What to expect when visiting Cozumel
Cozumel is a paradise destination for scuba divers and sea lovers in the Mexican Caribbean. A part of the world’s second-largest barrier reef is within the limits of Cozumel, with over 30 diving spots for both beginners and experienced divers.
Short on time? We recommend spending at least a couple of nights to really make the most of your visit, but you can visit Cozumel also as a day trip from Play del Carmen.
3 ways to get from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
There are three ways to travel the distance of 30 km (19 miles) from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel: by passenger ferry (35-45 minutes), passenger ferry (the way back) (35-45 minutes) and car ferry (1 hour). The journey takes between 35 minutes - 1h and the quickest way is by passenger ferry. The lowest priced tickets start from 190 MXN ($10.50) for the passenger ferry.Playa del Carmen to Cozumel by Passenger Ferry
There are multiple passenger ferry trips between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel daily. Two ferry companies operate the Playa del Carmen to Cozumel route: Winjet and Ultramar.
Winjet and Ultramar operate big and stable boats which are great for those who easily get seasick. The ferries are also equipped with comfortable seats indoors and outdoors, toilets and a cafeteria on board.
Travel time is 35-45 minutes, depending on the ferry you choose. A one-way ferry ticket starts from 190 MXN ($10.50).
Winjet or Ultramar
Ultramar is a bigger company that serves other routes within the Riviera Maya. If you are looking for the fastest way to get to Cozumel, then go for Winjet ferries which provides great service at a slightly higher price.
There is only one ferry departing every hour. One ferry starts departing at 08:00, while the other ferry’s first trip is at 09:00.
For this route, the ferry ride takes 35-45 minutes, depending on the ferry you choose. Fares start from 190 MXN ($10.50).
Departure
There are two ferry ports in Playa del Carmen, one for the passenger ferry and one for the car ferry.
Passenger ferries to Cozumel depart from Muelle de Playa del Carmen, near the small local airport. The ferry terminal is within the city centre, and you’ll most likely only need to walk there from your hotel.
Arrival
There are also several ferry ports in Cozumel that are within a few kilometres away from each other. Passenger ferries dock at Cozumel Ferry Port in the town centre. Lots of accommodations are already within walking distance of the ferry terminal.
For going around, the best option is to rent a bike, golf cart, or car. Taxis are also available on the island. While the rates will depend on the distance and your negotiation skills with the driver, taxi fares usually start from 50 MXN ($2.80).
From the port you can reach several of Cozumel’s beaches in about 15 minutes. The first beaches are great for snorkelling but if you want to sunbathe on a sandy beach, head a bit further south.
Looking for a secluded white sand beach? Check out Playa Bonita on the other side of the island. It’s about one hour from the port, but that’s probably also the reason why you won’t see that many tourists here.
Ferry schedules from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
We recommend booking your tickets online beforehand for a better chance of getting a seat on your desired date and time. Also, if you book a round-trip ticket through BookAway, you can save up to 20% of the total cost.
Ferry tickets are also available at the port, but be aware that many travel agencies will try to overcharge you. Therefore, avoid third parties and buy your ferry tickets directly at the companies’ ticket counters.
Playa del Carmen to Cozumel by Passenger Ferry (the way back)
Going back to Playa del Carmen from Cozumel is easy and exactly the same as the ferry journey going to Cozumel.
The ferry ride also takes around 35-45 minutes with the same ferry fares. For this route, there is also one ferry departing every hour.
Departure and arrival station
The ferry departs from Cozumel Ferry Port and arrives at Playa del Carmen Ferry Port. These are the same ferry ports for the vice-versa route.
As we mentioned, the ferry terminal in Playa del Carmen is located within the city centre, just a few minutes walk away from many accommodations.
If you’re headed to another destination on your return, like Cancun Airport, you can easily take a 15-minute walk from the ferry port to ADO Bus Terminal.
Ferry schedules from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen
If you booked round-trip tickets online, you just need to show up at Cozumel Ferry Port at the time and date you chose. If you didn’t book a return ticket, you can still book a one-way ticket through BookAway. You can also buy directly at the ferry terminal.
Playa del Carmen to Cozumel by Car Ferry
If you wish to travel with your own or rented vehicle, you’ll need to take a car ferry. Ultramar and Transcaribe both operate car ferries between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.
As both car ferry ports are located outside the city centres, this ferry is not recommended for foot passengers. Fares for family vehicles start from 680 MXN ($39.00), and the ferry ride takes around an hour.
Both ferries have 1-3 trips daily. However, the schedule varies per day, so it’s best to check their websites for the schedule of your desired date of travel.
Ultramar or Transcaribe
Ultramar car ferry tickets are a bit cheaper than Transcaribe. Fares start from 680 MXN ($39.00) for a family vehicle that includes the car and the driver. Each additional passenger will have to pay 60 MXN ($3.40) at the port.
With Transcaribe, tickets start from 750 MXN ($43.00) just for the vehicle. The driver and other passengers will each pay 80 MXN ($4.60).
Note that if you reserve in advance on the Transcaribe website, rates will be more expensive at 1,100 MXN ($63.00) because it already includes tickets for five passengers. This means each passenger’s ticket costs only 70 MXN ($4.00) through the reservation.
Car ferry schedules from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
Car ferries operate from a different ferry terminal in Playa del Carmen, which is Calica Cruise Pier. Located 10 km south of downtown Playa del Carmen, this is the main cruise port to Cancun City, so you can expect to see at least one cruise ship here.
Car ferry schedules from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen (the way back)
In Cozumel, car ferries arrive at and depart from the car ferry port beside Punta Calatita. This ferry port is around 3 km away from the city centre.
Parking in Playa del Carmen
If you have a rental car but do not wish to bring it to Cozumel, you can also leave it behind in Playa del Carmen. Paid street parking is possible in various areas with the new parking meters installed in town.
We recommend heading to the parking centre along 10th Avenue for the best rates. You can also find here covered parking spaces for more security. Among which is an underground parking garage near Paseo del Carmen Shopping Plaza.
Frequently Asked Questions about Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
What to do in Cozumel?
If diving isn’t your thing, you don’t have to miss out. You can still explore the underwater wonders with a submarine expedition — a very popular and unique experience offered in Cozumel.
Another highlight to visit is the San Gervasio Mayan ruins. They are considered one of the most significant in the Mayan religion.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Best way to Cancun airport from Cozumel
Hi Kevin, if you’re travelling from Cozumel to Cancun Airport, you can take the ferry to Playa del Carmen. Ferries are available every hour from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen. Then you can take a minivan or a bus from Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport.
There are also direct private flights, but they’re expensive at about $130 per person.
hello,
i dont see on the website where i can make a reservation for my car.
I would like to visit cozumel for a few days with my wife and 3 kids.
Hello Robin, with transcaribe you can reserve online, but with ultramarcarga you will have to contact the company (they have a whatsapp button on their site). Hope you’ll have a great trip!
What is the gps address where we can park our car and take ferry to cozumel.
Hi Priya, you can find several parking spaces along 10th Avenue. They have a parking centre as well as a few covered garages that are convenient if you want to leave your car for at least 24 hours.