Quick answer: Passenger ferries cross between Playa del Carmen and downtown Cozumel all day, and the ride takes about 45 minutes. Three companies run the route: Ultramar, Winjet and Xcaret Xailing. Between them there's a boat roughly every 30 to 60 minutes from about 6 or 7 a.m. until 9 to 11 p.m. A one-way adult ticket costs roughly 250 to 380 pesos (about $13 to $20) in 2026. You can buy tickets at the pier or online, and outside of holidays you rarely need to book ahead.
The ferry is how we've started more Cozumel trips than we can count, and it's still one of our favorite parts of arriving. Here's how it works today.
Cozumel Ferry at a Glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Crossing time | About 45 minutes |
| Ferry companies | Ultramar, Winjet and Xcaret Xailing |
| How often | Roughly every 30 to 60 minutes when you combine all three |
| First and last boats | First around 6 to 7 a.m.; last around 9 to 11 p.m., depending on company and season |
| One-way adult fare | About 250 to 380 pesos ($13 to $20); children and Mexican residents pay less |
| Playa del Carmen pier | The ferry terminal at the end of Calle 1 Sur and Avenida Juárez, a block from Fifth Avenue |
| Cozumel pier | The main downtown pier on the waterfront in San Miguel, across from the plaza |
| Luggage | One suitcase is usually included; oversize items may cost extra |
| Ferry from Cancun? | No. Passenger ferries to Cozumel leave from Playa del Carmen |
Which Cozumel Ferry Company Is Best?
Honestly, take whichever one leaves next. The boats are similar, the crossing time is the same and prices are close. The differences are small:
| Company | What to know |
|---|---|
| Ultramar | The bright yellow and blue boats. The most departures, an early first boat and usually the latest last boat. Paid upgrade seats are available. |
| Winjet | The longtime competitor, formerly known as Mexico Waterjets. Often a little cheaper, especially for round trips booked online. |
| Xcaret Xailing | The newest option, run by the company behind the Xcaret parks. Large, modern boats that leave on the half hour. |
Tickets from one company don't work on another. That's why we buy one-way tickets. A round trip can save a little, but it ties you to one company's timetable for the return.
How Much Is the Ferry to Cozumel?
Expect roughly 250 to 380 pesos (about $13 to $20) per adult, each way, in 2026. Children pay less, and Quintana Roo residents get a much lower local fare with ID. Fares change several times a year and vary by company, by season and by whether you buy online, so check the company's website the week you travel. A small port or environmental fee is usually included in the ticket at official counters. Carry some pesos in case it isn't.
Ignore the people selling "discount" ferry tickets on Fifth Avenue. They're usually timeshare offers. Buy your ticket at the company's own booth at the pier or on its official website.
Cozumel Ferry Schedule
Each company runs its own timetable, but between them there's a boat at least every hour through the day. As a rough guide:
- First ferries: around 6 to 7 a.m. from both Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.
- During the day: a departure about every 30 to 60 minutes.
- Last ferries: around 9 to 11 p.m. Winjet's last boat is usually earlier than Ultramar's.
Schedules change with the season, so check the latest times on the company's site or at the ticket booth. Around Christmas, New Year and Easter week (Semana Santa), boats sell out, especially on the last sailings of the day. Buy your ticket early in the day or online.
Where Do the Ferries Leave From?
In Playa del Carmen
Passenger ferries leave from the maritime terminal at the end of Calle 1 Sur and Avenida Juárez, on the beach a block from Fifth Avenue. The ticket booths are lined up at the entrance. If you're coming from Cancun airport by ADO bus, the Fifth Avenue bus station is a short walk away. Our guide to how to get to Cozumel walks through the whole trip from the airport.
In Cozumel
Ferries dock at the main downtown pier in San Miguel, right across Avenida Rafael Melgar from the main plaza. Restaurants, shops and the waterfront are steps away. Taxis wait just outside the pier, and our getting around Cozumel guide explains the fixed fares.
Tips for Riding the Ferry
- Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early to buy a ticket and board, longer on holidays.
- Bring your passport or ID. You may be asked for it, and Mexican residents need it for the local fare.
- Check your big bags. Large suitcases go in a luggage area that staff load and unload. Ultramar includes one bag up to 25 kg (55 lb), and dive gear, bikes or extra bags may cost more. Keep valuables, medicines and passports with you.
- Tip the porters a few dollars or about 20 to 50 pesos a bag if they help you.
- Sit low and in the middle if you get seasick. The crossing can be bumpy on windy days, especially during winter cold fronts. Take seasickness tablets 30 to 60 minutes before you board.
- Sit up top for the views on calm days. You'll see Cozumel's waterfront and the cruise ships as you come in, and sometimes dolphins or flying fish.
- Watch the weather. When strong winds are forecast, the port authority can close the port and ferries stop until it reopens. If you have a flight to catch from Cancun, leave plenty of extra time.
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Day Trips by Ferry
From Playa del Carmen to Cozumel: A day trip is easy. Take an early boat, snorkel or dive the reefs, have lunch on the waterfront and catch an evening boat back. Our guides to the best snorkeling in Cozumel and the best things to do in Cozumel will help you plan the day.
From Cozumel to Playa del Carmen: Staying on the island? Hop over for a day of shopping on Fifth Avenue, or connect to the cenotes and ruins on the mainland.
Cruise passengers: You can ride the ferry to Playa del Carmen on a port day, but leave a big cushion. The ship won't wait if the sea gets rough or a ferry is late. Our Cozumel cruise port guide has ideas that keep you on the island.
Is There a Car Ferry to Cozumel?
Yes, but it's a different service. Car ferries run from Calica (Punta Venado), a cargo port south of Playa del Carmen, to a terminal south of downtown Cozumel. They sail only a few times a day, the crossing takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, and they mostly carry trucks, residents and people moving to the island. Book ahead and confirm times directly with the operator. Most mainland rental car contracts don't allow the car on the ferry, so visitors are better off renting a car in Cozumel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel?
The passenger ferry takes about 45 minutes. Allow another 20 to 30 minutes to buy tickets and board.
How much is the ferry to Cozumel?
A one-way adult ticket costs roughly 250 to 380 pesos (about $13 to $20) in 2026, depending on the company and season. Children pay less, and Quintana Roo residents get a local fare.
Which ferry is better, Ultramar, Winjet or Xailing?
They're similar in comfort, speed and price. Take whichever leaves next, and buy one-way tickets so you aren't tied to one company on the way back.
What time is the last ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen?
The last ferries usually leave between about 9 and 11 p.m., depending on the company and the season. Check the timetable on the day you travel.
Do I need to book the Cozumel ferry in advance?
Usually not. You can buy tickets at the pier. Book ahead or buy early in the day around Christmas, New Year and Easter week, when boats sell out.
Is the Cozumel ferry rough?
Most crossings are smooth, but it can be bumpy when the wind is up, especially from November to March. Sit low and near the middle, and take seasickness medicine before you board if you need it.
Can you take the ferry from Cancun to Cozumel?
No. Passenger ferries to Cozumel leave from Playa del Carmen, about an hour south of Cancun airport by bus or car.
Can I bring luggage on the Cozumel ferry?
Yes. Large bags go in a luggage area that staff load for you. One suitcase is usually included, and extra or oversize items like dive gear or bikes may cost more.
The Bottom Line
The Cozumel ferry is easy: show up at the pier, buy a one-way ticket for the next boat, and 45 minutes later you're stepping onto the island's waterfront. Check the last departure time, give yourself a cushion on windy days, and save the seasickness tablets for the bumpy ones.
Staying a while? Casa Cascada, our three-bedroom home with a private pool, is about ten minutes by taxi from the ferry pier.
Keep planning:
- How to get to Cozumel: flights and the Cancun route
- How to get around Cozumel
- Where to stay in Cozumel
- Best time to visit Cozumel
- Cozumel tours and diving directory
Run a tour, transfer or travel service? Reach visitors planning their Cozumel trip on Blog Cozumel.
Top photo: an Ultramar ferry at the downtown pier in Cozumel. "Ferry dock, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico" by Sharon Hahn Darlin, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Resized.
