Cozumel Day Trips from Playa del Carmen

Cozumel is one of the largest islands in Mexico and is home to many activities. Dive into this adventure with one of the best excursions to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen.

Ana Belén Moreno

Ana Belén Moreno

10 min read

Cozumel Day Trips from Playa del Carmen

Cozumel | ©Ken

Cozumel has become one of the most recognisable tropical spots in the Mexican Caribbean. It is just a stone's throw from Playa del Carmen, so tours from this area are common. If you decide to go Cozumel Day Trips from Playa del Carmen you can go snorkelling, visit the town of San Miguel or try its rich gastronomy, among many other activities.

Would you like to take a trip to Cozumel? These tours will take you to the island in a safe, comfortable and easy way. This island, surrounded by turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and coral reefs, is a paradise in every sense of the word. I'm sure your Cozumel excursion will be an experience you'll brag about for years to come.

1. Day trip to Cozumel to enjoy a day of diving

Diving in Cozumel| ©tslane888
Diving in Cozumel| ©tslane888

Diving in Cozumel is like daydreaming; the coral reefs catch the light through the crystal clear Caribbean waters, bringing the underwater world to life. No wonder Cozumel is known as one of the best places in the world to dive.

The Mesoamerican reef system is the second largest in the world (after the Great Barrier Reef), and there is an abundance of coral and marine life with incredible visibility.

No matter your level of experience, a Cozumel dive trip will offer dives for both beginners and advanced divers. The guides can help you and give you information on the best reefs and dive schools.

Details of interest

  • Price: from about 70 euros.
  • Duration: about two hours of diving.
  • Means of transport: ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel.
  • Advantages of this option: return transfer with accompanying guide.

Book the best snorkelling experiences in Playa del Carmen

2. Snorkelling tour in Cozumel's waters

Scuba Diving in Cozumel| ©Julie Falk
Scuba Diving in Cozumel| ©Julie Falk

Although you can live Best Snorkel Experiences in Playa del Carmenthe waters off the coast of Cozumel are ideal for this practice. Explore the island's seabed on an excursion from Playa del Carmen to the incredible coral reefs.

Guides will take you to explore the largest reef system in the Mexican Caribbean. With crystal clear waters offering visibility of up to 60 metres, this is a magical experience.

If you are short on time, this excursion can be the perfect way to get to know the underwater world. A ferry from Playa del Carmen will take you to the island of Cozumel, where you will snorkel the island's famous coral reefs, such as Dzul-Ha, Palancar, Colombia or Paraiso.

Book the best excursions in Playa del Carmen

Details of interest

  • Price: from around 60 euros.
  • Duration: about 7 hours from Playa del Carmen.
  • Means of transport: ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel and boat to the Parque Nacional Marino de los Arrecifes.
  • Advantages of this option: round trip transfer with accompanying guide. Some tours include snorkelling equipment and lunch.

3. Excursion to taste the island's gastronomy

Mexican spicy food| ©Sarah Wu
Mexican spicy food| ©Sarah Wu

Eat like the locals while in Cozumel. This gastronomic tour offers a complete introduction to the authentic dishes of the Yucatan. You will be able to eat in places away from the tourist centres for a more authentic experience.

Mexican food lovers will be able to taste the typical dishes on a culinary tour of Cozumel. You will taste the exotic flavours of this idyllic island that combine Mexican spiciness with Caribbean flair, due to Cozumel's proximity to Cuba.

You will learn about the culinary customs of the area with the help of an expert guide who will take you to some of the best places in the area. Don't miss this guided tour of the best restaurants in Cozumel.

Details of interest

  • Price: from around 80 euros.
  • Duration: about 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, minivan within the tour.
  • Advantages of this option: return transfer with a small group.

4. A catamaran ride from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel

Catamaran in Cozumel| ©Gail Frederick
Catamaran in Cozumel| ©Gail Frederick

Climb aboard a catamaran for a day in paradise. You will depart from Playa del Carmen and sail through the turquoise waters of the Caribbean to the island of Cozumel. Afterwards, you'll stop in the shallow waters of El Cielo, an ideal area for swimming, snorkelling or just relaxing and enjoying the scenery.

Many of the catamaran tours offer lunch with delicious Mexican snacks. There's nothing better than a nice plate of shrimp ceviche after a tiring day exploring the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean.

On your catamaran ride, you'll also pass the famous Palancar Reef, an incredible ecosystem filled with colourful fish and coral reefs for snorkelling and diving. Don't miss the second largest coral reef system in the world.

Details of interest

  • Price: from approximately 70 to 120 euros.
  • Duration: between 4 and 6 hours.
  • Means of transport: catamaran from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel.
  • Advantages of this option: return transfer. Lunch included, if you choose this option.

5. Excursion to the Ecological Park Punta Sur from Playa del Carmen

Punta Sur Ecological Park, Cozumel| ©Sharon Hahn Darlin
Punta Sur Ecological Park, Cozumel| ©Sharon Hahn Darlin

The Punta Sur Ecological Park is a protected reserve in Cozumel with a great diversity and richness of flora and fauna. If you are a nature lover, don't miss the opportunity to take an excursion from Playa del Carmen.

Its beaches of fine white sand and turquoise waters are home to numerous reef formations. It is one of the best places to see the island's vast natural habitat. On a tour of the Punta Sur Ecological Park you'll take a boat ride through the incredible mangrove swamps while spotting crocodiles and wild birds.

At the tip of Punta Sur is the famous Celarain Lighthouse which you can climb for unique views of the island. But that's not all. You may have already enjoyed Tulum Ruins Day Trips from Playa del CarmenBut did you know that Punta Sur is home to the ruins of a Mayan temple? This is the archaeological site of El Caracol and you will also be able to see them on this excursion.

Details of interest

  • Price: from around 80 euros.
  • Duration: between 5 and 6 hours.
  • Means of transport: ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel; van, jeep or buggy to tour the reserve.
  • Advantages of this option: return transfer, lunch included and the possibility of snorkelling in some options.

6. Visit the pearl farm in Cozumel

Pearls, Cozumel| ©For 91 Days
Pearls, Cozumel| ©For 91 Days

Learn how cultured pearls are made at the Cozumel pearl farm. On this tour you will enjoy a tour of the pearl farm and laboratory. After seeing how the farm works, you can even dive to see the pearl farm.

This is a family owned and operated pearl farm , located on a beautiful beach on the north coast of the island of Cozumel. It is in a protected natural area that can only be accessed by boat, as it is surrounded by the mangrove lagoon ecosystem and Caribbean waters.

As part of the tour, you can relax on the beach or snorkel on the coral reef. Afterwards, you'll enjoy lunch and refreshments on the beach - doesn't that sound good?

Details of interest

  • Price: from around 80 euros.
  • Duration: more than 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: boat to the pearl farm.
  • Advantages of this option: return transfer with lunch included.

7. Excursion to Isla de la Pasión from Playa del Carmen

Passion Island| ©SunCat
Passion Island| ©SunCat

If there is one thing that all the islands of the Mexican Caribbean have in common, it is undoubtedly their beauty. And, although they are often Isla Mujeres Day Trips from Playa del Carmenmany people overlook the small but charming Isla de la Pasión.

Isla de la Pasión is a private island accessible only by boat. Options include kayaking in the Laguna Ciega, an off-road adventure or a boat ride.

If you are a nature lover, you will love this excursion. An expert guide will show you the exotic birds and native species as you kayak through the Cozumel Natural Protected Area. After your chosen activity, you'll still have time to relax on the beach and enjoy the included lunch.

Details of interest

  • Price: usually around 100 euros.
  • Duration: about 5 hours.
  • Means of transport: ferry from Playa del Carmen.
  • Advantages of this option: it usually includes the transfer to and from the ferry with an accompanying guide, food and drink and some activities, such as kayaking.

What to do when you get to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen?

San Miguel de Cozumel Church| ©David Stanley
San Miguel de Cozumel Church| ©David Stanley

After taking a look at the excursions you can do from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, we bring you some of the activities you can do once you are on the island.

See San Miguel de Cozumel on a guided tour

If you're in Playa del Carmen, take the opportunity to take a guided tour of San Miguel de Cozumel, the island's main town. It's the best way not to miss a single detail of the town and its history.

The centre of San Miguel de Cozumel is located on the waterfront. Here you will find the Benito Juarez Park, known for its large clock tower, a regular landmark of the city and a meeting place. Many excursions around San Miguel usually start from here.

Stroll, shop, eat or learn more about the city and the island of Cozumel with a guided tour of San Miguel. The best way to get to know the city.

Swim with whale sharks in Cozumel

Swimming with whale sharks in Cozumel is an unforgettable experience. Moreover, it is a minimally invasive practice if done correctly and with the right company.

Whale sharks come to the waters near Cozumel and Playa del Carmen every year during their annual migration. Whale shark tours can usually be booked between June and September. But be aware that tour operators cannot guarantee sightings.

Whale sharks are peaceful animals and swimming alongside them is certainly an experience to remember. So, if you are planning a trip to the Riviera Maya and don't know what to see and do in Cancun or Playa del Carmen during these months, don't miss this great opportunity.

See the archaeological site of San Gervasio

If you want to get to know one of the most visited archaeological sites in Yucatan, you can do Isla Mujeres Day Trips from Playa del Carmen. However, if you are still hungry for more, in Cozumel you can explore the vestiges of a place of great cultural value for the Mayas: the ruins of San Gervasio.

The archaeological site of San Gervasio is dedicated to Ixchel, the goddess of childbirth and fertility. For this reason, all Mayan women had to make a pilgrimage to the site and make an offering once in their lives.

A guide will accompany you on your visit to the complex, which dates back some 1,500 years to the Early Classic period. This way you will not miss a single detail of the way of life of this civilisation.

Book an excursion to Chichén Itzá

How to take a day trip to Cozumel?

Cozumel Ferry| ©David Stanley
Cozumel Ferry| ©David Stanley

In Playa del Carmen there are many options for day trips, such as Chichen Itza Day Trips from Playa del Carmen o Day Trips to cenotes from Playa del Carmen. One of the most recommended excursions is to Cozumel, as it offers very interesting activity options.

Cozumel is a small island located only 18 kilometres from Playa del Carmen. It takes about 30 minutes by ferry. Of course you can take a trip to Cozumel on your own, but the easiest way to get to Cozumel is to book a tour. They will take care of everything so that all you have to worry about is taking the best photos to remember.

The island is known for its beautiful beaches and incredible reefs for snorkelling and diving. However, you will find other options with a wide variety of activities to enjoy the island as you prefer.

Tips for a day trip to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen

Cozumel| ©Paul Pehrson
Cozumel| ©Paul Pehrson

If you want to take an excursion to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen it is important to book it in advance, especially in high season. Tours of the island tend to be in high demand and sell out quickly. Book early and don't miss out on your chance to see the island.

Once you get off the ferry, you'll pass through a shopping area in the harbour. In many cases, prices here will be much less than in town. Check them out as you pass and make a note of the prices to see if it's worth shopping for when you get back to the ship.

There may also be some items in town that you can't find in port, such as specific gifts that you might find in the archaeological sites.

On the other hand, it is best to return to the ferry at least 30 minutes early. You may encounter traffic problems or long queues on the way back to the boat. It is therefore best to allow extra time.

When is the best time to take a day trip to Cozumel?

Enjoying Cozumel| ©Hormiguita Viajera
Enjoying Cozumel| ©Hormiguita Viajera

Cozumel's tropical climate makes the weather fairly predictable, so it's easy to plan outdoor activities. The average temperature is around 28 degrees throughout the year, but it's the rainy season that most travellers pay attention to.

  • January to April is a warm time, with clear skies, but the busiest time of year for tourists. The ocean water, cenotes and unheated pools can be a bit chilly during these months.
  • May through October are the hottest and rainiest months of the year, but you can also enjoy the sunshine and warm waters for diving and snorkelling. Hurricane season is at its peak in September and October, so keep an eye on the forecast and take out travel insurance just in case.
  • From November to December, the autumn-winter months are considered the best time to visit Cozumel. The hurricane season is over and humidity is low, though nights are usually cool.