6 Things You Have to Experience at Least Once in Cozumel (Cruise Port Guide)
- Maria DiCicco
- Jul 21
- 7 min read
Cozumel is an island just off the coast of the Yucatan town of Playa del Carmen - both areas a playground for cruise passengers to drink shots in a conga line and roast their skin on a beach.
But, because beach breaks and drunk fests are not really my thing, I've made it a point to seek out more authentic experiences on my several visits to these two lively locales, connected conveniently by a short and scenic ferry ride.
On Cozumel, find numerous cultural tourist attractions, souvenir shops and restaurants to while the hours away, or take on a more adventurous spirit with day trips, shore excursions from Cozumel to the mainland, and other do-it-at-least-once Cozumel highlights you'll find below.
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Short on Time?Plan to mostly stay in port for this article, which shares some must-do traditional activities in Cozumel including:
Learn a bit about the shore excursions from Cozumel on the Tulum and Playa del Carmen side, as well as stops to make on a driving route around the island below. |
Take the Ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen
Taking the ferry is a definite highlight of the Cozumel to Playa del Carmen afternoon. For a family who used to go ride the ferry from the Disney parking lot to the entry gates for a fun morning out in 1990's Orlando, I know the thrill of a good ferry ride for families.
Even if the ferry isn't your highlight, taking the quick shuttle from Cozumel opens the doors to the rest of mainland Mexico, so a lot of people end up doing this for the shore excursions.
Cozumel to Playa del Carmen Ferry InfoHow long does the ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen take? 35-45 minutes How much does the ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen cost? Tickets start at $640 MXN pesos for a round-trip adult ticket (around $37 USD) How do I buy ferry tickets? Round Trip ferry tickets can be purchased here starting around $37. For more information, you can go directly to the Ultramar ferry page. |
What to Do in Playa del Carmen
Once you get there, there are a number of 'must-do' tours in the Tulum and Playa del Carmen area, which include cenote swims, the Tulum ruins, snorkeling with turtles at Akumal, and maybe even long day trips out to see some Mayan Ruins at Coba or even Chitzen Itza, which in my opinion is way too far of a drive for a shore excursion from Cozumel.
You can read up on some of these area gems here:
While I 100% suggest doing some of these things if your home base is in Cancun or Tulum, I think this is way too much to tackle for a day in Cozumel cruise port.
So, if you take the ferry across the way to Playa del Carmen, simply stay there, do some shopping, have lunch, and return.
You can read my honest thoughts about Playa del Carmen here, but essentially it's one long strip of crazy town. Lots of bars, overpriced souvenir shops, and modern amenities. The beach isn't that great either, but like I said - you have to experience it at least once!
Rent a Car and Drive Around the Island
This is not for the faint of heart, but it's totally worth it. We've done this as a family a few times.
How to Rent a Car in Cozumel
Just stroll off the ship, find a rental car place and start haggling. There are a number of places you can research online in advance so you don't wander aimlessly, but I prefer not to get the car until I'm standing in front of it.
I can't quote prices because it's been some years since we rented a car in Cozumel, but I'd suggest having a number in your head on how much you'd be willing to pay for a ship tour or DIY excursion, and that's your target high-end number. Keep in mind, $100 for a car load - not $100 per head, like a ship tour might be.
Be sure your credit card covers your insurance (or at least read up on the Do's and Don'ts: First Hand Tips for Renting a Car Abroad first).
This cute little Cozumel rental made me feel like Brad Pitt in the movie "The Mexican"...he and his colleague both went to the modern airport rental counter, received something like a Prius, and then in response said..."don't you have something a little more...Mexican?"
This wasn't an El Camino or anything, but it was spunky and left us with many memories. The floor boards were so rusted through, I could see the road. Even better when it started raining and the car began to flood as we drove through puddles. Ah, Mexico.
Now you might be wondering where to point the car once you've gotten it. Certainly do your research, or wing it, which is perfectly fine too.
You'll find some fun stops on your drive around the island including:
Beach clubs
Waterfront restaurants
The Casa Mission Tequila Tour
Scenic miradors
Cenotes and secret swimming holes
Eco-parks and little themed parks
The ruins at Zona Arqueológica San Gervasio
The Cozumel Pearl Farm
Mayan Cacao Company
And even a Mayan Bee Sanctuary
There's certainly plenty to do for every taste, and renting a car is the best way to really immerse yourself in the most authentic (and economic!) way possible.
For instance, for a culinary tour of bees (honey), chocolate (cacao) and tequila tasting, you'll easily pay $89 per person on the ship (this is a real price from a 2026 cruise I was on). For $100 for the whole carload you could be renting a car and exploring on your own.
Just be sure to gas up before you get back into town, and again - check the insurance policy on your credit card - sometimes they don't cover Mexico!
Do Some Souvenir Shopping Around the Port
This is a good place to use those pesos you've been clutching onto since your last trip to Mexico. Find plenty of souvenir shops literally everywhere, and dare to walk deeper into the port town interior for better deals. Haggling is perfectly acceptable in Cozumel, but in established shops "the price is the price". Never hurts to try haggling in more casual kiosk/vendor settings.
Have Some Yucatecan Cuisine
There's some amazing flavors you have to discover in Yuctaceo food. From Mayan influences like the xcatic pepper and Chaya leaf. You can sample some of these flavors at Ix Kool restaurant, or you can take a rather touristy (but delicious!) Mayan cooking class while you are in port.
Sopa de Lima is another popular discovery that shouldn't dissuade you because of its temperature. The tart soup is actually a fantastic welcome to start any Yucateo meal.
Don't miss out on panuchos or longaniza, either. YUM.
Indulge in an Authentic Cooking Class Experience
For a more authentic experience, there are several in-home cooking class options where you can go to the local market and cook up your meal in a local home. I love this type of DIY shore excursion.
This particular tour meets at the Mercado Municipal Benito Juarez, where you'll have a very local experience picking out ingredients before heading to your in-home cooking class.
Knock One Back at Señor Frog's
Honestly, you can't go to Cozumel without visiting Señor Frog's at least once. It's an institution. It's the first place 16 year old me got drunk on Christmas Eve. Still sorry about that, Mom.
It's where you get shots poured down your throat in a conga line, and women jiggle your man boobies while blowing a whistle.
It's as Cozumel as it ever was, and you've got to at least go and say you've been.
Disclaimer: I haven't been to Señor Frog's since that epic day 23 years ago, so that all may be illegal now! It is possible that they've traded boob grabs for yard drinks and balloon hats I hear, so maybe that's still worth it?
Cruising with Kids?Be sure to pick up a copy of my book, Scavenger Hunt Cruise, for every kid in your cabin! They'll love the interactive pages detailing how to navigate a ship, the journal prompts for every day in port, and the nautical education like wind speed in knots, or what to call the staff around the boat.  Get your copy now for only $9.99! |
Visit the Local Markets and Grocery Stores
This is a favorite past time of mine no matter where I am in the world. Markets often are quite different than the souvenir shops and kiosks you'll find close to the port.
In Cozumel, seek out the local produce market, Mercado Municipal Benito Juarez, then walk a couple of blocks over to the Super Aki market for a modern grocery store experience.
Even better, check out the Soriana Híper Isla de Cozumel, which is extremely close to the port. This is the best type of place for picking up food souvenirs like spices or dried peppers. These places also often stock super low-price area souvenirs or fun home goods (think like a tortilla saver), so it's a good idea to pop in for a deal!
People on Google are referring to Soriana Híper as a "Mexican Walmart", and if you go you'll see why. Hyper markets around the Caribbean are a really a fun way to get a taste of local life, and to stock up on anything you may need, like socks. My husband somehow never packs enough socks for a cruise!
While I'm on the subject, get some cheap threads in the Soriana Híper store, or along the back streets from the port at any of the local clothing stores. They often stock very inexpensive blouses and clothing for children.
TakeawaysIt's easy to get sucked into the beach breaks, the random kitschy Lucha Libre wrestling shows and the culinary demonstration tours, but for me - I think to experience the best of Cozumel, you've really got to set out on your own and seek local happenings. Prioritize traditional, in-home cooking classes over a bus-fed giant cooking group from the ship, or wander and seek out some local markets to get the most unique souvenirs from Cozumel. Visit the mainland by ferry if you've never been, but don't stray too far because otherwise travel will eat up your day. Have a good meal, a cold margarita (or a yard drink at Señor Frogs) and enjoy! Before You GoCheck out more of my Mexico content here! |
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