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Unless you want to stick around your hotel or downtown San Miguel for your whole stay, you’ll do well to rent a car. Most worthwhile sites, such as the island’s Mayan ruins and pristine windward beaches, are readily accessible only with wheels. Taxi fares can be astronomical, and after just a few trips a rental car is clearly a
Unless you want to stick around your hotel or downtown San Miguel for your whole stay, you’ll do well to rent a car. Most worthwhile sites, such as the island’s Mayan ruins and pristine windward beaches, are readily accessible only with wheels. Taxi fares can be astrono
Unless you want to stick around your hotel or downtown San Miguel for your whole stay, you’ll do well to rent a car. Mos
Unless you want to stick around your hotel or downtown San Miguel for your whole stay, you’ll do well to rent a car. Most worthwhile sites, such as the island’s Mayan ruins and pristine windward beaches, are readily accessible only with wheels. Taxi fares can be astronomical, and after just a few trips a rental car is clearly a better deal.
San Miguel is Cozumel's only town. Wait until the cruise ships sail toward the horizon before strolling the malecón, or boardwalk. The waterfront has been taken over by large shops selling jewelry, imported rugs, leather boots, and souvenirs to cruise-ship passengers, but the northern end of the malecón, past Calle 10 Norte, is a pleasant area lined with sculptures of Mayan gods and goddesses that draws more locals than tourists. The town feels increasingly traditional as you head inland to the pedestrian streets around the plaza, where family-owned restaurants and shops cater to residents and savvy travelers.
San Miguel's heart is the plaza, where families gather Sunday nights to stroll, snack, and dance to live music around the central kiosko, or bandstand. There are plenty of benches for watching the action. Facing the square is an artisan's market, a good stop for souvenirs. Renovated in late 2014, the plaza has lost some of its rustic charm but remains a place to see and be seen.
Want to see all of Mexico while staying on the island? This theme park purports to show you the country's archaeological sites, important...
Want to see all of Mexico while staying on the island? This theme park purports to show you the country's archaeological sites, important architectural landmarks, and cultures, without leaving Cozumel. The scale models of temples, pyramids, monasteries, and more have kitsch value, but a slickly produced film about the country and high-quality folk art exhibits begin to touch on the real thing. An outdoor café serves tasty fruit sorbets and light meals; you can also reserve in advance for the daily tequila tasting. The gift shop has an array of beautiful Mexican folk art for sale.
Carretera Sur, Km 5.5, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
Spanish explorers discovered this site—once the hub of Mayan life on Cozumel—in 1518, and in 1847 it became the island's first official city...
Spanish explorers discovered this site—once the hub of Mayan life on Cozumel—in 1518, and in 1847 it became the island's first official city. Today it's a farming community with small, well-tended houses and gardens. Conquistadores tore down much of the Mayan temple, so there's little in the way of actual ruins apart from one small stone arch; if you're in the market for souvenirs, however, vendors around the main plaza display embroidered blouses and hammocks.
off Carretera Sur, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
Off Punta Norte on the northwest coast, private Isla de Pasión has one of Cozumel's loveliest beaches. Most guests arrive on organized excursions...
Off Punta Norte on the northwest coast, private Isla de Pasión has one of Cozumel's loveliest beaches. Most guests arrive on organized excursions (from M$1,090), but you can also get to the Isla dock independently (it’s at the end of the bumpy dirt road to Punta Norte) and come over for M$885. Either way, your visit includes the short round-trip boat ride, a buffet lunch, soft drinks, some alcoholic drinks, and use of the extensive facilities. You can easily spend a whole day here strolling the strand, floating in the shallow water, swinging in a hammock, playing volleyball, indulging in a massage (for an extra fee), or even getting married in the island's chapel. This is a favorite stop for hordes of cruise-shippers, but the beach stretches for 4 km (2.5 miles), so you can still escape the crowds. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets. Best For: swimming; walking.
Situated on Dzul-Ha reef, the island's most upscale beach club has a small sandy beach, sunset views, and great food. Entry is free; once inside...
Situated on Dzul-Ha reef, the island's most upscale beach club has a small sandy beach, sunset views, and great food. Entry is free; once inside, you can pay for individual activities or choose an all-inclusive package that might cover anything from meals and massages to guided snorkel tours. (If you snorkel the fish-filled reef on your own, watch out for sea urchins on the rocks). A water-sports center rents snorkel gear, kayaks, and small sailboats. Mingle with locals and sip frothy cocktails during the sunset happy hour. There's danceable live music on weekend nights. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming.
Carretera Sur, Km 6.5, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
There's always something going on at Mr. Sancho's. Scores of vacationers come here to swim, snorkel, drink, and ride around on Jet Skis. The...
There's always something going on at Mr. Sancho's. Scores of vacationers come here to swim, snorkel, drink, and ride around on Jet Skis. The restaurant, which offers a number of meal options, holds a lively, informative tequila seminar at lunchtime. Grab a swing seat under the palapa and sip a mango margarita, or opt for a massage. Lockers are available and souvenirs are for sale. This is one of the few bars on the west side that is free to enter and also offers an all-inclusive package. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; swimming.
Carretera Sur, Km 15, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
Filling two floors of a former hotel, Cozumel's museum has displays on natural history—the island's origins, endangered species, topography...
Filling two floors of a former hotel, Cozumel's museum has displays on natural history—the island's origins, endangered species, topography, and coral-reef ecology—as well as human history during the pre-Columbian and colonial periods. The photos of the island's transformation over the 20th and 21st centuries are especially fascinating, as is the exhibit of a typical Mayan home. Guided tours are available.
Av. Rafael E. Melgar, between calles 4 and 6 Norte, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
About 1 km (½ mile) to the north of Playa San Martín the island road turns hilly and offers panoramic ocean views. Coconuts, a hilltop palapa...
About 1 km (½ mile) to the north of Playa San Martín the island road turns hilly and offers panoramic ocean views. Coconuts, a hilltop palapa restaurant, is a prime lookout spot that also serves decent food. One hundred yards away, Ventanas al Mar (the only hotel on the windward coast) attracts travelers who value solitude. Locals picnic on the long beach directly north of the hotel. When the water is calm, there's good snorkeling around the rocks beneath Ventanas al Mar, but steer clear if it's rough. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free), toilets. Best For: solitude; snorkeling; surfing.
Carretera C-1, Km 43.5, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
Home to one of the largest heated pools on the island, this club charges MX$36 for lounge chairs; a Fun Pass (MX$225) gives you all-day use...
Home to one of the largest heated pools on the island, this club charges MX$36 for lounge chairs; a Fun Pass (MX$225) gives you all-day use of kayaks, and snorkel gear, plus numerous large floats in the water. Parasailing equipment and Jet Skis are available for rent. Food at the club's three restaurant bars is expensive, and there's a minimum per-person consumption cost (MX$120) that's easily reached. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming.
Carretera Sur, Km 14.5, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
The National Park of Chankanaab, translated as "small sea," consists of a saltwater lagoon, an archaeological park, and a botanical garden,...
The National Park of Chankanaab, translated as "small sea," consists of a saltwater lagoon, an archaeological park, and a botanical garden, with reproductions of a Mayan village and Olmec, Toltec, Aztec, and Mayan stone carvings scattered throughout. You can swim at the beach, plus there's plenty for snorkelers and divers to see beneath the surface—picture underwater caverns, a sunken ship, crusty old cannons and anchors, and a sculpture of la Virgen del Mar (Virgin of the Sea), all populated by parrotfish and sergeant majors galore. To preserve the ecosystem, rules forbid touching the reef or feeding the fish. You'll find dive shops, restaurants, gift shops, a snack stand, and dressing rooms with lockers and showers right on the sand. Parque Chankanaab also a Dolphin Discovery facility where true Flipper fans can swim with the much-loved marine mammals (wwww.dolphindiscovery.com).
Carretera Sur, Km 9, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
This club sits just north of the hotel of the same name. The beach is actually pockets of soft sand between limestone shelves; there's also...
This club sits just north of the hotel of the same name. The beach is actually pockets of soft sand between limestone shelves; there's also a pool at the hotel that is open to club guests. The restaurant beneath a large palapa serves delicious ceviche and bountiful club sandwiches with a side of fries, and there's free Wi-Fi to boot. Live music on Sunday afternoon draws a crowd of fun-loving people. A hotel is being built next door, with construction set to be complete in late 2015. Construction noise is nominal. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best For: snorkeling; sunsets; swimming.
Carretera Norte, Km 4, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
Not quite 3 km (2 miles) north of Punta Chiqueros, a long stretch of beach begins along the Chen Río Reef. Turtles come to lay their eggs on...
Not quite 3 km (2 miles) north of Punta Chiqueros, a long stretch of beach begins along the Chen Río Reef. Turtles come to lay their eggs on the section known as Playa de San Martín. Soldiers or ecologists sometimes guard the beach during full moons from May to September to prevent poaching. This is a particularly good spot for swimming when the water is calm (and the turtles aren't nesting). When the wind is blowing from the south though, the water is best for kiteboarders and windsurfers. When you're ready to kick back, La Palapa de St. Martin serves cold drinks and seafood. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (part-time); parking (free). Best for: swimming; solitude.
Carretera C-1, Km 41, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
Hugely popular with locals, Playa las Casitas has several large palapa-style restaurant-bars, small palapas for shade, calm waters, and a long...
Hugely popular with locals, Playa las Casitas has several large palapa-style restaurant-bars, small palapas for shade, calm waters, and a long stretch of beach. Swim out 50 yards from the north end to enjoy the fish-filled artificial reefs. Windsurfers and stand-up paddleboards are also available for rent. The beach is fairly deserted on weekdays but completely packed on Sunday, the traditional day for family outings. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; snorkeling; sunsets.
Carretera Norte at Blvd. Aeropuerto, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
South of the resorts, down a rutted road and way off the beaten path, lies serene Playa Palancar—a long, walkable beach with hammocks hanging...
South of the resorts, down a rutted road and way off the beaten path, lies serene Playa Palancar—a long, walkable beach with hammocks hanging under coconut palms. The on-site dive shop can outfit scuba enthusiasts for trips to the famous Palancar and Columbia reefs, just offshore; boats will take snorkelers out every two hours from 9 to 5. There's also a nice open-air restaurant-bar here if you'd rather just relax. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.
Carretera Sur, Km 19.5, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
This busy but inviting 5-km (3-mile) expanse of sand is among the longest and finest on Cozumel. Encompassing the beaches Playa Maya and Santa...
This busy but inviting 5-km (3-mile) expanse of sand is among the longest and finest on Cozumel. Encompassing the beaches Playa Maya and Santa Rosa, it's typically packed with cruise-ship passengers in high season. On Sunday, locals flock here to eat fresh fish. Amenities include two outdoor restaurants, a bar, dressing rooms, gift shops, beach chairs, massage treatments, and water-sports equipment rentals. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: walking; swimming.
Carretera Costera Sur, Km 14, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free (M$136 minimum for food and drink)
Running along the northern hotel strip where the Melia and El Cozumeleño hotels are located, you'll find long stretches of sand and shallow...
Running along the northern hotel strip where the Melia and El Cozumeleño hotels are located, you'll find long stretches of sand and shallow water that encourage leisurely swims. Beach hotels have all the facilities you would need, but most are all-inclusive and don't allow nonguests on the premises. If you're not staying at one, bring your own shade and slip onto the beach between properties. Kiteboarders gather in this area when the winds are good, offering hours of entertaining acrobatics; equipment can be rented nearby from De Lille Sports. Amenities: food and drink (for guests only); parking (free); Best for: swimming; walking.
Carretera San Juan, just south of Punta Norte, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
Sitting on narrow sandy beach, UVAS caters to small cruise-ship groups and independent tourists. On-site amenities include a dive shop, kayaks...
Sitting on narrow sandy beach, UVAS caters to small cruise-ship groups and independent tourists. On-site amenities include a dive shop, kayaks, massages, and more. The basic entrance fee gets you one beverage and the use of beach umbrellas and lounge chairs, but additional food and drink purchases can quickly run up your tab; all-inclusive packages are also available. Phone or online reservations are required since the club limits the number of guests. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming.
Carretera Sur, Km 8.5, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
Sheltered by an offshore reef, this half-moon cove is the first popular swimming area as you drive north on the coastal road. Part of a longer...
Sheltered by an offshore reef, this half-moon cove is the first popular swimming area as you drive north on the coastal road. Part of a longer beach that some locals call Playa Bonita, it has fine sand, clear water, and moderate waves. At lunchtime, you can linger over fried fish at a casual eatery that's also named Playa Bonita. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); toilets. Best For: walking; sunsets; surfing; swimming.
Carretera C-1, Km 38, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
The lighthouse at Cozumel's northernmost point is a solitary, beautiful sight. The rutted road to Punta Molas is open for four-wheel drive vehicles...
The lighthouse at Cozumel's northernmost point is a solitary, beautiful sight. The rutted road to Punta Molas is open for four-wheel drive vehicles and dune buggies only, but the scenery is awe-inspiring no matter how far you're able to go. Some dive boats travel out this way, providing a photo op from the sea.
Surfers, kiteboarders, and boogie boarders have made Punta Morena one of their official hangouts—and for good reason: it has great waves and...
Surfers, kiteboarders, and boogie boarders have made Punta Morena one of their official hangouts—and for good reason: it has great waves and a restaurant serving surfer-friendly burgers, fries, and nachos. If you are away from the main palapa, ask the waiter for a beverage service flag; when paying, use pesos as the conversion rate is used to their advantage. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); toilets. Best for: surfing.
Carretera C-1, Km 46, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
This typical eastside beach is great for beachcombing but unsuitable for swimming due to the currents. It's nicknamed Playa Mezcalitos after...
This typical eastside beach is great for beachcombing but unsuitable for swimming due to the currents. It's nicknamed Playa Mezcalitos after the much-loved Mezcalito Café, which serves seafood and beer and can get pretty rowdy. Senor Iguana's is the other restaurant option here. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free). Best For: partiers; nudists (to the north); walking.
Carretera C-1, Km 49, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600, Mexico
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