Mexico's Caribbean Jewels. Explore 20 attractions across the island.
Cozumel and Isla Mujeres sit close to the mainland but feel like different worlds from the resort corridor of Cancún. On Cozumel, the diving is the headliner. Jacques Cousteau put Palancar Reef on the map in 1961, and six decades later the drift dives along the island's southwestern wall remain among the best in the Western Hemisphere. Palancar Gardens, with its towering coral pillars and resident green turtles, is accessible to intermediate divers, while Santa Rosa Wall drops off dramatically for advanced profiles. Non-divers can experience the reef at El Cielo, a shallow sandbar on the south side where you wade in waist-deep turquoise water surrounded by hundreds of starfish - most snorkel tours from the cruise port include a stop here.
In San Miguel, the island's only real town, skip the waterfront souvenir shops and walk two blocks inland to the Museo de la Isla de Cozumel, which covers the island's Maya history and coral reef ecology in a well-curated space. Rent a scooter or Jeep and drive the coastal road south to Punta Sur Eco Beach Park, a 247-acre reserve at the island's southern tip with a Maya lighthouse, crocodile lagoon, and a beautiful stretch of empty windward beach where the surf crashes against ironshore limestone. The east coast road continues north past wild beaches like Chen Rio, one of the few swimmable spots on the rough windward side, with a restaurant serving ceviche right on the sand.
Isla Mujeres, accessible by a 15-minute Ultramar ferry from Cancún's Puerto Juarez, rewards a full-day visit or, better, an overnight stay after the day-trippers leave. Playa Norte is the main draw - a crescent of soft white sand with shallow, bathwater-warm water that extends 50 meters out, consistently ranked among the best beaches in Mexico. Rent a golf cart (around 700 to 900 MXN per day) and drive south to the Punta Sur sculpture garden at the island's tip, where waves crash against cliffs below the remnants of a small Maya temple dedicated to Ixchel.
MUSA, the Underwater Museum of Art, sits in the waters between Isla Mujeres and Cancún - over 500 submerged sculptures by Jason deCaires Taylor create an eerie artificial reef best explored by snorkel or shallow dive.
The current carries you along towering coral formations, swim-throughs, and walls dropping to 130 feet. Palancar Gardens is the most popular section, with pillar corals and frequent turtle encounters. Two-tank boat dives cost $80 to $120 USD through San Miguel operators.
A shallow sandbar off Cozumel's south coast where the water is waist-deep and hundreds of starfish dot the white sand bottom. The turquoise color is extraordinary for photos. Most catamaran snorkel tours from the cruise port include El Cielo and cost around $50 to $70 USD.
Over 500 life-sized sculptures sit on the sea floor between Isla Mujeres and Cancún, created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor to promote coral growth. Snorkel tours from Isla Mujeres cost around $40 to $60 USD and let you float over haunting human figures now colonized by sponges and brain coral.
A 247-acre reserve at the southern tip of Cozumel with a Maya navigation tower, a crocodile observation area, and a windswept beach with dramatic ironshore formations. The Celarain Lighthouse offers panoramic views. Entry is around 18 USD and includes access to snorkel areas on the leeward side.
Rent a golf cart for 700 to 900 MXN per day and cover the entire island in a few hours. Start at Playa Norte, drive south past Hacienda Mundaca (a pirate's estate turned garden), and end at the Punta Sur sculpture park on the dramatic southern cliffs above the crashing waves.
The largest archaeological site on Cozumel was once a pilgrimage destination for Maya women honoring Ixchel, the goddess of fertility and medicine. The jungle paths connect several structures, and the site rarely feels crowded. Entry costs around 12 USD and a guide adds valuable context for about 30 USD.
From mid-June through mid-September, whale sharks congregate in the plankton-rich waters north of Isla Mujeres in the largest known gathering of these animals. Licensed tours depart from both Isla Mujeres and Cancún, costing $150 to $200 USD per person with strict interaction rules to protect the animals.
Rent a Jeep or scooter and follow the coastal road along Cozumel's undeveloped windward side. Stop at Chen Rio for ceviche at the beachfront restaurant, explore the rocky coves at El Mirador, and watch the waves pound the ironshore. The contrast with the calm western shore is striking.
Paradise Beach Cozumel is a nature attraction on Cozumel. This natural area showcases the lush tropical landscapes and diverse ecosystems that Cozumel is known for. Visitors can explore the local flora and fauna in a serene setting.
Centred around an inlet filled with small islands, this eco park has a wealth of wildlife to see.
Tropical resort with pools & dining, plus a water park, parasailing, jet-skiing & spa services.
Water park offering shops, bars/eateries & a lagoon for snorkeling, diving & swimming with dolphins.
Zona Arqueológica San Gervasio is a historical site on Cozumel. This historic site reflects the rich cultural heritage and storied past of Cozumel. It offers a glimpse into the events and traditions that have shaped the island over centuries.
Marine attraction allowing visitors to feed, pet & swim with trained dolphins in a tropical setting.
Atlantis Submarines Cozumel is a nature attraction on Cozumel. This natural area showcases the lush tropical landscapes and diverse ecosystems that Cozumel is known for. Visitors can explore the local flora and fauna in a serene setting.
Playa Punta Morena is a nature attraction on Cozumel. This natural area showcases the lush tropical landscapes and diverse ecosystems that Cozumel is known for. Visitors can explore the local flora and fauna in a serene setting.
Playa Caletita is a nature attraction on Cozumel. This natural area showcases the lush tropical landscapes and diverse ecosystems that Cozumel is known for. Visitors can explore the local flora and fauna in a serene setting.
Benito Juarez Park is a nature attraction on Cozumel. This natural area showcases the lush tropical landscapes and diverse ecosystems that Cozumel is known for. Visitors can explore the local flora and fauna in a serene setting.
Sunset is a nature attraction on Cozumel. This natural area showcases the lush tropical landscapes and diverse ecosystems that Cozumel is known for. Visitors can explore the local flora and fauna in a serene setting.
Playa Uvas is a nature attraction on Cozumel. This natural area showcases the lush tropical landscapes and diverse ecosystems that Cozumel is known for. Visitors can explore the local flora and fauna in a serene setting.
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