If you book a Western Caribbean cruise, most likely it will include a stop in Cozumel, an island off the coast of Mexico. Before visiting myself, I assumed it would be a boring, touristy destination but I was wrong! Before you write this place off like I did, give it a chance, you may also be pleasantly surprised!
Getting to Cozumel
The most popular way to visit Cozumel is via cruise ship, it is the most visited cruise port in the region with millions of people stepping through here each year. IF you are doing a land based vacation, you can also fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN) and then take a ferry or a short flight to the island.
How to get from Cancun to Cozumel
First you will need to get to Playa del Carmen via taxi and then take a 45 minute ferry to Cozumel or take a 20 minute flight from Cancun to Cozumel International Airport (CZM).
Things to do in Cozumel
Rent a Jeep for the Day
We rented a Jeep from Mary y Mar rentals for the day (ask for Luis). You have the option to rent the jeep with a guide or take it out on your own. We decided to be our own tour guide and take the jeep out on our own, using Google Maps as our guide!
- Bar Miami – One of the many cute roadside bars right on the beach side with good cocktails and snacks and my favorite thing – hammocks
- San Martin Beach – There are so many beautiful beaches to stop in Cozumel, having a jeep allows you to just pull over to dip your toes into the sand and sea
- Playa Chen Rio – This area has a reef that bars the waves from crashing into the beach creating little rock pools. A nice place to relax and just take in the ocean views
Pro Tip– Avoid Beach Clubs, they have an entrance fee, sometimes a minimum spend and can be touristy
Visit a Cenote
El Cedral is the oldest Mayan Ruin in Cozumel, once the capital city. Entrance to the park is US$15 per person and with a jeep you can drive straight to the entrance of the Jade Cavern cenote. Beware of ATV drivers zooming by on your way in!
We didn’t go swimming here as the water looked cold and murky but plenty of other people were jumping right in! Be sure to wear water shoes to navigate the rocks.
Things to know before Renting a Jeep in Cozumel
- You don’t need an international license to rent a car here, only a valid license
- The island is very small and there is only one road that takes you around but make sure roaming data is enabled on your phone to access Google Maps. The rental agency will also give you a physical map as a guide
- Take a 360 video of the vehicle before and after your rental
Take the Ferry to Playa del Carmen
If you have time, you can take a ferry to Playa del Carmen to visit one of their many beach clubs, go wreck diving or snorkeling. Check the ferry schedule for the most updated days/times and pricing.
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