Cancun to Cozumel

Overview Compare Ferry + Bus Ferry + Taxi

Important COVID-19 update: Because of the COVID pandemic, ferries may run less regularly. Ferry companies (Ultramar and Winjet) usually alternate their services. One day Ultramar runs the ferry and the next day Winjet. Always check the latest schedules on the booking platforms or check at the ferry terminal.

How to get from Cancun to Cozumel

You have 3 options when travelling the 100 km from Cancun to Cozumel: a 2-hour bus & ferry, a 2-hour colectivo & ferry, and a 1-hour-45 minute private transfer & ferry. Rates are from 270 MXN ($15.50) to 1,135 MXN ($66.00).

The first portion of the journey is done by land. You can take a bus or a colectivo to get from downtown Cancun to Playa del Carmen. Buses have more space between seats and also a storage room if you have big luggage. Colectivos are cheaper than buses, but the vehicles are smaller, less comfortable and have no room for luggage.

Taxis are also available with rates from 700 MXN ($40.50), but a bit pricey and may not be worth it. The shared transport options are already very efficient.

If you are coming from Cancun Airport though, a private transfer may be worth considering. Tired from your flight and with possibly a lot of luggage, it will be much more convenient to get a private ride to Playa del Carmen. If you’re travelling in a group, it will be around the same price (or even cheaper) as public transport.

In Playa del Carmen, you must board a ferry to get to Cozumel. Ferries leave several times a day from the ferry dock located in Playa del Carmen city centre. The boats offer both indoor and outdoor seating.

To get from Cancun to Cozumel, you must first travel by land to Playa del Carmen for a little over 1 hour. You can take a bus or a local microbus, also known as colectivo.

Once you are in Playa del Carmen you just need to find the ferry pier and get into a boat that will take you to Cozumel. The ferry journey takes around 45 minutes.

There are several ways to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, but in this case, we think the most cost-efficient is the bus and the colectivo. Both offer their own pros and cons, so it depends on your preference which mode to take.

For a quick overview, the buses are more comfortable but a tiny bit more expensive. The colectivos are cheaper but have little legroom and no space for luggage.

The bus company running between Cancun and Playa del Carmen is ADO, which offers a great quality service with first-class buses that include AC and reclining seats.

Departures to Playa del Carmen are frequent and the ride takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes. Ticket prices start from 100 MXN ($5.50).

Bus schedule from Cancun to Playa del Carmen

Bus departure and arrival points

All buses depart from ADO Bus Station, just within walking distance from most hotels in downtown Cancun. If you are staying at the Hotel Zone, you can take a taxi to the bus station for around 200 MXN ($11.50) or a bus (R-1, R-3 or R-38) for 15 MXN ($0.80).

There are 2 bus stations in downtown Playa del Carmen – Turistica and Alterna. When booking, make sure to select Turistica as the arrival point. This bus terminal is just one block from the main ferry terminal where you will board the ferry to Cozumel. Alterna is located further away.

The colectivos are the cheapest option to travel from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. However, since they are mostly used by local workers and not by tourists, they don’t have a lot of space for luggage. Therefore, colectivos are a good option for day trips to Cozumel or if you are travelling light.

The average colectivo rate to Playa del Carmen is 45 MXN ($2.60) but it can increase during peak season (December to April).

If you don’t mind spending a bit more for tons more comfort, one of the operators, Sindicato Lazaro Cardenas, caters more to tourists and is more spacious. You can get a ticket for 70 MXN ($4.00) and you can pre-book your ticket online through BookAway.

Check Colectivo Tickets with BookAway

Other companies available are Playa Express and Colectivos Foraneos and each one has its own stop. They are located right across the street from each other in downtown Cancun. Sindicato Lazaro Cardenas departs from Puente Peatonal, just a few meters away and still along Avenida Tulum.

Colectivos will drop you off a little further away from the ferry terminal than the buses. Their final stop is along Benito Juarez Street, about 500 meters from the port.

For more details, you can visit our guide for Cancun to Playa del Carmen.

Passenger ferries to Cozumel depart from Playa del Carmen’s ferry port, located at the end of Fifth Avenue, the town’s main street. It’s within the city centre and very close to Playa del Carmen Turistica, the ADO bus station.

The ferry service is provided by two companies: Ultramar and Winjet. Both are very similar in terms of service and have big and stable boats that shouldn’t make you feel seasick.

Difference between the two ferry companies

They are both equipped with comfortable seats, toilets and a cafeteria on board where you can buy soft drinks and snacks. You can choose to sit inside if you prefer to chill with the AC or outside and enjoy the wind and sea views.

Ultramar is a bigger company that serves other routes within the Riviera Maya, but it’s also more expensive. If you are looking for the cheapest way to get to Cozumel, we recommend you take the Winjet ferries, which provide a great service at a lower price.

Ferry schedule from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel

Ferries leave the Playa del Carmen Ferry Dock roughly every hour from 07:00 to 21:00. You’ll need to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Playa del Carmen to Cozumel ferrry prices start from 200 MXN ($11.50).

It’s best to book your tickets online beforehand so you won’t have to queue at the ferry pier.

If you wish, you can buy your tickets directly at the port but be aware that there are many travel agencies around that will overcharge you. Therefore, avoid third parties and buy your tickets directly at the companies’ ticket shops.

There are two ferry terminals in Cozumel. You will be dropped off at Cozumel’s Ferry Port, located in the town centre. The other ferry dock is Punta Langosta Cruise Pier, which will be your arrival port only if you were taking a cruise ship.

Lots of accommodations are located within walking distance of the main Cozumel Ferry Dock. To move around, the best option is to rent a bike, golf cart or car. Taxis are also available with rates from 50 MXN ($2.90) within the city centre.

Check out our guide for Playa del Carmen to Cozumel for more details.

Heading straight to Cozumel after arriving at Cancun International Airport? The easiest way is to get a combined private transfer and ferry to Cozumel Island. Cheaper options are a bus or shared minivan from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen, and a ferry to Cozumel.

The fastest and most convenient way to get from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen is a 1-hour private transfer. In BookAway, you can get a 6-seater car from 935 MXN ($54.00). If you split the cost with a group, a private transfer is actually cheaper than taking the bus or a shared minivan.

Check Private Transfers with BookAway

Other Cancun Airport transportation options to Playa del Carmen are a bus and a shared minivan. Fares start from 265 MXN ($15.00) and 305 MXN ($17.50), respectively. Check out our page on Playa del Carmen to Cancun for more details.

The second step is the same as the first option, you’ll need to take a 45-minute ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel. Ferry ticket prices depend on the ferry company you take but start from 200 MXN ($11.50).

Ferry schedule from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen

Check Ferry Tickets on BookAway

Ferries depart from Playa del Carmen Ferry Pier and arrive at Cozumel Ferry Dock.