Last Updated on March 20, 2021
This past May, JC and I went to Playa del Carmen for my best friend’s wedding. We stayed in Playa for a week and then traveled with the bride and groom to the island of Cozumel for four days of beautiful sea, amazing snorkeling and some delicious taquerías. Cozumel is an easy add-on trip if you are traveling to Playa del Carmen, and well worth the ferry ride. Read below to find out how to enjoy the island of Cozumel, including what to do and where to eat.
Related Post: How to Have an Amazing Vacation in Playa del Carmen | Top 5 Things to Do
How to Get to Cozumel
The passenger ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel runs almost every hour and the journey takes about 45 minutes. There are two ferry companies, Winjet and Ultramar. Winjet is the orange ferry and Ultramar the yellow ferry. We took the Ultramar ferry and the experience was great – we even had live music onboard. No need to buy your tickets in advance online. Instead, you can simply buy at their service counter in person before your scheduled departure. The ferry ticket costs about $12.50 one-way. There is also a car ferry; however, it is more expensive and runs less often. Our friends, who had rented a car in Playa, ended up leaving their car in Playa and renting a new car in Cozumel since they missed the departure for the car ferry. It is recommendable to have a car on the island of Cozumel in order to get to the best snorkeling spots; however, you can also take cabs if you don’t want to rent a car.
What to Do in Cozumel
Go to Punta Sur Ecological Park
One of our favorite spots in Cozumel was Punta Sur Ecological Park. It is located on the southernmost tip of the island, so you need a car to get here. Admission costs $14 for adults. You can buy tickets ahead of time here. There is a lighthouse with 133 steps for a picturesque view, a Mayan ruin, a swamp complete with crocodiles on one side and a beautiful sandy beach and crystal clear ocean water on the other side. There are beach chairs (for a price) and a restaurant at the beach. Watch out for the raccoons who will try to steal your food! You can take a boat ride around the lagoon and learn about efforts made to preserve and replant the mangroves which support the ecosystem. You can also organize a snorkeling or dive at the nearby Colombia reef.
Go Snorkeling at ‘El Cielo’
The best snorkeling spots in Cozumel are Playa Palancar, Colombia and ‘El Cielo’ (the sky). We went to Playa ‘El Cielo’ and booked a boat trip out to the reef on the spot (no need to book in advance). They provided life jackets and snorkeling gear. The current was strong when we were out but definitely a top snorkeling experience while in Cozumel! We saw sea turtles, stingrays and lots of fish! The beach is also beautiful with turquoise water and no seaweed in sight (unlike Playa del Carmen, whose beaches are unfortunately ruined with dead algae).
Where to Eat in Cozumel
Eat local for the best food cheap
The same as in Playa del Carmen, if you want to eat the best food in Cozumel and for little money, you need to hit up the local spots and taquerías and avoid the tourist traps. JC’s absolute favorite spot to eat in Cozumel was the tiniest hole in the wall around the corner from our Airbnb (which, by the way, cost us only 106 EUR in total for 3 nights). Here, he had his first torta (a Mexican sandwich) and was obsessed thereafter. We came back to this spot again and again for tortas and quesadillas con queso for me. Another favorite spot in Cozumel was Taquería El Pique. JC had the tacos pastor (with pork) as always, but they also have other menu options such as the Pique Pastor (a ‘taco pizza’) and lentil soup (with meat). I had the cheese quesadillas (as always).
Related Post: How to do Playa del Carmen on a Budget | Outside the All-Inclusive Resorts
And if you want to eat somewhere a little fancier…
We also treated ourselves one night to a meal at Casa Mission. While the food is good, the real draw here is the entertainment. There is a live Mexican band and if you order ‘sexy coffee’ you are treated to a five minute preparation of your drinks in front of your table, which is an experience in and of itself, complete with an open flame.
And that’s it for our recommendations of what to do and where to eat in Cozumel! Have you been to Cozumel? Let us know your favorite spots in the comments below!
Related Post: How to Have an Amazing Vacation in Playa del Carmen | Top 5 Things to Do
