A diver’s and snorkeler’s dream, Cozumel is a small tropical island in the Caribbean located off the Mayan Riviera in the state of Quintana Roo. The south and west coasts of the island are surrounded by sandbars and coral reefs that are home to a variety of colorful fish, nurse sharks, turtles, rays, eels and starfish. You don’t need to be Jacques Cousteau to see this underwater creature, all you need is a snorkel and a boat.
Intrepid divers can tackle steep drops and drift in deep water or swim with bull sharks as they roam the area. The beaches on land are love at first sight, and the many exclusive beach clubs attract the hordes of tourists who disembark at the Cozumel Cruise Terminal every day.
10 Top Things To Do In Cozumel Mexico
- Diving
- San Gervasio
- Boat Tours
- Mr Sancho’s Beach Club
- Playa Palancar
- Playa Chen Río
- Discover Mexico Park
- Playa el Cielo
- Punta Sur Eco-Park
- Paradise Beach
Diving
Cozumel is rated as one of the best diving destinations in the world, and for good reason.
Thanks to the gently sheltered coral reefs, walls covered in underwater vegetation that drift just minutes from shore. The waters are suitable for new divers, while those with PADI rafting qualifications can venture out to the Santa Rosa Wall, a 15m deep jagged ledge and ledge home to sponges, eagle rays and pelagic fish.
Palanka Gardens are less complex and allow divers of all skill levels to familiarize themselves with parrotfish and butterflyfish. Sharks can be seen around Playa del Carmen from November to March, and certified open water divers can spend some time in the company of these top predators.
San Gervasio
Cozumel is more than just beaches and coral reefs. Sangervasio is the remains of a site of great value to the Mayan culture. The complex dates to the Early Classic period about 1,500 years ago and is dedicated to Ikshela, the goddess of birth and fertility. Therefore, all Mayan women had to make a pilgrimage to this place and make a once-in-a-lifetime sacrifice.
A monument worth seeing is Las Manitas, named for the red Mayan handprints on the walls. During the Classic Maya collapse, this was the residence of the ruler of San Gervasio.
The largest building on the site is a pyramid, Canana was probably a place of sacrifice, and the “central square” is a group of buildings surrounding a raised central altar.
Boat Tours
The number of companies offering yacht charters and group tours in Cozumel is almost staggering.
They gather here at the coral reefs on the south and west coast of the island. It is filled with strange wildlife such as manta rays, sea turtles, spider crabs, puffer fish, angel fish, moray eels and starfish.
As long as the north wind is controlled, the water on this side of the island is calm, and many tour groups will supply you with snorkel gear so you can dive into the water. You can also stay dry and see life on Dzul-Ha, Paradise Cay and Villa Blanca on a glass-bottom boat, while a sunset cruise is a dreamy way to spend a day in paradise.
Mr Sancho’s Beach Club
Mr. Sancho’s is an all-inclusive beach club just 15 minutes from the cruise ship terminal.
For $55, you get a sun lounger, pool access, and drinks and food. When you arrive, you will be greeted by waiters who are at your service throughout the day.
Children can play in the inflatable playground in the shallows, and if parents pay a little extra, they can use the beach spa in a hut among the coconut palms. The pool bar is a smart addition with a tempting menu of Mexican favorites like tacos, shrimp tacos, burritos and ceviche. If you want to make your friends back home jealous, there’s also free Wi-Fi.
Playa Palancar
Upon arrival in Cozumel, many cruise passengers are directed to Playa Palancar on the milder west coast.
This is a private beach club and lounge chairs and tables are available for $10 or free with a meal. If you’re staying in Cozumel for more than a few days, it’s best to go to Playa Palanca when the ships aren’t in port.
But even though the beach is busy, there’s a lot to love, whether it’s the comfort food (chicken tacos, chips and guacamole), the friendly service, and the bright white sand surrounded by tropical turquoise waters. Beyond are palm trees home to iguanas, peacocks and raccoons, and you can rent snorkel gear and take a boat trip to the beloved coral reef just off the coast.
Playa Chen Río
Located on the southeast coast of the Windward Coast, the public Playa Chen Río is the antidote to Cozumel’s bustling beach clubs.
This is a great choice for northerly winds on east coast beaches. The waves are more active on the windward side of Cozumel, but fortunately this is mitigated by the coral reefs and many rocks scattered along the beach.
You can sit in warm, crystal clear tide pools, while strong swimmers can brave the surf in the calmer parts of the beach. You’ll give up creature comforts like valet and Wi-Fi for undisturbed nature, but there’s a highly rated restaurant where you can dine in the shade of a palapa while listening to the sound of the waves.
Discover Mexico Park
Located near the ferry terminal, the park offers a whirlwind tour of Mexican culture and the civilization of the Yucatan Peninsula.
The store hosts several events, including José Cuervo tequila tastings, chocolate-making workshops, mango margarita tastings and a taco buffet. The park is home to a folk art museum and a botanical garden with many species native to the peninsula. Meanwhile, all of Mexico’s most popular monuments, such as the Temple of Kukulcan in Chichenzo, are en masse displayed in vertical gardens, where colorful birds, turtles and iguanas always appear.
Playa el Cielo
In English, “el Cielo” means “paradise” and you will agree with that description when you see this beach on the south coast. Playa el Cielo is not so much a beach as an underwater sandbar about 700 meters from the shore. You get there on one of the many boat trips and have about an hour to snorkel and swim.
The water is shallow enough to stand in and has a fascinating turquoise color that cannot be captured in pictures. The water is so clear that you can admire the many starfish without goggles, and if you’re lucky, a pod of stingrays or dolphins can swim by.
Punta Sur Eco-Park
Punta Sur is the largest ecological park in Cozumel and has a lighthouse, lagoon and one of the best beaches on the island.
Many people enjoy sunbathing on the beach, a paradise-like stretch of powdery sand surrounded by hammocks and cabanas that gently dip into the pristine water. But there is a lot to do on the coast.
You can climb the 135 steps to the top of Faro de Celarain for a breathtaking view, then take a short boat ride along Laguna Colombia. Keep an eye out for alligators living in their natural habitat around the lagoon, as well as bald eagles, pelicans, iguanas and turtles. For snorkelers, white buoys in the sea mark the location of gorgonian reefs.
Paradise Beach
Paradise Beach is a 15-minute taxi ride from the cruise port and is a great place for kids to recharge their batteries.
A basic $3 admission fee includes a wide variety of lounge chairs. You can choose from a variety of offers including meals, drinks and water sports.
But children can use the slides, climbing wall and trampoline for free in the floating inflatable playground. Most of the time the sea is calm and as the beach faces west towards the Mayan Riviera, small children will have no problem.
The beachside hut has a mini-spa where you can book a physiotherapy massage if you really want to de-stress.
