Located off the coast of the Riviera Maya in Mexico, Cozumel is one of the most beautiful islands in Mexico and a great place to go snorkelling or scuba diving.
If you love water activities, you will definitely be in for a treat in Cozumel but it also appeals to all kinds of travellers, from people seeking adventure to cruisers.
Cozumel is one of my favourite places in Mexico and there are so many things you can do there. In this article, you will find all the best activities, tours and places to visit on Cozumel.
1. Snorkelling in Cozumel
Cozumel is a paradise when it comes to snorkelling. It’s home to one of the best reefs in the world and there are so many sea creatures you can see including starfish, sting rays and even turtles.
The best snorkelling spots are located off the coast which means that you will need to get there with a boat.
This includes El Cielo which has loads of starfish but also playa Palancar.
I particularly recommend this snorkelling tour which includes the boat tour, 3 different snorkelling spots, beers and snacks.
This was one of my highlights of my trip to Mexico and it’s definitely worth your time and money. We got to see so many starfish and even turtles.
You also finish the tour at El Cielito which is a gorgeous beach with crystal clear water.
Click here to see the availability and prices.
2. Visiting Punta Sur
Punta Sur is a natural reserve located at the southern end of Cozumel and is by far the best place to visit in Cozumel.
You can easily get there by car. When you reach the entrance, you have to pay an entrance fee which gives you access to the eco park but also to a free boat tour on the lagoon.
You will drive along the coast until you reach the lighthouse. Make sure to stop to go up to the top of the lighthouse. The views are fantastic!
You can then keep driving to the beach where you’ll find a couple of beach clubs.
The great thing here is that they don’t charge an entrance fee and there is no minimum consumption so as long as you take a drink, you can enjoy the facilities.
They also offer tip-based snorkelling tours which means that it’s free and you just tip the guide.
This was fantastic and we got to see so many things. The guide also took beautiful photos of us.
Finally, you can head to the lagoon for the free boat tour. It lasts about 30 minutes and is very interesting since you learn plenty about the mangroves and get to see crocodiles and herons.
3. Seeing starfish at El Cielo
El Cielo is one of the best snorkelling spots around Cozumel. It’s located in the southern part of the island and you can get there with a boat tour.
The water is very clear and the sand is white which makes it a beautiful site on its own but the thing that it’s famous for is the starfish.
There are so many of them, it’s absolutely beautiful!
It’s also a great place to get a lot of beautiful photos.
4. Scuba Diving
Cozumel is home to one of the best preserved reefs in the world, making it an ideal destination for scuba divers.
Whether you have your open water licence or would like to get it in Cozumel, you will love the experience.
There are a lot of scuba diving companies on the island that offer certified PADI dives.
You’ll get to see a lot of things you would see while snorkelling, like starfish and sting rays but also sharks (during the right season) and many other beautiful sea creatures.
Click here to see the availability and prices.
5. Renting a convertible VW Beetle and go on a road trip
Cozumel is a pretty big island and the best way to explore it is by car or scooter. This gives you a lot of flexibility and you can go all the way to Punta Sur.
There are a few different cars available on Cozumel but if you want to get a very unique one, you can book an old convertible VW Beetle.
I got mine from Rentadora Isis Scooters & Cars and they were exceptional. You can book it via email on their website and go to pick it up on the day.
Prices are very affordable (under $40 per day) and it includes the insurance. You only need to provide the driving licence of all the drivers.
6. E-bike tour of Cozumel
Another way you can explore Cozumel, especially if you are only staying for the day, is with an e-bike tour.
Cozumel is completely flat so having a bicycle is very convenient but since it’s quite big, you get to cover more ground with an electric bike.
With this tour, you will go on the west coast of Cozumel with a guide and do some snorkelling on the Tormento reef.
It’s a great way to hit two birds with one stone since it’s a very complete tour.
Click here to see the availability and prices.
7. Chocolate workshop at the Mayan Cacao Company
If you love chocolate and would like to learn more about the cacao culture in Mexico, especially during Mayan times, then this chocolate workshop is for you.
It takes place at the Mayan Cacao Company in Cozumel. You will learn about the role of chocolate in the Mayan culture but also make your own chocolate bar.
Click here to see the availability and prices.
8. Visit the mayan ruins of San Gervasio
Located 20-minute drive from San Miguel de Cozumel, San Gervasio ruins are a beautiful example of a Mayan site in the Yucatan peninsula.
Of course this is no Chichen Itza but it’s still a nice place to visit and it’s a lot cheaper.
You can walk around the archeological zone and see the different Mayan houses and pyramids.
9. Get a peanut butter coffee at COZ Coffee
COZ Coffee Roasting Company is a café located on the 5a avenue, near the main square. It’s a great place to get a coffee in general but the thing that I really recommend is the peanut butter coffee.
This is by far the best coffee I ever had in my life and I’ve never found anything like it anywhere in the world.
It feels like a creamy drinkable dessert but yet it’s not that sweet and there is no milk in it.
It’s simply delicious! Also the decor is very nice so you can take some nice photos there.
10. Enjoy live music at Woody’s
Woody’s is a bar located on the avenue Benito Juárez. It’s one of the first bars you’ll find after leaving the ferry.
While I’ll admit it’s not the most traditional of places, it’s still a nice spot for a drink since they have live music every day.
So after a good day exploring the island, if you fancy listening to some music and have a beer, it’s a great spot.
11. Get local food at Cozumel market
The Mercado Municipal of Cozumel is a great place to visit if you want to get some traditional (and cheap) food.
You’ll find loads of small restaurants, food stands as well as fruit and vegetables. Most people here are locals (which is always a good sign) and you can find delicious and affordable food.
They open quite early in the morning so you can also go there for breakfast if you are looking for something traditional.
PRO TIP: Make sure to take cash because while a lot of places accept cards, it’s not always the case.
I hope this article has helped you organise your trip to Cozumel. It’s a wonderful destination and you will love it!
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