Getting from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel is super easy! Here you’ll find the best options, whether you’re hoping to join a tour or just catch the ferry for a day trip.
Cozumel is an island located on the eastern coast of Riviera Maya. It offers plenty of activities and it’s a great beach destination from anywhere in Quintana Roo, so you should not miss it.
Taking the ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel is the most popular way of getting to the island, although you can also get there by plane or with a tour. Here you’ll find in detail all the alternatives so you can figure out which is the best one for you.
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Best Cozumel Tours from Playa del Carmen
Planning a Playa del Carmen to Cozumel day trip? The most practical way to enjoy your day is by joining a tour. There are plenty of options you can check out, and all of them include roundtrip transportation from your hotel, so you don’t have to worry about organizing it. These are the best Playa del Carmen to Cozumel tours.
➤ The Cozumel Snorkel Tour offers you a full-day trip to the island of Cozumel. The highlight of this excursion is snorkeling among countless colorful fish in the coral reefs, but you’ll also get to relax at the beach and enjoy the water activities at the Playa Mia Grand Beach and Water Park. A buffet lunch and drinks are included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ With this Cozumel Island tour, you’ll visit Chankanaab Park, an aquatic park where you’ll get to explore the botanical garden, relax on the beach, and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean. You’ll then travel in a jeep to explore other parts of the island and climb the Celarain Lighthouse, from where you’ll get amazing panoramic views. Drinks and snacks are included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ The Cozumel Snorkeling Tour from Playa del Carmen focuses on snorkeling (surprise!), so you’ll be taken to two different spots in the Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park to witness the underwater world from up close and swim among its inhabitants. Snorkel gear, buffet lunch, refreshments, and roundtrip transportation are included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Take the Ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
How to Get to the Cozumel Ferry Terminal in Playa del Carmen
The Cozumel Ferry Terminal is located in Av. Benito Juárez 239, about a block from Playa del Carmen’s main square, and only 2 blocks from 5th Avenue. Since it’s close to most Downtown hotels, you can definitely walk to the terminal.
If you’re staying in a resort along the Riviera Maya, however, your best option to get to the terminal is by taxi.
Ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
Made it to the ferry terminal? Great. Now it’s time to pick your ferry company. There are two different companies that make the journey, Ultramar and Winjet. The ferry schedule from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel is very similar in both companies, but I will disclose both of them below.
At the time of writing, the first Ultramar ferry departs from Playa del Carmen at 8 AM. The next one is at 10 AM, and until 1 PM there’s one every hour. In the afternoon there’s a ferry at 3.30 PMand one every two hours until 10 PM.
Winjet’s first ferry also departs at 8 AM, and contrarily to Ultramar it provides another trip at 9 AM, as well as one every hour until 1 PM. In the afternoon there’s a ferry at 3 PM and one every two hours until 10 PM.
The current Playa del Carmen to Cozumel ferry prices are 500 Pesos (USD 25) round-trip in both companies.
The ferries offer comfortable seating areas, bathrooms, and small cafes where you can buy refreshments. They are also air-conditioned and feature an outside deck if you want to take pictures or enjoy the breeze.
⚠️ While the ferry to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen only takes around 40 minutes to arrive, the journey can be a little rough, especially on windy days, so if you get seasick easily you should consider taking dramamine in advance to prevent it. They also have bags available, just in case.
➤ You can buy your Cozumel ferry tickets beforehand, so all you have to do when you get to the terminal is get on the ferry ➥ BUY YOUR TICKET HERE
If you want to take your car with you, there are two car ferry companies to Cozumel: Ultramar and TransCaribe. Both ferries depart from Port Calica, south of Playa del Carmen, and a one-way trip for the car and 5 people costs around USD 50 at the time of writing.
How to Get to Your Hotel in Cozumel
Once you arrive in Cozumel, you have two options to get from the terminal to your hotel. The first one is taking a taxi; you’ll find a taxi stand in Calle 2 Nte and 10 Ave. Nte, three blocks from the ferry terminal.
The second option is booking a private shuttle to your hotel in Cozumel in advance. The driver will be waiting for you when you get to the terminal and will take you directly to your hotel. Since they offer roundtrip transportation, your transfer from the hotel to the terminal is also covered. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Fly from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
THIS OPTION IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE
Wondering how to get from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel faster? You can fly there!
The FlyCozumel private charter flight departs from the airport in Playa del Carmen, and it only takes around 10 minutes to arrive at Cozumel Airport. The flight costs USD 295 one-way at the time of writing.
Both plane models have a capacity of up to 5 people, are air-conditioned and include a headset for each passenger. The planes are 2 and 3 years old and their seats are really comfortable.
If you’re in Downtown Playa del Carmen you can walk to the airport, since it’s located on 15th Avenue South, two blocks from 5th Avenue.
When you arrive at the Cozumel Airport, you can take a taxi to your hotel or book a private shuttle that offers roundtrip transportation to and from your hotel in Cozumel in air-conditioned vehicles. Your driver will already be waiting for you at the airport when you arrive. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Playa del Carmen to Cozumel FAQ
The ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel takes around 40 minutes.
The Cozumel ferry to Playa del Carmen costs 500 Pesos (USD 25) roundtrip at the time of writing.
Yes! You can fly from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel. The flight takes only 10 minutes.
The distance from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel is almost 48 Kilometers.
Yes! There are two car ferry companies to Cozumel: Ultramar and TransCaribe. Both ferries depart from Port Calica, south of Playa del Carmen, and a one-way trip for the car and 5 people costs around USD 50 at the time of writing.
I couldn’t find any updated info online regarding this. I suggest you ask your Cozumel hotel, they might be able to arrange this for you.
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