Cozumel, Mexico is an extremely popular cruise ship port of call with almost every Western Caribbean cruise stopping here. There are a great number of ways to spend a port day in Cozumel. You barely even have to leave the ship to go shopping, find a beach, or a bite to eat. But, you will be very pleased if you venture outside of the cruise port to see more of what Cozumel has to offer.
Cozumel is actually on a small island right of the coast of mainland Mexico. Some cruisers enjoy taking the ferry over to Playa del Carmen and spend the day there. There are two different piers at which your ship might dock.
- Punta Langosta–This the closest pier to downtown, only a 5 minute walk away. If you would like to just walk around and discover the town on your own this would be a great pier for you.
- International Pier–This is the oldest of the three and is about 3 miles away from downtown. Not a bad walk if you are so inclined. The larger ships will dock here such as Royal Caribbean Oasis Class and Norwegian’s larger ships.
- Puerta Maya–This pier was built by Carnival and is only used by Carnival cruise ships. There are so many shops, restaurants, and other amenities at the end of the dock that they call this area “Little Cozumel.”
As I said before, Cozumel is visited on almost every Western Caribbean itinerary. So, some days can be pretty busy (7 or 8 ships in port) and your ship might have to anchor a ways away. You will most likely tender into one of the smaller piers outside of downtown.
Ways to spend your port day in Cozumel
There are so many things to do in Cozumel I certainly cannot list them all. I have picked a few that might be interesting to you. Some are typical excursions and some are a little more out of the way.
Chankanaab National Park
The Chankanaab “National Park” is not what we might think of as a National Park but it is within the Marine National Park of Cozumel. Officially, and more aptly described, it is called the Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park. This place is full of adventure and fun for everyone. There is so much to do and will fill up an entire day.
Each cruise ship will have an excursion available here but it is also easy to do it on your own. It is only a short taxi ride away from the port. The cost of entering the park is $25 for adults and $18 for children. It may seem steep but there is so much included in the price even a sea lion and dolphin show. You also have beach access.
Some other activities include (not all are included in the cost):
- Swimming Pool
- Snorkeling (not the best on Cozumel as there are other awesome places but it’s decent)
- Scuba diving
- Crocodile exhibition
- Free sea lion and dolphin show
- Mayan ruins (replica) walk
- Spa (with massage)
- Zipline experience
- Shopping
- Tequila tasting experience (supposed to be excellent)
Don’t forget the beach. Yes, it will be busy but most likely you will be able to find a nice spot to relax for the day.
San Gervasio Ruins
While Chichen Itza (recently named one of the 7 wonders of the world) and Tulum are the main Mayan sites to visit while in Cozumel they will take up your entire day since they are at least an hour and a half away. San Gervasio Ruins gives an excellent glimpse into Mayan culture without the drive.
This site has been considered the Mayan pilgrimage destination to worship the goddess “Ixchel.”
The cost to visit the ruins is $10.75. You definitely can tour the ruins on your own but many have appreciated having a guide as they learned more about the area and culture. Make sure that you wear proper footwear as the ground is sandy and sometimes unstable. There are also little creatures running around. Water and bug repellant are also recommended.
Punta Sur Eco Beach Park
Nature lovers will really enjoy Punta Sur Eco Beach Park. These 2,500 acres are home to exotic birds, crocodiles, sea turtles, flowers, and vegetation just waiting to be explored. You can also dabble in a little history at the two lighthouses (one from the pre-Hispanic era), and the history museum about the Mayans and pirates that sailed the nearby waters.
White sand beach are another draw for this park. It is a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere to spend the day.
The cost to enter the park is $18 for adults and $11 for children. For an extra cost, you can take a guided Catamaran tour. This is another place that your cruise line probably has an excursion available but you can also take a taxi the 20 miles to the park.
Snorkeling
The snorkeling in Cozumel is fantastic and is an awesome way to spend a port day! This island is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second-largest coral reef system in the world. You don’t even have to go far to find amazing sea life. Here are a few great places to dive in:
- Chakanaab Reef–Part of the Adventure park about 300 yards offshore.
- Paradise Reef–Close to the marine park about 600 feet from the shore. You might even see some small sharks or stingrays here.
- Palancar Reef–Great for diving and exploring the caves and drop-offs.
- El Cielo Reef–A shallow area that is great for beginners.
- Colombia Reef–Another fabulous area for diving with huge towers of coral, caves, caverns, and sea life.
Beach Day
There are number of beautiful beaches to visit on a port day in Cozumel. A few have been covered above but there are even more great places to go. If you want a more luxurious experience with many amenities then you will want to go to one of the nearby resorts. But, if you want a gorgeous beach setting you certainly can do so without spending a fortune.
- Paradise Beach–A beautiful beach with lots to do. This can be an all-inclusive destination ($64 for adults, $44 for teens, and $35 for kids) or just a $3 entrance fee and then you need to purchase food or drinks. An additional Fun Pass can be purchased ($18) for the inflatable water park, trampolines, kayaks, and paddleboards.
- Palancar Beach–One of the best all-around beach days on Cozumel. This beach is free but you will most likely want to spend the $10 (or so) on an umbrella and lounger and also food. Since this beach is about 13 miles away it is a little less busy but it still has all the great stuff available–shopping, restaurants, bars, and water sports. Awesome diving beach with many guides (very recommended) available.
Buy some Vanilla
In almost every store you will find some Mexican Vanilla. Shop a little carefully as the prices and quality vary greatly. Bringing home some vanilla will make for a delicious souvenier!
Do you have a favorite thing to do while in Cozumel? Let me know in the comments below!
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
Other links that might interest you:
- How to Avoid Crowds on a Cruise
- Which Disney Ship Should I Choose
- Planning a Family Reunion? Consider a Cruise
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