Thinking of taking an impromptu winter trip to Mexico, but the likes of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum don’t exactly float your boat?
Though it’s often overlooked as a mere cruise stopover with not much more than duty-free shopping and a quick dip on the beach, Cozumel is the perfect island getaway if you’re itching to kick back, soak up the sunshine, and let the good times roll.
Even better: getting to Cozumel has never been easier. You can fly nonstop to Mexico’s trendiest vacation island from as many as 8 U.S. hubs this winter:
How To Get To Cozumel This Season
A paradisiacal island in the Caribbean, Cozumel has been the number one pick for Cancun escapees for decades. It has the same postcard-ready beaches, comparable great weather, equally high safety levels, and most importantly, it feels a lot calmer in comparison.
It’s also one of only 3 destinations in the Mexican Caribbean, alongside Cancun (CUN) and Tulum (TQO), that Americans can fly to nonstop. In fact, after Cancun, Cozumel Airport (CZM) is the best-connected hub in the region.
As reported by the Cancun Sun, this winter, Americans can fly nonstop to CZM from 8 airports:
Fly To Cozumel From The U.S. This Winter
*Average fares provided by Google flights
Why Visit Cozumel This Winter
If you’ve never been to Cozumel yourself before, you’re probably wondering if it’s worth all the hype, or if you should indeed swap another year in a familiar Cancun for this sun-drenched island.
For starters, it’s an island, so it can’t get more tropical and Caribbean-esque than this: while Cancun is undoubtedly one of the most epic destinations in the turquoise sea, with its luxurious resorts and vibrant entertainment district, it sits on the mainland and can feel a tad too crowded.
Cozumel is also crowded, particularly during the day, but there are fewer hotels and accommodation providers on the island compared to Cancun, so it never feels exactly jam-packed.
Most cruise arrivals make landfall either near San Francisco Beach or Playa Mia Grand Beach Park, and barely move an inch from those spots, so most of the beaches along Cozumel’s 65 mile-coastline feel surprisingly quiet.
Beautiful Unspoiled Beaches A Short Taxi Ride Away
There are taxis connecting San Miguel de Cozumel to all of the main swimming spots and tourist attractions on the island, so if fighting for a place in the sun in Playa Mia Grand doesn’t sound like too much fun, here’s where you can go instead:
Playa Palacar, a short 22-minute drive from town, is your typical Caribbean beach, with pristine white sands backed by tall palm trees, and waters of the turquoise-blue.
Chen Rio, on the quieter eastern part of Cozumel, is an equally accessible, peaceful swimming spot with very little development and only a handful of beach bars to get you through the day without ruining the ‘unspoiled island’ vibe.
Punta Sur, in the very south, is just as stunning, with its landmark historic lighthouse and trails leading to secret, unmarked beaches. Then of course, Cozumel sits right in the center of the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, one of Mexico’s most popular dive and snorkeling hotspots:
The island belongs to the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world, and if you have no idea what that means, let’s just put it this way: casual snorkeler or professional diver, you’ll be mind-blown by the colorful marine life on Cozumel’s ocean floor.
How To Get To Cozumel’s Top Hidden Beaches
Where To Stay In Cozumel
Cozumel is your classic all-inclusive destination: most tourists who come are simply looking to relax for a long weekend in a five-star resort by the beachfront, and there are plenty of those to pick from in and around San Miguel de Cozumel, the ‘downtown’ part of the island.
Right on the main waterfront avenue, Cozumel Palace has oceanfront suites, multiple pools, gourmet dining, and nightly entertainment from $450-a-night. It’s located right in the heart of San Miguel, within walking distance of the town and its main beaches.
If you’d prefer a little more exclusivity, the Meliá Cozumel is a great alternative, just 5-10 minutes north of downtown: with a family-friendly environment, ocean-view rooms, eight restaurants, and private dive access, it costs from as little as $300 per adult to book.
Arriving To Cancun? This Is How You Get To Cozumel
Oh, by the way, even if your city doesn’t feature on the nonstop flight chart, you can naturally still get to Cozumel by flying to Cancun (CUN) instead. This is what it looks like:
- Landing in Cancun Airport → arranging a transfer or getting an ADO bus to Playa Del Carmen ($70-100 for private transfers / $10-18 for the bus)→ ferry to Cozumel ($12-20)
Once in Playa, the crossing takes about 35-45 min, depending on the ferry company and sea conditions. If that’s the route you’re taking, make sure you plan and book well in advance as costs can easily add up if you’re not careful enough.
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