COZUMEL TRAVEL GUIDE
Best Things to do in Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel is not just a ‘forced on you’ destination that sea cruise lines flock to daily, this small Mexican island on the Yucatán Peninsula is a full-fledged Mexican holiday hub with turquoise water and rich Mexican culture. For people on a Cozumel cruise who have booked excursions, do take time to explore, there are many interesting things to do in Cozumel.
San Miguel de Cozumel is the capital city of Cozumel and here is where all the big cruise ships stop. For those coming into Cozumel via other modes of transportation, their major airport is located here and ferries regularly run between the city and other touristic cities such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
There are a lot of excursions in San Miguel de Cozumel, catering to both cruise passengers—with limited time to spend on the island—and other sunbathers who fly to Cozumel or come from the nearby Mayan Riviera resorts and have a good number of days to spare.
Places to See in San Miguel de Cozumel
AVENUE RAFAEL E. MELGAR
Main Road
Avenue Rafael E. Melgar is the main road that stretches along the promenade and runs from the port terminals towards the south point of the island then cut through the middle of Cozumel Island to connect back to where it started—Punta Langosta.
The avenue is where everything happens in this part of Cozumel—shops, restaurants, bars, seaside, a shopping mall, among many other things. Almost all the attractions are either on this road or just off it.
THE PIER (TERMINAL DE CRUCEROS PUNTA LANGOSTA COZUMEL)
Cruise Terminal Pier
The pier at Terminal de Cruceros Punta Langosta Cozumel connects the cruise ship terminal to the rest of central San Miguel de Cozumel. The pier immediately leads into Avenue Rafael E. Melgar, which is the main road around this area full of shops and attractions.
PUNTA LANGOSTA LIGHTHOUSE
Attraction | Lighthouse
Punta Langosta Lighthouse is a well-known fixture in the middle of Cozumel’s most popular road, Avenue Rafael E. Melgar. The lighthouse is located close to Punta Langosta Pier. Established in the early 1900s, Punta Langosta Lighthouse has stood faithfully and deservedly needed the makeover it received. In addition to the lighthouse being an attraction in Cozumel, it is functional—it does assist boats in the area. Playa del Carmen-Cozumel Ferry Dock is close by.
BENITO JUAREZ PARK
Park
Benito Juarez Park is a very popular park with tourists who have disembarked the ships, as well as locals congregating for a chat on lunch break. At the park, there is a fountain, benches, shops, and the beautiful orange and white clock tower. Benito Juarez Park is also the hub for night entertainment. Calle 1 Sur 58 is where Benito Juarez Park is located, off Rafael E. Melgar Avenue. It is open 24 hours a day. This square is a typical Mexican-style square surrounded by food shops and stores with local arts and souvenirs.
The colorful Cozumel Island sign is one of the main attractions at Benito Juarez Park. People pose in front and on top of the giant letters to take pictures. The Benito Juarez statue is also an interesting structure to look at; he was the president of Mexico in the 1800s.
CLOCK TOWER
Attraction | Tower
The Clock Tower at Benito Juarez Park is a charming spot perfect for a nice picnic after strolling down the seaside road. The tower does not just stand pretty, it is the symbol of Cozumel, it was built in the early 1900s to recognize Mexico’s fight for independence. The tower sits at the opposite end of Benito Juarez Park, where Iglesia de San Miguel church stands.
MUSEUM OF COZUMEL
Attraction | Museum
Museo de la Isla is Cozumel’s museum that showcases the marine life of the Caribbean island, as well as the rich history of the local people and their culture—Mayan homes are a significant reference at the museum. The history goes back to how the island of Cozumel was formed. You can also find nice souvenirs here. Artifacts, picture exhibits, artwork, and other displays are showcased at the museum. The address of the Museum of Cozumel is Av. Rafael E. Melgar 321.
GENERAL RAFAEL MELGAR MONUMENT
Attraction | Monument
The Monument of General Rafael Melgar is a tourist attraction on Av. Rafael E. Melgar at 471. The monument is right on the pavement and free to see. Walking and taxi tours are the perfect way to see the Monument of General Rafael Melgar and hear the history behind the General.
MEXICAN WAR MEMORIAL COZUMEL
Historical Monument
The Mexican War Memorial is located at Calle 1 Sur 58, near the water and the main road Rafael Melgar Avenue—right where the upscale white and orange shopping building is located. You can easily miss this obelisk-shaped monument if you are not paying attention. The purpose of this memorial monument is to pay respect to those who defended Mexico in 1846 during the Mexican-American War.
CHANKANAAB PARK COZUMEL
Amusement Water park
Another well-known place to visit in Cozumel is Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park, which is an amusement water park. From the port where cruise ships stop, take a taxi to the park, it’s just a few minutes to get there. The beach is beautiful and the fish is colorful on the reef.
There are guided tours detailing the beauty of the area, the history of Cozumel, crocodile exhibitions, and dolphin and sea lions shows. You can also take snorkeling and scuba diving tours. Chankanaab is right inside Cozumel´s National Reef Marine Park, which is located at Carretera Costera Sur Km. 9, Zona Hotelera Nte.
Other Places to See in Cozumel
- Mayan Bee Sanctuary; this Mayan bee sanctuary is where people go to see and interact with bees. It is located at Carretera Transversal Km 10.
- San Gervasio Mayan Ruins (Zona Arqueológica San Gervasio).
- Discover Mexico Park Cozumel (a theme park).
Best Cozumel Beaches for Swimming & Snorkeling
For people who are serious about swimming and enjoying the beaches of Cozumel, head over to areas further away from the port—that’s where nicer beach locations are. The coral reefs surrounding the island of Cozumel harbor bright-colored fish species as well as giant turtles that pull excursionists to go snorkeling. The following are beaches in Cozumel that are considered the best on the island.
PARADISE BEACH COZUMEL
Paradise Beach in Cozumel is just a 10-minute ride from the Cozumel Cruise Terminal. Taking a taxi might be the best mode of transportation to get there. The beach here is beautiful, big, and clean.
Everything is available here; tasty food, nice fresh drinks, and lounge chairs for hire. There are a lot of fun activities perfect for adventurous souls. Paradise Beach is located at Carretera Costera Sur, Zona Hotelera Nte.
Related Content: 50 Things to do in Cancun | Day Trip to Chichen Itza | What to Pack for a Cruise
PLAYA PALANCAR
Just 20 minutes away from the center of Cozumel, you will find Playa Palancar, a sandy beach that is free to use. But beach umbrellas and chairs are available to rent.
Playa Palancar Beach Club is a popular spot around this area for food and activities. To get the best snorkeling experience, take the snorkeling tours from the center of San Miguel de Cozumel to Palancar Reef; these tours are usually half-day tours. Diving in this area is recommended because of its crystal clear waters and masses of colorful different species of fish and turtles.
PLAYA BONITA
If you have enough time to spare and are looking for white sand and clear water, Playa Bonita is the beach for you. The beach is further away from the Cozumel port area hence the reason why it is not crowded—the distance of 37 km deters many people from visiting—this is precisely why tourists seeking relaxation and tranquility visit.
PLAYA EL CIELO
Playa El Cielo is a beautiful beach with turquoise water located about 20 km from the Cozumel Cruise Terminal. Tourists love to visit this side of the island because the area is secluded and the waters crystal clear. Similarly, activities such as snorkeling and engaging with marine life pull people to this area. For an even more secluded place, take a boat and head over to a public beach of El Cielo, just a few minutes away. There are boat tours available from the town center or around the cruise terminal to El Cielo. Playa El Cielo is located at Carretera a Punta Sur Salida El Cielo.
PUNTA SUR ECO BEACH PARK
Punta Sur Eco Beach Park is not so close to the center of San Miguel de Cozumel—the beach is located 40 minutes away from the cruise terminal. The park is known as the largest eco-park in Cozumel. Water activities here include snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and of course swimming. There is an old lighthouse nearby—Faro de Celarain— a museum, and a Mayan temple. The location for Punta Sur Eco Beach Park is Autopista Km. 30 Sur Matamoros Norte-Centro-Sur, Guaycura, San Miguel de Cozumel.
PLAYA CORONA
Playa Corona is more of a snorkeling attraction than it is a beach for swimming. This small thin stretch serves as a location where people go to access clear waters that reveal sea creatures in their magnitudes and glory.
Other Cozumel Beaches
Playa Mia Grand Beach Park and Playa San Francisco are 20 minutes away. Playa Chen Río, Punta Morena, and Playa Chiqueros are all located on the other side of the island just a 30 minute drive from Terminal de Cruceros Punta Langosta Cozumel.
Best Green & Eco-Friendly Hotels or Resorts in Cozumel Promoting Sustainable Travel
IBEROSTAR COZUMEL
Iberostar Cozumel is a popular 5-Star hotel with ocean view rooms. The hotel has a sustainability report on its website that describes what measures are taken to respond to environmental issues. They highlighted their efforts on becoming single-use plastic-free, waste-free, and carbon neutral. Iberostar Cozumel is listed on Tripadvisor, it has a GreenLeaders Gold level badge.
To search for more green hotels or offset your carbon footprint when traveling, see the Eco-Friendly Hotel Booking page.
Other Green Cozumel Hotels to consider:
These two hotels—Intercontinental Hotel and El Cid La Ceiba Beach Hotel—have GreenLeaders badges on Tripadvisor. However, nothing about sustainability and eco practices was mentioned on the hotels’ websites. Also, on Tripadvisor, a customer is not able to see what exactly was considered for Tripadvisor to reward a GreenLeaders badge.
Equally worth looking at are the following three hotels that are listed on the bookdifferent website as hotels that have met their criteria for awarding hotels the greenest key.
Allegro Cozumel is a 4-Star hotel, Occidental Cozumel is a 5-Star hotel, and Fiesta Americana is a 4-Star hotel. They are all-inclusive hotels.
Bookdifferent looks at sustainable management and compliance with the law; respect for nature and environment; fair and equal treatment for employees and the destination; and respect for local traditions.
San Miguel de Cozumel Shopping
PLAZA PUNTA LANGOSTA
Plaza Punta Langosta is right opposite the pier that leads to the cruise terminal. When passengers disembark the cruises, this is the spot they naturally first visit because of its proximity. There are food stores, gift shops, clothing stores, sitting outside restaurants, cafes, and much more. There is a cinema as well here.
MERCADO MUNICIPAL
Mercado Municipal is a market/shopping center where one can buy food, clothes, housewares, and spices—just to mention a few things. People also go to the market for cooked food being sold there such as empanadas and tacos. Mercado Municipal is where you go to experience real Mexican culture in Cozumel. Of course they also placed souvenirs shops to target tourists. The market is located at Calle Dr Adolfo Rosado Salas.
PLAZA DEL SOL LA ESMERALDA
Plaza del Sol La Esmeralda is a Mexican artisan flea market. Stores around here sell clothes and a lot of gift items, including souvenirs. There are food stalls as well. The flea market is easily accessible from Benito Juarez Park—right where the clock tower stands. The location of the Plaza del Sol La Esmeralda is 10a Avenida Sur, Centro. Shops are open between 9AM and 6PM.
SHOPS ALONG AVENUE RAFAEL E. MELGAR
On the stretch of Avenue Rafael E. Melgar in the central area of San Miguel de Cozumel, different kinds of shops fill the street (clothing, food, restaurants, gifts, and souvenirs). For those disembarking a cruise ship, once you come off the pier, shops are right in front of you as you approach Avenue Rafael E. Melgar. Shopping is one thing you can do in Cozumel while waiting to get back to the cruise ship.
Restaurants Serving Traditional Mexican Food in San Miguel Cozumel
BURRITOS GORDITOS
One of the most popular restaurants in San Miguel Cozumel serving local food is Burritos Gorditos. Located right in the lively part of San Miguel de Cozumel, Burritos Gorditos has delicious traditional food at a cheap price. The restaurant caters to both locals and tourists. All sorts of burritos are served here—shrimp burritos are the winner for many people. Other popular Mexican delights such as tacos are also sold. Be advised that seating is limited, many people order takeout if they can’t find a seat.
CASA DENIS
Another cheap Mexican food hub in San Miguel de Cozumel is Casa Denis. The restaurant has been in existence for many years and is known for its delicious Yucatan meals. Casa Denis is open all day, both locals and tourists frequent the place. There are seating areas both inside and out. The usual Mexican food is found here, tacos, tortas, empanadas, and etcetera.
KONDESA
Kondesa restaurant is quite pricey when compared to the other two restaurants mentioned above. Also located in San Miguel de Cozumel, Kondesa boasts of modernizing the typical traditional food. Fresh fish dishes are a hit. Also popular is the bar in the restaurant that leads to its outside seating area.
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