Cozumel, Mexico cruises
Cozumel port guide
About 12 miles off the mainland’s east coast, Cozumel is an island that’s distinctly Mexican and Caribbean. You’ll find reminders of the country’s Maya culture throughout, as well a scattering of colonial architecture in the form of houses and churches. Today, Cozumel is a postcard-perfect destination. It offers the hustle and bustle that comes with tourism alongside sun-kissed natural beauty, bringing with it plenty of different ways to spend your time.
Top landmarks and sights in Cozumel
In Cozumel, the cruise terminal you’ll dock at will be in or close to San Miguel, the island’s largest city. From here you can visit all sorts of landmarks, both natural, colonial, and of the Maya people.
Zona Arqueológicia El Caracol
Located within the Punta Sur Ecologial Park in the south of the island, the ruins of El Caracol are around 40 minutes’ drive from the capital. They’re believed to date back to the 13th century. ‘El Caracol’ is the Spanish word for ‘snail’, and the ruins are so named because of the snail shells used to decorate the dome that sits atop the temple. The structure is thought to have been built as a kind of hurricane warning system for the Mayans, as when the winds are strong a loud humming noise is emitted from the roof.
Zona Arqueológicia San Gervasio
Within the jungle in the north of Cozumel, San Gervasio is another unique Maya construct. It’s around a 30-minute drive from the cruise terminal. The complex has temples, homes, and plazas, and was used as a site of pilgrimage by many Maya women, who would celebrate Ix Chel, the goddess of the moon, and pray for fertility. Today you can visit to explore the ruins and roads, and perhaps spot a few iguanas as you do.
Iglesia de San Miguel
Built by the Spanish, the Iglesia de San Miguel continues to be frequented by Catholic parishioners every week. Interestingly, the church – and city of San Miguel – got its name in more modern history. Around 100 years ago local famers who were digging in a neighbouring field came across an ivory statue of St. Michael the Archangel, which many believe to have belonged to Spanish conquistador, Juan Grijalva, who arrived in Cozumel in 1518. The statue was found on 29 September which, in the Christian faith, is St. Michael’s feast day – or – Michaelmas. Locals took this as a sign to therefore name the church and city as such.
Things to do in Cozumel
The island of Cozumel offers so many different things to do, it can be a challenge to whittle the list down. It all depends on your own interests and how much time you have to play with in port. These are just a handful of the options you could choose.
Find a beach to relax and snorkel
The beaches in Cozumel are utterly idyllic and offer some of the best snorkelling around. Cozumel is home to the Palancar Reef, which is part of the second biggest coral reef system in the world – the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Bright colorful fish and coral abound, or you could simply stay on the shore and enjoy the soft white sands beneath the sunshine. Among your choices are Playa Caletitas and Playa Casitas, both in San Miguel and close to the port, or there’s Playa “El Cielo” on the south coast and Playa Punta Morena on the east.
Visit Cozumel Pearl Farm
One of the things Cozumel is known for is the production of pearls. If you’d like to learn more about this, you could visit the family-owned Cozumel Pearl Farm. Located in a secluded area of the island, here you’ll be invited to learn about the pearl farming techniques and see the hatchery. You could even snorkel to take a closer look at how the pearls are grown and see the reef at the same time.
Discover Maya chocolate
Around a 20-minute drive south of the cruise port is the Mayan Cacao Company. Chocolate is known to play a big part in Maya culture, as the Mayans are credited for making the first chocolate using cacao beans. At the Mayan Cacao Company you can learn about the origins of chocolate, including how the beans are farmed, fermented, dried, roasted, and ground to a paste. Of course, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to sample some chocolate too.
Explore the wilderness
A good proportion of Cozumel is actually uninhabited and undeveloped, which is why so much wildlife is able to flourish. If you’d like to go off the beaten track, you could head south to Punta Sur. Beaches, lagoons, mangroves, and coral reef offshore are all part of this ecological park, and you’ll find opportunities to see birds, crocodiles, and more. You’ll also see Celarain Lighthouse, which is open for climbing if you’d like to take in some incredible views at the top.
Eating and drinking near Cozumel
Many visitors to Mexico come home with a new love of Mexican food, and time spent in Cozumel will likely have the same effect. With its fantastic blend of Caribbean and Mexican influence, the culinary scene across the island is infatuating.
You’ll find street food like tacos, burritos, and melt-in-the-mouth churros, or for a heartier meal there’s things like enchiladas and Mole Poblano chicken, which is a uniquely Mexican dish that uses a spicy chocolate sauce. If you’re a lover of fish, you’ll find ceviche widely available. This zesty, flavorsome dish is a favorite on the island and throughout much of South America.
When it comes to drinks, you’ll no doubt have ample opportunity to try tequila or mezcal, two strong spirits which are designed to be sipped or used in cocktails. Perhaps choose a refreshing margarita, or even a chilled Corona beer with a slice of lime, to wash down your delicious food?
Shopping in Cozumel
When you step ashore in Cozumel, you’ll straight away find plenty of shops where you can pick up gifts and souvenirs. Blankets, leather goods, carvings, and paintings are a few of the keepsakes on offer. You could choose a local specialty like tequila, vanilla, or perhaps a hand-woven hammock.
Jewellery made with silver and pearls is also widely available, as pearls are farmed in Cozumel and silver is mined across Mexico – the country is in fact the largest producer of silver in the world.
For a closer look at local life, you could go to the Mercado Municipal. This is a local food market where you can browse all kinds of colorful fresh fruit and vegetables, and maybe pick up some street food as you do. Seafood tacos, slow-roasted pork, and paletas – Mexican ice lollies – are among your choices.
Getting around: Cozumel transport
In Cozumel you’ll dock close to San Miguel, from where it’s easy to explore the rest of the island. Taxis are plentiful and easy to flag down. They are regulated but it’s wise to agree on a fare before you start traveling. Colectivos are like minivans, which act as the local buses. These are inexpensive and can be a fun way to travel around Cozumel like a local.
Cozumel port facilities
There are three cruise ports in Cozumel, and your Cunard Queen will either dock in Puerto Maya or Punta Langosta. The latter of these is a stone’s throw from San Miguel, so you’ll quickly find yourself in close vicinity to conveniences like shops, restaurants, tourist information, and toilets. At Puerto Maya, there’s a two-storey mall which also offers these facilities.
Top tips for Cozumel
Currency
The local currency in Cozumel is the Mexican Peso. US Dollars are also widely accepted, however any change due will likely be in Pesos. While cards are fine in most large establishments, it can be useful to carry cash for smaller purchases such as at markets or food stalls. You will find ATMs throughout San Miguel. Note that ATMs are much harder to find if you leave the city.
Tipping
In Cozumel, and throughout Mexico, the tipping custom is similar to that of the US. It’s normal to leave a tip in cafes, bars, restaurants, and taxis of around 15-20% of your bill.
Weather
Cozumel enjoys warm temperatures year-round. Throughout the year it will rarely drop below 22 degrees Celsius, and highs get to roughly 32 degrees. The hottest months are May to September; however, the rain picks up in the latter part of this period. September and October see the most storms.