Just a short ferry ride away from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, you can find the stunning island of Cozumel. This Caribbean island is an oasis filled with activities to do both above and below the water. Boasting crystal-clear water, colorful fish, friendly rays, and stunning coastlines, Cozumel is a must-visit if you’d like to get away from the crowds in Playa Del Carmen (or, in our case, Tulum).
If you have planned a trip to visit this island off the coast of Mexico, here is our ultimate 3-day Cozumel itinerary and travel guide so that you can make the most of your trip here and see everything the island has to offer.
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The Ultimate 3-Day Cozumel Itinerary
This is an extensive Cozumel itinerary that assumes you have 3 full days to explore the island and includes on-shore and off-shore activities so that you can fully take advantage of the island. Ready to dive in and get to know this island from top to bottom?
Day 1: Get to Know the Island
San Miguel’s Historic Center
So, you’re fresh off the ferry and landed on Cozumel’s shores. You will be arriving smack dab in the middle of San Miguel, where most of your day’s adventures will be based today. This first day is all about getting to know the island and preparing yourself for two full days of adventures ahead.
If you haven’t already, this is the day you will go around looking for a car to rent for day 2 and a tour to book for day 3.
After dropping off your bags at your accommodation, you’ll have some free time to walk around San Miguel’s historic center. This main town center of Cozumel features plenty of dining, shopping, and street art to explore. Feel free to wander inside the boutiques and even diving/snorkeling stores so that you can ask about tours and renting gear for the next couple of days!
We recommend stopping by Jolly for a coffee and Guisados or Casa Cuzamil for a bite to eat if you’re feeling peckish.
Relax on Playa Azul’s Shores
Now, of course, you have to take advantage of the sunshine and stunning beaches while you’re here, so after exploring the town center, head to Playa Azul for your first taste of the Cozumel shores. Beyond simply swimming and getting a tan with a nice book in your hands, you can find plenty of activities to keep you occupied while on the beach, including snorkeling, jet skiing, and parasailing.
Go to a Beach Club
There are quite a few different beach clubs to choose from, so you really have your pick. While some of these beach clubs are in walking distance to San Miguel, for some of the more popular beach clubs, you may want to grab a taxi.
Here’s some of our beach club recommendations:
- SkyReef: Here, you can listen to live music, relax on the beach chairs, do some shore snorkeling, eat some amazing food, and even get a massage if you fancy one!
- Mr Sanchos: If an all-inclusive and kid-friendly club sounds like your vibe, this is the place to go. This beach club is VERY popular, so keep that in mind.
Day 2: Cozumel Road Trip
Have Breakfast at Playa San Francisco
Bright and early, head to the car rental to pick up your car if you didn’t already the night before. The great thing about driving in Cozumel is that once you are outside of the main town, driving is an absolute breeze.
Note: Most car rentals will only really have manual car options, so make sure you are somewhat comfortable driving stick!
Besides your standard car, you also have the option of renting an ATV or motorbike. We were four people when we came to Cozumel, so a car made the most sense for us, but pick the option that’s right for you.
Before you start the drive, rent some snorkel gear from a local dive or snorkel shop. We rented our gear from Deep Blue, and we were pleased by the service and quality of the gear. Snorkel masks and fins each set us back around $6 USD. We left an ID in their care for the duration of the rental period.
Once you pick up your vehicle and have your snorkels ready, it’s time to start your drive on the 40-mile loop around the island. Head down south toward Playa San Francisco for your first stop.
Here, you can stop at one of the various beach clubs. We stopped at Carlos & Charlies, which was a fun vibe! After grabbing a drink and some breakfast here, we were on the road again.
Go Snorkeling at Playa Palancar
Playa Palancar is a nice calm beach to relax on, but bring your snorkel gear as you get some of the best snorkeling in Cozumel right here, even just off the beach! We had a great time swimming around for an entire hour, chasing and admiring various fishes and sea creatures off the shore.
Honestly, you can stop anywhere between Playa San Francisco and Playa Palancar and head into the ocean to see if you can spot some marine life. Don’t worry if a beach looks like it’s “private,” private beaches do not exist in Mexico, so you can swim wherever you want!
Explore Punta Sur
Located on the lower part of the island, in this ecological park, you can find amazing snorkeling, a gorgeous beach, and even crocodiles! Yep – you read that right. You can easily spend a couple of hours here, climbing the lighthouse, getting up close and personal with crocodiles and birds, and relaxing on the white sand beach. Access to the park costs $22 USD per person.
Side note: While we unfortunately did not have the time to explore Punta Sur (we’ll for sure go next time!), it came highly recommended to us by both locals and other tourists alike!
Check Out the Rugged Eastern Coast
The Eastern coast is wildly different from anything else you will have seen in Cozumel at this point. This side of the island is wild, rocky, and downright beautiful in a completely different way from the more popular western side of the island. Here, you’ll find crashing waves and jutting rocks. This side of the island is much more sparsely populated, giving a real remote feel as you drive on the road. We recommend stopping at any viewpoint you fancy to have a walk around and to snap some pics.
We stopped at El Mirador for a swim in the waves, which we highly recommend!
Eat at Coconuts Restaurant
Located just on the edge of the gorgeous Chen Rio beach, which is worth relaxing on in and of itself, is Coconuts Restaurant. This is the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat. Food and drinks are a bit more on the pricier side, but it’s worth it for the unmatched views. You won’t get views like this anywhere else on this otherwise flat island since this restaurant is located on a hill. Coconuts Restaurant has that tropical beach vibe down pat, complete with umbrellas and palm trees.
Marvel at the Mayan Ruins of San Gervasio
If you have time and the sun is still up, make one last stop at San Gervasio. Entry costs $14.50 USD. A pre-Colombian Mayan ruin dating back to 100 BC and abandoned only in the 16th century, San Gervasio may be smaller than Mayan ruins you may see on the mainland but is the biggest one by far on this island. Since this is a popular stop for cruise ship tourists, we recommend either heading here first thing (if you want to do our Day 2 itinerary backwards) or in the evening right before the sun sets – just like if you follow this itinerary from start to finish.
Day 3: Underwater Adventures
Snorkeling or Diving Tour
Make sure you get some good night’s sleep as you’ll be spending all day in the water and sun for Day 3! For the best snorkeling and diving opportunities, you’ll need to book a tour. It doesn’t really matter which company you book with, as all companies follow the same basic route. Most snorkeling tours will take your to Palancar Reef, Columbia Reef, and El Cielo. If you’re not the strongest swimmer, make sure to stick with the guide and buoy!
We booked this 4-hour snorkeling tour with Cozumel cruise tours, which more than met our expectations. During the tour, we got to swim with various fishes and sea turtles, spot starfish, and hang out with stingrays while we had a few drinks and a snack near the end of the tour. This tour is honestly more than worth your money. It is one of the most popular things to do on the island for a reason!
If you would rather dive than snorkel, you can check out this 1-tank dive in Chankanaab Marine Park.
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Grab Some Food and Watch the Sunset
Depending on what time your snorkeling or diving tour ends, you’ll want to end your Cozumel itinerary with a bang. You’ll want to have one last amazing meal here after spending the entire day swimming around and burning all of your energy.
Here are some of our restaurant recommendations:
- Azul Madera: Amazing Mediterranean-Mexican fusion seafood.
- La Perlita: Great, local place for seafood.
- Kondesa: Romantic open-air Mayan restaurant.
- La Clasica: Classic and casual Mexican eastern.
- Hemingway: Great vibes, food, and sunset views.
If it’s around sunset time, pick a restaurant with a sea view or head to the beach and wait for a spectacular sunset.
Keep in mind the last ferry back to Playa Del Carmen is 8 or 9 PM, depending on the company you book with.
How to Get to Cozumel
There are a few different ways to get to Cozumel. No matter the route you take, don’t worry; it’s a very easy trip.
Most tourists get to Cozumel via cruise ship. So, if you are on a cruise, the ship will take you straight to the island, and you can take a tour or explore from there!
If you are planning on getting to the island independently, you can do so via plane or ferry.
Flying, of course, is the most convenient option. The flight will land at Cozumel International Airport. From the airport, you can grab a private or shared taxi and head to your accommodation.
If you are already in Mexico on the mainland, the best way to get to Cozumel is by ferry. There are two ferry companies that provide regular services to Cozumel and back from Playa Del Carmen: Ultramar and Winjet. We personally took Ultramar, and we couldn’t recommend them more. It’s also worth upgrading to First Class, in our opinion (just a 50 MXN or $2.50 USD difference), if you want to board first and have your pick of seats.
FYI, if you are not in Playa Del Carmen, you’ll need to get from where you are to the city. The best ways to get to Playa Del Carmen are via bus (ADO Bus), tourist shuttle, private taxi, or colectivo. The best value option is by far a colectivo. We were staying in Tulum, so we grabbed a colectivo from the Tulum town center, which set us back no more than 50 MXN ($2.50 USD).
Where to Stay in Cozumel
So, you’ve decided to spend a night or two in Cozumel. Great choice! While you won’t find as many accommodation options as you would on the mainland, there are still plenty of places to choose from. Here are our accommodation recommendations for Cozumel.
- Carlota Guest House – Budget option #1
- Caribo Cozumel – Budget option #2
- Illa Cozumel – Mid-range option #1
- Villa Segovia – Mid-range option #2
- Coralia Boutique Hotel Cozumel – High-end option #1
- Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa – High-end option #2
Best Time to Visit Cozumel
The best time to visit Cozumel is between December and March. This is when you’ll experience that classic warm, sunny weather you may want out of your Mexican holiday. During these months, expect temperatures between 21 and 30 degrees Celsius (70 to 86 degrees F). Can you believe this is considered Cozumel’s winter?
It might not come as a surprise to you, but December to March also coincides with Cozumel’s high season, so expect more crowds. If you want to avoid crowds, try to visit during the shoulder season before/after the rain and hurricanes hit full force. That would be April, early May, and November.
Cozumel Packing List
Not sure what to pack for your Cozumel trip? We’ve got you sorted with this ultimate Cozumel packing list!
Clothes to Pack for Cozumel
Here are the clothes we recommend packing for a trip to Cozumel. We have gone ahead and provided a clothes packing list for a week-long trip, as you likely will be heading to other places on the mainland beyond Cozumel.
- 7 lightweight tops
- 2 dressier outfits
- 3 pairs of shorts/skirts
- 2-3 swimsuits
- 1 light jacket
- 1 swimsuit cover-up
- Enough underwear and socks to last you the trip
- Pajamas
- Flip flops
- Dressier sandals
- Sneakers
- Sunglasses
- Hat
Toiletries to Pack for Cozumel
While toiletries are pretty personal to every traveler, here are the basics we recommend bringing.
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Face wash
- Moisturizer
- Makeup (if needed)
Other Must-Have Items to Pack for Cozumel
- Travel insurance: You should never travel without travel insurance. No matter how healthy you are, you never know what can happen. We’ve used SafetyWing for years and couldn’t recommend it more. It’s a super budget-friendly option that will cover all of your needs during your time in Cozumel and beyond.
- eSIM: Especially while you are on the road in Cozumel, you are going to want access to the internet so that you can get around, look for restaurants, and use tools like Google Translate. We recommend Holafly, an eSIM that offers unlimited data around the world, including in Mexico. Use the discount coupon NOMADALMANAC for 5% off!
- Waterproof phone case: These waterproof phone cases were a saving grace for us for those hard-to-get underwater shots. We don’t have a GoPro, so this was a very cheap and easy way to bring our phones with us into the water without damaging it.
- Snorkel gear: Having your own snorkel gear can go a long way. A few of the equipment we borrowed, particularly during our snorkeling tour, were not the best quality, so if that matters to you, bring your own! This snorkel set is a great option.
FAQs
How many days should I spend in Cozumel?
3 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Cozumel, hence this itinerary. That’s how long we spent, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. If you have more time to explore the island, feel free to stay longer, but you can do most major activities in 3 days.
How long does it take to travel around Cozumel?
Cozumel is a relatively small island. By car, it takes just 1.5 hours to get around the entire island (a 40-mile loop). Of course, this doesn’t include any stops.
Can you get around Cozumel without a car?
While you can technically do Cozumel without a car, you will be limited to activities around the main town. We recommend hiring a car for one day or taking a tour if you want to explore the island beyond the main town.
Is Cozumel safe for solo female travelers?
Absolutely! Cozumel is a very safe destination, including for solo female travelers. As with any destination, you should always practice basic caution, but it is a very safe island.
Seas the Day in Cozumel!
While many tourists only take a day trip to Cozumel via cruise ship, it’s 100% worth spending a couple of nights here to really explore everything the island has to offer. In our opinion, only spending an afternoon in Cozumel means you miss out on a lot, including the unique eastern coast and the delicious local foods you can eat around the island. Cozumel is one of the best side trips you can take during your time in the Yucatan Peninsula. Whether you’re in Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, or Tulum, getting to Cozumel is easy and definitely worth it! And with this Cozumel itinerary, you can ensure you make the most out of your trip.
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