After arriving in Cozumel by taking the Ultramar ferry from Playa del Carmen we got settled in for a week at Casa Phoenix. On our day off of our Open Water Padi Certification class we rented scooters to tour the entire island!

Getting There

Being that Cozumel is an island, there are only a few options on how to get to it. If you’re coming into a cruise port, you’re all set! For those venturing in from the mainland, here are some options for how to get to the island.

Best Airport to Choose

There is an international airport right on Cozumel itself that flies most major airlines, but flying straight into the island can be pretty pricey. We recommend flying into Cancun which offers more flights and is more reasonably priced. From the airport, just catch a taxi or bus into Playa Del Carmen, the mainland city nearest to Cozumel.

The trip from Cancun to Playa Del Carmen is only about an hour and fifteen minutes and costs around $2 USD each without a tip for the driver. A private car or taxi will cost you a bit more.

Take the Ferry

There are two main ferry lines that run from Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel as well as Cozumel back to Playa Del Carmen. The ferries run on the hour, 365 days a year (weather permitting of course) and are available all day. Check out the ferry schedule to make sure you get back before they’re done for the day!

We take our pup, Pepper, with us on all of our adventures whether international or domestic. So Pepper, of course, came with us across to Cozumel. Only one of the ferries allowed pets on the upper deck, so that’s why we chose to take the Ultramar over the Winjet. The Winjet allowed pets, but they had to be kept underneath in the kennel. Make sure you check on the rules about what you plan on taking on the ferry before you get to the dock.

Best part about the ferry? It’s AIR-CONDITIONED!

Where To Stay

On our trip to Cozumel, we found an awesome condo to stay at through called Casa Phoenix Cozumel. It was so easy to book and came with a porch, hot tub, and a killer view. Casa Phoenix is right on the ocean and has two pools as part of the amenities, too!

Hotel? Condo? You choose.

Cozumel has plenty of options when it comes to places to stay. One way to check out all of them in one place is to go to Hotels.com. With options from all-inclusive resorts to villas, it’s nice to have a site where you can specify what you’re looking for and Hotel.com will find it! We found an awesome deal on Hotel.com for $329 a night at InterContinental Presidente Cozumel Resort & Spa.

Airbnb is another awesome way to find places to stay on Cozumel. You can find anything from single rooms to full beach houses to stay in and with a place like Cozumel, there’s no bad location. Airbnb is also a great way to find activities to do around the island. Click Here for $55 off your first Airbnb stay!

How To Get Around

There are several places on the island that rent scooters, open-top Jeeps, and cars to get around with. The island of Cozumel is basically just a big oval and can be easily driven around. There’s basically one road around it so if you get lost, it’s on you.

Sol Y Mar Rentals has open-roof vehicles to choose from and Pipian Scooter Rental has the best reviews for scooter rentals!

There are a bunch of small beaches, incredible views, and some of the best tacos hidden around the island and the best way to experience it all is to rent a vehicle and get exploring.

Things To Do

Activities

We went to Cozumel to do scuba diving and snorkeling which was awesome. There are a whole bunch of boat excursions that don’t involve scuba/snorkel too that take you out along the reefs. Need a little more adventure? Rent a jet ski, kayak, or try out surfing!

Mr. Sancho's Beach Club Cozumel is a restaurant, beach, excursion, and rental facility all in one. If you find yourself there, you’ll have plenty to do.

Check out Cozumel Tours for a compiled list of fun things to do on the island!

Food and Drinks

Fish tacos are a MUST when visiting Cozumel… and obviously so are the margaritas. We recommend stepping away from the touristy spots to have a taste of the best.

Try these places out on your trip to Cozumel:

Doña Chely- Incredible fresh fish!

El Gato Negro- This bar off the trail a bit, but is family owned and all authentic with seafood galore!

Have the Perfect Day

It’s not hard to have a perfect day on Cozumel, but these tips will help ensure it. If all else fails? Grab a beer, enjoy the sun, and take in all the beauty that Isla de Cozumel holds.