Cozumel
The island across the water, sitting on the world's second-largest coral reef.
Duration
8 hrs – 10 hrs
Difficulty
●●○○○
Best time
First ferry of the day
Open
Every day
Entry price
To confirm
Cozumel is a flat limestone island nineteen kilometres off the coast, a sanctuary of the goddess Ixchel in Maya times: women came here on pilgrimage at least once in their lives.
Its reputation comes from the water. Cousteau filmed here in 1961 and made it known; the Palancar reef and the Santa Rosa wall are part of the Mesoamerican reef system, the second largest in the world. Visibility often exceeds thirty metres, and the current makes drift diving possible.
Getting there
Ferry from the Playa del Carmen jetty, forty-five minutes, hourly departures. On the island, a scooter or car to go round.
What the price covers
paid ferry crossing from Playa, rate to confirm; diving and snorkelling extra
What to bring
- Mask and snorkel
- Reef shoes
- Swimsuit
- Sunscreen
Rules on site
The crossing is known to be rough and seasickness is common: sit low and amidships. Non-biodegradable sunscreen is banned at the marine park dive sites.
Other places in Playa del Carmen
- Quinta AvenidaForty pedestrian blocks of restaurants and shops, with beach access every hundred metres.
- Cenote AzulThree open-air freshwater pools, with a rock jump for those who want it.
- PlayacarThe beach south of town, wider and quieter than the central stretch.
XcaretAn eco-archaeological park built around underground rivers, with an evening show.