What To Do In Cozumel For A Day
What To Do In Cozumel For A Day When Visiting Playa del Carmen
on April 16, 2026
If you’re staying in Playa del Carmen, one of the best day trips you can take is to Cozumel. Just a short ferry ride across the Caribbean Sea, this island offers world-class snorkeling, stunning beaches, Mayan history, and a laid-back vibe that’s hard to find anywhere else in the Riviera Maya.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your day trip: how to get there, how much the ferry costs, and the best things to do once you arrive.
How Far Is Cozumel From Playa del Carmen?
Cozumel is located approximately 12 miles (19 km) off the coast of Playa del Carmen. The ferry crossing takes around 45 minutes, making it one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips from Playa.
How To Get To Cozumel: The Ferry From Playa del Carmen
Ferries depart from the Playa del Carmen ferry terminal, located on Calle 1 Sur, just steps from Fifth Avenue. Three companies operate the route daily, with departures roughly every hour from early morning until evening.
*Pro tip: Take the earliest ferry (around 7–8 a.m.) to make the most of your day on the island.
Ferry Prices: Playa del Carmen To Cozumel (2025–2026)
Prices are listed per person. Where prices are shown in MXN, use approximately $20 MXN = $1 USD as a reference (exchange rates vary).
Ultramar
- Adult
- Premium Plus – One Way: $320 MXN (~$16 USD)
- Premium Plus – Round Trip: $640 MXN (~$32 USD)
- First Class – One Way: $380 MXN (~$19 USD)
- First Class – Round Trip: $760 MXN (~$38 USD)
- *Quintana Roo Resident – One Way : $190 MXN (~$9.50 USD)
- *Quintana Roo Resident – Round Trip : $380 MXN (~$19 USD)
- UltraPlan – One Way: $100 MXN (~$5 USD)
- UltraPlan – Round Trip: $200 MXN (~$10 USD)
- **INAPAM – One Way : $100 MXN (~$5 USD)
- **INAPAM – Round Trip : $200 MXN (~$10 USD)
- Premium Plus – One Way: $240 MXN (~$12 USD)
- Premium Plus – Round Trip: $480 MXN (~$24 USD)
- First Class – One Way: $380 MXN (~$19 USD)
- First Class – Round Trip: $760 MXN (~$38 USD)
- *Quintana Roo Resident – One Way : $120 MXN (~$6 USD)
- *Quintana Roo Resident – Round Trip : $240 MXN (~$12 USD)
- UltraPlan – One Way: $65 MXN (~$3.25 USD)
- UltraPlan – Round Trip: $130 MXN (~$6.50 USD)
- **INAPAM – One Way : —
- **INAPAM – Round Trip : —
A surcharge of $24.37 MXN (Derecho de Saneamiento Ambiental) applies to all tickets.
*Quintana Roo Resident rate requires valid proof of residency in the state.
** INAPAM rate is available to senior citizens with INAPAM card.Xcaret Ferry
- Adult
- Tourist One Way: $17.30 USD
- Tourist Round Trip: $34.59 USD
- *Quintanarroense One Way : $10.27 USD
- *Quintanarroense Round Trip : $20.54 USD
- **INAPAM One Way : $17.30 USD
- **INAPAM Round Trip : $34.59 USD
- **Local One Way ***:** $80 MXN (~$4 USD)
- **Local Round Trip ***:** $160 MXN (~$8 USD)
- Tourist One Way: $12.97 USD
- Tourist Round Trip: $25.95 USD
- *Quintanarroense One Way : $6.49 USD
- *Quintanarroense Round Trip : $12.97 USD
- **INAPAM One Way : —
- **INAPAM Round Trip : —
- **Local One Way ***:** $50 MXN (~$2.50 USD)
- **Local Round Trip ***:** $100 MXN (~$5 USD)
Prices shown before DSA surcharge.
*Quintanarroense rate requires proof of Quintana Roo residency.
** INAPAM rate available to seniors with a valid INAPAM card. *** Local rate requires official Mexican ID showing local address.Winjet
- Adult
- Regular One Way (web price): $17 USD
- Regular Round Trip (web price): $36 USD
- *Plan Quintana Roo One Way : $12–$14 USD
- *Plan Quintana Roo Round Trip : $26 USD
- **Plan Local One Way : $6 USD
- **Plan Local Round Trip : $12 USD
- INAPAM One Way: $7 USD
- INAPAM Round Trip: $14 USD
- Discapacitados One Way: $7 USD
- Discapacitados Round Trip: $14 USD
- Regular One Way (web price): $15 USD
- Regular Round Trip (web price): $32 USD
- *Plan Quintana Roo One Way : $8–$10 USD
- *Plan Quintana Roo Round Trip : $18 USD
- **Plan Local One Way : $4 USD
- **Plan Local Round Trip : $8 USD
- INAPAM One Way: —
- INAPAM Round Trip: —
- Discapacitados One Way: —
- Discapacitados Round Trip: —
*Quintana Roo Plan requires proof of state residency.
** Local Plan requires official Mexican ID with local address.For expats and long-term residents: If you have official documentation proving residency in Quintana Roo, you may qualify for significantly reduced fares on all three ferry companies. It’s worth asking at the ticket counter.
Top Things To Do In Cozumel For A Day
Once you arrive at the Cozumel ferry terminal in San Miguel, you can rent a scooter, car, or bike, or book a guided tour. Here’s how to make the most of your day:
1. Snorkel Or Dive The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
Cozumel is home to some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world, thanks to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef system on the planet.
Top spots include:
- Palancar Reef and Colombia Reef: dramatic coral formations and abundant marine life
- El Cielo: a shallow, calm sandbar covered in starfish, perfect for beginners and families
- Santa Rosa Wall: a deeper dive for certified divers looking for a more adventurous experience
If you prefer staying above water, catamaran and glass-bottom boat tours include snorkeling stops and are widely available near the terminal.
2. Explore Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park
If you only have one day, Chankanaab is an excellent all-in-one option. Located inside Cozumel’s National Marine Park, it combines snorkeling, dolphin and sea lion experiences, zip-lining, botanical gardens, and a replica Mayan village, all in one location.
3. Visit The San Gervasio Mayan Ruins
For a cultural contrast to the island’s beach scene, head inland to San Gervasio, the largest Mayan archaeological site on Cozumel. Dedicated to Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of fertility and love, it’s a peaceful and historically significant stop worth including in your itinerary.
4. Relax At A Beach Club
Cozumel has several excellent beach clubs where you can spend the afternoon before catching your ferry back:
- Mr. Sanchos Beach Club
- Hemingway Restaurant Beach & Nightclub
- The Money Bar
- Carlos’n Charlies
All offer lounge chairs, food, drinks, and swimming, ideal for winding down after a morning of activity.
5. Take A Tequila Or Chocolate Tasting Tour
Two popular short experiences close to the main attractions: The Mayan Cacao Company offers a traditional chocolate-making demonstration, while several operators run tequila tasting tours, both are fun additions to a one-day itinerary without taking up too much time.
6. Explore The East Coast Or The Pearl Farm
For something off the beaten path, drive to Cozumel’s rugged east coast; wild, untouched beaches like Playa Chen Rio and Playa Punta Morena offer a completely different atmosphere from the tourist side of the island. Alternatively, visit the Cozumel Pearl Farm, a family-run eco-project accessible by boat, where you can learn about sustainable pearl cultivation in a pristine natural setting.
Bonus: Visit During Ironman Cozumel
If you’re in Playa del Carmen in November, consider timing a day trip to coincide with Ironman Cozumel, one of the island’s biggest international events. Even as a spectator, the energy and atmosphere are well worth the ferry ride.
Make Playa del Carmen Your Base
Cozumel is one of the many reasons staying in Playa del Carmen makes so much sense, you get easy access to island adventures while coming back each night to the restaurants, nightlife, and comfort of the Riviera Maya’s most vibrant city.
Whether you’re visiting for a week or considering a longer stay, Playa del Carmen offers a range of vacation rentals, long-term apartments, and condos that put you within walking distance of the ferry terminal and everything the area has to offer.
At Blue Playa Rentals, we offer a curated selection of properties in the best locations in Playa del Carmen. Explore our rentals and start planning your Caribbean stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Far Is Cozumel From Playa del Carmen?
Cozumel is approximately 12 miles (19 km) from Playa del Carmen. The ferry takes around 45 minutes.
How Much Does The Ferry From Playa del Carmen To Cozumel Cost?
Tourist fares range from approximately $17–$19 USD one way, depending on the company. Round-trip tickets range from $34–$36 USD. Residents of Quintana Roo qualify for significantly reduced rates with proof of residency.
Which Ferry Company Is Best For The Playa del Carmen To Cozumel Route?
Three companies operate the route: Ultramar, Xcaret Ferry, and Winjet. All are reliable and offer similar crossing times. Prices vary slightly, so it’s worth comparing; Winjet tends to offer competitive web prices, while Ultramar has multiple service tiers.
Is A Day Trip To Cozumel From Playa del Carmen Worth It?
Absolutely. The ferry is fast, affordable, and the island offers world-class snorkeling, beaches, and culture that are hard to find anywhere else in the region. It’s consistently one of the most recommended day trips in the Riviera Maya.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Cozumel?
The dry season (November through April) offers the calmest seas and clearest visibility for snorkeling and diving. That said, Cozumel is worth visiting year-round, just check the weather and sea conditions if you’re visiting during hurricane season (June–November).
Can I Do A Day Trip To Cozumel Without A Tour?
Yes. You can take the public ferry independently, then rent a scooter, bike, or car on the island to explore at your own pace. Many travelers prefer this flexibility over organized group tours.
