The beautiful scenery and interesting sites of Cozumel, including Mayan Ruins, Tequila factory and the amazing Punta Sur Eco Beach Park, are all possible to visit in one day from your vacation rental home in Playa del Carmen.
Planning Your Cozumel Getaway
Foot passenger ferries leave every hour from downtown Playa. There are three different ferry companies, all selling tickets. As you approach the ferry terminal you will see many kiosks selling tickets, but do shop around as you may find prices ranging from as low as MX$69 up to $160. Prices differ for inside air conditioned seats; locals vs tourists; or from company to company.
Also, buy a one-way ticket only (see Returning to Playa, below). While there are comfortable seats in an air conditioned cabin, you might enjoy a seat outside under a canopy where you can sit and enjoy the ocean breezes.
Exploring San Miguel
As you land in San Miguel, the major town on the island, you will pass multiple kiosks selling tours of every type: scuba, snorkelling, round-the-island tours, etc. Also car rentals of US$35 to $120 depending on the model or your negotiating prowess.
San Miguel is also where the cruise ships dock so be prepared for crowds although many cruise ship passengers head into Playa Del Carmen for the day. Tip: Sundays are the one day a week that Cruise ships do not normally dock at Cozumel.
The Mayan Ruins of Cozumel
Halfway across the island, almost in its centre, the ancient Mayan ruins at San Gervasio are worth a visit. Also known by the Mayan name Tantum Cozimil or ‘The flat rock in the place of the swallows’, it was an important shrine for worshiping the Mayan Goddess ‘Ix Chels’, the jaguar goddess of fertility, midwifery and weaving.
Much like Western pilgrimages or Mecca, Mayans would expect to make a pilgrimage here once in their lifetime.
The Exciting East Coast
Unlike the calm inside waters, the east coast is open to ocean swells and pounding waves, giving a remote feel to the miles of shoreline. At every punta there is a small gathering of huts, houses and/or buildings where you can stop and enjoy the beach.
Warning: strong currents are found on this shore so it is safest to only swim in areas protected by reefs or rocks. For safer swimming go to the south and west side.
The southern tip of the island is one of the best beaches at the Punta Sur Eco Beach Park. There is a US$14 entrance fee but that includes access to a host of activities in beautiful surroundings.
Heading north are more places of interest. Three that get top views are: the tequila factory, the chocolate factory and the Island museum.
Tip: Sundays are family days, so while there are fewer cruise passengers, it also means some of the places of interest are closed too (eg. The chocolate factory) so check ahead.
Returning to Playa
Getting back to Playa Del Carmen is as easy as getting to Cozumel, just buy a ticket back at the ferry terminal. Tip: while three ferry companies operate, not all run at the same time, so do not buy a return ticket over as that locks you in to coming back at a specific time. Just buy one for the next ferry once you are at the terminal. That way you do not have to wait around.
While staying in Playa del Carmen, don’t miss this unique destination. As one of the more affordable, accessible day trips from our location, it is one of the recommendations we have most frequently given to our guests over the years.
Email us at [email protected] to inquire about staying with us at our vacation rental homes while you explore these wondrous sites.