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Cozumel, Mexico Cruise Port Guide

Cruises to Cozumel, Mexico bring you to an enchanting island fringed by dazzling white sand beaches and teeming coral reefs. This is one of the world’s top spots for diving and snorkeling, the underwater world rich in colorful reef fish as well as sea turtles, rays, dolphins, and reef sharks. Beaches like El Cielo and Playa Palancar are some of the most beautiful in the Caribbean.

On your cruise to Mexico, you’ll find a lively culture in Cozumel, whether you’re interested in joining a margarita-making masterclass, shopping in the market in San Miguel for handmade silver jewelry and hammocks, or learning about the rituals and customs of the Maya people who lived here 2,000 years ago. The island’s interior is waiting to be explored, too, with off-road adventures in the rainforest and inviting cenotes for a cooling dip.

Cruises to Cozumel, Mexico

 

 

 

 

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Top Sights & Attractions for Cruises to Cozumel

Museo de Cozumel

This small museum in San Miguel is housed in a 1930s building that was one of the island’s first hotels. This is the place to immerse yourself in the culture of the Maya; there’s a recreated temple in the museum that gives a real insight into this highly advanced Indigenous civilization. You’ll also find interactive exhibits explaining everything from the geology of the island to the arrival of the Spanish and the annual Carnaval celebration.

Punta Sur Eco Beach Park

Head off the beaten track into this remote area of Cozumel, where you can ascend the white Celarain Lighthouse tower for sweeping views across the south of the island. There’s an observation tower from which you can spot crocodiles basking in limpid lagoons, as well as wooden boardwalk trails. Any trip to Punta Sur gives you time on the white sand beach to relax or snorkel over sea fans and corals, perhaps followed by an ice-cold margarita.

San Gervasio

About a 25-minute drive from the International Pier in Cozumel, the San Gervasio archaeological site chronicles the settlement of the Maya civilization on the island. See ruins of a sacred site where the Maya once worshipped Ixchel, the goddess of fertility, or take a guided tour to learn more about the history and preservations of the ruins. Today, San Gervasio is a wildlife refuge where iguanas bask on the ancient structure and colorful birds flit between the trees.

 

 

 

 

Top Things to Do in Cozumel

Explore San Miguel

Poke around in a variety of shops, or stop into Wet Wendy’s for margaritas in downtown San Miguel, the largest town of the municipality of Cozumel. Walkable and compact, spend your stop in San Miguel if you need a break from the sun and beaches and instead want a taste of the town.

Dive or Snorkel at El Cielo

El Cielo is a pristine white sand beach on Cozumel’s southwest coast, accessible only by boat. You can book a snorkeling excursion here, or if you’re certified, a deeper dive, and there are lounge chairs and umbrellas to rent. The water is astonishingly clear, the sandy bed dotted with sea stars before the shallows give way to reefs. Look out for sea turtles, eels, parrotfish, and rays as you drift over corals in rainbow colors.

Venture Into the Jade Cavern

Head off-road, deep into the rainforest, on a guided ATV adventure to the Jade Cavern, a cenote that gets its name from the greenish shade of the water and the sunlight filtering through the lush jungle. Take a dip in the cool rock pool here and look out for blue crabs. Bats hang from the rocky ceiling of the cavern, while there’s evidence that the Maya used this beautiful, serene spot for rituals and ceremonies.

Top Food & Drink in Cozumel

Cozumel has a lively culinary scene, with traditional Mexican dishes sitting alongside contemporary international cuisine, from Asian to Italian. Unsurprisingly, the best places are concentrated around San Miguel, the island capital, although you’ll find a beach restaurant or bar on most of the beaches.

Things to try here include cochinita pibil, a pork dish with the meat slow-cooked in banana leaves, and shrimp tacos. Tamales here are made with corn dough and stuffed with spiced meat, vegetables, and cheese, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. Or opt for panuchos, tortillas filled with refried black beans and topped with shredded cabbage, chicken, tomato, avocado, and various condiments. Seafood is plentiful, with fried grouper an island specialty and tangy ceviche on offer in most places.

You’ll also find abundant tropical fruits, sweet snacks like sugary churros with a chocolate sauce, and no shortage of bars offering tequila tastings and claiming to make the best margarita in town.

Culture & History of Cozumel

When the Mayans settled in Cozumel two thousand years ago, they dedicated the town to the Mayan moon goddess of fertility and love, Ixchel. The word “Cozumel” means “Land of the Swallow” in Mayan, symbolizing Ixchel’s favorite bird. Spanish settlers didn’t visit Cozumel until the 16th century, when Juan de Grijalva arrived in 1518, followed by the explorer Hernán Cortéz. In 1520, Spanish sailors inadvertently brought smallpox to Cozumel, devastating the Mayan population, which had no immunity.

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 three million cruise passengers annually.

Cozumel Cruise Port Facilities & Location

The Cozumel cruise port is on the western side of the island, where there are three piers in total: Puerta Maya, Punta Langosta, and the International Pier. The International Pier is one of the oldest and most-trafficked port areas. It’s about three miles to reach San Miguel, which you can access either on foot with a long walk or take a ten-minute taxi ride from the cruise port terminal. You’ll find food outlets, shopping, souvenir stalls, and complimentary Wi-Fi beyond the terminal.

Transportation in Cozumel

You can rent a car while in Cozumel to get to the far reaches of the island, including some of the nature excursions and harder-to-reach parks. For daredevils, a scooter or bicycle is an exciting way to navigate the island. Helmets are required. There are plenty of taxis at the cruise terminal and around the island. Taxi drivers know their value on the island, so be sure to settle on a fare before you drive off. It’s easy to explore areas surrounding the port on foot if you feel like stretching your legs during your stop in Cozumel.

Shopping Near the Cozumel Cruise Port

After you disembark from the cruise ship, particularly at International Pier, you’ll find duty-free shops and souvenir shacks before you leave the terminal. The Royal Village Shopping Center is also conveniently located near International Pier, where you can purchase handmade goods, jewelry, and other items. San Miguel has plentiful shopping, just two or three miles away from International Pier. Look out for silver jewelry, handmade ceramics, colorful hammocks, beach fashions, and papier-mache ornaments.

Local Currency & Tipping Customs

Though the local currency is the peso, many stores will accept U.S. dollars (USD), so you likely won’t need to exchange money. Find ATMs near the cruise docks for all your withdrawal needs. Tipping is encouraged, particularly for bartenders, tour guides, and restaurant service. A tip of 15-20% is recommended.

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Get Up Close With Dolphins

Swim with dolphins at Dolphin Discovery Cozumel. This activity is perfect for families and children of all ages looking to spend an unforgettable afternoon with dolphins on your Cozumel cruise. You’ll also have the chance to see manatees and sea lions while you’re there. 

Xel-Ha Lagoon

This huge aquarium and water park is accessible via boat from Cozumel, and a popular excursion for families and big groups. Snorkel or zipline over the water, take a river tour, or enter the Ixchel Grotto for a crystal clear, secluded swim.

Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park

Cozumel and the surrounding are famous for their coral, sponge, and fish populations. In nearby Quintana Roo, Mexico, Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park is a site where you’ll find abundant coral reef structures. Divers and snorkelers shouldn’t miss the chance to plunge into the depths of this protected wildlife sanctuary.

Learn More About Cozumel Shore Excursions

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