The Best Shore Excursions on Cozumel: How to Make the Most of Your Cruise Stop
Cozumel is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean, but many visitors make the mistake of treating it like just another beach stop. The island is actually very different from many other cruise ports in the Western Caribbean. While places like Costa Maya, Belize, or Jamaica often focus on excursions, shopping, or sightseeing, Cozumel is best known for its clear Caribbean water, coral reefs, snorkeling, diving, and relaxed island atmosphere.
A good Cozumel shore excursion should take advantage of what makes the island unique. We know how cruises go. There are usually several stops, and shore excursions can add up. Often you just want to do a couple tours per cruise. So, selecting something worthwhile is important.
Some Details about Shore Excursions on Cozumel
- It is very much recommended to book in advance. There are on average of 11,000 people arriving on a daily basis to Cozumel. Many tours get booked up and you don’t want to miss out on your preferred activity.
- Most tours are refundable 24 hours in advance. So, if it looks like bad weather or you are tired, you can change your mind.
- Most tours and excusiones will and a $11-14 USD fee added. This are for park entrance, port tax or environmental tax.
- Tours are normally around 4 hours. Pretty much the entire island caters to cruise ship schedules. So, you don’t have to worry about your arrival and departures.
- Most tours have a meeting point. Taxis and taxi vans are waiting outside the cruise ports to take people to the shore excursions.
Understanding the Cozumel Cruise Ports
Before choosing an excursion, it is important to know where your ship arrives. Cozumel has three main cruise piers, and your experience can be different depending on where you dock.
The three cruise terminals are:
Punta Langosta is the closest to downtown San Miguel. It is the easiest pier if you want to walk around, shop, visit restaurants, or explore the town without immediately taking a taxi. It is often used by cruise lines such as Norwegian, MSC, Disney, and some Royal Caribbean and other ships.
International Pier is south of downtown and is commonly used by large cruise ships, including many Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships. Most passengers use taxis or arranged transportation to reach beaches, dive shops, and excursions.
Puerta Maya is another major cruise terminal and is strongly associated with Carnival Corporation ships. It has its own shopping area, restaurants, and transportation options, but most island attractions require a taxi ride.
Knowing your pier matters because Cozumel is a larger island than many visitors expect. A beach club that looks close on a map may still require transportation.
1. Underwater Reef Tours: Cozumel’s Signature Experience
The main thing that makes Cozumel special is not the fact it is an island. It is under the water all around the island. The island sits along the Mesoamerican Reef system, and the water clarity is often the main reason travelers choose Cozumel over other Caribbean ports.
A snorkeling excursion is one of the best choices because it highlights what makes Cozumel different. Instead of spending the day shopping or sitting at a beach similar to places you may have already visited, you get to experience the underwater world. Here are some of the most recommended tours to take.
Can’t Dive? No Problem with this Submarine Experience
There are very few places you can get on a real submarine and go for a tour underwater. Cozumel has a very good option for you. This might be a once in a lifetime thing, so think about taking this tour while visiting Cozumel. Depart from a central Cozumel location and enjoy a short cruise to the dive site, where you board your authentic, US Coast Guard–certified submarine.
You will reach 100 feet (30 meters) depth on this submarine. You’ll explore Chankanaab Reef, part of an environmentally protected marine park that draws divers from around the world. Cruise along the ocean bed to discover the reef’s diverse and dazzling marine life and visit one shipwreck. This tour is great for the whole family!
Scuba Diving off Cozumel
If you are a scuba diver a visit to Cozumel is not complete without doing a dive. Experience Chankanaab Marine Park’s underwater world with this discover scuba diving introductory dive, including one air tank. You will be able to see the marine life firsthand, as well as ancient caves and underwater sculptures. Once your dive is over, enjoy access to the Chankanaab Marine Park and its amenities where you can relax and stay as long as you like. This is a good deal because you save on paying for entrance for park. It also gives you a chance to do two spend the day doing great activities on Cozumel.
Snorkeling Off Cozumel
If diving is not your thing but you still want to see the amazing underwater world of Cozumel, this tour is great for you. You get to visit four of the best places for snorkeling. During the tour you will visit four beautiful places, the Palancar Reef, Colombia Reef, El Cielo and Cielito Cozumel. You will be able to enjoy one of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world and see various marine species. During the tour you will have water, soft drinks and ceviche for lunch!
2. Spend the Day at a Beach Club
Cozumel has some of the best beach clubs for cruise passengers who want a relaxing day. We know you don’t always want to be on a tour. The great thing about these beach clubs is they are all on the west side of the island. This means they do not get seaweed or very little.
Many of these beach clubs offer other activates like snorkeling.
Best Beach Clubs in Cozumel to Visit
Here are three beach clubs to visit on Cozumel. These start from basic entrance to all-inclusive packages. The prices are about $25 USD- $80 USD for adults. Transportation from the cruise pier is required. Taxis are readily available. Taxi rates range from about $12-$20 USD. Below is a map of Cozumel to show you where each beach club is.
Money Bar
Enjoy a perfect day at the Money Bar Beach Club in Cozumel with a basic entrance package. Start with a refreshing welcome drink, then explore the underwater beauty with full snorkel gear and a 30-minute guided shore snorkel tour. Paddle along the coastline with 30 minutes of kayaking. Relax with access to all our facilities, including beach chairs, hammocks, changing rooms. There is a restaurant here that is an add on. It is important to note there is not a beach here, but there is nice water for swimming and seeing what is below the water.
Chankanaab Adventure Park
Discover the white-sand beaches, magnificent reef, and amusement-park-style attractions of Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park on a tour that includes snorkeling and lunch. The tropical wonderland offers nature walks, crocodile exhibits, and sea lion shows, giving nature lovers and families a chance to get to see wildlife up close. Plus, a sandy beach and playground make the park perfect of children. This beach spot has the most attractions to see besides just the beach.
Mr. Sanchos Beach Club
Enjoy an all-inclusive day pass to Mr. Sancho’s Beach Club in Cozumel. Lounge on the beach or swing on a hammock. Make use of a pool bar and beachfront section exclusive to all-inclusive day pass guests. All-you-can-eat delicious meals and bottomless drinks await you, making this the perfect vacation experience.
Paradise Beach
Known for its large pool, floating water park, and family-friendly atmosphere.
What Tours and Shore Excursions We Do Not Recommend!
We want to put this section here because there are some tours we do not recommend. This is to steer you clear of tourist trap activities and keep you safer while you are in your vacation.
Tequila Tastings
Our number one pet peeve tours involve tequila tasting. When people think of Mexico, they think about the products that are produced there like tequila. It sounds like a fun activity, but the truth is, you are offered low-quality tequilas, and the overall feel of the tour is cheesy. Tequila is not even from the east side of Mexico! It is like asking for a Texas BBQ experience in Maine. If you want a drink, go to a bar along the waterfront. There are tons of them, and you will get more for your money compared to a cheesy tour and a few shots of cheap tequila.
Mayan Ruins at San Gervasio
Maya ruins are something that might pique your interest. However, visiting San Gervasio might not be the best for several reasons. If you have a cruise stop at Costa Maya in Mexico, you have the opportunity to do a trip to a larger and more impressive set of ruins. Second, all of the tours that include the ruins on Cozumel combine it with tequila tasting and a beach club.
If you want to see these ruins, the official entrance price is only about $11 USD per person. Most tours that include a stop here charge upwards of $80 USD. The tours offer an easy day to see several things but if you want to see just the ruins, it is better to rent a vehicle or take a taxi here.
Renting a Scooter or Moped
It might seem romantic or a cheap way to see the island. What could be wrong with this activity? Well, the truth is there are many accidents each year on the island from tourists. Some cruisers don’t make it back on the boat because they are getting medical attention. Why are there so many accidents? Many people that rent them do not drive them often. People are not familiar with the driving habits and roads on the island. People get distracted looking around and hit a pothole. Some people lose track of time and race to get back and have an accident. If you do want to self-drive, we really recommend a car or jeep rental.
Shopping in Cozumel Island
We hate to be a downer on shopping in Cozumel, but we have to be honest. Along the waterfront in town there are countless jewelry stores and tourist shops. There is very little that actually is made locally and the value of the prices is not worth it. There are even some less than honest salespeople that will say anything to make a sale. Our recommendation is to look around, if you see something you like and it is a good price for you, buy it. Just have in your head that shopping is not going to be a great deal. Most prices are as much as the United States.
ATV Tours
These shore excursions are popular because it makes you feel adventurous and gets you out in nature. For two reasons we don’t recommend these types of tours. First, they are not that great for the environment. They are loud and scare off most animals along the path. If you went for a nature walk you would actually see more. The second point is the danger factor. These are almost as bad as renting a moped on the island. This is another form of transport that people over estimate its safety and have accidents. We have had friends that work at these types of ATV tours/parks and have heard all about the accidents that happen on a weekly basis.
Long Tours to the Mainland (Riviera Maya)
If you are looking for tours online you will see some tours to Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, cenotes or the big parks like Xcaret. The crossing to the mainland is easy by ferry from the main town on Cozumel. However, it will take about two hours of your day just getting back and forth. Then there is the slight possibility of rough weather and not being able to get back to your ship on time.
There is a lot to see in the Riviera Maya, it just is not good to rush it. Xcaret Park for example is normally a 11/12-hour experience. You will be cutting it short and only get to see a part of it. It is best to plan a land-based trip to the Riviera Maya at another time so you can see everything there.
How Cozumel Compares to Other Cruise Stops
Cozumel is different from many Western Caribbean ports.
Compared with Costa Maya:
Costa Maya often focuses on Mahahual, ruins, and a few mainland excursions. Cozumel is stronger for snorkeling, diving, and water activities.
Compared with Belize:
Belize is famous for caves, jungle excursions, and the Belize Barrier Reef. Cozumel offers easier access to reefs because the island itself is built around marine tourism.
Compared with Jamaica:
Jamaica offers waterfalls, culture, and adventure activities. Cozumel is usually calmer, easier to navigate, and more focused on the ocean.
Compared with Grand Cayman:
Grand Cayman is famous for Seven Mile Beach and Stingray City. Cozumel often offers more variety for snorkeling and island exploration.
How Much Time Do Cruise Ships Usually Spend in Cozumel?
Most cruise ships arrive in Cozumel in the morning and leave in the late afternoon. A typical schedule is around:
Arrival: 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Departure: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Some ships stay later, but most passengers have roughly 6 to 9 hours on the island. This is perfect because most tours are 4-6 hours long.
Because you must return to the ship on time, the best excursions are usually those that leave enough transportation buffer. Beach clubs, snorkeling trips, and island tours are popular because they fit well into a cruise schedule.
Important note: Don’t worry about booking something that is not sold on the cruise ship. All tours on the island know that most of the people are arriving via a cruise. This means that tour providers know the importance of the schedules and how much time is needed to get you back to your cruise on time.
Which Cruise Ships Commonly Visit Cozumel?
Cozumel is visited by many of the major cruise companies, including:
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean International
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- MSC Cruises
- Disney Cruise Line
- Celebrity Cruises
Many Western Caribbean itineraries combine Cozumel with stops such as Costa Maya, Belize, Roatán, Grand Cayman, or Jamaica.
Final Recommendation
For a first visit to Cozumel, the best choices are usually something related to the water and getting to see under the water. This can be by submarine, snorkeling, or a catamaran tour. If you want a beach day, there are many beach clubs on Cozumel. The good news about these beach clubs is the lack of seaweed. The west side of Cozumel (the side you arrive at) gets no seaweed or very little. This is because the seaweed comes from the east and affects the eastern facing beaches.
The biggest mistake is spending your entire day inside the cruise terminal. Cozumel’s real beauty is outside the gates, in the water, along the coast, and in the quieter parts of the island.
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