowest in the country.
However, transport to and within the island is a bit tricky. While there are tourist attractions dispersed across Cozumel, public transportation is limited to downtown areas.
Don’t worry, though! We’ll share the best ways to explore this majestic island with you in our guide.
How to Get to Cozumel
There are three main ways to arrive at Cozumel: the island’s own international airport, a cruise ship, or through Cancun International Airport.
Cozumel International Airport
Cozumel’s own international airport handles hundreds of thousands of passengers every year, but only a handful of airports around the world offer flights to the island. It’s a small airport with two airstrips and six boarding gates.
Mexico City is the only city in Mexico where you can catch a flight to Cozumel – if you’re in Canada, your only chance is Toronto. For US residents, the options are more varied but still limited: Houston, Dallas, Miami, Denver, Charlotte, Chicago, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Orlando.
If you’re planning to fly directly to Cozumel from one of these cities, you should pre-arrange a hotel transfer shuttle.
There are four hotel transfer options in Cozumel: shared shuttle for $35, private car for $40, private minibus for $77, and a rental car. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can arrange one immediately through the airport’s official website.
Cruise Ships
Most tourists prefer visiting Cozumel with a cruise ship. In fact, the island is one of the most popular cruise ship destinations in the world. During tourist season, you might even see ten huge cruise ships docked at various Cozumel ports. Most of these ships depart from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and continental Europe (mostly Germany).
If you travel by a cruise ship, you’ll dock at one of three main ports of the island: The International Pier, Puerto Maya, or Punta Langosta.
All these are in close proximity to the hotel zone (zona hotelera), so if you’re traveling light, you can just take a 5–to–10-minute walk to your hotel and check in. If you have a considerable amount of luggage, on the other hand, you should take a taxi.
Taxis in Cozumel typically accept US dollars and charge $8 for getting you around in the central zone. That’s what you’re likely to pay while traveling from the docks to your hotel.
Although it’s the most popular way of getting to Cozumel, cruise prices might reach up to $700.
Cancun International Airport
A quick search on flight booking websites reveals that the flights to Cozumel International Airport are almost twice as expensive as those to Cancun International Airport. For instance, while the cheapest flight from Denver to Cozumel is about $150, Denver to Cancun is $77.
Additionally, Cancun International Airport is the second largest airport in the country and the third biggest in all of Latin America, meaning it’s easier to find a flight to Cancun than to Cozumel from your city.
After arriving at Cancun International Airport, you’ll need two or three more hours to arrive at Cozumel. Still, it’s the most budget-friendly and viable way to get to Cozumel, especially if you take the ADO bus from the Cancun airport.
Book a ticket for an ADO bus that travels from the airport to Playa del Carmen. The bus ticket costs only $13.50. These buses have air-conditioning, free wi-fi, and ample luggage space. They only take an hour and fifty minutes to arrive at Playa del Carmen.
Once you’re in Playa del Carmen, you’ll get off the bus in the hotel zone, right beside the beaches and docks. At the docks, there are Ultramar and Winjet ferries that regularly carry passengers to the island of Cozumel.
These ferries charge about $17 for adults and $13 for children. The ride to the island is comfortable and it takes 45–60 minutes, depending on the wave conditions.
Although this travel itinerary may sound like a hassle – especially if you have luggage – it’s the most common and affordable option.
The Best Ways to Get Around Cozumel
Unlike many other tourist destinations in Mexico, such as Mexico City, Cancun, or Puerto Vallarta, the best way to explore Cozumel is not by walking or public transportation, but by renting a car.
The main problem in Cozumel is that the island doesn’t have the best public transportation system in the country. The public buses and vans (colectivos) only carry locals around in downtown areas, as the rest of the island is covered with rough terrain that requires an off-road vehicle.
As almost all of the island is worth exploring thanks to its beautiful beaches on all the coasts, it only makes sense to rent a car. If you have the means and you’re planning to stay on the island for at least a couple of days, we definitely recommend that you rent a car – preferably, an SUV or another off-road vehicle.
Rented Cars
Do you want an adventure in the jungle on your own schedule? Do you crave to explore the beaches with all the freedom in the world? Then, your best bet is renting an SUV or another off-road vehicle in Cozumel.
Car rental companies such as HTL rentals offer various vehicle options. For instance, you can rent a Volkswagen or Nissan buggy.At the time of writing, they cost $55 per day and $66, respectively. These are off-road, open-top vehicles, so you’ll feel the sea breeze in your hair while exploring Cozumel.
Additionally, the company has high-end Jeep Wrangler options. Only for $88 per day (at the time of writing), you’ll have all the freedom in the world – or, at least, on this small island. If you’re a solo traveler and have prior scooter-riding experience, you can rent a Honda scooter for as little as $20.
These prices also include tax, liability insurance, and collision insurance, which makes the whole deal a bargain. However, you pay for your own gas.
Tours with Private Guides
Are you visiting the island for one day only and want to make the most of it without breaking the bank? Then we recommend that you book a private jeep tour that typically costs $70 per adult.
These private tours are led by a bilingual, local guide who knows all the best places to visit. If you want to tequila your way in and out of Cozumel, you can ask the guide to drive the jeep, as well. On that note, the cars carry free, cold beer and water that you can drink whenever you want.
Often, these private tours last about five to six hours and include the best snorkeling locations where you can see the famous coral reefs and diverse marine life surrounding the island. Depending on what you want to visit, you can adjust the locations beforehand by consulting the tour guide. That may cause a spike in the tour price, though.
Usually, tour guides take you on a Mayan jungle adventure, to the famous tequila factory, to caverns, freshwater cenotes, and an ancient Mayan Village.
In addition to jeep tours to explore land, you can join a submarine or catamaran tour to enjoy the deep sea. These tours have their guides, too, and cost about $115 and $79 per person, respectively.
Lastly, if you want to have a physically active tour, there are bicycle tours that include an authentic Mexican lunch, the opportunity to swim in a cenote (freshwater sinkhole), and the possibility to snorkel on coral reefs.
Taxis
Cozumel has a wide availability of taxis that are fairly safe and don’t usually rip off tourists. However, taxis are best for getting around downtown, where the fare’s around $8.
A tour of the island by a taxi, on the other hand, is likely to cost you more than a rental or even a tour with a private guide. A single 30-minute trip to a specific location can cost as much as $70.
Is Cozumel Walkable?
Downtown Cozumel is quite walkable and you’ll reach any place in that area within an hour. Considering all the attractions in Cozumel, it’d be a worthy walk, too.
For instance, a walk from the Punta Langosta port to the hotel zone takes ten minutes at most, and on your way, you’ll see the Cozumel Museum, Coral Reef and Birds Monuments, a couple of bars, and lots of dining places.
The other two ports, the International Pier and Puerto Maya, are a bit further away, but that route is also full of attractions such as the Cozumel Planetarium, Discover Mexico Park, and many beach clubs.
In short, there is much to discover in Cozumel by just walking around. Yet, we don’t recommend that you go Indiana Jonesing into the jungle.
Additionally, the weather at noon might be too warm for a peaceful walk. So, keep cash on your person for a potential taxi hail. And, of course, make sure you are hydrated at all times!
Key Takeaways
Cozumel is a gorgeous island mostly covered in jungle and surrounded by the ocean.
You can reach this island through its own airport, a cruise ship, or Cancun International Airport. While the cruise ship is the most popular way to get there, traveling to Cancun International Airport, then bus, and finally, ferry presents the most affordable option.
The island doesn’t have a public transportation system except in its central areas. So, the best way to get around in Cozumel is by renting a car, preferably an off-road vehicle– especially if you’re planning to spend a few days there.
If you’re only there for a few days, it’s best to join private tours with guides and make the most of the island in the limited time.
Taxis in Cozumel can come in handy to travel around the downtown area, but you can also explore its attractions on foot.
