National park · Mexico
Arrecifes de Cozumel National ParkParque Nacional Arrecifes de Cozumel
Enter the park for a day of snorkeling or diving: pay the entry fee (≈ MXN 100) and take a boat from San Miguel to the reef; best in dry season Nov–Apr; avoid peak cruise days (weekends).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1996
Best months
Nov–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Marine park covering the reef fringe around Cozumel (approximate).
- Established
- 1996
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Cozumel
Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park protects the western and southern coral reef fringe of Cozumel, part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, offering snorkeling and diving opportunities in a marine environment with regulated access and conservation measures.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1996Part of Mexico's national park system.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1996
Marine park covering the reef fringe around Cozumel (approximate).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Cozumel.
Why go
- Snorkel or dive the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef's coral walls and caves.
- See diverse marine life including turtles, rays and reef fish.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, calm seas.
- FebDry, calm seas.
- MarDry, warm water.
- AprEnd of dry season.
- MayStart of rains, still good.
- JunRainy, occasional storms.
- JulRainy, higher sea state.
- AugRainy, possible storms.
- SepRainy, occasional hurricanes.
- OctImproving, less rain.
- NovDry, clear water.
- DecDry, calm seas.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical reef fish, turtles, eagle raysAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Manta rays (seasonal)Mar–Jun | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| San Miguel entrance | Gate, ticket office, boat launch area. | Open daily; entry fee required. |
| Western reef zone | Coral walls, caves, wreck sites. | Boat access only; guided dives recommended. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate; reef sites are offshore.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | MXN 100–150 (≈ US$6–9) | person | Paid at the park gate in San Miguel; includes reef access. |
| Dive boat (per day) | MXN 800–1,200 (≈ US$45–65) | person | Typical price for a 4‑hour reef dive; varies by operator. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Scuba diving permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- MX$100–150≈ US$6–9
- MX$800–1,200≈ US$45–65
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Sunblock
- Only reef‑safe (non‑nano) sunscreen allowed; illegal products may be fined.
- Feeding wildlife
- Prohibited; may disturb marine life.
- Anchoring
- Only use designated mooring buoys; anchoring on reef is banned.
Where to stay
Near the park
San Miguel hotels
Range from budget hostels to upscale resorts, 5–15 min walk to boat launch.
Near the park
Cozumel town rentals
Airbnb and vacation rentals throughout the island.
Safety
Strong currents medium
Sunburn low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Boat launch area is wheelchair‑accessible with ramp; reef areas are not.
Visiting lightly
- Use reef‑safe sunscreen; avoid single‑use plastics on dive boats.
- Support operators that follow the state’s reef protection guidelines.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park?
Entry is about MXN 100–150 per person at the gate; dive boats charge extra (≈ MXN 800–1200 per day).
What are the best hikes in Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park?
The park is marine; the main activities are snorkeling and diving at walls, caves and the C‑53 wreck rather than land hikes.
When is the best time to visit Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park?
Dry season November to April offers calm seas and clear water; avoid the rainy months June‑September.
Do I need a diving licence to snorkel the reef?
No licence for snorkeling; diving requires certification and a guide‑provided permit.
Are reef‑safe sunscreens required?
Yes, Mexican law bans harmful UV filters; operators may check your sunscreen.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park
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