Monday, April 1, 2024

The Complete Guide to Visiting Cozumel on a Cruise

cozumel cruise

For something completely different and unique, consider visiting Amazing Secret River. This is an underground river within stunning crystal caves where stalagmites surround you. This is a guided tour where you will get wet, as you’ll be swimming or wading through the waters. If you enjoy just getting out and walking, the waterfront view is gorgeous, and of course, window shopping is free.

Culture & History of the Cozumel Cruise Port

At this popular spot, you’ll be sure to see lobster, colorful coral, manta rays, and much more. The mild currents in this area make for an abundance of tropical fish. This location, near the Puerta Maya and International piers, could be the best location for snorkeling in all of Cozumel. Paradise Beach Club is another option when looking for an all-inclusive excursion with unlimited drinks and food. Enjoy their enormous heated pool and cute boutique shopping stores to pick up your souvenirs.

East Caribbean cruise port guides

Cruises to Cozumel dock at the island’s heart — just minutes from San Miguel’s seafront shops and the white sand beach at Chankanaab National Park. Drift among star corals and sea fans on a Cozumel diving excursion or simply kick back on the beach beneath your own palm palapa as the turquoise waves roll in. This cruise terminal is located a 5-minute walking distance from the International Cruise Terminal and a 10-minute drive from San Miguel de Cozumel. Puerta Maya is the largest of all terminals and Carnival Corporation cruise ships dock here (Carnival, Princess, Costa…).

Fun Cheap (or FREE) Things to Do in Cozumel

Meanwhile, U.S. dollars are also widely accepted, as are credit cards (but it’s helpful to carry cash). First things first, let’s begin with a quick overview of the Cozumel. As we said, the island sits just 11 miles across the water from the Mexican mainland and the town of Playa del Carmen. Rent an umbrella and post up at Playa Palancar, one of Cozumel’s quieter beaches. Of course, Playa Palancar has Cozumel’s signature warm, greenish-blue waters, so it’s easy to swim or snorkel the afternoon away while you’re there. This beach resort and has everything you’d expect—water slides, play areas for kids, pedal boats, kayaks, and more for a day’s worth of fun activities for the whole family.

cozumel cruise

Essentially a small city is built here to cater to cruise passengers before they head out to the city and before they return back to the ship. Cozumel has three piers, all of which are found on the built-up western side of the island. The International Pier, the oldest cruise ship pier on the island, is located about 3 miles from San Miguel (a long but scenic and safe walk). Carnival Corp.'s Puerta Maya, located about 5 miles from San Miguel, acts as a standalone destination, with restaurants, jewelry stores, local craft carts and a beach. All the cruise ships sell Mr. Sanchos beach shore excursions, so don’t be surprised at the number of cruise passengers homesteading their beach chairs.

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cozumel cruise

If you’re anywhere that tourists go, you’ll be able to hail a cab whenever the ships are in port. International PierRight next to the Puerta Maya Pier, but just to the north, is the International Pier. It often serves Royal Caribbean ships, including their large Oasis-class ships.

Tasting genuine Mexican cuisine is a must when calling on a cruise. If your ship docks at this port, you will be in the center of it all and only a few minutes walk to downtown San Miguel, the largest city on the island. If you are taking the mainland tour, the ferry picks you up at the pier (no need to go to the San Miguel ferry terminal). However, if you decide to go to the mainland on your own, you need to take a taxi to the ferry terminal in San Miguel. Nature lovers can indulge in the island’s largest ecological reserve at Punta Sur. You can find a variety of flora, fauna, flowers, birds, and even sea turtles.

How walkable is Cozumel?

I recommend getting reservations ahead of time because time slots can fill up quickly. There are great beaches, plenty of shaded loungers and hammocks, a pristine lagoon, alligators, a seal and sea lion show, dolphins, manatees, and so much more. Want to just relax in a hammock tied to a couple palm trees while the kids go have fun? It’s an incredible experience to swim with the rays at Stingray Beach. The submarine will descend 100 feet below the surface and will look through portholes to see amazing marine life, a sunken shipwreck, and even a 400 foot drop-off known as The Wall.

Public Transit from Cozumel International Airport to Cozumel Cruise Port

Cozumel’s popularity as a tourism destination skyrocketed in the 1960s when word of the island’s scuba diving potential traveled through the grapevine. Diving and charter fishing became central to the economy of the island. Today, Cozumel is a major port of call, welcoming over a million cruise passengers annually. While on your Cozumel cruise, you can stay close to the cruise port with shopping, eateries, and sights in historic San Miguel. Divers love Cozumel for its clear waters and preserved coral reefs. Beach lovers can rest and relax at beaches like El Cielo or Playa Palancar, while outdoor enthusiasts will find respite in the island’s jungles and national parks.

It’s ideal if there are several people going along so that you can split the cost of a charter. Just one thing to know is that you can’t bring fish back with you on the cruise ship due to customs issues. On the northern side of the Cozumel is a small spit of land that’s dubbed Isla Pasion (Passion Island). To get there involves a scenic boat ride up the coast before you make your stop at the beautiful white sand beach.

Cruise ship tourist is reported missing in Cozumel - Mexico News Daily

Cruise ship tourist is reported missing in Cozumel.

Posted: Fri, 05 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The growing Royal Village Shopping Center sits right across the street from the International Pier. The complex features a cozy Wi-Fi cafe, Cafe Punta del Cielo, which sells coffees, sodas and delicious pastries. The mall is also home to about a dozen popular stores like Harley-Davidson and Swarovski, as well as a Hard Rock Cafe. An especially fun store to browse for Mexican handicrafts is Viva Mexico at the intersection of Avenida Melgar and Adolfo Rosado. A shopping village with some two-dozen souvenir shops, as well as another Cafe Punta del Cielo can also be found at the Costa Maya terminal.

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