edit Cozumel Travel Guide

• Diving Cozumel is noted as having some of the best diving in the world, visibility often exceeds 200 ft. and there is plenty of marine life and caverns to explore. Expect to pay around $70 USD plus equipment rental per dive.
  
• Swimming with Dolphins The turquoise waters of the sea at Chankanaab Natural Park in Cozumel are the great scenery to enjoy the swimming with dolphins in the [Mexican Caribbean]. During your program, these great marine mammals will show you their intelligence through a series of behaviors that every one will enjoy. Swimming with dolphins has become one of the favorite activities for those who visit Cozumel.
• Beach lounging most of the calm western side of Cozumel has rough rocky beaches not suitable for swimming or sun bathing. The areas that are suitable have been turned into small parks. Some charge entrance fees which includes a beach chair and umbrella as well as access to the washroom and shower facilities; others are free to use, and offer many of the same amenities, while relying on visitors to purchase food or drinks. Playa San Francisco is located 20 minutes by taxi south of town and has a restaurant on site.

By plane

Cozumel has an international airport (Airport Code: CZM) which receives direct flights from Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Halifax, Houston, Miami, and Toronto as well regional flights from Mexico City.

Alternatively, you can fly into Cancun (Airport Code: CUN) which generally has more flights, then take a bus or van south to Playa del Carmen and take the ferry across to Cozumel. A shared van from Cancun airport to Playa Del Carmen will cost around $150 pesos per person one-way, where a bus will be less than $100 pesos per person one-way.

By boat

• There are hourly boat rides to and from Playa del Carmen, costing $110 pesos per adult each way. Cozumel is also a favorite cruise ship stop, and can at times have as many as eight cruise ships docked (which have consequently damaged some of the reefs).
• A car ferry leaves Puerto Morelos, about 20 km south of the Cancun International Airport. Currently, ferries leave depart from Puerto Morales twice daily except Sundays at 5 am and 2 pm. It returns each day at 10 am and 6 pm. The crossing requires two hours. Service from Puerto Morales to Cancun is considered less reliable than the shorter trip through Playa del Carmen.

Walk, rent a car, or take a taxi; there are buses, but they are designed for locals who already know the routes. The docks are saturated by pushy agencies trying to lure you into car rentals and activities. The younger travelers or anyone who has free time may want to take them up on their offer. Always check first so you are not getting scammed but it is usually just a timeshare offer. You pay about $20 for a jeep rental or a moped for the entire day and you get free breakfast at a five star resort. A regular day car rental is around $55, and scooters half that. Alternatively, taxis are always available and will take you to the west-shore beaches for $20 onwards, depending on distance and number of people. Taxis cost between $2 and $3 (20 to 30 pesos) for intra-town destinations. Like the rest of Cozumel, they accept US Dollars at an exchange rate of 10 pesos to $1 USD.

A warning about scooters

It should be mentioned that the majority of traffic accidents that befall tourists involve scooters (known locally as "motos"). These accidents seem to be due to a few factors:

• Some inexperienced riders expect that if they can drive a car, then they can drive a scooter.
• Some riders are unfamiliar with driving practices and conditions in Mexico.
• Roads are not always in the best condition, and potholes are generally unmarked.
• Scooters offer substantially less protection from accidents than anything with four wheels.

Scooters can be a great way to explore the island, but should only be driven by experienced riders.

Police

Fire Department

Hospitals

Crime

Smoking

Most visitors travel to Cozumel to see what is underwater. While there are quite a few beach clubs that offer snorkeling, the main attractions are the reefs offshore and the multitude of dive shops ready to take you there. The main town and dive operations are on the west side of the island, but if you rent a Beetle or scooter then the east side of the island is the place to go. The east side of the island is mostly undeveloped, but there are beautiful beaches, big waves, and rocky outcrops over the ocean. If the waves are sufficient you can find a few small blow holes. You will also find a restaurant on the beach every few kilometers.

Cozumel also offers several Mayan Archaeological Sites. The most extensive vestiges are those at San Gervasio, an inland site several miles north of the Carretera Transversal. Another site is located near the village of El Cedral, inland from the Carretera Costera Sur. In the Parque Punta Sur, at the southern tip of the island, there is the Templo El Caracol, believed to have been used as a lighthouse by the Mayans. Here is a short list of some of the most popular things to do when in Cozumel:

• Glass Bottom Boat Tour — a twist to snorkeling. You visit about two or three reefs, which are small parts of the second largest coral reef in the world. It costs at the most about $40 a couple but you can get it a little cheaper depending on where you buy your tickets. While heading to the snorkeling sites you have the privilege of looking through the glass bottom of the boat to see all the sea-life you pass on your way. Very fun to do as a couple or a family.
• Snorkeling — logically enough, the second most popular activity after diving. Many beach-side dive shops rent equipment for $7-10. Even though all beaches in Mexico are public some require fees to enter and use the facilities. Beaches with a rocky limestone shoreline on the west coast are the best for snorkeling or shore dives since less sand is disturbed so visibility and coral growth are better.
• The "Other Side" — the beaches on the east (windward) side of the island. Sandy surf and large waves alternating with rocky limestone coastlines on the east side of the island are beautiful but can be dangerous for swimmers. The roaring surf creates strong breakers and undertows in many areas. Never enter the water alone. There are now many areas where flags are displayed showing the level of safety for a particular area. Despite the potentially dangerous swimming conditions, these beaches are stunning and serene for enjoying sunbathing, long walks or playing in the water very close to shore. These beaches are popular with surfers and kite surfers, and with locals on the weekends.

• Playa del Carmen
• Cancun