Quick answer: Cozumel is Mexico's largest Caribbean island, about 12 miles (19 km) off Playa del Carmen in the state of Quintana Roo. Most visitors fly straight into Cozumel airport (CZM) or fly into Cancún and take the 45-minute ferry from Playa. U.S. and Canadian citizens don't need a visa for a vacation, but everyone pays the state's Visitax fee (about 285 pesos, or $15 to $18, in 2026). The island uses Mexican pesos, runs on UTC-5 all year with no daylight saving time, is warm year-round at about 80°F (27°C), and is one of the safest places to visit in Mexico.
We've been answering questions about Cozumel since 2009. This page collects the ones we hear most, refreshed with 2026 facts and prices, with links to our full guides when you want more detail.
Cozumel at a Glance (2026)
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Where is it? | Off Mexico's Caribbean coast, 12 mi (19 km) from Playa del Carmen and about 37 mi (60 km) south of Cancún |
| Size | About 30 mi (48 km) long and 10 mi (16 km) wide |
| Population | 88,626 at the 2020 census; state estimates now put it over 100,000 |
| Visitors | About 4.7 million cruise passengers in 2025, more than any other port in Mexico |
| Main town | San Miguel de Cozumel, on the west coast |
| Getting there | Fly to CZM, or fly to Cancún (CUN) and ride the ferry from Playa del Carmen |
| Visa | Not needed for U.S., Canadian, UK and EU tourists; digital tourist permit (FMM) on arrival |
| Tourist fee | Visitax, about 285 pesos ($15 to $18) per person in 2026 |
| Currency | Mexican peso; dollars accepted at tourist businesses at their own rate |
| Time zone | UTC-5 all year (same as U.S. Eastern Standard Time), no daylight saving |
| Language | Spanish; English widely spoken in tourist areas |
| Weather | Warm all year; driest December to May; hurricane season June 1 to November 30 |
| Safety | U.S. State Department Level 2 for Quintana Roo; violent crime against visitors is rare |
Prices and rules change. Figures here were checked in October 2026; confirm fees and entry rules before you travel.
About the Island
Where is Cozumel?
Cozumel is an island in the Mexican Caribbean, off the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. It sits about 12 miles (19 km) across the channel from Playa del Carmen and about 37 miles (60 km) south of Cancún. The island is about 30 miles (48 km) long and 10 miles (16 km) wide, and it belongs to the state of Quintana Roo.
How many people live in Cozumel?
Mexico's 2020 census counted 88,626 people in Cozumel, almost all of them in the town of San Miguel on the west coast. State population estimates now put the island above 100,000. The rest of the island is mostly jungle, mangroves and beaches.
How many tourists visit Cozumel?
Cozumel is the busiest cruise port in Mexico. It welcomed about 4.7 million cruise passengers in 2025, a record, and 2026 is on track to match or beat that. Add the visitors who fly or ferry in to stay at hotels and vacation rentals, and tourism is by far the island's main industry.
What is the history of Cozumel?
The Maya settled Cozumel around 300 AD. The name comes from the Maya Cuzamil, often translated as "land of the swallows." The island was sacred to Ixchel, goddess of fertility and the moon, and Maya women made pilgrimages here to her shrines, including San Gervasio. Spanish explorers arrived in 1518 and 1519, and within a few decades war and disease had shrunk the population to a few hundred. Pirates used the island as a base in the 1600s. Families fleeing the Caste War resettled it in the late 1800s, and the town grew as a port for chicle, the natural gum used in early chewing gum. Jacques Cousteau's films about the reefs in the 1960s put Cozumel on the diving map, and tourism has grown ever since.
Getting There and Entry Rules
How do I get to Cozumel?
The easiest way is a nonstop flight into Cozumel International Airport (CZM), about 10 minutes from downtown. Direct flights come from several U.S. and Canadian cities, many of them seasonal. The other option is to fly into Cancún (CUN), take a bus or transfer about an hour south to Playa del Carmen, and ride the passenger ferry across in about 45 minutes. Plan on 2.5 to 3.5 hours door to door from Cancún airport. Our guide to getting to Cozumel has the airlines and step-by-step directions.
How much is the ferry to Cozumel?
A one-way adult ticket between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel costs roughly 250 to 380 pesos (about $13 to $20) in 2026. Three companies run the route, with a boat roughly every 30 to 60 minutes from early morning until 9 to 11 p.m. See our Cozumel ferry guide for schedules and tips.
Do I need a visa or passport to visit Cozumel?
Citizens of the U.S., Canada, the UK and the EU don't need a visa for a vacation, but you do need a valid passport to fly in. Mexico now issues a digital tourist permit (FMM) at most airports, and the immigration officer decides how many days you get, up to 180. Check your stamp or printout before you leave the counter. Cruise passengers follow their cruise line's document rules. If you're from another country, or plan to work or stay longer, check with a Mexican consulate first.
What is the Visitax and do I have to pay it?
Visitax is Quintana Roo's tourist fee, charged to international visitors age 4 and up who stay in the state. In 2026 it is about 285 pesos ($15 to $18) per person. Pay it only on the official Visitax website before you leave and keep the QR code on your phone, because look-alike sites charge extra "processing" fees. Cruise passengers pay a separate per-passenger fee through their cruise line instead.
Can I visit Cozumel on a cruise?
Yes. Ships call at Cozumel almost every day of the year, often several at once. Most dock at the International Pier or Puerta Maya south of town, and some use Punta Langosta right downtown. Our Cozumel cruise port guide covers what to do in a day and how to get back on time.
Money, Language and Time
What currency is used in Cozumel?
The Mexican peso. U.S. dollars are accepted at many tourist businesses, but they set their own exchange rate and give change in pesos, so paying in pesos usually costs less. Bank ATMs are the cheapest way to get pesos. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; when a card machine asks, choose to be charged in pesos. Travelers' checks are no longer accepted. Our money and tipping guide has the details.
How much should I tip in Cozumel?
Tip 10% to 15% at sit-down restaurants (up to 20% for great service), check whether a service charge is already on the bill, and tip guides and boat crews in cash. Standard taxi rides don't need a tip.
What language is spoken in Cozumel?
Spanish is the official language, and you'll also hear Yucatec Maya. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, shops and dive centers, so non-Spanish speakers get by easily. A few words of Spanish, like hola, por favor and gracias, are always appreciated.
What time zone is Cozumel in?
Cozumel and the rest of Quintana Roo stay on UTC-5 all year, the same as U.S. Eastern Standard Time, with no daylight saving time. That means Cozumel matches New York in winter and Chicago and Dallas in summer. Cruise passengers should go by ship's time, which can differ from island time.
Weather and When to Go
What is the weather like in Cozumel?
Cozumel is warm all year, with daytime highs in the mid-80s°F (about 29 to 31°C) and sea temperatures of about 78 to 84°F (26 to 29°C). It is humid, but sea breezes help. December to May is the driest and sunniest stretch. Summer and fall bring more showers, usually short afternoon storms.
When is hurricane season in Cozumel?
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from August to October. Most weeks pass with no storm at all, but book refundable plans in those months and follow the National Hurricane Center before you travel.
When is the best time to visit Cozumel?
Late March to May has dry weather, calm seas and fewer crowds. December to April has the best weather but the highest prices, and September and October are the cheapest and wettest months. Our best time to visit Cozumel guide breaks it down month by month, and our sargassum guide explains the seaweed season.
Things to Do
What is there to do in Cozumel?
Cozumel is best known for scuba diving and snorkeling on the reefs of the Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park. You can also spend the day at a beach club, visit Chankanaab and Punta Sur parks, explore the Maya ruins at San Gervasio, drive the wild east side, go deep-sea fishing, or browse the shops and restaurants along the waterfront. Our best things to do in Cozumel guide ranks them all, and our excursions guide covers tours.
Is Cozumel good for families with kids?
Yes. Calm west-side beaches, shallow snorkel spots, parks like Chankanaab and a safe, walkable town make Cozumel easy with kids, and most hotels and restaurants welcome families. Our Cozumel with kids guide has age-by-age ideas.
How many days do I need in Cozumel?
Three days covers the highlights: a reef trip, a beach club day and a drive around the island. Five to seven days leaves time for more diving, a day trip to the mainland and slow beach days. See our 3, 5 and 7-day Cozumel itineraries.
Staying and Getting Around
Where should I stay in Cozumel?
Cozumel has everything from all-inclusive beach resorts to small downtown hotels, B&Bs and private vacation homes. Downtown San Miguel is best for walking to restaurants and the ferry, the south hotel zone for reef access and resorts, and the north for quiet. Compare areas in our where to stay in Cozumel guide or browse places in our Cozumel lodging directory.
How do I get around Cozumel?
Taxis are the main way to get around, and they charge fixed zone fares instead of meters; a ride within one downtown zone is about 26 pesos. Downtown is easy on foot or by bike. To see the whole island, rent a car or jeep for a day. Scooters are popular but cause most visitor injuries, so ride one only if you're experienced. Our getting around Cozumel guide has fares and rental tips.
Safety and Health
Is Cozumel safe?
Yes. Cozumel is one of the safest places to visit in Mexico. The U.S. State Department rates Quintana Roo at Level 2, "Exercise increased caution," the same as many popular destinations. The real risks are everyday ones: scooter accidents, strong currents on the east side, sun and dehydration, and the odd petty theft. Read more in our is Cozumel safe? guide.
Can I swim on the east side of Cozumel?
Be careful. The east coast faces the open Caribbean, with big waves and strong currents, and has no lifeguards on most beaches. Swim only at the few sheltered spots locals use, such as Chen Río on calm days, and stick to the west side for easy swimming and snorkeling.
Can I drink the tap water in Cozumel?
No. Drink bottled or purified water, which hotels, restaurants and shops all provide. Ice in restaurants and bars is made from purified water. Brushing your teeth with tap water is generally fine.
Are there mosquitoes in Cozumel?
Yes, along with tiny biting sand flies (no-see-ums) at dawn and dusk. There's no malaria, but mosquitoes in the region can carry dengue, so use repellent, wear light long sleeves in the evening, and sleep with air conditioning or screens. Check the CDC's Mexico page for current health advice.
Planning to stay longer than a vacation? See our guide to living in or moving to Cozumel.
Stay With Us in Cozumel
Casa Cascada, our three-bedroom home with a private pool, garden and rooftop deck, is a short walk from the waterfront, the ferry pier and the plaza. Book direct with no booking-site fees.
Keep planning:
- How to get to Cozumel
- What to pack for Cozumel
- Cozumel vs Cancún vs Playa del Carmen
- Best restaurants in Cozumel
- El Cedral and Cozumel festivals
- Cozumel business directory
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