Mexico’s top Caribbean island is the kind of destination you shouldn’t miss if you’ve never been. Cozumel is like stepping into a time warp. The island has been largely untouched by tourism, and even with all the development around, this is still a wild place, making it even more fascinating to explore.
The island’s rugged Mexican coastline has changed little since the Spanish first arrived in the 1520s. Yet, its jungle interior reveals incredible ancient ruins and massive caves that would make Indiana Jones smile.
Let’s explore the island’s activities without further ado.
You can choose one of these 11 must-try restaurants in Cozumel if you are looking for great dining spots in Cozumel.
The 9 Amazing Things To Do In Cozumel
Visit Punta Sur Ecological Park
Autopista Km. 30 Sur Matamoros Norte-Centro-Sur // +52 987 872 0833
Visit this historical landmark and climb the 133 steps to the top of the lighthouse for one of the best views on Isla Cozumel. With 360 degree views, you can see well over six miles from this spectacular vantage point.
A visit to Punta Sur Eco Beach is definitely one of Cozumel’s top attractions, as it is the best beach and eco-park on the island.
This national historic landmark is still a working maritime museum. Check out all the exhibits in the museum, and be sure to have your camera ready to capture photos of Isla Palancar, Playa del Carmen, and Punta Sur.
My advice is to take a guided tour where visitors learn how the Mayas lived in harmony with nature. Points of interest include El Caracol ruin – also called Tumba del Caracol because of its small size.
Playa Mia Grand Beach Park
Carretera Costera Sur Km 15, // +52 987 872 9040
Playa Mia Grand Beach Park is a small, family-owned park that also offers a place for camping. There is a large playground for kids, as well as a small one for adults. During your stay at the park, you can be sure that you’ll be safe and secure with security gates surrounding all park areas.
Playa Mia Grand Beach Park has a wide variety of activities and things to do. You can find everything from waterslides to snorkeling and paddle boats. The best part about this park is that it doesn’t contain any animals in captivity, which is why I recommend it. Entrance fees start from USD 30 and up.
Discover Cozumel’s Waters on a Catamaran
Time to hit the water! Hop aboard a Catamaran for an unforgettable snorkeling tour around the island of Cozumel. If you’re in Cozumel, you’ll want to spend a day admiring the views while enjoying snacks, drinks, or getting wet on a snorkel adventure.
You can relax onboard, or join your expert local guides for an up-close and personal view of sea turtles, stingrays, and maybe even a shark or two.
The Yucatan is undoubtedly known for its breathtaking underwater world. It also has the northern-most barrier coral reef in the Western Hemisphere and plenty of adventurous activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, and other archaeological and historical sites.
The crystal clear waters around the island are host to diverse marine life and are ideal for fishing, swimming, scuba diving, and snorkeling.
The Mayan Ruins
77684 San Miguel de Cozumel // +52 983 837 0796
At the northern tip of Cozumel, you’ll find one of the most exciting things to do, the Mayan Ruins. On the island’s north coast, inside of an unspoiled jungle that borders the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, is San Gervasio’s archaeological site, also known as Tantun Cuzamil.
Some of the ancient ruins include temples and ball courts, as well as homes and defensive walls. On Cozumel, the main temple is the largest of its kind, with a sheer rock outcropping providing spectacular views of the sea.
Tantun Cuzamil, which translates to “the Mayan city of the dead,” is best known for its pyramid. A large settlement existed at these ruins during the classic period, which dates back to 200 AD. The excavation of this ancient city has revealed a wealth of information about one of South America’s most critical pre-Hispanic cultures.
The ruins of Cozumel are numerous, but if you’re looking for something different, you should visit these. This relatively off-the-beaten-path ruin is full of culture and history, and it’s one of the more photogenic sites in town. In addition to the amazing views of Cozumel and the Caribbean Sea below, there is just enough architecture here to keep things interesting.
Before you leave, pick up some water at the kiosk, as there are no services nearby. You might get bored waiting, so make sure you have snacks or lunch packed in your backpack.
The Mayan Cacao Company
Carretera Costera Sur Km. 15.000-Sur // +529871209431
The Mayan Cacao Company was claimed as the “Producer of The Year” and continues the Mayan traditions. After fermentation, drying, roasting, and grinding the cacao beans, they add hot water to create a hot chocolate drink. This small company has an excellent reputation worldwide for high-quality products and customer service.
With its walls of glass and French doors, cacao beans are bathed in natural light, creating the atmosphere of a secret garden oasis.
Here at the Mayan Cacao Company, they handcraft high-quality hot drinks made from the best cacao beans, sourced worldwide. There is a large variety of hot drinks available, including traditional Mexican hot chocolate, cappuccino, milk with cinnamon sticks, and coffee with flavored toppings such as hazelnut and caramel macchiato.
The people also make fresh smoothies in a range of flavors from raspberry to mango, passion fruit, or blackberry. For the visitors, there’s an assortment of fresh fruit popsicles to enjoy as well.
El Mirador
El Mirador is a natural spot where the sea has carved an arch in the rocks. You can climb to the top for stunning views. The beachfront location is perfect for exploring on your own, and there are also guided tours that include snorkeling, sea kayaking, and mangrove ecotours. It is the ideal way to spend a day in Cozumel.
It can be reached by car or kayak on the east side of the island. Many caves and arches of this area were formed millions of years ago by ancient seas. El Mirador also has a 19th-century monastery attached to the ruins of an older church that is open for visitors.
Take a walk through the verdant tropical jungle, climb to the top of El Trampolin to see breathtaking views over Palancar Beach, and discover smaller caves and lagoons with your snorkel gear.
This site is estimated to be over 1,500-years-old and considered a sacred place by the Cocomans. The view there is incredible, as it offers beautiful white sand and shallow waters that you can easily snorkel in.
Temazcal Cozumel
Reserva Xkan Ha, 77600 San Miguel de Cozumel // +52 987 876 3565
A Temazcal is housed at the Spa Del Mar hotel, just steps from the cruise port in downtown Cozumel. This ancient ritual will take you on a journey like no other. A Mayan steam lodge or temazcal is the perfect place to cleanse your body, mind, and spirit.
At the end of your treatments, you’ll enter into a brick hut that is warmed by volcanic rocks. It’s like stepping into a sauna with better views. You’ll be greeted by a Shaman and allowed to enjoy your final moments before your treatment ends.
See the ancient People of Cozumel perform a traditional ceremony and learn about their culture. This is a spiritual experience that will leave you breathless on this Mexican Caribbean island.
Atlantis Submarines
Chankanab Km 4 // +52 987 872 5671
The Atlantis Submarines have been bringing travelers to Cozumel’s excellent diving sites since 1984. Its small fleet of specialty submersibles allows for a new and unforgettable adventure every time you visit.
Over 275 species of tropical reef fish can be observed up close in every submarine, equipped with amenities that provide comfort and safety, such as padded seats, headlamps, and headphones.
You will have a blast snorkeling and enjoying the underwater beauty. You can even choose specific fish species to be identified by your captain and crew since they are experts in the area.
A visit to Cozumel, Mexico, is a must for divers and snorkelers. You will marvel at the wide variety of tropical fish, including parrotfish, grunts, and groupers, as your captain expertly navigates through magnificent 30-foot coral heads in air-conditioned comfort!
Explore this area while snorkeling aboard a 36-foot catamaran that holds up to 34 passengers. Enjoy a snack, or sip some tropical drinks as you enjoy views of Mexico’s third-largest barrier reef. If time allows, swim with dolphins and rays or explore some nearby Mayan ruins!
Deep-Sea Fishing
F, Carret Cost Sur KM 6.5 BLC7 Coz Z.H.SUR // +52 987 101 3337
If you’re searching for fun things to do in Cozumel, Chi-Chi Charters offers a fantastic Deep Sea Fishing trip on the Caribbean. The company allows you to step onto its boat and head out into the deep sea to ensure you catch as many fish as possible.
You can choose between deep-sea fishing, tuna fishing, or recreational fishing. The deep-sea fishing takes place in the Sea of Cortez off the coast of Cozumel.
Deep-sea fishing around Cozumel is out of this world. The Gulf Stream brings in fish species such as wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and marlin to the island’s waters. Unlike the typical coastal fishing experience, fishing in Cozumel involves barracuda, tropical fish, Mahi Mahi, and triggerfish. Year-round, you can catch tuna. From March to July, white and blue marlin and sailfish are available as well.
FAQ
What time of the year is best to visit Cozumel?
The best time to visit Cozumel is during the months from March to June, before the hurricane season commences. The summer months from July to September are the hottest and busiest time, which coincide with the hurricane season.
Winter (December through to March) is Cozumel’s busiest period, and prices are at their highest as crowds descend for winter fun in the sun. Due to Cozumel’s popularity as a summer visit, it is a bit busier in summer than the rest of the year.+
How To Get There?
Flying directly into Cozumel’s international airport is the quickest and easiest way to reach the island. It is also possible to fly to Cozumel from Cancun. You can easily get to Cozumel from Cancun Airport, so if you can’t find a reasonable flight, try Cancun.
After you enter the country, you’re pretty much there, and the worst thing that can happen is that you arrive later than you expected. If you’re exploring and visiting a new place, that’s part of the fun.
In any case, if you have trouble getting along and if people do not speak very fluent English, be sure to ask at the information center at the Cancun airport how to get to Cozumel. And if it’s not clear, don’t be ashamed to ask twice. You don’t want to miss it!
What about currency and money exchange?
In Cozumel, it’s better to have pesos instead of dollars because not all shops and markets accept dollars. There aren’t a lot of ATMs as well, so plan carefully.
Where is Cozumel located?
Cozumel is an island in the Caribbean Sea, about 10 miles (16 km) off the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, in Quintana Roo Estado (state), in southeastern Mexico.
Is Cozumel safe?
If you’re visiting on your own, it is best to have someone guide you and explore. But all in all, it is a safe place to stay without violent crime.
Wrapping up the things to do in Cozumel
The island of Cozumel is a fantastic vacation getaway, with rich culture and vibrant nightlife to pristine beaches and scuba diving. There’s no shortage of adventure here.
Partying, boisterous beach volleyball games and designer shopping are not what attract travelers. It’s more about unplugging and soaking up the sun. Cozumel offers a lot of attractions apart from the beach. Along the eastern and southern shores of San Miguel are stunning stretches of untouched nature. The city has a laid-back vibe.
Cozumel combines a Caribbean flavor with a Mexican identity to give you a unique experience.
While in Cozumel, don’t miss out on activities that will help immerse yourself with the city (hurry while they’re hot!):
- Atlantis Submarine Expedition in Cozumel
- Cozumel: Snorkel By Catamaran, El Cielo Bay And Beach
- Cozumel: VIP Glass Bottom Boat & Snorkeling 3 Reefs Tour
- Cozumel: One Tank Scuba Dive and Full Chankanaab Park Access
Visiting another Mexico destination? Check out these guides:
- 12 Best Cabo San Lucas Restaurants
- 12 Must-Try La Paz Restaurants & Bars!
- 13 Must-Try Restaurants in Cancun
- 17 Best Restaurants in Playa Del Carmen
- 15 Best Restaurants in Tulum & 9 Best Things To Do In Tulum
- 11 Fun Things To Do In Sayulita Mexico
- 26 Best Things To Do In Mexico City
How to get to Cozumel?
You can book your ground and sea transportation with Bookaway, so click here to book your tickets.
Igor Jovanovski is an aspiring digital nomad, travel blogger and graphic designer who really loves food. He also has a creative side, and he works as a freelance graphic designer in his spare time. He has traveled across Europe quite a few times since he was young and recently started his mission to visit every country in the world! Igor’s favorite thing about traveling is the way he gets to know new people, food, places and cultures.
This exciting experience helps him create his own stories and make memories that will last forever