Things to Do in Cozumel on a Day Trip or More: Attractions & Excursions
A popular island destination situated in the Caribbean sea and off of the coast of Mexico, Cozumel attracts visitors with the promise of sunny days, gorgeous beaches, great Mexican food and scuba diving opportunities that will make you fall in love with the ocean all over again. Because of all of this, many people have come to make Cozumel a yearly retreat, which in turns allows them the time to see each and every attraction, even though they are spread years apart.
If you’re just planning to make Cozumel a one time visit, or you’re stopping by on a cruise, you’ll find that time is more limited. Because of this, you’ll want to be a little more careful with what you decide to do during your stay. To help you out, we’ve gone ahead and selected the highest rated attractions, excursions, beaches and ruins.
Cozumel Day Trip: Best Excursions to Do in 1 Day
f you’re looking to get out and do something during your time on the island, you’ll find lots of opportunities and choices to select from. These excursions and tours generally last half the day or more, so you’ll want to plan only one each day, otherwise you’ll run out of time. With that said, if you’re staying for a few days or more, you’ll have plenty of time to go on a few different tours.
Cozumel Custom Private Jeep and Snorkel Excursion with Lunch
If you’re looking to do two different activities in one tour, then this is the tour for you. Craft your own jeep tour or choose the standard one, it’s up to you! During your tour, you’ll get to drive the coast while viewing the beaches and ocean beyond before jumping into the ocean yourself at Punta Sur. During this tour, you’ll have 45 minutes to explore the reef, giving you ample time to snap some pictures if you have an underwater camera. You’ll also find time to explore the park itself, home to lots of native creatures. If you’re traveling with children in tow, you’ll be delighted to learn that they are allowed on this excursion.
- Adult: US$74.99
- Child: US$59.99
>>>Tickets for the Cozumel Custom Private Jeep and Snorkel Excursion with Lunch
Cozumel Catamaran Sail and Snorkel Excursion
A snorkeling tour that offers you a catamaran ride as well, the Cozumel Catamaran Sail and Snorkel Excursion is a great choice. During this tour you’ll actually visit two different snorkeling sites, allowing you ample time to view the underwater world below. Snorkel gear is provided, meaning that you don’t have to worry about bringing any of your own. Snacks and drinks are also served during this tour.
- Adult: US$109.99
- Child: US$89.99
>>>Tickets for the Cozumel Catamaran Sail and Snorkel Excursion
Things to Do in Cozumel: Best Attractions
Though you may have come to the island for its beaches and scuba diving, there is so much more to do. From a museum to an eco-park, there’s a little something to do in Cozumel for everyone. Even if you only have a few days to explore the island, you’ll find that you can visit at least two attractions. This is because the Cozumel’s attractions listed below only take half a day or less to explore.
Stingray Beach
Aptly named, Stingray Beach is a great adventure for all ages. At this park you’ll get the chance to get up close and personal with stingrays. Though this may sound a bit scary at first, these rays have had their barbs clipped, so they can’t sting you, which makes this activity very safe. Because this attraction does get extremely busy, you’ll want to visit first thing in the morning. This way you’ll end up leaving before the big crowd arrives. Also, you’ll want to take note that tours must be booked in advance.
- Adult: US$50.00
- Child: US$25.00
>>>Tickets for the Stingray Beach Tours
Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park
A great outdoor park that is made for the adventurous, Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park is home to scuba diving, snorkeling, dolphin encounters, zip lining, a tequila factory, gardens, walking trails and a beautiful beach. Concerning the park’s scuba diving, you can either choose to charter your own tour, or you can book a tour if you’re still a little new to the sport. This particular park is a great choice for both adults and families with small children. When paying the park’s admission price, you’ll be granted access to the dolphin and sea lion shows and the park’s beach.
- Adult: US$29.00
- Child: US$20.00
El Museo de la Isla de Cozumel
If you’re one who loves to learn about history while on vacation, then you’ll want to venture over to the El Museo de la Isla de Cozumel. Here you’ll get the chance to learn more about the area’s history while in downtown San Miguel. At this museum you’ll learn about the island’s ecosystems, Mayan and Spanish colonial artifacts and a little bit about the island’s recent history. All of this is displayed on two levels, allowing you lots of exhibits to view. Even though this museum does have a lot to look at, you’ll be able to view the entire center within an hour or so.
- Adult: US$10.00
- Under 3: free
Best beaches in Cozumel
Because Cozumel is an island, you can expect to find some great beaches here. These beaches vary from one to the next, which is great for those who don’t just want a beach to sit around and people watch at. If you only have time to visit a few beaches however, you’ll want to stick the ones listed below.
Playa Palancar
A great beach for snorkeling, Playa Palancar is hands down one of the best in the area. Here you’ll find lots of walk-able sand, palm trees and a few hammocks. There’s also an on-site dive shop that’s a great stop for scuba divers. Boats can also be easily found here ready to take snorkelers out to the reefs just offshore. If you’re looking to relax after your snorkeling adventure, there is a restaurant and bar on the beach.
- Adult: free
- Child: free
Paradise Beach
Located on the western side of the island, Paradise Beach is an extremely popular beach that invites both cruise ship passengers and locals. Because of this, be prepared to be met by hoards of other people looking for a spot of sand to claim with their beach towel. In addition to a sandy beach and clear coastal waters, visitors will also find a restaurant, three stores to shop at and a pool. Though the beach itself is only US$3.00 per person, you can buy a Fun Pass for an additional fee. This pass grants you access to water trampolines, stand up paddleboards, snorkeling gear, inflatable water toys and more.
- Adult: US$3.00
- Child: US$3.00
Got more Days to Explore? Best ruins in and around Cozumel
Mexico is known for impressive ruins that have mostly stood the test of time. Cozumel is no different and offers visitors a chance to view some of these ruins during their vacation. Though most of the ruins are on the mainland, you will be able to view a few right on Cozumel, which adds more value to your vacation here.
San Gervasio Ruins
A shrine to the goddess of lover and fertility that was very important to Mayan women, the San Gervasio Ruins are a great (and cheap) activity that only takes about two hours to explore. There are various tour groups that will be happy to show you around, but it’s easier to just take a taxi and explore them on your own. Make sure to wear sneakers during this attraction as the ground is very rocky.
- Adult: US$14.50
- Child: US$14.50
Faro Celerain Eco Park
Also known as Punta Sur Eco Beach Park, this park is made for outdoor lovers looking for something fun to do for a few hours. Here you’ll find 2,500 acres of habitat that shelters birds, crocodiles and sea turtles. On-site you’ll also find the El Caracol Mayan ruins, a lighthouse and a maritime museum. Once you’re done exploring you’ll find a lovely beach to relax at.
- Adult: US$22.00
- Child: US$14.00
Photos provided by Flickr users Ken, Richard Martin, Jchessma, David Stanley, Corey Balazowich, Len Hardy and Mbarrison.
Itinerary for a Day Trip to Cozumel
You are going to want to start early for a day trip to Cozumel, especially if you are staying in or near Cancun. The easiest way to get there is the ferry from downtown Playa del Carmen and it takes about 45 minutes each way.
Once you arrive in Cozumel you are pretty much in the center of the downtown area and there will be taxis and shuttles available right from the ferry landing.
If you are doing one of the private Jeep or sailing excursions, you’ll obviously want to reserve that in advance and then make sure you arrive on time. If not, here are our suggestions.
Stingray Beach
This is a perfect choice for your first activity because it’s a walking distance from the ferry landing, just to your right as you leave the pier. This is also a good opportunity to explore the downtown area as well, which will be right in front of you as you leave the pier. It’s about a 20-minute walk and you can take a taxi if you aren’t in the mood or it’s too warm.
You can have a look at the place and see if it suits your tastes. They have quite a few options so you might be there for many hours or just a short time.
Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park
Another 2 miles or so (3 KM) past Stingray Beach you will arrive at the Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park, which is a great beach area with snorkeling and dolphins and much more. It’s great for all ages including younger children. You might want to spend the rest of your day in this place and it’s very reasonably priced compared to the tours mentioned at the top of this page. But if you only stay for a couple hours you’ll have time for the one below.
San Gervasio Ruins
The San Gervasio Ruins are at the edge of the downtown area so it’s a great final stop because you can also tour the rest of the town on foot on your way back to the ferry after you are done. You can see the place in an hour or even less if you aren’t in the mood to stay longer, but most people spend 1 to 2 hours here.
Downtown tour on foot
As mentioned above, you’ll want to look around the main town on Cozumel and maybe get some souvenirs or drinks. There are restaurants at most of the other stops mentioned above, but of course you’ll have dozens of great choices in town. The t-shirt and souvenir shops here always have special deals going on, so things are pretty cheap.
How to Get to Cozumel
Cozumel is a small island about 7 miles (12 KM) off the coast of Playa del Carmen, which is about an hour south of Cancun itself. The best and easiest way to get to Cozumel for a day trip is to take the ferry, which leaves from a busy dock right in the middle of Playa del Carmen.
If you are starting in Cancun or somewhere else in the area your hotel can almost always book you a shuttle that takes you to the ferry and then the ferry itself. This is a very popular day trip and it will be well worth your time. The ferry takes about 45 minutes in each direction and most of that is the boarding and disembarkation process. It’s quite a nice journey and it’s nice to be able to see Playa del Carmen and Cozumel from the sea as you are coming and going.
The ferry costs about US$15 per person, each way, and they run about once an hour every day of the year.
Where to Stay in Cozumel
Cozumel has about 16 all-inclusive resorts of its own and most of them are on private beach areas that aren’t close to the town center. There are scores of normal hotels and most of those are on or very near beaches as well. If you will be in the Cancun area for at least a week it would be great to stay on Cozumel for at least two nights.
In fact, Cozumel is so popular with some people that many people come for a week or so and rarely if ever leave the island. Especially those staying in all-inclusive resorts, there is no need to go anywhere else and Cozumel is probably the most peaceful place in the greater Cancun area.
You can find more information about staying in Cozumel in our article about where to stay in the Cancun area.
Traveling through Mexico & the Caribbean?
We have guides and articles to many other places in the Cancun area and throughout the Caribbean. Here are some of the most popular to help your trip planning.