Things to do in Cozumel.

Take a passenger ferry from Playa del Carmen: Winjet, Ultramar and Xailing all cross in about 40 minutes, and Xailing goes roughly every hour, with its last boat back at 8:30 pm (2026). One way is 320 pesos on Ultramar and 310 on Winjet (September 2026). Bringing a car? The car ferry leaves from Calica, about 10 minutes from downtown Playa toward Tulum, and takes a little over an hour. From Cancún, ride the ADO to Playa; the terminal is a short walk from the ferry pier.

You'll find beach clubs all around Cozumel, and they work two ways: at some you get in free and just pay for what you eat and drink, others sell a day package with food, drinks and activities, so ask which kind before you settle in. For calm water, pick the west side: the beaches from Punta Norte to Punta Sur have low waves, and that side has several coral reefs. The east side faces the open sea, with stronger currents and bigger waves that surfers and kiters love; for a calm swim over there, Playa Chen Río has rock-sheltered natural pools.

The famous reefs are on the southwest side: Palancar, Colombia, San Francisco and Chankanaab are among the best known. El Cielo is a family favorite, a sandbar about 800 m offshore with calm, crystal-clear water full of starfish; enjoy them with your eyes only. The reef park fee is about 225 pesos a day (2026): no sunscreen, no gloves, and stay 1.5 m off the coral.

Taxis charge fixed zone rates, every driver carries the official rate sheet and has to show it if you ask, and paying in pesos gets you the better deal. Colectivos (shared vans) run about 7 am to 9 pm for 10 pesos a person (2025), way cheaper than a taxi. On a scooter, the law says you and your passenger both wear a fastened helmet.

One day from a cruise ship gets you one beach club OR one reef trip, not both. Two days lets you do both, plus dive the Palancar reefs. Three days is the sweet spot if you're flying in: you can see both sides of the island and at least one cenote without rushing.