How to Get To Cozumel (from Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen)

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If you’d like to get a detailed guide on how to get to Cozumel Island, it’s here!

Visiting Cozumel is one of the best things to do in the Riviera Maya. This guide will tell you all the various ways you can go to the beautiful island of Cozumel from the top three vacation destinations in the Riviera Maya: Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.

Flying Directly to Cozumel, Mexico

The easiest way to get to Cozumel, Mexico, is by booking a direct flight to Cozumel International Airport (CZM).

Once you’ve arrived at the Cozumel airport, you’ll find it’s a tiny airport with all the procedures in one place. When you’ve gotten all your luggage and passed customs, walk out of the International Terminal.

Remember to grab some Mexican pesos at the ATM over at the Departures Terminal before you leave. There are none in the International Terminal. Yea, I don’t understand this logic either..

You’ll be able to grab a cheap taxi to your hotel just by walking out of the airport grounds. Takes less than 5 mins. Easy!

How to Get From Cancun to Cozumel

Depending where you are, flights to the Cancun International Airport might be more readily available and much cheaper than flying directly to Cozumel. In that case, you’ll need to find a way to get from Cancun to Cozumel and weigh the tradeoff between cost, convenience, and time.

There are two ways to get to Cozumel from Cancun. 

1. Fly from Cancun Airport to Cozumel
2. Travel to Playa del Carmen then transfer to a ferry to Cozumel

Is there a ferry from Cancun to Cozumel?

There are no direct ferry routes from Cancun to Cozumel. You’ll need to get to Playa del Carmen first so you can take a ferry over to Cozumel. Playa del Carmen itself is a great place to spend some time, so if you have the time, stay for a few days.

Flying from Cancun to Cozumel

The fastest option is to fly directly from Cancun International Airport to Cozumel. The downside is that the flights are more expensive and there are fewer flight options to choose from.

There is a regional airline that flies into Cozumel directly from Cancun, called Mayair.

The flight time is only 20 minutes, which is much shorter than traveling via land, which takes at least 2 hours.

Cancun to Cozumel via Land & Ferry

You might already be vacationing in Cancun and want to take a day trip to Cozumel Island. Then traveling to Cozumel by land is probably easier than going through the hassles of airport security.

In order to get to Cozumel, you’ll need to first get to Playa del Carmen. 

All modes of transportation to Playa del Carmen require a transfer to a ferry to get to Cozumel.

1. Take ADO bus to Playa del Carmen
2. Travel by taxi
3. Shuttle services to Playa del Carmen
4. Cancun transportation services

Take ADO bus to Playa del Carmen

There are two ADO bus stations in Cancun: Centro (downtown Cancun) and Cancun Airport. If you’re going from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen, you can find the ADO bus station right outside Terminal 3. 

Starting from 8am in the morning to 11:40pm at night, there’s an ADO bus to Playa del Carmen every 30 minutes. The ride takes around 1 hour.

There are two Playa del Carmen bus stations. Make sure the end destination on your ticket says Playa del Carmen – Turistica. That’s the ADO bus station near the ferry terminal.

One thing I love about traveling by ADO buses is the comfort. They are great for long distance rides with reserved seating, A/C, and a restroom. There’s also a large storage area underneath the bus so it’s ideal for travelers with big luggages. 

Travel by Taxi from Cancun

If cost is not a factor of consideration, then taking a taxi from Cancun is the most convenient way to get to Playa del Carmen. 

Taxis are readily available at all hotels and resorts in Cancun, and the ride to Playa del Carmen takes around 1 hour. 

The fare to Playa del Carmen starts from $45 USD, but can end up being much higher. As tourists, don’t be surprised when you’re overcharged by the driver. To be safe, always negotiate the price before getting into a taxi.

Shared Minivan (Colectivo) to Playa del Carmen

Colectivo is a shared transportation service regularly used by the locals to travel between different cities. This is the cheapest transportation you’ll find in Mexico. 

However, I recommend you skip this option if you have a lot of luggages. These minivans usually don’t have much storage space. 

You can find these colectivos near the ADO bus station. Location

Cancun Private Transfers

If you’re traveling with a group of people, it may be worth considering hiring a private transportation service to take you from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. This can be arranged in advance through your hotel or resort, or booked online.

Prices will vary depending on the size of the vehicle and the company you use, but expect to pay around USD $100-170 for a van that seats up to 10 people.

The drive to Playa del Carmen is around 1 hour by private transportation. Ask to be dropped off at the Playa del Carmen ferry dock.

Private Transfer Companies

eTransfers – There are options for both one-way and round-trip transfer services. This company is great if you have a big group (up to 8), because the price is the same whether you’re one person or a group.

Happy Shuttle Cancun – They only offer round trip transfers and are higher priced than eTransfers. However, they’re very highly rated for their services and also offer a flat-rate for groups (up to 7).

How to Get From Tulum to Cozumel

If you’re staying in Tulum, the best way to get to Cozumel is by taking a bus or colectivo to Playa del Carmen, and then taking the ferry to Cozumel. 

Buses and colectivos from Tulum to Playa del Carmen depart regularly throughout the day. The journey takes around 1 hour. 

You can wait for a colectivo to Playa del Carmen by waiting at the colectivo stops stationed on the main street in Tulum town. 

You’ll also find the ADO bus station on the main street. Tickets can be purchased at the bus station for around USD $3-7 USD per person.

How to Get From Playa del Carmen to Cozumel

If you’re coming from Cancun and Tulum, you’re halfway there!

To get to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen, you can take a short 40 minute ferry ride. Ferries depart regularly throughout the day.

Want to spend some time in Playa del Carmen before heading to Cozumel? Check out my guide to Playa del Carmen!

Ferry Terminal Locations

Downtown Playa del Carmen Ferry Terminal

Cozumel Ferry Terminal – Downtown San Miguel

Ultramar Ferry vs Winjet Ferry

There are two main ferry companies that operate the passenger route between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel: Ultramar Ferry and Winjet Ferry. 

In terms of cost, Ultramar cost just slightly more than Winjet. I wouldn’t factor cost into the decision making unless you’re on a super tight budget.

While locals have suggested using Ultramar over Winjet, if you find Winjet to work better for your schedule, go for it! I used Winjet for my trip, and personally, I have no complaints. It was quick and efficient.

If you have seasickness, however, it might be best to use Ultramar. According to a local who experiences seasickness, riding the Ultramar helps because the fumes aren’t as strong and nauseating compared to Winjet. 

Ferry Ticket Price

Tickets for both Ultramar and Winjet can be purchased at the ferry terminal. They each have their own individual booth with a price chart and timetable.

An Ultramar ferry ticket costs 250 MXN for one way. 

Winjet ferry tickets are cheaper than Ultramar. Each one-way ticket cost 222 MXN per person. 

There’s no discount for purchasing round-trip tickets. Unless you have a set itinerary, it’s better to buy the return ticket separately. This way you can have the flexibility in your schedule. 

You can purchase tickets to Cozumel online:

Cozumel Ferry Schedule

Both companies offer regular departures throughout the day.

Ultramar operating hours start from 9am to 9pm. 

Winjet alternates their schedule between 9am-7pm & 8am-10pm.

Routes & timetables: Ultramar | Winjet

How long is the ferry ride from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel?

The actual ferry ride to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen takes around 40 minutes.

Get to the ferry pier at least 30 minutes early because you’ll need to line up for the ferry to Cozumel. 

Seat selection is first come first serve. So if you have a preference for outdoor or indoor seating, get on line fast.

If you’re traveling with luggage, you’ll also want to give some buffer time (10-20mins) to pick up your luggage from storage. 

On your itinerary, it’s best to allocate 1.5 hours for the ride. 

Bringing luggage onto the Cozumel ferry

There’s a storage area on the ferry for big suitcases & other belongings. 

When you’re getting on the ferry, you’ll need to leave your luggage on the side. A staff member will tag the luggage and give you the other half of the tag. 

Do not lose this tag. They will check your tag to match it to your luggage. 

You can bring small backpacks with you on to the ferry.

Will you get seasick on the Cozumel ferry?

Some people may experience seasickness on the ferry ride from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, it’s a good idea to take some preventative medication (ex. Dramamine) before boarding the ferry. Alternatively, you can try to sit near the front of the ferry where the motion is less pronounced.

You can also wear this motion sickness wristband – it presses on the pressure points on your wrist. 

Can I Take My Car on the Ferry to Cozumel?

If you’re traveling through Mexico by car, you’re probably wondering how to get to Cozumel without ditching your car.

Yes, you can take a car to Cozumel. 

Instead of boarding a passenger ferry at Playa del Carmen, head to Calica (south of Playa del Carmen) to board a cargo ferry (aka car ferry) to Cozumel. The ferry terminal is located near the Xcaret theme parks.

Car Ferry Location

Car Ferry Schedule

There are two cargo ferry companies you can choose from: Ultramar Cargo and Transcaribe. 

Both companies have 2-3 crossings scheduled each day. Each trip takes around an hour, but you should get to the ferry dock 1 hour early. 

Cost-wise, taking a car onto the Ultramar Cargo ferry is cheaper than Transcaribe. A passenger car on Ultramar Cargo is $650 MXN compared to $700 MXN on Transcribe. 

Depending on the vehicle & number of passengers you have, cost varies. There are also prices listed for bikes and motorcycles. 

Check the latest prices for Transcaribe and Ultramar Cargo.

Getting Around Cozumel

If you’re taking the passenger ferry, once you get off the ferry, you’ll arrive right at San Miguel de Cozumel (aka downtown Cozumel).

While the San Miguel area is very walkable, most of the main activities are very spread out on the island. 

There are 3 ways to get around Cozumel: taxi, scooter rentals, and car rentals.

Taking a Taxi

The easiest way to get around Cozumel is by taxi. 

Taxis are readily available at the ferry pier. You can also flag down a taxi on the street. 

Taxi prices around Cozumel are reasonable. A 5 minute taxi ride from outside the airport ground cost me around 50 MXN (~2.5 USD). Going outside the downtown area will cost you more, ranging from $8-30 USD, depending on where you’re going.

If you find the quote suspicious, ask the taxi drive to show you the rate card. Always agree on a price with the driver before getting in the car.

Riding a Scooter around Cozumel

Probably the most popular way to get around Cozumel. Scooters are everywhere. 

It is the cheapest way to get around Cozumel. Most rentals start from $15 usd a day.

If you haven’t ridden a scooter before, it’s best to skip this option and go with a car rental. 

I know a scooter sounds like a more adventurous option. The cheap cost is also tempting. However, there are just too many incidents of beginners getting into accidents while riding a scooter. Ask yourself, is the risk worth it?

Driving around Cozumel

If you plan on looping around Cozumel, consider a car rental. It’s more cost effective compared to a taxi, if you’re hitting a lot of places.

While it’s more expensive than a scooter rental, it’s a lot safer.

Gas station scams

The gas stations in Cozumel are full service. Which makes this scam difficult to avoid. 

The way this scam works is that after you tell the pump attendant how much to fill up, they will pretend to fill up your tank. 

In reality, nothing is being pumped into your car. 

They hand you a receipt and ask you to pay. However, this receipt is just a copy of what the previous car filled. 

Do not pay the pump attendant until AFTER he shows you a zero on the gas pump meter. 

Final Thoughts

There you have it! All the various ways you can get from Riviera Maya to Cozumel. No matter which way you choose, I’m sure you will enjoy this beautiful island just off the coast of Mexico.

If you have other tips on how to get to Cozumel from these destinations, share in the comments below!