Cozumel Excursions
If you’re looking for the best Cozumel excursions and tours you are at the right place.
A cruise in Cozumel Mexico has a bit of everything so it should definitely be on your radar. This amazing island, officially known as San Miguel de Cozumel, is located just south of Cancun and offers some of the best shore excursions and day trips on the Yucatan Peninsula.
You won’t be bored in Cozumel, trust me! There’s a wide range of activities to choose from. Picture beautiful beaches and coral reefs perfect for snorkeling and diving, ancient Maya ruins waiting to be explored, and a vibrant culture that will captivate you. So, get ready for endless entertainment! 😉
With so many amazing Cozumel cruise excursions to choose from, it can be tough to decide which one to take. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We’ve done our research and found the most popular and highly-rated Cozumel day trips just for you.
Check out this list of the best excursions Cozumel has to offer for cruise ship passengers. And with such a wide variety of things to do in Cozumel, we’re confident you’ll find the perfect activity for your day in port! 😊
Enjoy a catamaran cruise, snorkel, and beach party!
El Cielo Beach is at the top of the list for cruise shore excursions in Cozumel. It’s a secluded sandbar that’s only accessible by boat. You’ll love snorkeling and playing in the shallow waters surrounded by starfish.
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If you’re up for some fun, check out this 5-hour catamaran excursion too: Cozumel El Cielo Snorkel in Palancar Beach Party. It includes El Cielo and a private white-sand beach where you can relax on a lounge chair or hammock, play on a floating water park, kayak, or paddleboard. Plus, you get to enjoy a delicious lunch and unlimited drinks. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?
Read also our guide on the best restaurants in Cozumel island.
If you’d like to explore Cozumel and dive deeper into the history and culture of the island, then you absolutely must go on a 5-hour private island tour with an expert guide! You’ll get to know more about Cozumel’s fascinating archaeological wonders!
Once you’re picked up, get ready to embark on a journey to the island’s main sights. We’ll visit the local market, parks, iconic neighborhoods, and religious buildings. And of course, we can’t forget a stop at Chen Rio Beach on the east side of the island, followed by the famous rock formation known as ‘El Mirador’.
To truly grasp the island’s rich history, we’ll explore the San Gervasio Mayan ruins and drive through the traditional lands of the Cedral, where a Mayan settlement is located. And throughout the tour, your friendly guide will share intriguing insights into the Holy Cross traditions. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience!
Hey there! If you’re up for an exciting and unique way to explore Cozumel, you should definitely check out the Amazing Cozumel Race. It’s an interactive half-day clue-based adventure game that combines sightseeing and scavenger hunting. You and your friends, family, or coworkers can form teams of two to eight people and compete to solve mysteries and crack clues while exploring the city.
Plus, there’s an awards ceremony at the end with prizes for the top finishers, along with complimentary beverages and snacks for everyone. It’s a fantastic way to have a blast and see the sights!
Beaches in Cozumel are some of the best Royal Caribbean excursions! There are plenty you can visit on your own. But if you’re up for some Cozumel beach excursions, going all-inclusive is the way to go. Many cruisers rave about Paradise Beach Club, one of the best beach clubs in Cozumel. The beach here is absolutely beautiful, and the staff is super friendly and attentive.
Get your all-inclusive pass and enjoy a full day of fun! Lounge on chairs shaded by palm trees, have a delicious lunch at an onsite restaurant or right on the beach, and sip on all the domestic liquors, beers, and soft drinks you want from the open bar. It’s the perfect beach break – no planning required!
Expert Tip: The most convenient way to reach Paradise Beach is by hopping into a taxi from your cruise ship or hotel. It’s just a short 10-15 minute ride, costing approximately $16 each way (per taxi, not per person), accommodating up to four people. For larger groups, there are also taxi vans available that can accommodate up to 8 people.
It’s no surprise that many cruise passengers rave about Tulum as one of the top excursions in Cozumel. Tulum is an incredibly well-preserved Maya walled city that used to be a bustling port. Situated just an hour south of Playa del Carmen on the coast, it’s perfect for a fantastic day trip from Cozumel (how to get from cozumel to tulum).
This remarkable site boasts several fascinating structures to explore, including El Castillo, which proudly sits on a cliff 40 feet (12 meters) above the mesmerizing Caribbean Sea. If you’re interested in delving deeper into Maya culture and history, you’ll find a small museum on-site with intriguing artifacts. Don’t miss the opportunity to stroll along the picturesque beach below the ruins or take a refreshing swim to see the ruins from a different perspective.
There are also Cozumel tours that combine a visit to Tulum with other exciting attractions. For instance, you can check out this awesome excursion that takes you to both the Tulum and Coba ruins and wraps up with a refreshing swim in a cenote. 
Swimming with sharks and rays at Stingray Beach is truly one of the most incredible Cozumel excursions! You’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with these amazing marine creatures in the crystal clear waters. Not only can you hold, touch, and feed them, but you can also snorkel with stingrays and explore the vibrant coral reef. Plus, you’ll learn about the park’s efforts in coral restoration.
The tour lasts 1.5 hours, starting with a meet-and-greet with the stingrays in waist-deep water for 30 minutes. As you feel the gentle brush of the rays against your legs, you’ll then move to a deeper enclosure for an unforgettable snorkeling experience with rays and a variety of colorful coral reef fish.
Hey there! If you’re up for an adventure and craving an adrenaline rush, you should totally check out this awesome ziplining experience through the Mexican jungle on Cozumel. 🌴🪂
Imagine soaring above the treetops, with 6 different canopy platforms to zip along. It’s an incredible way to see Cozumel from a whole new perspective! This thrilling activity is perfect for families and children, and it usually lasts around an hour.
Your adventure begins with a safety briefing, where you’ll get a helmet for added protection. Then, you’ll climb up about 45 feet to the first platform, where your harness will be secured. From there, it’s all about cruising above the trees on those exhilarating zip lines, with breathtaking views of the ocean in the distance.
Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience! Check it out here. 🌟
Isla Mujeres is an absolutely beautiful small island, not too far from Cozumel. It’s famous for its stunning white sandy beaches, fascinating Mayan temple, and its incredible sea turtle sanctuary. If you’re up for a day trip from Cozumel, one of the best ways to get to Isla Mujeres is on a scenic catamaran tour. You can spend the day basking in the sunshine, snorkeling, and enjoying the most breathtaking Caribbean ocean views. It’s truly a paradise you wouldn’t want to miss!
Hey there! You’ve got quite a few tour options to choose from. Check out this awesome 10-hour catamaran tour with lunch and an open bar. It even includes hotel transfers and snorkeling at a coral reef park on the way to Isla Mujeres.
Prepare to be amazed by the fish gathering near the boat as your guide sprinkles fish food into the sea. And don’t forget to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch on the beach while sitting under a palm tree if it gets too sunny. Sounds like a perfect day, doesn’t it?
Hey, another awesome option is a flexible and high-speed round-trip ferry ride from Cancun to Isla Mujeres! 🚢 This luxurious ferry offers reclining leather seats, a kids area, a snack bar, and more. With a capacity of up to 800 passengers, there are multiple ferry crossing times each day. You can easily visit Isla Mujeres as a day trip and plan your own itinerary while you’re there. Just remember, it’s a good idea to book your ferry tickets in advance! 😉
If you’re on the lookout for affordable Cozumel excursions or a family-friendly Cozumel adventure, then this one is perfect for you! Situated in the National Reef Marine Park, Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park offers a wide range of activities for both kids and adults.
Get ready for an amazing experience at Chankanaab National Park! It’s not your typical national park. With a day pass to Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park, you’ll enjoy sea lion and manatee shows, explore a beautiful botanical garden, relax at the beach club, visit a crocodile farm, and have access to the beach and marine park.
It’s the perfect option if you just want to chill by the pool, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, soak up some sun, and take a refreshing dip in the lagoon. You’re in for a fantastic time! 😎🌴🌊
Hey there! If you’re up for an adventurous Cozumel excursion, Chankanaab has got you covered with even more to offer. You can snorkel with manatees, scuba or try snuba, swim with dolphins, enjoy a tequila tasting, experience a temazcal, and so much more! There might be an additional fee, but it’s totally worth it.
Hey there! Did you know that the clear turquoise waters around Cozumel are home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world? It’s called the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, and with over 100 feet of visibility, Cozumel is a fantastic spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Palancar Reef, part of this incredible reef system, is teeming with marine life. Turtles, stingrays, eels, and over 500 species of fish call it home. And guess what? There’s even a shipwreck, the El Cid, that sunk in 1961!
If you’re up for an amazing adventure, check out this two-tank scuba diving tour. You’ll dive with a knowledgeable local guide who’ll share fascinating insights about the marine ecosystem in Mexico. The excursion includes two tanks for two dives, a guide, and boat transportation from Cozumel.
Ready to explore the wonders beneath the surface? Dive right in! 🐠🌊
Hey there! In Cozumel, you have a wide range of food tours to choose from – think tequila tastings and chocolate tours. And guess what? You can even join Cozumel cooking classes to learn how to whip up delicious local Mexican dishes yourself! No matter which tour you go for, you’re guaranteed to leave with a satisfied tummy and a newfound love for Yucatecan cuisine. Enjoy! 😊
Let me tell you about cenotes – these amazing naturally formed water reservoirs or sinkholes are pretty common in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Picture limestone bedrock that collapsed, creating these underground caves and holes filled with crystal-clear water. Super cool, right?
Now, imagine spending around 3 to 3.5 hours exploring one of these cenotes in Playa del Carmen as part of a small group tour. At Rio Secreto cenote, you’ll be blown away by the stunning natural stalactites and stalagmites that adorn this cenote. Trust me, your Instagram feed will thank you!
Your tour leader will hook you up with a wetsuit for swimming as you navigate through a network of rivers and underground caves. And after all that swimming, you’ll be treated to a delicious light lunch featuring lots of local foods. Yum!
So, if you’re up for an incredible adventure and some seriously Instagram-worthy photos, don’t miss out on exploring Rio Secreto cenote. It’s an experience you won’t forget! 😉
Want to explore the amazing undersea world while staying dry? The Atlantis Submarine is perfect for you! This incredible 63-foot-long submarine can accommodate up to 48 passengers and will take you on an unforgettable underwater tour of Cozumel’s stunning reef system.
You don’t need to be a certified diver to join this tour, and the submarine provides all the necessary safety gear to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Descending to a depth of 100 feet (30 meters), you’ll have the opportunity to witness a wide variety of marine life, including sharks, rays, eels, and turtles.
The Atlantis Sub is a fantastic activity for families with children, offering both safety and educational value. Our knowledgeable guide will share plenty of fascinating information as you journey along the reef. Don’t miss out on this incredible adventure!
Want to know a secret? A day pass to Playa Mia will give you access to one of the most amazing public beaches in Cozumel, Mexico! 🌴 With over 20 water park attractions, lounge chairs on a pristine white sand beach, kayaks and sailboats, a kids’ playground, and even a swim-up pool bar, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! 😎
But wait, there’s more! You can also upgrade your experience to include an all-you-can-eat buffet, an open bar, access to Hobie cats and clear kayaks, towels, lockers, and beach umbrellas. It’s the ultimate beach getaway you’ve been dreaming of! 🏖️✨
Surrounded by vibrant coral reefs teeming with brightly colored marine life, snorkeling is one of the most popular activities on Cozumel! If you’re looking to explore the best snorkeling spots and discover the local biodiversity, then this fully guided half day snorkeling tour to Palancar and Columbia reefs, El Cielo Sandbar, and El Cielito Beach is an incredible opportunity you won’t want to miss!
Palancar reef, located on the southwest coast of Cozumel, is renowned for its abundant marine life, including sunfish, parrotfish, sea turtles, moray eels, nurse sharks, and barracuda. The Colombia reef is famous for frequent turtle sightings and dive-throughs, while the El Cielo Sandbar offers a shallow-water area where you can marvel at large starfish in the stunning turquoise waters. And let’s not forget the pristine El Cielito Beach, living up to its name as a little slice of heaven. Come and experience the magic!
Are you an adrenaline junkie or an outdoor adventure enthusiast? Then you’re going to love this! Combine three of the top adventure tours near Cozumel into one action-packed day tour. Check out this 4-hour family-friendly tour that includes ziplining, riding through the jungle on a 4×4 ATV, and exploring an underwater cenote.
You’ll start by getting picked up from your hotel in Cancun or Riviera Maya. Once you arrive at the heart of the jungle, get ready for an exhilarating experience as you zip through the air between canopy platforms, along 6 zip lines, and 3 interactive bridges.
Next, hop on a Honda 220cc ATV and join your guide for a 50-minute adventure through the jungle. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife and take in the beautiful scenery.
To wrap up the tour, take a refreshing dip in a Mayan cenote at “Ruta de los Cenotes” before getting dropped off back at your hotel. Get ready for an unforgettable day of adventure!
Read also our guide for the best hotels in Cozumel and best all inclusive resorts in Cozumel.
Cozumel, a true island paradise with miles of white sandy beaches, invites you to experience the joy of horseback riding. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or new to it, you can embark on a thrilling horseback beach riding tour that matches your skill level.
Immerse yourself in 30 minutes of pure bliss on Mr Sanchos Beach, where you’ll be surrounded by mangroves, forests, farms, and the glistening waters of the Caribbean. This tour is ideal for families, couples, and friends. However, please note that it is not recommended for individuals with back problems, those who are pregnant, or those who weigh over 200 pounds. Enjoy the ride!
Hey there! If you’re keen on checking out sea life from the ocean, a glass bottom boat ride is an awesome way to do it. It’s perfect for non-swimmers too, giving you a sneak peek into the underwater world. You can hop on a Cozumel 2-hour glass bottom boat tour that even offers snorkeling at 3 of the island’s most famous reefs.
This awesome boat even has a sun deck for those who want to soak up some rays and enjoy the views above the water. Plus, you can watch underwater life through its glass bottom without getting wet. How cool is that?
Hey there! Have you heard about Xcaret Park on the Maya Riviera? It’s one of the coolest tourist attractions in the Yucatan Peninsula. With over 40 attractions, this huge nature park will keep you entertained all day long. Trust me, it’s worth every moment!
If you want to make the most of your vacation, I recommend getting the full day Xcaret Park pass. Not only will you get access to all the amazing attractions, but you’ll also enjoy a delicious lunch and a mesmerizing nighttime cultural show. It’s like the cherry on top of an already awesome experience.
Now, let me tell you about some of the top things to do at Xcaret. You can explore the Coral Reef Aquarium, hang out at the Manatee Lagoon, visit the Butterfly Pavilion, and even meet the adorable Spider Monkeys on their own island. And that’s just the beginning!
Imagine floating along underground rivers that lead to beautiful cenotes, relaxing on pristine beaches, snorkeling in calm coves, and immersing yourself in a Mayan village. You can also take a raft tour down the Paradise River, explore ancient Mayan temple ruins, hike through lush jungle trails, and even spot jaguars on Jaguar Island. There’s so much to do and see, you’ll need to plan your day carefully.
Oh, and don’t forget about the extra activities available at the park. You can swim with dolphins, nurse sharks, or even have an up-close encounter with stingrays. It’s an adventure you won’t want to miss!
To top it all off, the evening performance with dinner is a true highlight. The Xcaret México Espectacular at the Gran Tlachco arena will take you on a journey through ancient history and folklore. With over 300 performers in vibrant costumes, you’ll be captivated from start to finish.
So, what are you waiting for? Xcaret Park is calling your name! Don’t miss out on this incredible experience.
In conclusion, no matter what you’re into, there’s a Cozumel shore excursion that you’ll absolutely enjoy! When you start planning a vacation to this Mexican island, make sure to include one or more of the incredible experiences mentioned in this article to truly make the most of your time there.
Whether you’re looking for an exciting adventure or simply want to unwind and relax on the beautiful beach, you’re sure to find the perfect excursion in Cozumel. Happy exploring!
You have multiple options to explore Cozumel! You can go on excursions through the cruise line, book tours yourself, or even visit local attractions with tips from a good travel guide.
Each option has its pros and cons. Your decision will ultimately depend on your budget, how much time you want to spend onshore, and whether you prefer the convenience of having everything taken care of for you. Enjoy your adventure!
Here are some things to consider:
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I recommend these travel resources for Mexico that I personally use:
🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Mexico. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Mexico, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.
🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Mexico, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Mexico. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
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