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Island in Quintana Roo, Mexico
Photo: Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatán Peninsula in southeastern Mexico. It has great diving, nice people, safe streets, and prices comparable to other Mexican tourist destinations. The diving is the main draw to Cozumel; if you prefer white sandy beaches then other nearby destinations would be a better bet (e.g., Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Isla Mujeres.) Cozumel is a popular port among cruise lines, particularly from December through April when a half dozen large ships may converge on the port each day.
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Small archaeological site for a Mayan worship center dedicated to the goddess Ixchel. The site comprises six architectural groups, generally focused on a single temple or other building. Snacks, souvenirs, restrooms available.
Training, certification and fast 6-person boats with high capacity steel tanks and long surface intervals, usually at Palancar Beach Club. Rental equipment. Night Dives. Nitrox available. Villa Aldora room and suite rentals.
Training, certification and two types of daily dive trips (fast or large boat). Good company but they tend to pack more people on a dive trip (up to 16 on the big boats). When the wind is blowing and the small boats cannot go out, their seaworthy boats often still can provide service. They also have an 8-person fast boat available. 1 tank afternoon dives are a very good deal. Night dives Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Nitrox Available. Hotel packages with Safari Inn, Cozumel Palace and several other hotels.
Training, certification and equipment rental are available from this dive op. Three two tank dives available each day with the additional options of Twilight and Night dives given a party larger than 3. PADI instruction available up to Instructor level. Excellent staff and crew.
Compared to most other companies here, operates much faster and smaller (8-person) boats with good local divemasters. Office in downtown Cozumel, with free taxi service.
Training, certification, equipment rental, and nitrox are available from this dive op. Personalized service, max 6 divers per fast boat. They'll keep and clean your dive gear (except wetsuit) if you wish and have it on the boat the next morning. Night and Afternoon dives based on demand, and hotel packages with decent savings are offered.
Training, certification and 6 pack diver fast boat are available from this very popular family run dive op. Owner/instructor with excellent local knowledge, beach SI's and dive gear overnight wash and rinse etc. Private groups accepted.
A small, personable dive outfit dedicated to the specialized needs of its diving clients.
Diving tours, training, certification, boats diving, private diving, this dive center usually works with small groups.
Training, certification, nitrox, technical and known for fast boats. At most 8 divers with 2 divemasters or as few as 4 divers with 1 divemaster. Rental equipment. Night dives. Hotel and dive package is available through numerous hotels. Dive shop is in town across the street from La Choza. Divers are usually called the day before diving to arrange dive location and possible divemaster.
Training, certification and two types of daily dive trips (fast or slow boat). Night dives. Numerous dive and hotel packages. Several dive shops. Rental equipment. In Cozumel since 1984.
Small, personalized service offering steel 120s (super-long dives). Best for advanced divers.
Small groups of divers on a modern fast boat. Custom trips to the dive sites of your choice. When not diving they also offer fishing charters.
At Cozumeleño Beach Resort & Hotel
Since 1986, Laura and José De la Fuente have been hosting and diving with Cozumel´s visitors. PADI scuba dive operation, fully equipped with top of the line gear available. Dive Trips for certified divers, scuba school all levels, equipment rental, repair and retail. Deep sea fishing charters.
Training, Discover Scuba, Hotel/Dive packages, Dive trips. Utilizes small boats (six people) with a well-trained but personality-filled dive staff. Located next to the Villablanca Hotel. $60 per day for two tanks, US$10 per day for full equipment rental.
The ScubaGamma trilingual team provides the same attention whether you are a beginner or experienced. The shop can deal with individuals as well as small groups, typically up to 7 divers by trip, but will also handle larger groups. The boat used is a 25-foot small cabin cruiser with a 225 hp engine. IAHD certified staff, and handicapped divers are welcome!
This dive center is owner-operated and has a fast boat. Personalized service and training with local divemasters.
Quintana Roo's only Platinum 5000 Instructor Trainer on staff. Three boats for certified divers and training from beginner to instructor.
It protects the offshore reefs along the western and southern sides of Cozumel, it includes dozens of popular dive sites where you can see tropical fish, coral formations, and other kinds of marine life at depths from 30 feet to more than 150 feet. Many of the sites visited by local dive shops are part of the national park.
The park includes a beach, restaurant, bar, changing rooms, walking trails, crocodile enclosure, and a lagoon with a large iguana population. Activities include snorkeling & diving, swimming with captive dolphins/manatees/sea-lions, kayak, snuba, and Seatrek. $2 coupon and packages available at their website. The dolphins are kept in cages on the beach which are at sea temperature. Cameras are strictly prohibited and photographs are available for a predictably extortionate fee after the swim.
Cozumel is rated as one of the top ten sport fishing "hotspots" in the world. Fishing is enhanced by the deep-water channel between the Yucatan Coast and the Cozumel Island. The channel "squeezes" the Gulf Stream as it passes by Cozumel on its journey northward. This "funnel" effect causes an upwelling and an abundance of fish. The nutrient rich Caribbean waters around Cozumel support a vast array of sport fish with exceptional fishing opportunities all year long.
Free admission, beach chairs US$2. Beautiful sandy beach, one of Cozumel´s largest swimming pools, an US$18 FunPass is available for unlimited access to over 14 land&ocean activities, including snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, waterslides, water trampolines, bungee trampoline, coconut tree climb, a 14-ft climbing iceberg, and more. Fabulous food and drinks served right on the beach or at the restaurant. Clean bathrooms, showers, change rooms and lockers. Beachwear boutique, parasailing, waverunners, massage, etc. also available. 14 km (9 mi) south of San Miguel (Downtown) - Cozumel, 5 miles south of the International Cruise Ship Pier.
This west-side park features a quiet white-sand beach, lounge chairs and hammocks under shady palm trees, and a well-stocked bar and restaurant. It's about a US$20 taxi ride south of San Miguel, but you'll be free to spend the day with the purchase of food. Equipment for shore-based snorkeling can be rented for US$10, and it's not difficult to find schools of colorful fish even in the shallow waters.
Eco park with lighthouse and critters like raccoons and alligators in an estuary/sea environment.
This self-declared "oldest restaurant in Cozumel" has very good, reasonably priced entrees featuring some Mayan and Yucatan specialties, along with more conventional Mexican fare like tacos and enchiladas. The Mayan Pork is an interesting take on conventional barbecue - tender with a slightly sweet marinade, and no sauce needed - and margaritas are freshly made and strong. Dinner comes with a free Tequila shot at the end.
Calle Adolfo Rosado Salas #198, at Avenue 10. Great homestyle, local Mexican food served in a relaxed atmosphere. Fish is excellent, tasty fajitas and guacamole. Only one Margarita needed here!
Quite near to the municipal market, an excellent, inexpensive place for breakfast or lunch. It's run by a Mexican couple who lived in the US (and worked at Denny's) for quite some time, so in addition to fresh Mexican food, they also know how to prepare a Grand Slam, if that's what you're after.
This isolated beach-side bar and restaurant distinguishes itself by catching its own seafood daily. The grilled Mahi-mahi filet is a definitely a worthy experience. Tables are literally setup on the beach, so it's also a great place to watch the sunset. Atmosphere is very informal, with a live DJ most nights. (Although not officially recommended, it's possible to walk the 1.6-2.4 km (1-1.5 miles) up the beach from Playa Palancar if you're not afraid of a small hike.).
Isolated beach bar with a delightfully dumpy laid-back atmosphere where the beers are always cold and the music is always by Bob Marley. Never crowded, even when 6 cruise ships are in port on the same day. Good place to spend a day, exploring the beach and waves or hiking to the nearby caves.
Corner of Avenidas Benito Juarez and 55. Casa Mission offers superb food, however the real attraction here is not the food, but the setting. Located off the beaten path, the restaurant is the veranda area of a large hacienda style Mexican home. It is surrounded on all sides by an extensive garden that combines perfectly with the colonial hacienda ambiance. There are no longer any lions or monkeys, but there still are a number of beautiful caged birds. One of the most romantic spots on the island for cocktails or dinner. One margarita is sufficient.
Off the beaten path but worth the finding. La Cocay is Mayan for the Firefly. The food is delicious emblematic of regional Yucatecan cuisine and is presented extremely well.
Pretty decent Mexican food. Guacamole and chips are excellent, as are the Margaritas. The highlight of this place though is the view. It sits perched up on a cliff overlooking the ocean and pristine white beaches on the east side of the island.
This tiny restaurant is located in a Mexican home off the beaten path. It offers cheap (cheap for Cozumel, although expensive compared to the rest of Mexico) authentic Mexican food. Tacos are ok (again, not as good as other places in Mexico), and cost about US$1.25 apiece. The atmosphere is unbeatable though!
Above Carlos 'n Charlies. Senor Frogs is a hotspot for young people and tourists. A very laid back atmosphere with very few rules. There is a bar incorporated with tire swings; just to have fun while you drink. Also, they have a dance floor and a stage for the live music they sometimes provide. If there is not a band, there is always a DJ to keep the party going. Prices vary depending on the drink.
Small craft brewery with five house beers on tap. Beers range from a fairly light cream ale to a couple of IPAs that are better than most because their hopping level doesn't try to be stupidly high (as is typical in the U.S.) The best beer is their Eagle Ray Stout with a firm malty body with hints of coffee. They also had a weizenbier that's quite good, well balanced, and true to the best German examples of the style. They have light food including pizzas and empanadas and locals rave about the lionfish pizza.
Quiet place, friendly atmosphere, sometimes air conditioned. A traditional expat hangout with an excellent selection of semi-pricey tequilas. Good food including tacos, seafood and guacamole.
Beach bar catering to day-trip visitors with "all-in" packages that include food and drink as well as a beach chair and snorkling gear. Food includes good ceviche and fish tacos.
Downtown bar across the street from the harbor with sidewalk tables, big margaritas, buckets of ice cold beers, and light bar bites including ceviche and shrimp tacos.
Lively sports bar with boring TVs blasting games nobody cares about on most evenings but occasional live music. Food is casual burgers, tacos, fries, etc. with affordable prices and generous portions.
All American staff is very friendly, laid back. They have their own house-brand of tequila that is astonishingly good for the price. Excellent margaritas the size of Mt. Everest.
Offers spacious suites in a serene tropical garden.
A member of El Cid Resorts, this beachfront hotel near the cruise ship terminal features private balconies, all inclusive plans, ocean view swimming pools, an oceanfront restaurant,and snorkel and shore diving.
Two reasonably priced and convenient hotels and dive shops located near all of the major dive locations, The Casa Del Mar is generally less expensive than La Ceiba.
Simple but comfortable rooms, available for very affordable package rates through many common travel booking sites. The daily included breakfast is high-quality and a welcome bonus. This is a small business so some minor imperfections may need to be tolerated (e.g., sometimes the water heater needs to be restarted), but the staff is quick to help whenever possible.
A five-star resort on the beach offering all-inclusive packages. 3 on-site restaurants, still included in your stay, a snack bar equipped with a buffet for lunch and late-night snacks. They also have a swim-up bar, direct access to the beach and docks for any snorkeling or scuba diving.
Private units and a condo which can be booked nightly, weekly or monthly, run by a Canadian family. You can also call in Cozumel on +52-987-872-6300 or in Canada/US on +1 604-755 4539.
This hotel offers cozy and well-appointed rooms, all of which have air-conditioning, cable TV, and Internet access. Some of its amenities include swimming pool, spa services, and assistance for yoga sessions, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing trips, sea treks, golf, shopping.
Located outside of town, this hotel is adjacent to three scuba shops (Dive Paradise, Scuba Mau, Papa Hogs), making it a good option for divers. Hotel amenities include a pool, tennis courts, restaurant, free (albeit slow) wireless internet in the lobby, air-conditioning, and an appointment-only spa/gym.
Villas Deja Blue provides twin, queen, king, double, deluxe and deja blue villas with central air-conditioning, cable TV and wireless internet access. Its facilities and services include on-site restaurant, salt-water pool, pool deck, scuba diving arrangements and housekeeping services.
5-star all-inclusive resort just south of downtown Cozumel. Beachfront suites with ocean views, pools, an on-site dive center, and direct access to snorkeling. Meals, drinks, and 24-hour room service included.
Dive resort on the beach with pier for dive boat pickup/dropoff. Large outdoor swimming pool with daily entertainment and activities. On-site restaurant available. Large, comfortable, clean rooms. Friendly, helpful staff.
Two locations on the island. Very low key approach to sales. Selection is good and prices more than fair. Service is the best. Can size rings and very patient with novice buyers of silver. Between Avenidas 10 and 15 past Palmira's and The Square.
Car rentals
Scooters can be a great way to explore the island, but should only be driven by experienced riders. If you are not experienced, please do not rent them.
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Cozumel · International · CZM
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