How to Get to Isla Cozumel: Ferry vs Flying + Getting Around
Discover everything you need to know about getting to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen, Cancún, and beyond in this guide to transportation to the island, as well as the best ways to get around once you’re there.
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Isla Cozumel is one of Mexico’s most beautiful islands, but getting there requires a little more planning than many destinations around the Yucatán Peninsula. Most travellers arrive by ferry from Playa del Carmen, while flying is another option if you’re coming from further afield or want to avoid the mainland crossing.
We spent weeks travelling around east Mexico and found that the best transportation options largely depend on where you’re coming from and how much luggage you’re carrying. Once you’re on the island, you’ll also need to think about how you’re getting around, particularly if you want to explore beyond San Miguel and the main tourist areas. In this guide, we’ll explain how to get to Isla Cozumel, including ferry and flight options, how much they cost, how long they take, and the best ways to get around the island once you arrive.
Cozumel Transportation at a glance
More from Cozumel
Where is Cozumel?
Cozumel is a Caribbean island off the east coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo. It’s part of the Mexican Caribbean and sits just off Playa del Carmen, which is the main jumping-off point for the passenger ferry to the island.
Cozumel is around 30 miles (48 km) long and roughly 9 miles (14.5 km) wide, so it’s much bigger than you might expect from looking at it as a day-trip destination.
Isla Cozumel sits about 12 miles (19 km) from the mainland, 45 miles (72 km) south of Cancún in a straight line, although your actual journey will be longer because you’ll need to travel south to Playa del Carmen and then cross the water. Tulum is further south along the Riviera Maya, around 50 miles (80 km) from Playa del Carmen by road.
Cozumel Map
Isla Cozumel sits off the east coast of Mexico, in the north of Quintana Roo.
How to get to Cozumel
Getting to Cozumel is fairly straightforward, but because it’s an island, you’ll need to decide whether you’re flying directly, taking the passenger ferry from Playa del Carmen, or bringing a vehicle across on the car ferry.
By plane
If you’re keen to get to Cozumel quickly, you have a choice of three airports:
Cozumel International Airport (CZM)
Cozumel has its own international airport: Cozumel International Airport (CZM), just north of San Miguel, the main town, so you can be at your accommodation in a matter of minutes by taxi or pre-arranged transfer.
Flying directly is the easiest way to get to Cozumel if you can find a suitable route, but the only direct domestic flights go from Mexico City‘s Mexico City International Airport (MEX). Aeromexico and Volaris operate regular nonstop flights, taking just over 2 hours and costing around $100 USD.
There are also a range of direct flights to Cozumel from various US cities, including Houston and Denver with United Airlines and Miami and Dallas with American Airlines, although some routes only operate seasonally.
Cancún International Airport (CUN)
If you’re already travelling around the Riviera Maya, however, it can make more sense to fly into Cancún International Airport (CUN) and travel to Playa del Carmen before taking the ferry, which is what we did. The journey from the airport to Playa del Carmen takes about 45 minutes by road. You can take the ADO Bus, rent a car and drive, or book a transfer.
Tulum Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (TQO)
Tulum now also has its own international airport, Tulum Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (TQO). But flying there doesn’t put you as close to Cozumel, as you’ll still need to make the journey north to Playa del Carmen overland. It’s handy if you want to explore Tulum’s attractions like Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve and destinations in the Costa Maya like Bacalar.
By cruise
Cozumel is a popular cruise stop, with three main cruise terminals: Punta Langosta, close to downtown San Miguel, and Puerta Maya and the International Cruise Terminal, further south along the coast. If you’re only visiting for the day, check which terminal your ship uses, as this will affect how easy it is to explore on foot or whether you’ll need a taxi to reach the town or beaches.
By ferry
Most people get to Isla Cozumel from Playa del Carmen via ferry, which is usually the best option.
There are three main ferry operators serving Cozumel:
Xcaret also runs a ferry from Playa del Carmen, but we try to avoid them, as they run a number of establishments that profit from captive animals.
We’ve expanded on what it’s like taking the passenger ferries in the next section, but we’ve also covered the car ferry a little later on.
How to take the ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
The passenger ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel is the main way to reach the island without flying. The crossing takes around 45 minutes, and there are frequent departures throughout the day.
Ultramar and Winjet are the two main operators that run services from the ferry terminal in central Playa del Carmen to the terminal in San Miguel.
The ferries leave from the municipal dock in downtown Playa del Carmen, Muelle de Playa del Carmen, just off of Avenida Juarez and 5th Avenue.
The ferry terminal in Playa del Carmen is only around 100 metres (330 ft) from the ADO Bus Station in Playa del Carmen, so you can walk between the two rather than arranging another taxi, which is what we did, and it took about 5 minutes. We almost exclusively used ADO Buses to get around East Mexico, as they’re so reliable, affordable, and serve all the major cities and towns.
The schedules change monthly, so it’s best to check their websites for up-to-date information, or you can find the schedule posted in the ticket booth windows at the docks in Playa del Carmen or Cozumel.
It’s best to arrive at least 30 minutes before your planned departure time.
When we travelled with Winjet, you could check luggage for free by leaving it in the pile on the pier as you queued to board the ferry. You then simply picked it up again on the other side with the corresponding ticket, which meant we didn’t need to lug our backpacks around.
The ferries run on Mexican time, by which we meant they’re almost always late. Our 1.00 PM ferry boarded at 1.15 PM and set off at 1.30 PM.
Once you’re on board, you can sit inside in air conditioning or head outside onto the top deck for views. There are toilets and a bar service, with a staff member doing the rounds taking orders.
The crossing itself is short enough that you won’t need to worry about spending half your day travelling. But it can be rough in bad weather, so it’s worth taking precautions if you’re prone to seasickness. The back is usually smoother than the front.
Ferries arrive into the Api Maritime Terminal in Cozumel, Muelle Fiscal de Cozumel. It’s in the centre of downtown San Miguel, so close to all sorts of accommodations.
Bookaway is amazing for booking ferries, shuttles, and transport throughout Mexico. You can get 5% off with our code THOROUGHLY5.
What is the Cozumel ferry schedule?
Loosely, the ferries to Cozumel run on alternating schedules every 1.5-2 hours, so you can be pretty sure one of them will be there. For example, if Ultramar is at 1:00 PM, Winjet will run at 2:00 PM. They can be more frequent in the mornings and evenings, and in busy periods like peak season (December-April).
There are ferries generally between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM, subject to timetables.
How to buy Cozumel Ferry tickets?
You can buy your Cozumel ferry ticket online in advance or in person at the ferry terminals.
Both Ultramar and Winjet have ticket booths at the Playa del Carmen dock, but you should expect queues in the busy season.
Because we’d read so much conflicting information, we decided to show up, find out the schedule ourselves, and get a load of quotes from each operator. It was because of this that we discovered how scammy trying to get Cozumel ferry tickets can be. Touts at the dock will offer you ferry tickets for $60 USD+ and say they’re all the same price – but they’re not! We’ve broken down the real prices below.
You can buy the Round-Trip Ultramar Ferry Ticket on GetYourGuide or Viator online, which means you can pay in your home currency – you just exchange your voucher for a ticket at the pier when you arrive.
How much does the Cozumel ferry cost?
Prices vary slightly between the two ferry companies and can change, so we’d check the current fare before travelling.
At the moment, a return ferry ticket from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel and back costs around 640 pesos (~$35 USD) per adult (505 pesos for children), depending on the operator and season. The tickets are anytime returns, but you’ll be restricted to the operator you choose to go out with, so you will have to adhere to that operator’s schedule to come back.
We bought return tickets with Winjet and didn’t have any problems – we just timed our return sailing for a Winjet boat.
It’s easier to buy two one-way tickets, and then you can travel with any company, but it’ll be more expensive than a return ticket.
A one-way ticket from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel will cost you around 345 pesos (~19 USD) per adult (265 pesos per child), while the crossing from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen is around 320 pesos (~$18 USD) per adult (240 pesos per child).
If you choose to pay in USD, prices are usually slightly inflated to balance out the conversion rate, so you’ll pay around $40 USD per adult and $32 USD per child for a return ticket and $20 USD per adult and $15 USD per child one-way. It’s slightly cheaper on GetYourGuide and Viator than in person. We found Bookaway slightly cheaper again: Ultramar tickets / Winjet tickets, and you can get an extra 5% off with our code THOROUGHLY5.
When we visited, Winjet was considerably cheaper than Ultramar, but they seem to have levelled the prices to be pretty similar now, although it’s still worth checking Winjet as they run frequent discounts.
Discounts also apply if you are a permanent resident of Quintana Roo, disabled, or hold an INAPAM senior card (with official IDs).
Note: A small sanitation fee of around 24 pesos (~$2 USD) is added to tickets departing from Playa del Carmen.
How to take the car ferry to Cozumel
If you’re travelling with a rental car, there’s a separate vehicle ferry from the mainland. These specialist ferries are operated by Transcaribe and depart from the Punta Venado (Calica) Terminal, around 5 miles (8 km) south of Playa del Carmen. Try to arrive 1.5 hours before your departure.
The crossing takes around 1.5 hours, and you’ll arrive into the Terminal Félix González Canto in Cozumel.
It typically runs about 3 times a day, once in the morning around 9:30 AM, once in the evening around 5:00 PM, and once at night around 9:45 PM.
For some reason we can’t quite fathom, paying in person is much cheaper than reserving online. A regular car is around 2,000 pesos (~$110 USD) for the return trip without a reservation, whereas it’s around 3,000 pesos (~$170 USD)with one.
It’s considerably more expensive and less convenient than the passenger ferry, but it obviously saves you renting a car once you reach Isla Cozumel. But unless you’re staying on the island for a while or have a specific reason to bring your own vehicle, we’d probably leave the car on the mainland and use taxis or hire a vehicle once you’re in Cozumel instead.
It’s also important to check the terms of your rental agreement, as some rental companies restrict vehicles from being transported on ferries.
What is the best ferry to take to Cozumel?
There’s no huge difference between Ultramar and Winjet for a normal passenger crossing, and we’ve mentioned why we’d avoid Xcarat and wouldn’t use the vehicle ferry.
Both Ultramar and Winjet run the Playa del Carmen-Cozumel route and take the same amount of time, so we’d choose whichever has the most convenient departure time and a sensible fare for your day.
Ultramar vs Winjet
The two passenger ferries to Cozumel are fairly similar in terms of what they actually do: both get you safely from Playa del Carmen to Isla Cozumel in roughly 45 minutes, and both run multiple times a day.
Ultramar has a couple of different service levels, including Premium Plus and First Class, and its boats have indoor air-conditioned seating and outdoor deck space. The company also allows bikes and pets under its stated conditions.
Winjet also has frequent sailings in both directions. It just offers standard tickets, but they can be cheaper than Ultramar – we found Winjet to be the cheapest way to get to Cozumel when we visited.
Tips for taking the ferry to Cozumel
Here are our top tips for taking the Cozumel ferry:
How to get around Cozumel?
Once you land on the island, getting around Cozumel is pretty easy. You don’t really need a vehicle if you’re staying in central San Miguel, but you’ll want some form of transport if you plan to explore the rest of Isla Cozumel, as it’s actually quite large.
On foot
Walking is the easiest way to get around central San Miguel. The waterfront, ferry terminal, restaurants, shops, and many of the town’s hotels are all within a fairly small area, so there’s little point getting a taxi for short journeys.
Once you leave town, though, walking becomes much less practical. Cozumel is a spread-out island, and you’ll need transport if you’re staying in one of the hotel zones or planning to explore the eastern side.
By car
Renting a car in Cozumel is one of the easiest ways to explore beyond San Miguel, especially if you want to drive around the island and stop at beaches, viewpoints, and restaurants along the way.
A car gives you freedom to explore independently, which is great if you’re planning to visit the quieter eastern side of the island, Punta Sur, or the inland Mayan ruins. You can pick up a car at Cozumel International Airport or from rental companies in San Miguel, with Alamo, Avis, and Hertz among the larger operators on the island.
By taxi
Taxis are the easiest option for getting around if you don’t want to hire a car. They’re widely used for journeys between San Miguel, the hotels, beach clubs, and attractions, and operate 24/7. You’ll find countless cabs along Avenida Rafael E. Melgar, the main road, and outside the ferry docks and cruise terminal, where you can simply flag one down.
They use fixed government-regulated zone rates rather than meters, so your fare depends on where you’re going rather than how long the journey takes. The current rate cards are posted at taxi stands around the island, and we’d recommend checking the fare for your destination before getting in.
There is no Uber or Lyft in Cozumel, although locals use the Eiby taxi app, which is pretty restricted to the San Miguel area.
If you’re staying outside San Miguel, it’s worth checking how much taxis will cost before booking your accommodation, as several journeys each day can add up. Agree on the fare before setting off, and your hotel can often assist with booking taxi journeys, particularly if you’re heading somewhere less accessible.
By transfer
An arranged transfer is a straightforward option if you’re flying into Cozumel and want someone to meet you at the airport. It’s particularly useful for families, groups, or anyone arriving with lots of luggage.
You can also arrange transfers from Cancún Airport or other parts of the Riviera Maya to Playa del Carmen, where you’ll continue to Cozumel via the ferry. We have dedicated guides to Getting to Cancún and Getting Around Cancún, which cover shuttles and buses.
By bus
There isn’t a conventional intercity bus service directly to Cozumel because the island is separated from the mainland. From Cancún, the best option is to take an ADO Bus to Playa del Carmen and then walk from the bus station to the ferry terminal, before taking the passenger ferry across.
By colectivo
Instead of buses, you can take colectivos around Cozumel, which are shared minibuses used by locals. They’re much cheaper than taxis and run along fixed routes with designated stops, with the routes displayed on the front of the vehicles. Most routes start and finish at Chedraui Plaza. They’re not your typical tourist transport, and aren’t good if you have luggage, but can be used by budget-savvy travellers for day trips.
By tour
There are some attractions on Isla Cozumel that can only be visited by boat, so you’re going to need to arrange a tour. Places like El Cielo, Palancar Reef, and Colombia Reef can only be visited by boat, while land-based tours can take you around the island to places like Punta Sur, the east-coast beaches, and San Gervasio Mayan ruins.
Private Jeep and island tours are also very popular if you’d rather have someone else deal with the driving and planning.
Cozumel Ferry FAQs
To help you plan your trip to Isla Cozumel, we’ve answered these frequently asked questions.
Where do you fly into to get to Cozumel?
You can fly directly into Cozumel International Airport (CZM), which is only around 10 minutes from San Miguel. Alternatively, you can fly into Cancún International Airport (CUN) and travel to Playa del Carmen before taking the passenger ferry to Cozumel.
Is it cheaper to fly into Cancún or Cozumel?
Cancún generally has more flight options, which can make it cheaper, but don’t assume it will always work out better once you add the transfer to Playa del Carmen and the Cozumel ferry. If you find a reasonably priced direct flight to Cozumel, the convenience can make it worth paying a little more.
How far away is Cozumel from Cancún?
Cozumel is around 37 miles (59 km) from Cancún International Airport in a straight line, but in actuality, you’ll need to travel 44 miles (70 km) south from Cancún to Playa del Carmen before crossing to the island via ferry, so the actual journey is longer.
How hard is it to get from Cancún to Cozumel?
From Cancún Airport, you can take a transfer, taxi, or bus to Playa del Carmen, walk to the passenger ferry terminal, and take the ferry across to Cozumel. The journey involves a couple of separate steps, but they’re all straightforward, just like taking the ferry to Isla Holbox.
What airlines fly directly to Cozumel?
Direct flights to Cozumel vary depending on the season. Current scheduled airlines include American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta, Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet, Sun Country Airlines, Aeroméxico, Volaris, Viva, and Neos, although not every airline operates year-round or from the same cities.
What’s the easiest way to get to Cozumel?
If you can find a suitable direct flight, flying into Cozumel International Airport is by far the easiest option because you can take a taxi straight to your accommodation in San Miguel or the hotel zones. If you’re flying into Cancún, the easiest alternative is a pre-arranged transfer from Cancún Airport to Playa del Carmen followed by the passenger ferry.
What is the best way to travel to Cozumel?
For most international visitors, we’d fly into Cancún and take the ferry from Playa del Carmen, particularly if flights to Cancún are considerably cheaper or you’re already travelling around the Riviera Maya. If you can get a good direct flight to Cozumel, though, we’d choose that for the convenience.
Where do you catch the ferry to go to Cozumel?
The passenger ferry leaves from the Maritime Terminal in central Playa del Carmen, close to the main square and Fifth Avenue. The terminal is within easy walking distance of the ADO bus station.
Where does the ferry arrive in Cozumel?
The passenger ferry arrives at the San Miguel ferry terminal, right in the centre of town on Isla Cozumel. It’s within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and plenty of accommodation, with taxis available outside for hotels further away.
How long does the ferry take to Cozumel?
The passenger ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel takes around 40-45 minutes, depending on the operator and conditions.
What is the best ferry to take to Cozumel?
There isn’t really one ferry we’d call the best. Ultramar and Winjet both operate the route, with frequent departures and similar journey times. We’d simply choose the departure time that works best rather than worrying too much about the operator.
Can I take a day trip from Cancún to Cozumel?
Yes, although it’s a longer day than it first sounds. You’ll need to travel from Cancún to Playa del Carmen, catch the ferry to Cozumel, and then get around the island once you arrive. It’s certainly possible, but we’d recommend staying overnight if you want to SCUBA dive, snorkel, and actually see much of Cozumel rather than spending a large part of the day travelling.
Can I take the ferry from Cancún to Cozumel?
No, there isn’t a regular passenger ferry directly from Cancún to Cozumel. You need to travel south to Playa del Carmen, where the passenger ferry crosses to San Miguel. The ferry service from Cancún is the ferry to Isla Mujeres.
Read next:
A Traveller’s Guide to Cozumel: Mexico’s Caribbean Island Paradise
11 Cool Things to Do on Isla Cozumel + 4 NOT to Do
