It’s no secret that there are many fun things to do in Cozumel, especially scuba diving. You’ve set your sights on the beautiful and tranquil island of Cozumel, great! Now how do you actually get there from Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, or beyond?
Many people are often confused about how to get to Cozumel, but no matter where your starting location is, this guide will help you find your way there with ease.
Whether you’re traveling from Cancun or Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel directly, or from elsewhere in Mexico, use this post to find out how to get to Cozumel by ferry, plane, car, or bus. So without further ado, let’s get into it!
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Table of Contents
WHERE IS COZUMEL, MEXICO?
Cozumel is a go-to beach destination on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Cozumel is the largest island in Mexico, located in the State of Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula in southern Mexico.
It is a 34-mile-long by 11-mile-wide island off of Mexico’s Riviera Maya that consists of mostly undeveloped land. To the west of the island is Playa Del Carmen.
Cozumel is best known as a cruise ship port and a popular spot for scuba diving and snorkeling.
HOW TO GET TO COZUMEL, MEXICO
You can get to the island of Cozumel by plane or by ferry. There are a few ways to fly into Cozumel as well as a few ways to get to the ferry located in Playa Del Carmen.
The main rule of thumb for figuring out how to get to Cozumel is this: unless you have chosen to fly into the Cozumel airport, you will have to take a ferry to Cozumel.
Pro Tip: Bookaway is a great resource to check out (and book) different transportation options that’ll get you to and around Cozumel. You can book ferries, bus tickets, private/shared transfers, cars, and even flights all in one place.
GETTING TO COZUMEL BY PLANE
If you’re traveling from internationally or somewhere else in Mexico, one of the easiest ways to get to Cozumel is by plane.
Did you know there is actually an international airport right within Cozumel? That’s right it’s Cozumel International Airport (CZM) and flights going to and from Cozumel are surprisingly affordable.
A lot of the major airlines from the USA and Canada often fly here directly.
If you haven’t booked your flight to Mexico or Cozumel yet, look up flights to both CUN (Cancun) and CZM (Cozumel). Compare prices and choose the flight that works best for your travel plans.
GETTING TO COZUMEL BY FERRY
If you’re already in the Cancun or Riviera Maya area, the best way to get to Cozumel is by ferry. Ferries to Cozumel depart only from Playa del Carmen. That means if you’re starting from anywhere else (Cancun, Tulum, Merida, etc.), you will need to get to Playa del Carmen from wherever you are.
The ferry terminal is located right in downtown Playa del Carmen, about a block and a half from the main square and Plaza Playacar. There are 2 ferry companies running back and forth to the island, both operating the same route and charging the same price. Both will depart every hour on the hour, from about 6 am to 9 pm. The ferry crossing takes about 30-40 minutes. For the latest ferry schedule and reservations, refer to the Ultramar website. It will look something like this:
You can book a one-way ticket or a roundtrip ticket. I’d go with the roundtrip ticket so that you won’t need to stand in line to purchase your return ticket later.
In terms of ferry costs:
- Adults and children 12 or older: $500 pesos round trip ($25 USD)
- Children 6 to 11 years old: $400 pesos round trip ($20 USD)
- Infants and children under 5: Free
Once you have your ticket, head inside and get in line. Keep an eye out for the line of the ferry company you booked. All ferry passengers (regardless of which company) will all enter together and have to go through security before being allowed to hop on the ferry.
Once you’re on board, you can either grab a seat outdoors for the best views, or grab a seat indoors where there is air-conditioning.
Alright now that you understand the ferry process, let’s get into how you’ll get to the Cozumel ferry in Playa Del Carmen. There are several ways to get to Playa Del Carmen from wherever you are. The method you choose will depend on your budget.
HOW TO GET TO COZUMEL FROM CANCUN
If you are going to be in the city of Cancun (either downtown or the Hotel Zone), you will need to reach Playa del Carmen in order to get to Cozumel. There are many ways to get to Playa Del Carmen including private transfer, the ADO bus, colectivo bus, or taxi.
GETTING TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN BY PRIVATE TRANSFER
If you are looking for how to get to Cozumel from your hotel in Cancun, the easiest & fastest way is by arranged private transfer.
Arranged transfer options include shared shuttles, shared vans, private cars/vans, and even luxury options. With all of these options, your driver will pick you up at the airport or hotel and bring you to Playa Del Carmen where you’ll hop on board and cross over to Cozumel.
For the best prices/rates, you’ll need to book online in advance to arrange your trip date and time. Whenever we travel to Mexico, we always book our private transfer as soon as we know our final travel plans. They’re so much cheaper than taxis in Cancun!
Choose what works best for you, depending on your budget and how fast you want to get to the ferry.
Money Saving Tip: Transfer companies are typically all cheaper than taxis. I would recommend you set up a transfer ahead of time on Booking.com or Viator (what I used to book all my Cancun transportation ahead of time), as I’ve found that they’re 40-50% cheaper than what you’d pay through a taxi cab, even after negotiating down the price.
GETTING TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN BY BUS
The cheapest way to get to Playa Del Carmen from Cancun is by public bus. The ADO coach bus provides locals and tourists with transportation all over the Yucatan. The bus from Cancun to Playa Del Carmen takes around 1 hour and bus tickets cost around $10-15 USD per person, depending on when you travel. Check for the latest fares, schedules, and other info on the ADO website.
Buses run regularly, have air-conditioning, and are generally pretty comfortable. The bus will drop you off at the Playa del Carmen ADO bus station, which is very close to the ferry to Cozumel. From the bus station, you can simply walk right over to the ferry terminal.
GETTING TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN BY TAXI
Getting to Playa Del Carmen by taxi is probably going to be the most convenient, but I wouldn’t recommend this option as you’ll probably be paying an overpriced rate for a taxi ride.
If you do opt for a taxi, be sure to agree on the price before you get in the taxi. Ask to be dropped off at the Cozumel Ferry. While they can’t drop you right at the ferry, they’ll do their best to drop you off nearby and it’ll be just a short walk away.
Personally speaking, there’s a lot of pressure from taxi drivers to use their mode of transportation (and sometimes even to tip well). I typically just avoid them altogether to avoid the stress of peer pressure.
HOW TO GET TO COZUMEL FROM CANCUN AIRPORT
You can get to Playa Del Carmen from the CUN airport with many of the same options outlined above.
BY PRIVATE TRANSFER
If you are looking for how to get to Cozumel from the Cancun Airport, the easiest & fastest way is by arranged private transfer. At the airport, there will be someone there waiting for you at the airport baggage claim/exit to bring you to the car. See above for details on private transfer options.
BY BUS
You can also take the bus for a cheaper option. From Cancun Airport, head to one of the ADO bus stations and book a ticket to Playa del Carmen. After buying the tickets, proceed with your luggage outside and veer toward the right, where the bus terminal is located. The bus ticket will cost around $10-15 USD and the ride will last about 1 hour.
The buses run regularly, have air-conditioning, and are generally pretty comfortable. Once you arrive in Playa, you’ll notice that the ADO bus station in Playa del Carmen (where you’ll get off) is very close to the ferry to Cozumel. From the bus station, you can simply walk right over to the ferry terminal.
BY PLANE
You can also potentially fly from Cancun Airport to Cozumel, but many of the companies that make this route only operate during peak season, plus, you will probably need to rent a private plane to make this journey. Since this requires you to book a private plan transfer, this method of transportation won’t come cheap. Expect to pay at least $500 USD for the entire plane.
If renting a private plane to get you there is out of your budget, then you are going to have to go by land and sea. Again, booking private transfer is my preferred method of traveling by land.
HOW TO GET TO COZUMEL FROM TULUM
From Tulum, you will also need to get to Playa del Carmen first. The same few transportation methods are applicable here as well: private transfer, ADO bus, or taxi.
However, you do have one other option–the colectivo bus. Some colectivo buses leave from Tulum to Playa del Carmen every 5-10 minutes. The ride takes about an hour, but is really dependent on how many stops the bus driver needs to make (depending on who’s on the bus and where they need to go).
To get to Playa Del Carmen from Tulum on the colectivos it is best to catch them from the center or south of Tulum along the 307 main road as they can fill up and you might have to wait longer to catch one that isn’t full.
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HOW TO GET AROUND COZUMEL, MEXICO
You can safely walk to most destinations in town so renting something on wheels really isn’t all that necessary. Getting to outlying hotels and beaches requires a rental car, moped, or taxi. Let’s break down the five main methods to get around Cozumel.
By walking: The first is simply to walk. The best way to get around Cozumel is on foot, as most of the attractions are centrally located.
By renting a moped: You can certainly rent a moped to get around Cozumel, but unless you’re used to riding a moped already, I would advise against this option, especially if you’re not accustomed to local traffic. Moped rentals are readily available and cost about $30 for 24 hours, which includes a helmet but not insurance (insurance will cost another $15).
By taxi: Taxis provide cheap and easy transportation around town, and rates have been standardized to curb rip-offs. With that said, there is no haggling for taxi prices here. Taxis operate on a zone system, and it costs anywhere from 25 to 35 pesos to travel within each zone.
Here are a few sample fares for two people:
- island tour – 800 pesos
- town to southern Hotel Zone – 100 to 200 pesos
- town to northern hotels – 50 to 70 pesos
- town to Chankanaab – 120 pesos for up to four people
- in and around town – 50 pesos
Do note, with taxis, there is an additional charge for extra passengers to most destinations.
By bike: If you’re up for it, you can rent a bicycle to get around town. There are many options available, from single-speed cruisers to 21-speed mountain bikes. With a bike, you can cover more ground with less effort. A lot of the restaurants and bars have places to park your bike out front.
By renting a car: Because so many activities are centralized in San Miguel, there is very little need for a car rental. People generally walk to destinations within town, and cab to the areas where the hotels and beaches are. If you intend to explore the southern or eastern parts of the island, renting a car can be a good option.
WHERE TO STAY IN COZUMEL, MEXICO
You’ll want to pair your Cozumel experience with an unforgettable place to lay your head at night. There are so many great lodging options on Cozumel, from all-inclusive resorts to oceanfront boutique hotels, from condos to apartments, not to mention everything is so affordable!
Here are a few options I recommend:
All-Inclusive Resorts In Cozumel
Melia Cozumel All Inclusive – A beachfront resort located on the island’s northwestern shore, offering a wide range of activities and amenities, including full spa services, child care, water sports, multiple pools, 3 restaurants and 5 bars, as well as easy access to some of Cozumel’s top attractions.
Dreams Cozumel Cape Resort & Spa – A luxurious all-inclusive resort located on the southern end of Cozumel Island, offering a private beach, endless ocean views, gourmet dining, and a wide range of activities and amenities for guests to enjoy.
Boutique Hotels In Cozumel
Villas El Encanto Cozumel – Gorgeous set of full apartments and rooms offering contemporary dĂ©cor, air conditioning, kitchens, mini-bar and a private bathroom. Guests at Villas El Encanto Cozumel will find a wide range of restaurants within 5 minutes’ walk.
Hotel B Unique – Hotel B Unique is a 4-star hotel that provides accommodations with a restaurant, free private parking, sun terrace, outdoor swimming pool, and a bar. Best of all, a complimentary breakfast is available daily!
Vacation Rentals In Cozumel
If you’re going to Cozumel with a larger group, I recommend renting an apartment, house, condo, or villa.
Yes, you read that right, a whole villa! Often, you can find entire villa rentals that fit anywhere from 2 to 16 people for the same price as hotel rooms.
Cozumel is home to a handful of beachfront villas and condos that range from charming to ultra-luxe. Check out VRBO for some really amazing and affordable beach rentals.
Want more Mexico travel tips? Read More:
25+ Exciting Things To Do In Cancun To Make Your Trip Unforgettable
27+ Best Things To Do In Playa Del Carmen For An Unforgettable Vacation
15 Essential Cancun Travel Tips: Things I Wish I’d Known Before My Mexico Trip
