Tuesday, April 9, 2024

How to Visit Cozumel, Mexico's Most Popular Cruise Port

cozumel mexico cruise port map

Most popular spots can be minutes from the cruise piers yet the rides can be pricey in our opinion. Of course, so much of visiting Cozumel revolves around the beach and water. Unfortunately, the beaches right near San Miguel (and the cruise ports) aren’t the best. While some small beaches exist in this area, the larger and nicer ones are on the southwest side of the island and on the eastern shore. While most people just call everything on the island Cozumel, the main city that you will no doubt visit is called San Miguel.

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At the height of the Caribbean Season - between November and March, in particular - the port of Cozumel may be visited by over 8 cruise ships. As for Spanish, it’s always nice to know a little bit, but again there’s no need to worry. English is widely spoken anywhere there are tourists, including restaurants, shops, and taxis. If you want to get around Cozumel, then you’re likely going to take a taxi. Cabs are at each port as you exit and cruise up and down all the tourist hotspots. If you’re anywhere that tourists go, you’ll be able to hail a cab whenever the ships are in port.

Punta Langosta Mall

There they will learn about the island’s rich history of Mayans and pirates that sailed the Caribbean waters. You don’t’ even have to leave the cruise terminal to find places to shop, but do yourself and the Cozumel locals a favor by venturing out and shopping from local vendors. T-shirts and trinkets are incredible affordable and I haven’t found shop owners to be too pushy compared to other ports. Many cruisers love to take the 45-minute ferry from Cozumel to Play Del Carmen to check out some great resorts and beaches. There are over 100,000 people living at this municipality which is just off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. The largest city is San Miguel which is right near the cruise ports on the west end of the island.

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Cozumel Beach Clubs

The park costs $26 for adults and $19 for kids 12 and under. Of course, when you think of Cozumel, you think of the beach. The island sitting in the Caribbean just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula is well-known for its turquoise water and sandy beaches. Downtown San Miguel is walkable, but if you want to go further afield, you may need some wheels. Fortunately, cabs are found around the island, but due to demand, prices can get expensive.

Playa Palancar is a beautiful, hidden gem of a beach located on the southwestern coast of Cozumel. The best part is that you can access the beach itself without paying an entrance fee. What’s great about this beach is that it doesn’t have any rocks and has long stretches of soft, powdery white sand. Depending on the season, you might spot some seaweed near the water. Playa San Martin is a free, quiet beach situated on Cozumel’s eastern coast. It’s important to note that the beach has rough waters, so it’s not recommended to swim here.

Playa San Martin

Even if you have been to Cozumel before you might get off the ship and not recognize your surroundings because you could be at a completely different terminal than before. You’ll see colorful tiny tropical fish swimming right up to the shoreline. But go snorkeling at the reefs, and you’ll be astounded at the variety of underwater activities and beauty.

You won’t have to dive too deep to see all that you’d want to see on a snorkeling excursion. Also included with your entrance fee is access for snorkeling in the nearby Chankanaab Eco Park. This pass also gives you access to kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and snorkeling gear.

English is widely spoken by just about anyone on the tourism industry. Meanwhile, U.S. dollars are also widely accepted, as are credit cards (but it’s helpful to carry cash). In town you’ll find everything you’d expect from a city of its size, including supermarkets, restaurants ranging from fast food to fine dining, baseball stadiums, and even a planetarium. All three terminals of the Cozumel cruise port have bathrooms available.

Cozumel is an incredible island with tons of unique and interesting activities and places to explore. Located right next to the Punta Langosta cruise port, you’ll find all of the souvenirs you need. This could be one of the best things to do in Cozumel on a cruise. Especially if you want to get away from the hub-bub of downtown and usually thousands of cruise passengers. If you’re looking for a quieter place to relax and enjoy a good book without interruption, try visiting one of these options on the “other” side of the island.

cozumel mexico cruise port map

If you want a beach spot with more to do than just lounge or you are traveling with kids, then it’s ideal. There are all the expected beach activities, including snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, volleyball, and more. There are also a number of exhibitions, including a Mayan art walk through the jungle, the crocodile pen, and a sea lion show.

This particular club also features a Fun Day pass which includes access to their ocean water park with inflatable trampolines, slides, and more. If you’re looking for dessert, it’s a short taxi ride to the nearby Kakao Chocolate Factory. Punta Langosta Mall has all the usual Caribbean shops; Cariloha, Del Sol, Diamonds International, Colombian Emeralds. But don’t try to bargain too low – everyone has to earn a living.

Head toward town and about a mile down the road, you’ll come to a sign pointing out the beach and a non-descript staircase leading down to the water. There is a narrow beach along with a number of small trees offering some shade. The shore here is fairly rocky, so some water shoes are a good idea. The spot features a manmade beach with lots of loungers and palapas that sits up from the water due to the rocky shoreline. There is a sandy entrance in one area, but the largest expanse of beach is separated from the sea. However, if you want the best conditions for scuba diving, consider June through December.

Shopkeepers are aggressive in many Caribbean islands, but I think more so in Cozumel than anywhere else. Don’t be surprised if you are constantly yelled at and asked to visit their shops. If you aren’t interested, a polite “No, Thank you” works just fine.

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