One Day in Cozumel From Cruise Ship: Amazing Itinerary
Are you looking for a one day in Cozumel itinerary from the cruise ship? Then you are in the perfect spot.
On the Mexican coast, only about 15 kilometers from Playa del Carmen, lies the beautiful island of Cozumel. The island belongs to the Mexican state of Quintana Roo and is a popular stopover for cruise ships.
Since it is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, it is important to know where to go for a great experience while still seeing the best of the place.
To help you plan your shore excursion in Cozumel, I have created this helpful post for you!
Let’s get to it!
Table of Contents
- One Day in Cozumel: at a Glance
- The Cozumel Cruise Port
- Getting Around Cozumel
- Best Shore Excursions in Cozumel
- 1. Arrival in San Miguel
- 2. Late Morning: Snorkeling Adventure
- 3. Afternoon: Relaxing on the Beach
- Alternative: Culture & History
- 4. Late Afternoon: Punta Sur Eco Beach Park
- 5. Evening: Ending the Day in a Beach Club
- Best Time to Visit Cozumel on a Cruise
- Can You Walk Around Cozumel From the Cruise Port?
- Is It Worth Getting Off the Ship in Cozumel?
- Conclusion: One Day in Cozumel From Cruise Ship
- About the Author
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One Day in Cozumel: at a Glance
If you want to explore Cozumel on your own, like I did, then I have put together the perfect itinerary for you here.
This will give you a good impression of the most beautiful spots, and you can get to know the island well in just one day.
Alternatively, I have also picked out some great shore excursions for you that will take you to the best spots.
Morning: San Miguel
Late Morning: Snorkeling Adventure
Afternoon: Relaxing on the Beach or San Gervasio Ruins
Late Afternoon: Visiting Punta Sur Eco Beach Park
Evening: Ending the day in a Beach Bar
The Cozumel Cruise Port
Cozumel’s cruise port is super welcoming and a great place to start your adventure, even if you’re just there for the day.
There are three main cruise terminals, so make sure to check which one you’ll be arriving at before planning your shore day.
Closest beaches to the Cozumel cruise port: El Cid La Ceiba Beach (right next to the cruise port), Playa Stingray (1 mile), and Money Bar Beach Club (1.5 miles)
🛳️ Cruise Terminals Overview
Puerta Maya
This is Carnival’s main terminal. It has a two-story shopping mall with over 50 stores and some smaller carts selling handmade crafts from locals.
International Pier (SSA Mexico)
Located next to Puerta Maya, you can find the International Pier. This terminal serves Royal Caribbean and other lines. It has modern facilities, including duty-free shops, restaurants, and accessible restrooms.
Punta Langosta
The last one is situated in downtown San Miguel. This terminal is used by Norwegian, MSC, and Disney. Right outside, you’ll find shops, bars, restaurants, and the Punta Langosta Mall.
Getting Around Cozumel
If you look at Cozumel on the map, you can see that although the island is very large, it is mainly uninhabited. That makes getting around pretty easy.
In fact, the island consists primarily of jungle. Most of the hotels, restaurants, and tour operators are located around San Miguel, the center of the island.
The east, on the other hand, is largely untouched, with only a few accessible beaches or viewpoints.
There is no public transport here due to the lack of roads. Tourists can either get around the island in a rental car, on a rented bike or scooter, or take a taxi.
During my time on Cozumel, I personally decided to take a taxi to get from A to B and rent a scooter for my trip to Punta Sur Eco Beach Park. Both worked very well, and I would definitely do it again this way.
Best Shore Excursions in Cozumel
If you don’t like organizing your transportation on the island, I suggest to pick one of my favorite shore excursions in Cozumel:
ATV 4Ă—4, Snorkeling, Beach Club, Lunch and Sabores de Cozumel
Cozumel: Private Excursion – MiniVan or Jeep (Your Day, Your Way)
Jade Caverns Private Jeep Tour with Lunch and Snorkeling
1. Arrival in San Miguel
For many cruise ship passengers, the old town center of San Miguel is the first stop on the island.
The main square, called Benito Juarez, with its impressive clock tower, is a great place to see on your stroll.
San Miguel is pretty mall, so there is not that much to see. I love the colorful Caribbean houses, and it is a great spot for a coffee.
In San Miguel, you can also find many souvenir stores, which line the main square along with a few restaurants and shops.
2. Late Morning: Snorkeling Adventure
Snorkeling and diving are among the most popular activities on Cozumel. No wonder, considering the island is surrounded by one of the most species-rich reef systems in the world.
More than 500 different species of fish and around 60 types of coral can be found here. The reef is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which is pretty huge!
To discover the spectacular underwater ecosystem, I decided to book a 3-reef snorkeling tour that took me to Palancar Reef, Columbia Reef, and Playa El Cielo.
It was the perfect way to explore the colorful underwater world, spot sea turtles, stingrays, and starfish with the help of two very kind tour guides. Drinks and snacks were also provided on board!
Most tours depart at the Marina Cozumel AIPONA just minutes from the cruise terminal, which is super convenient.
3. Afternoon: Relaxing on the Beach
After snorkeling, it is time for some well-deserved relaxation. Cozumel’s best beaches can be found in the west of the island, south of San Miguel.
As some of the beaches on Cozumel belong to hotels, you sometimes have to pay an entrance fee. However, these beaches are equipped with changing rooms, showers, and restaurants, so you can easily spend a few hours here.
My favorite beaches on Cozumel include Playa Palancar, Paradise Beach, and Mr. Sanchos Beach.
If you’re seeking more natural beaches with few other tourists, you might find what you’re looking for on the east coast of the island. Do keep in mind that swimming is often prohibited on the east coast beaches due to the dangerous surf.
Tip for traveling with children: Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park is well worth a visit for a trip with children. This huge nature and leisure park offers lots of child-friendly activities such as a playground right by the water, a lagoon for safe snorkeling and the opportunity to swim with dolphins and sea lions.
Alternative: Culture & History
If you are done with the hot sun and the beach, I also have found alternative things to do for your early afternoon in Cozumel.
Cozumel has a couple of cool historical sites you shouldn’t miss.
Start with the San Gervasio Ruins. They are an ancient Mayan site that you can find in the island’s jungle. This was once a sacred spot dedicated to Ix Chel, the goddess of love, fertility, and the moon.
Then head to the Museo de la Isla de Cozumel, right in the heart of San Miguel. They have some cool exhibitis, about their Mayan history and the rise of tourism on the island.
4. Late Afternoon: Punta Sur Eco Beach Park
The Punta Sur Eco Beach Park is located on the southern tip of Cozumel. It is the largest nature reserve on the island. You definitely shouldn’t miss a visit there!
I decided to rent a scooter and let the breeze cool me down in the afternoon sun as I rode through the beautiful landscape to the park.
I found the white Faro Celarain lighthouse particularly beautiful. It makes the perfect postcard motif! I was panting as I climbed the 130 steps of the lighthouse, but it was worth it – the view from up there is simply spectacular!
5. Evening: Ending the Day in a Beach Club
The best way to round off an eventful day is in one of the island’s trendy beach clubs. Make sure to check out cruise ship’s departure time before sitting down though (:
Among the most popular are Carlos’n Charlie’s Beach Club and the quieter and stylish Bahia Bay Beach Club.
I really love SkyReef Beach Club, which is for great drinks and Caribbean Island vibes.
What better way to end a beautiful day on Cozumel than with music, cocktails, and delicious food on the beach?
Best Time to Visit Cozumel on a Cruise
With over 3 million passengers, Cozumel is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. I
f you visit the island in the high season (November to the end of March), you will clearly notice this. The Christmas season is also particularly busy here.
If possible, I recommend visiting in the low season (April – October). Otherwise, you can expect crowded beaches and higher prices. It’s better to book activities well in advance during that time of the year.
​Hurricane season in Cozumel runs from June 1 to November 30. The highest risk of hurricanes is typically between August and October.
I visited Cozumel in July, in the middle of the rainy season, which runs from May to September, and I was very happy.
In general, it hardly rained during my time in Mexico, and when it did, the short showers provided a pleasant cooling effect to the hot temperatures.
Can You Walk Around Cozumel From the Cruise Port?
Yes, you can walk around parts of Cozumel from the cruise port. It really depends on where your ship docks.
If you arrive at Punta Langosta Pier, you’re in luck—it’s right in downtown San Miguel. You can walk straight into town in just a few minutes.
If your ship docks at the International Pier or Puerta Maya, you’re a bit farther out. I tis about 3 to 4 miles from downtown. It’s technically walkable, but it’s a long, hot walk with not much shade. I suggest to grab a quick taxi instead.
As for beaches, there aren’t any sandy ones right next to the cruise ports. But if you’re up for a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute taxi ride, you can reach places like El Cid or the Money Bar.
Is It Worth Getting Off the Ship in Cozumel?
Cozumel is considered one of the most popular and most visited Caribbean vacation islands. Still, people are split on whether the island is truly worth visiting.
In my opinion, this very much depends on the expectations of your visit. Compared to other places in Mexico, Cozumel is one of the more expensive and touristy places.
So, if you are hoping for secluded beaches and untouched nature activities, you will probably be disappointed.
Nevertheless, Cozumel is definitely worth a visit in my eyes. The underwater world is incredible, and the combination of blue sea and white beaches offers the ideal vacation feeling.
And especially for a day trip, I would definitely say that a stop on Cozumel is worthwhile!
Conclusion: One Day in Cozumel From Cruise Ship
On our day in Cozumel, we had plenty of fun things to do. Whether you are arriving with a big cruise ship or with a ferry from the mainland – it is a great place to be for a day.
Some of the highlights of our day were snorkeling or scuba diving, seeing white sand beaches, checking out the San Gervasio Mayan Ruins, the Mesoamerican Reef and perhaps the Chankanaab national park.
We have enough time to check souvenir shops, snorkel at the coral reefs and see marine life – and maybe even do some tequila tasting.
Brind USD or Mexican Peso, so you can buy smaller things on the island.
Cozumel is one of the coolest cruise destinations – and I definitely suggest to get off the boat and explore the island.
About the Author
Justin is a military pilot and travel blogger.
Justin enjoys discovering the world together with his wife and venturing out with his drone to take magical shots.
