Tuesday, April 9, 2024

The Complete Guide to Visiting Cozumel on a Cruise

cozumel mexico cruise port map

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. Playa Stingray may not be something out of a postcard, but it’s a cool little hidden secret within walking distance of the cruise port. The port is one of the most popular cruise ship destinations on the planet, with millions of passengers stopping there every year.

The International Cruise Pier in Cozumel

Plaza del Sol is a lively, bustling shopping hub located right next to Punta Langosta Port in San Miguel. El Cielo is known for its majestic starfish, southern stingrays, and many tropical fish. El Cielo is an excellent choice for beginner divers, featuring pristine, turquoise waters and an abundance of marine creatures. Paradise Reef is a stunning reef located on Cozumel’s western shoreline, right beside Puerta Maya Pier. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a spotted eagle ray, octopus, or nurse shark.

Rent a car and drive around the island

If you are cruising on ships of cruise lines such as NCL, Disney, Oceania, Silversea, Regent or Crystal it is almost guaranteed that your ship will moor at Punta Langosta. The Puerta Maya Terminal and the International Cruise Terminal are very close to each other - the entrances are no more than 1,500 feet (500 meters) apart. Both terminals are around 3 miles south of San Miguel, the main city of Cozumel.

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Cozumel has changed time zone to EST (Eastern Standard Time), the same time zone in the East Coast of North America, 5 hours behind UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). Since the change to EST, Cozumel is not scheduled to participate in daylight saving time. The study analyzed the possible environmental impact for the island (transportation, waste and provision services) and its marine area. The new facility could be constructed and operated byDisney Cruise Line.

Besides the exhibits, the museum's restaurant is nice and has a great view. In the island itself, a half-hour from the pier, San Gervasio is a much smaller Mayan ruin site where Ix Chel, the goddess of the moon, childbirth, and fertility was worshiped in pre-Columbian times. Previously, the plan for a 4th berth was rejected in June 2016 by local residents following public consultation. The site for the new terminal was in front of Marina Banco Playa (Puerto de Abrigo, island's northern coast). The island's tropical climate determines the rainy season (from June through November) and the dry season (from December through May). I did the chocolate factory tour a few years ago and found it to be a really interesting experience.

cozumel mexico cruise port map

For instance, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Fat Tuesday, and Senor Frog’s all have locations within the port areas. All-Inclusive/ExcursionsIf you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort with a day pass or you are on an extended excursion, then you are likely going to eat lunch there. Taxi service is available 24/7 at the Cancun International Airport, but this must be booked in advance online. During the post-COVID season 2022, Port Cozumel recorded a total of 1117 ship calls and handled 2, million cruisers.

The International Cruise Terminal in Cozumel

Even Punta Langosta in downtown San Miguel funnels you to a similar area. These spots all have restaurants catering to cruise passengers that want to have a good time. We’ve seen some cruises that partner with shopping centers downtown to offer free rides to their shops from the cruise pier. If you plan to head to town, it’s an easy way to save some cash. Look for a flyer in your stateroom on the day before you port in Cozumel to see if this deal is offered on your cruise.

DCL-Disney Cruise Line's summer 2025 fleet deployment (Europe & Caribbean itineraries)

Even though it’s labeled as a public beach, there have been reports of an entrance fee. This park is also an excellent spot for those who enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. Divers can explore captivating underwater statues and the beauty of Chankanaab Reef. By contrast, frequent cruisers that have repeatedly docked in Cozumel tend to think that the terminals (and even the piers) are unquestionably designated for specific cruise lines. Most travelers cruising to Cozumel for the first time do not realize immediately that the cruise ship will be docked at one of many piers.

Cultural Opportunities within Walking Distance

Don’t forget to try the tequila tasting and enjoy the swimming pools. Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park provides a variety of entertaining activities for people of all ages, as well as numerous facilities and dining options. As the evening progresses, the beach provides a great setting to witness a beautiful sunset. If you want to taste some authentic, genuine Mexican and Caribbean cuisine, consider stopping by Casa Denis. It’s a family-owned restaurant with a good amount of outdoor seating.

Read the full Cozumel cruise port guide for all the information. The first time I visited Cozumel we booked a catamaran and beach break excursion through the cruise line. It was my first trip so I really enjoyed the catamaran ride, snorkeling, and the beach.

For an island that's only 185 square miles, there are a surprising number of ways to get there. The easiest way to reach Cozumel is to fly directly into its airport (CZM). The small Aeropuerto Internacional de Cozumel receives flights from American, Delta, Southwest, United, Volaris, Aeromexico, Air Canada, WestJet, and Sun Country Airlines. If you plan to visit from August through October, you'll be traveling during peak hurricane season. Travel prices are at their lowest during this time, so you'll want to use those extra savings to get yourself some travel insurance, just in case you get rained out.

In short, if you’re waiting a full-fledge beach day with all the extras, then Playa Mia is a good option only about 15 minutes from the cruise ships. On the eastern side of the island is where you’ll find more of the classic stretches of uninterrupted sand. However, there isn’t as much commercial activity on the east side of Cozumel. So while you might have better beaches, the bars, restaurants, and beach clubs are drastically fewer. Mexican silver is a great trinket to bring home, and on Cozumel, Sergio's has the best selection of jewelry.

Hang out on a beautiful beach under a palapa, or near one of the two pools. Eat and drink to your heart’s content, or just swing in a hammock. With millions of American tourists each year, there is a definite American influence on the island. You’ll notice a number of restaurants that are common in the U.S.

Coba (2 hr, 15 min away), situated in the jungle, sees relatively low tourist traffic due to its remote location. The site itself is large and has a pyramid towering at 138 ft (42 meters) in height. It is one of the few pyramids in the region that visitors are allowed to climb. The first site is Tulum (1 hr, 30 min away), a beautiful Mayan archeological site situated on the seafront cliffs of the Yucatan Peninsula. It stands as one of the Mayans’ last creations, showcasing a fascinating fusion of architectural styles.

As much as this is true (most of the time), the Editor has been on Carnival ships docking at the International Terminal. And, as shown in the photo above, Carnival ships may also dock at the Punta Langosta Terminal. Port RestaurantsWe mentioned above that the International and Puerta Maya piers have enclosed areas that cater to cruise passengers.

After seeing how the pearls are grown and harvested you can snorkel out to see the pearl hatchery. While snorkeling you can see an underwater life-size Virgen de Guadalupe statue. This is also part of Chankanaab Park which is open from 9am to 5pm. These slow-moving creatures are rarely seen in the wild so this excursion offers you the ability to get up close and personal with these “Mermaids of the Sea”.

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