Destination
Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel is the Caribbean's classic drift-diving island, where the Palancar reef wall drops off a few hundred metres from shore and the one small town stays laid-back once the cruise ships leave.
Trips to Cozumel from every city
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Lowest fares to Cozumel by city, last 30 days
| From | Lowest, 30 days | Checks |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | $473 | 1 |
| San Antonio | $497 | 1 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | $512 | 3 |
| Los Angeles | $520 | 3 |
| Miami | $530 | 4 |
| Detroit | $533 | 2 |
| Nashville | $538 | 2 |
| Denver | $539 | 1 |
| Atlanta | $560 | 3 |
| Las Vegas | $568 | 3 |
| Washington, DC | $569 | 3 |
| Chicago | $573 | 3 |
| Fort Lauderdale | $594 | 1 |
| Raleigh-Durham | $594 | 2 |
| Phoenix | $610 | 1 |
| Boston | $616 | 1 |
| Orlando | $627 | 2 |
| Baltimore | $632 | 2 |
| New Orleans | $643 | 1 |
| Salt Lake City | $645 | 1 |
When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | best |
| February | best |
| March | best |
| April | best |
| May | best |
| June | fine |
| July | fine |
| August | avoid |
| September | avoid |
| October | avoid |
| November | best |
| December | best |
- December, January, February, March: Up to six cruise ships a day; downtown is busiest from 10am to 4pm.
- June, July, August: Calm, warm water and the clearest visibility for divers despite the heat.
August, September, October: Peak hurricane season, with the roughest water of the year for diving.
Where to stay in Cozumel
- San Miguel (downtown): The island's only town, with dive shops, restaurants and the Playa del Carmen ferry pier.
- Zona Hotelera Norte: Resorts just north of town on calm, shallow water.
- Zona Hotelera Sur: Dive-oriented resorts closest to the Palancar and Colombia reefs.
- Playa San Francisco / Palancar: Beach clubs on the sheltered southwest coast for non-divers.
What to do in Cozumel
- Drift-dive the Palancar and Santa Rosa walls
- Snorkel the Chankanaab reef and lagoon
- Stand in waist-deep water with starfish at the El Cielo sandbar
- Rent a Jeep for the wild, undeveloped east-coast beaches
- Visit the Maya ruins of San Gervasio
- Climb the Punta Sur lighthouse and spot crocodiles in the lagoon
Good to know
| Airports | Cozumel International (CZM), Cancún International (CUN) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | mid-range |
| Time zone | America/Cancun |
| Kind of trip | island, adventure, beach, cruise-port, family |
Questions about Cozumel
When is the best time to visit Cozumel?
November, December, January, February, March, April and May. August, September, October: Peak hurricane season, with the roughest water of the year for diving.
Do US citizens need a passport for Cozumel?
Yes. Cozumel is in Mexico; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Cozumel on the ground?
Cozumel is mid-range by US standards: plan about $90 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.