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Cozumel is a compact Caribbean island waiting to be explored. On the menu, you’ll find offerings such as chocolate martinis, margaritas, mudslide drinks, classic mole recipes, freshly ground cacao, and chocolate bars. El Cielo is located on the southern tip of the island and is only accessible by boat. The club also includes a swimming pool and provides a variety of activities for children, including water inflatables and slides, as well as activities for adults, like paddleboarding and kayaking. The park has a white lighthouse that offers a panoramic view when you climb to the top.
Best Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Locations in Cozumel
Those that want to pay a bit more can swim with dolphins and take a zipline. As for the beach, there is a purpose-built sandy beach with loungers and umbrellas, but in this part of the island the shoreline is rocky. So if you want to get in the water (there’s fantastic snorkeling in this area), you do so via a set of stairs. Unlike some other spots, this is a beach bar so there’s not an admission fee, but instead you buy food and drink to have access to the facilities.
Visit Chankanaab National Park
If you’re seeking a peaceful island getaway away from the crowds, you might want to consider a visit to Passion Island. To reach the island, you’ll need to purchase an all-inclusive day pass. Despite this, a big benefit of eastern beaches is that they are much quieter, making them an excellent choice for those seeking to evade the hustle and bustle of cruise ship crowds. All the beaches in Cozumel are open to the public, although some beaches have an entrance fee if there’s a beach club nearby.
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Check out the amazing reefs
If you are interested in doing something on your own and are more into snorkeling, then the Money Bar is another great choice. The Money Bar is a restaurant and bar located right on the beach where you can eat a nice lunch, relax, and spend time swimming and snorkeling. One unique feature in Mexico is a group of Ecological parks. Xel-Ha, Xcaret, Xplor, and Xenses are separate parks, so you would have to choose just one for your day. It features a lazy-river which is a real river, a zip-line, cenotes to swim in, and several animal encounters.
As if Cozumel doesn't have enough pristine beachfront, many day trippers to the island like to pop over to the nearby uninhabited Isla Pasion. The dreamy island has crystal-clear water, sun-bleached sand, and plenty of activities to keep visitors occupied, from kayaks and hammocks to beach volleyball, buffet-style restaurants, and bars. Lots of cruise lines also offer packages for excursions to Isla Pasion, so it's easy to squeeze in a visit. There are no large beach clubs in the downtown area, but that doesn’t mean cruise passengers can’t find a nice place to take a quick dip near Punta Langosta.
Time Zone
Beach clubs are a dime a dozen on Cozumel, but Buccanos stands out in the best way. Located in the North Hotel Zone, it's centrally located with a sandy beach and laid-back vibe. Expect to pay tourist prices, but that's the norm on Cozumel. By night, Buccanos puts on a spectacular sunset dinner experience. While you're over on the eastern side of the island, leave some time to visit Mezcalito's, one of the oldest bars on Cozumel.
Map of Cozumel with the 3 cruise terminals
Cozumel Park Royal Resort‘s all-inclusive day pass is another option in that same locale, but with a higher price tag, given Park Royal’s larger facilities, multiple pools, and more bar options. For more info and specifics about all the cruise port shopping picks, click on this in-depth post on cruise port shopping in Cozumel. As you wander through the streets lined with local artisans’ shops, let your guard down and follow the delicious aromas wafting from nearby taco joints, bakeries, and fresh juice bars. Each Cozumel port terminal is unique in its own right, and has a range of terminal amenities to ensure that your docking experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Punta Langosta cruise terminal
One good thing about being in port is that some spots have free wi-fi that you can use to connect. For example, Pancho’s Backyard at Puerta Maya features free service so you can catch up back home while enjoying a margarita. So you can skip the ship’s Internet and check in from the island. Take a Photo of the Taxi RatesAt the taxi stand outside the ports, there are large signs with posted rates. Cozumel uses flat rates from the piers to points of interest around the island. Grab a quick picture of the sign before you head to get a cab.
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And you don’t need a snorkeling excursion to experience some of Cozumel’s best-known water activities. From here it’s a pretty 1,5 mile walk to the city’s bars, restaurants and downtown San Miguel along the nice waterfront promenade. Some of the things to do is the San Miguel Walking Tour and of course shopping should be on your list as well! At about 10 minutes drive you will find the Chankannab National Park as well as several beaches. Car Rentals can be found at 5 blocks from the pier you will find a car rental (Smart Car and Alamo).
Plus, the centrally located shop is within walking distance of the cruise terminal downtown. You don't have to be PADI-certified or go very far offshore to have an epic underwater experience in Cozumel. Off the southern coast of the island is a beach called Playa El Cielo, famous for the thousands of underwater starfish scattered across the fine white sand, much like stars in the sky. El Cielo translates to "heaven," and it will be no surprise why this beach bears its name. "El Cielo is an incredible shoal/sandbar, and it's only accessible by boat. It's a 30-minute trip and absolutely worth it for those wishing to escape the more crowded beaches," said Rabinor. Whether you choose to unwind on the pristine beaches or embark on an underwater scuba diving adventure, unforgettable memories await you just steps away from the Cozumel cruise ports.
Taking the ferry is the most efficient method to get there aside from flying into the Cozumel International Airport (more on that to come); rental cars and motorbikes are also efficient on the island. All cruise lines (and private operators) offer shore excursions and tours in Cozumel. Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean offer as many 85 shore excursions. Oceania Cruises organizes 25 shore excursions, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) offers 42 excursions and Princess has 48 excursions available.
Puerto Cozumel (locode MXCZM) is opposite Playa del Carmen and is the principal/main cruise port to Cancun - one of Mexico's most visited tourist destinations. Cancun is best known for the Mayan archaeological sites El Rey, El Meco, Coba, Muyil, Xcaret, Kohunlich, Kinichna, Dzibanche, Oxtankah, Tulum, Chacchoben, Chichen Itza. Nature lovers can indulge in the island’s largest ecological reserve at Punta Sur. Whether you want to enjoy the white sandy beaches, climb the stairs to the historic Celarain Lighthouse, or catch up with the local crocodiles, Punta Sur Eco Beach Park is a gem on Cozumel. You can find a variety of flora, fauna, flowers, birds, and even sea turtles. Visitors can also enjoy the Navigation Museum which is the old lighthouse keeper’s home.
While San Miguel and Cozumel might have been a sleepy tourist spot decades ago, that’s no longer the case. It offers an amazing assortment of things to do for tourists, including everything from visits to Mayan ruins to snorkeling to diving, to shopping and much more. The International Cruise Terminal also has a plethora of shops and eateries directly in the port. Across the road (Quintana Roo C-1), the Royal Village Shopping Center offers even more options for both shopping and dining amongst other independent venues. Opposite from this area is the Mayan Plaza where visitors can shop, eat and even take souvenir photos at the Insta-worthy "Cozumel" sign. Puerta Maya has an abundance of restaurants and shopping available, including a two-story shopping mall.
It’s widely loved for its pristine coral reefs and sparkling blue waters. Cozumel has all of the typical cruise-ship water activities that you see at any of the ports. You can snorkel, scuba, you can ride a catamaran, swim with dolphins, visit sea turtles, take a submarine ride, and pretty much anything else you can think of. The only excursion of this type that I’ve participated in is the Catamaran, Snorkel, and Beach Break which I describe below. The beaches on the western side of cozumel are usually preferable because they are free of seaweed and offer calmer waters. For the best experience, consider heading to the western beaches that are away from the ports, as they are generally rock-free.
A tour from Cozumel and back will take at least 10 hours and most cruise lines do not offer excursions to this famous Mayan archaeological site. As Cozumel became a popular cruise destination, many other attractions (besides its natural beauty) have developed. The number and quality of shops expanded like in many other islands in the Caribbean and San Miguel is now a shopping paradise. If you are a cigar aficionado, Cozumel has some of the best and most affordable cigars in the Caribbean. There are a number of day-passes to beaches and resorts offering all inclusive packages but also different combos such as day-pass + buffet + transfers + open bar. Very few cruise lines offer tours to Chichén Itzá - one of the most spectacular Mayan archaeological sites - for the simple reason that a tour from Cozumel and back will take at least 10 hours.
I’ve had some incredibly delicious tacos just by stopping at one of the local vendors along the shoreline. If you’re going to see some Mayan ruins on the mainland you will end up on a ferry to the mainland. But if you want to pay for it yourself to check out Playa Del Carmen it will cost around $10. If you want to take a taxis in Cozumel it is easy and affordable.
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