Major city · Mexico
Cozumel
Go for 4 nights if you dive; 2–3 nights if you don't. Base in San Miguel, dive the western reefs, rent a car one day for the east side.
Cozumel is a flat limestone island 20 km off the Yucatán coast, and its draw is underwater: the reefs of Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park along the west and south shores. The only town is San Miguel, where the ferry, most hotels and nearly all dive shops sit. Above water the island is quiet — a few Maya sites, beach clubs and a wild east coast reached by car. Most visitors come for diving, snorkelling or a cruise-ship port day, and 4 nights covers a dive package without rushing.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry, clear water); diving runs year-round
- avoid Sep–Oct (rain and storm season), late Mar–early Apr (spring break crowds)
- Airports
- CZM · CUN · TQO
- Nights
- 4
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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cozumel911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cozumel, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetySan Miguel is safe to walk by day and evening; the real risks are scooter crashes, east-coast surf and dive boats that skip the marine park rules.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10 (≈ under US$1).Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 078 Tourist assistance (Ángeles Verdes / PROFECO)
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCZM Cozumel International Airport (Direct flights from several US and Canadian cities and from Mexico City; about 10 min by taxi to San Miguel.).
- Getting aroundNo public transport outside San Miguel: walk in town, take taxis (about M$30–60 in town, more to the beach clubs)…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeM$40–80
- Street or quick mealTacos or a plate of the dayM$80–180
- Beerbottle at a bar / six-pack at a shopM$40–70M$120–180
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi in San MiguelM$30–60
- Museum or sight ticketSan Gervasio entryM$193
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personMX$350 (≈ US$19)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomMX$1,800 (≈ US$100)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomMX$4,500 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$900 (≈ US$50) · Mid MX$1,800 (≈ US$100) · High MX$4,000 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CZM Cozumel International Airport (Direct flights from several US and Canadian cities and from Mexico City; about 10 min by taxi to San Miguel.) · CUN Cancún International Airport (More flights and usually cheaper; bus or shared van to Playa del Carmen, then the ferry.) · TQO Tulum International Airport (Closer to Playa del Carmen than Cancún; same ferry connection.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Care*
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Care*
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Dec–Feb. Mixed: Mar–Apr. Avoid: Sep–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Sep (15 rain days), driest Mar (3). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Cozumel: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No public transport outside San Miguel: walk in town, take taxis (about M$30–60 in town, more to the beach clubs), or rent a car or scooter for the day. The east coast has no fuel and few services, so fill up before you cross the island.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Playa del Carmen
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Passenger ferry from the San Miguel pier, about 45 min
Hourly ferries; buy one-way tickets, the two companies are not interchangeable.
Tulum
cautionDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
Ferry to Playa del Carmen, then bus or van south
Long for a day; better as an overnight on the mainland.
Puerto Morelos
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Ferry to Playa del Carmen, then bus north
Reef and quiet village; only worth it if you want a mainland day.
Cancún
skipDoor to door: 3–3.5 h
Ferry to Playa del Carmen, then ADO bus north
Too far for a day trip; go only if you are flying out of CUN.
Bacalar
overnightDoor to door: 5–6 h
Ferry to Playa del Carmen, then bus south
Lagoon town far south; sleep there, don't day-trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
San Miguel centro
Walk to the ferry, restaurants and dive shops; best for a short stay without a car.
Hotel zone north of town
Quieter resorts and beach clubs; 5–10 min by taxi to centro.
South hotel zone (Carretera Costera Sur)
Closest to the main dive sites and beach clubs; you will want a car or taxis.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$900–1,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- M$1,500–3,000 excl. bed
- High
- M$3,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 4 nights × MX$1,800 | MX$7,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × MX$1,800 | MX$14,400 |
| Ferry Playa del Carmen ↔ Cozumel, both ways2 × MX$500 · check | MX$1,000 |
| Two-tank boat dive with a licensed operator2 × MX$1,400 · check | MX$2,800 |
| Car rental, one day, with insurance1 × MX$1,200 · check | MX$1,200 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$300 | MX$600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$2,720 |
| Trip total≈ MX$3,740 per person per day, bed included | MX$29,920≈ US$1,700 |
2026 estimate in pesos; flights and dive courses excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | M$40–80 |
| Tacos or a plate of the day | M$80–180 |
| Beer: bottle at a bar / six-pack at a shop | M$40–70 / M$120–180 |
| Taxi in San Miguel | M$30–60 |
| Taxi to a south beach clubAsk the price before you get in. | M$150–300 |
| Snorkel gear rental, one day | M$150–250 |
| San Gervasio entry | M$193 |
| Chankanaab park entry | about M$400 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Scooters cause most tourist accidents here: only ride if you already ride one, never after drinking.
- East-coast beaches have strong surf and undertows; swim only where flags say it is safe, and never alone.
- Touts at the ferry and cruise piers push timeshare pitches and rentals: agree the price and insurance in writing first.
- Cruise days (Dec–Apr) fill the town and the popular reefs; book dives and beach clubs ahead.
- Reef access is regulated inside the national park: pay the marine park fee and use a licensed operator.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Tourist assistance (Ángeles Verdes / PROFECO)
- 078
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CozumelCozumel
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
No embassies on the island; the US has a consular agency in Playa del Carmen, and most other countries keep embassies in Mexico City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Cozumel → Playa del Carmen: about M$250 one way, 45 min
- Taxi CZM airport → San Miguel: M$150–250
- Two-tank boat dive: about M$1,400 plus marine park fee
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- La cuenta, por favor — The check, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
- Quiero rentar un carro — I want to rent a car (KYEH-roh ren-TAR oon KAH-rroh)
- ¿Es seguro nadar aquí? — Is it safe to swim here? (es seh-GOO-roh nah-DAR ah-KEE)
- Soy buzo — I am a diver (soy BOO-soh)
- No, gracias — No thank you (noh GRAH-syahs)
Prices are in pesos; US dollars are accepted at a poor rate.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cozumel. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr (dry, clear water); diving runs year-round · avoid Sep–Oct (rain and storm season), late Mar–early Apr (spring break crowds) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for CZM, CUN and TQO: last ferry times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters in San Miguel with rescue anchors: ferry pier, plaza, Avenida Rafael E. Melgar.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (San Gervasio, Chankanaab, Punta Sur, Palancar) and dive-shop pages with marine park fees.
- Cruise-day fixtures so gates A–D can go green when ships are in port.