First-Timers Guide to Visiting Cozumel

Are you looking to visit and explore some new places to relieve your stress and anxiety? If yes, then what could be a better place than Cozumel to explore? 

Cozumel is a Mexican island in the Caribbean Sea, popular for its beaches, sunset, and water activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling. If this is your first time traveling to Cozumel, you may require proper guidance.

In this article, we will guide you on your budget, places to stay, activities to do, and famous Cozumel food along with a few tips for first-timers.

Budgeting and Planning for the Cozumel Trip

While traveling to Cozumel, consider a budget of around $100 – $130 per person a day. This includes food, accommodation, utilities, sightseeing, and transportation. You may need a week to completely explore and enjoy Cozumel, which will cost a person around $800 – $900.

But before that, you need to decide a way to get there. You can either fly from Cancun or book a ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel. A flight from Cancun will cost $80 per person, whereas a ferry will charge around $15-$19 for 11.3 miles.

Accommodation in Cozumel

The cost of accommodation in Cozumel varies a lot. You can get a 5-star hotel for under $300 and guest houses for around $50. The following are some of the highest and most rated places to stay in Cozumel.

Remember to check out the prices of the hotels before visiting Cozumel. The above-mentioned prices can differ depending on the seasonality.

To-Do List for Cozumel

The following are the things you can do in Cozumel while limiting your budget.

Places to visit in Cozumel

• Paradise Beach Cozumel – Situated on the western side of the Cozumel island, this private beach is known for its round stretched beach, crystal-clear water, and local food. Paradise Beach Cozumel’s entry fee for an adult is $67.
• Zona Arqueológica San Gervasio – It is an archeological site that depicts the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. These intriguing viewpoint on Mayan religion will cost you around $10 per person.
• Punta Sur Eco Beach Park – It is an ecological park situated in the southern part of Cozumel and spreads across 2500 acres of land. Its mangrove swamps make it a suitable home for crocodiles and iguanas. The admission cost for adults and children in Punta Sur is $14 and $8 respectively.
• Playa Mia Grand Beach Park – It is the biggest and most popular beach park in Cozumel. 
• Playa “El Cielo” – It is a mesmerizing beach with white sand and crystal-clear water that is filled with marine animals like starfish and sting rays. This place is well known among tourists for its water activities.

Fun Activities in Cozumel

• Scuba Diving – Dive deep into the Columbian reef and eyewitness the marine animals and corals at $100 – $150
• Bike Ride – Explore the island with a 65km track on an electric bike at $100 – $120
• Boating – Enjoy the ride of transparent boats and click astonishing pictures of marine life at $50 – $60.
• Snorkeling – Witness the underwater marine life at only $50 – $70.

Must-Try Cozumel Food

• Pescado Frito – It is a traditional fried fish dish in Mexico, made by coating the fish in flour and deep-frying.
• Huarache – It’s a Mexican dish made up of masa dough, smashed pinto beans, and various toppings.
• Empanadas – This is a famous baked dish that consists of meat, and vegetables and is shaped like a half-moon.
• Chilaquiles – It’s one of the most common dishes in Mexican households. It is basically fried corn tortilla pieces mixed with cheese.

Tips for Visiting Cozumel

• Preferred Weather – Cozumel is a hot and upcoming destination place that experiences the best weather during December – February and March – June. Visiting Cozumel in July-November will ruin your whole experience due to the high possibility of hurricanes.
• Traffic Signs – Make sure to learn the traffic signals of Mexico before placing your hands on the steering wheel of the car. Almost all the signals are written in Spanish, making them hard to understand for tourists. 
• Currency – There are many options for exchanging currency on the island, but the most preferred way to get the best rate is through the ATM available on the streets.
• Credit Card – Always bring some cash with you. Not all shopkeepers and service providers accept credit cards.
• Mosquito – Due to the greenery and numerous water bodies on the island, mosquito reproduction is continuous. Mosquitoes are more active in the morning and night, don’t let them ruin your trip. Always keep a mosquito repellent cream with you.
• Don’t drink tap water – The residents of Cozumel are used to tap water, and it doesn’t affect their health but can cause a serious health disease to an outsider. Although, you can use it for bathing, and brushing but just don’t drink it.

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