7 Best Cozumel Day Trips from Playa del Carmen

Cozumel has become one of the most renowned tropical destinations in the Mexican Caribbean. It is just a stone's throw from Playa del Carmen, so tours from this area are common. If you decide to visit, you can go snorkelling, visit the city of San Miguel or sample the delicious local cuisine, among many other activities. 7 Best Cozumel Day Trips from Playa del Carmen , you can go snorkelling, visit the city of San Miguel or sample the delicious local cuisine, among many other activities.

Would you like to take a trip to Cozumel? These tours will take you to the island safely, comfortably and easily. Surrounded by turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and coral reefs, this island is a paradise in every sense of the word. I'm sure your trip to Cozumel will be an experience you'll brag about for years to come.

Diving in Cozumel is like dreaming with your eyes open; the coral reefs capture the light through the crystal-clear Caribbean waters, bringing the underwater world to life. It's no wonder that Cozumel is known as one of the best places in the world to dive.

The Mesoamerican Reef System is the second largest in the world (after the Great Barrier Reef), and there is an abundance of coral and marine life with incredible visibility.

No matter your level of experience, a diving excursion to Cozumel offers dives for both beginners and advanced divers. The guides can help you and give you information about the best reefs and diving schools.

Details of interest

• Price: from around £60.
• Duration: about two hours of diving.
• Transport: ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel.
• Advantages of this option: return transfer with accompanying guide.

Although you can experience Best Snorkel Experiences in Playa del Carmen, the waters off the coast of Cozumel are ideal for this activity. Explore the island's seabed on an excursion from Playa del Carmen to the incredible coral reefs.

The guides will take you to explore the largest reef system in the Mexican Caribbean. Thanks to the crystal-clear waters offering visibility of up to 60 metres, you'll enjoy a magical experience.

If you're short on time, this excursion could be the perfect way to discover the underwater world. A ferry from Playa del Carmen will take you to the island of Cozumel, where you can snorkel in the island's famous coral reefs, such as Dzul-Ha, Palancar, Colombia and Paraíso.

Details of interest

• Price: from around £50.
• Duration: approximately 7 hours from departure in Playa del Carmen.
• Transport: ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel and boat to the Arrecifes National Marine Park.
• Advantages of this option: round-trip transfer with accompanying guide. Some tours include snorkelling equipment and lunch.

Eat like the locals while you're in Cozumel. This food tour offers a comprehensive introduction to authentic Yucatecan dishes. You'll eat in places far from the tourist centres for a more authentic experience.

Lovers of Mexican cuisine can sample typical dishes on a culinary tour of Cozumel. You'll sample the exotic flavours of this idyllic island, which combine Mexican spice with a Caribbean touch, thanks to Cozumel's proximity to Cuba.

You'll learn about the culinary customs of the area with the help of an expert guide who will take you to some of the best places in the area. Don't miss this guided tour of the best restaurants in Cozumel.

Details of interest

• Price: from around £70.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Transport: ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, minivan during the tour.
• Advantages of this option: round-trip transfer with a small group.

Climb aboard a catamaran for a day in paradise. You'll depart from Playa del Carmen and sail through the turquoise waters of the Caribbean to the island of Cozumel. Afterwards, you'll stop in the shallow waters of El Cielo, an ideal spot for swimming, snorkelling or simply relaxing and enjoying the scenery.

Many of the catamaran tours offer lunch with delicious Mexican appetisers. There's nothing better than a good plate of shrimp ceviche after a tiring day exploring the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean.

On your catamaran trip, you'll also pass by the famous Palancar Reef, an incredible ecosystem teeming with colourful fish and coral reefs for diving or snorkelling. Don't miss the second largest coral reef system in the world.

Details of interest

• Price: from approximately £70 to £120.
• Duration: between 4 and 6 hours.
• Transportation: catamaran from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel.
• Advantages of this option: round-trip transfer. Lunch included if you choose this option.

Punta Sur Ecological Park is a protected reserve in Cozumel with a great diversity and richness of flora and fauna. If you are a nature lover, don't miss the opportunity to take an excursion from Playa del Carmen.

Its fine white sand beaches and turquoise waters are home to numerous reef formations. It is one of the best places to discover the island's vast natural habitat. On an excursion to Punta Sur Ecological Park, you will take a boat trip through the incredible mangroves while watching crocodiles and wild birds.

At the tip of Punta Sur is the famous Celarain Lighthouse, which you can climb to enjoy unique views of the island. But that's not all. You may have already enjoyed 5 Best Tulum Ruins Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, but did you know that the ruins of a Mayan temple are located in Punta Sur? This is the archaeological site of El Caracol, which you can also see on this excursion.

Details of interest

• Price: from around £80.
• Duration: between 5 and 6 hours.
• Transport: ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel; van, jeep or buggy to tour the reserve.
• Advantages of this option: return transport, lunch included and the possibility of snorkelling on some options.

Learn how cultured pearls are made at the Cozumel Pearl Farm. On this excursion, you will enjoy a tour of the pearl farm and laboratory. After seeing how the farm works, you can even dive to see the pearl nursery.

This is a family-owned and operated pearl farm located on a beautiful beach on the north coast of the island of Cozumel. It is located in a protected natural area that can only be accessed by boat, as it is surrounded by the mangrove lagoon ecosystem and the waters of the Caribbean Sea.

As part of the excursion, you can relax on the beach or snorkel on the coral reef. Afterwards, you will enjoy lunch and refreshments on the beach. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Details of interest

• Price: from around £80.
• Duration: over 3 hours.
• Transport: boat to the pearl farm.
• Advantages of this option: return transfer with lunch included.

If there is one thing that all the islands in the Mexican Caribbean have in common, it is undoubtedly their beauty. And although they are often visited 4 Best Isla Mujeres Day Trips from Playa del Carmen, many people overlook the small but charming Isla de la Pasión.

Isla de la Pasión is a private island that can only be reached by boat. Among the options available, you can choose kayaking on Laguna Ciega, an off-road adventure or a boat ride.

If you are a nature lover, you will love this excursion. An expert guide will show you exotic birds and native species as you kayak through the Cozumel Protected Natural Area. After your chosen activity, you'll still have time to relax on the beach and enjoy the included lunch.

Details of interest

• Price: usually around £80.
• Duration: approximately 5 hours.
• Transport: ferry from Playa del Carmen.
• Advantages of this option: usually includes return transport with a guide, food and drink, and some activities, such as kayaking.

After taking a look at the excursions you can take from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, here are some of the activities you can do once you're on the island.

Discover San Miguel de Cozumel on a guided tour

If you're in Playa del Carmen, take the opportunity to take a guided tour of San Miguel de Cozumel, the island's main town. It's the best way to make sure you don't miss a single detail of the town and its history.

The centre of San Miguel de Cozumel is located on the seafront promenade. Here you will find Benito Juárez Park, known for its large clock tower, a common landmark in the city and a meeting place. Many excursions around San Miguel usually depart from here.

Stroll, shop, eat or learn more about the city and the island of Cozumel with a guided tour of San Miguel. The best way to get to know the city.

Swim with whale sharks in Cozumel

Swimming with whale sharks in Cozumel is an unforgettable experience. It is also a minimally invasive practice when done correctly and with the right company.

Whale sharks arrive in the waters near Cozumel and Playa del Carmen every year during their annual migration. Excursions to see whale sharks can usually be booked between June and September. However, keep in mind that tour operators cannot guarantee sightings.

Whale sharks are peaceful animals, and swimming alongside them is undoubtedly an experience to remember. So, if you are planning a trip to the Riviera Maya and don't know what to see and do in Cancun or Playa del Carmen during these months, don't miss out on this great opportunity.

Discover the archaeological site of San Gervasio

If you want to visit one of the most visited archaeological sites in Yucatan, you can 4 Best Isla Mujeres Day Trips from Playa del Carmen. However, if you are left wanting more, in Cozumel you can explore the remains of a place of great cultural value to the Maya: the ruins of San Gervasio.

The archaeological site of San Gervasio is dedicated to Ixchel, the goddess of childbirth and fertility. For this reason, all Mayan women had to make a pilgrimage to the site and make an offering once in their lifetime.

A guide will accompany you on your visit to the complex , which dates back some 1,500 years to the early classical period. This way, you won't miss a single detail of the way of life of this civilisation.

In Playa del Carmen, there are many options for day trips, such as 4 Best Chichen Itza Day Trips from Playa del Carmen or 12 Best Tours to Cenotes in Playa del Carmen. One of the most recommended excursions is to Cozumel, as it offers a range of very interesting activities.

Cozumel is a small island located just 18 kilometres from Playa del Carmen. It takes about 30 minutes by ferry. Of course, you can take a trip to Cozumel on your own, but the easiest way to get there is to book a tour. They take care of everything so that you only have to worry about taking the best photos for your memories.

The island is known for its beautiful beaches and incredible reefs for snorkelling and diving. However, you will find other options with a wide variety of activities to enjoy the island as you prefer.

If you want to take a trip to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen, it is important to book in advance, especially during high season. Tours of the island are usually in high demand and sell out quickly. Book in advance and don't miss your chance to explore the island.

Once you get off the ferry, you will pass through a shopping area in the port. In many cases, prices here will be much lower than in the city. Check them out as you pass by and make a note of the prices to see if it's worth buying on your way back to the boat.

You may also find some items in the city that you can't find in the port, such as specific gifts that you might find in the archaeological sites.

On the other hand, it is best to return to the ferry at least 30 minutes before departure. You may encounter traffic problems or long queues on the way back to the boat. That's why it's best to allow some extra time.

Cozumel's tropical climate makes the weather fairly predictable, so it's easy to plan outdoor activities. The average temperature is around 28 degrees throughout the year, but it is the rainy season that most travellers pay attention to.

• January to April is a warm time with clear skies, but it is also the busiest time of year for tourists. The ocean, cenotes and unheated swimming pools can be a little cold during these months.
• May to October are the hottest and rainiest months of the year, although you can still enjoy the sun and warm waters for diving and snorkelling. In addition, the hurricane season reaches its peak in September and October, so keep an eye on the forecasts and take out travel insurance just in case.
• From November to December, the autumn-winter months are considered the best time to visit Cozumel. The hurricane season is over and humidity is low, although nights tend to be cool.