The busiest cruise port in the Caribbean, with reef snorkeling and beach clubs close to the piers, plus mainland trips for long port days.
Getting ashoreShips dock at one of three piers: International Pier, Punta Langosta, or Puerta Maya. Punta Langosta is right in town, and the other two are a short taxi ride south.
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Fixed union rates, posted at every pier's taxi stand. Prices are per taxi for up to 4 people, in US dollars or pesos, cash only.
| Downtown San Miguel | $8 |
|---|---|
| Chankanaab park | $12 |
| Paradise Beach | $15 |
| Mr. Sancho's | $17 |
| Playa Palancar | $25 |
| Punta Sur park | $35 |
From Punta Langosta, add $1. A fifth passenger costs more; vans take 6 to 8.
snap a photo of the rate board!Mexican pesos. US dollars are taken almost everywhere near the piers and downtown, but change often comes back in pesos. Bring small bills for taxis and tips.
Spanish. English is widely spoken by drivers, guides and shops in the tourist areas.
All-aboard is usually 30 minutes before sailing; your ship's daily planner has the exact time. The Playa del Carmen ferry takes about 45 minutes each way, so leave a wide margin for mainland trips.
pick by your time ashore
4 to 5 hours ashore
Rather book it? A 2 to 3 hour reef snorkel boat trip, most leaving right by the piers.
6 to 8 hours ashore
Rather book it? A snorkel tour with a beach-club stop.
9 hours or more
Rather book it? A Tulum tour that guarantees your return to the ship; the ferry is the risky part.
Times are approximate. Whatever you choose, plan to be back at the pier an hour before all-aboard. Compare tours for each idea below.
Start times and meeting points vary by tour. Check them against your ship's schedule before you book.
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GetYourGuide's own search results for Cozumel, in GetYourGuide's order. Check each tour's start time and meeting point against your ship's schedule.
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Shore Excursions Group sells tours built around cruise ship schedules, backed by their guarantee to get you back to the ship. Their tours aren't listed on this page; browse them on their site.
See Cozumel excursions on Shore Excursions Group
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Snorkeling the reefs along the west coast and half-day beach clubs fit easily, because most are a short taxi ride from all three piers. These are the safest picks when you have under six hours.
Mayan ruins on the mainland, such as Tulum, mean a ferry crossing to Playa del Carmen plus a drive each way. Only consider them on a full port day, and favor tours that include a return-to-ship guarantee.
The passenger ferry back from Playa del Carmen is the most common reason people cut it close in Cozumel. If you go to the mainland on your own, plan to be on a ferry at least two hours before all-aboard.
watch the ferry clock!
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