Cozumel Day Trip from Playa del Carmen: A One-Day Plan That Works
A Cozumel day trip from Playa del Carmen is a full and easy day: the ferry crossing takes about 35-45 minutes and the last return from Cozumel has left as late as 9:00 pm. That gives you eight to ten hours on the island, enough for one park, a beach lunch and still time in town. This guide puts the fees, hours and ferry logic in one place so you can plan it. If you would rather stay on this side of the channel, see Playa del Carmen boat tours compared.
The ferry lands in downtown San Miguel, so the day starts on foot.
Quick answer
A day trip to Cozumel gives you roughly eight hours on the island, with about 18.6 km of open water between the Playa del Carmen terminal and the San Miguel pier. Pick one or two stops, because the parks close earlier than the last ferry: San Gervasio takes last entry at 3:00 pm, Chankanaab closes at 4:00 pm and Punta Sur at 5:00 pm. Take a morning boat over, book any boat activity ahead, and aim back at the pier by late afternoon. On cruise days add a buffer, since afternoon returns get busy.
Key takeaways
- Compare the Ultramar round-trip ferry and the Xcaret open round-trip ticket before you go
- For snorkeling, the VIP catamaran to El Cielo runs five hours out of Cozumel
- Full crossing times and fares live on our Playa del Carmen to Cozumel ferry page
- Avoid Sundays if Punta Sur or Chankanaab are on your list, both lose their hours that day
Tickets and Trips for the Day
These are the ferry tickets and the boat tour we would use to build a day on Cozumel from Playa del Carmen.
from $38
Most Booked Crossing
Playa del Carmen: Round-Trip Ferry to/from Cozumel
Ultramar's open round-trip ticket between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel on its 157-foot catamaran ferries, with air-conditioned cabins, open decks, a snack bar and live music. The ticket…
- Ultramar ferry, about 35 minutes each way
- Open round trip, valid six months
- Air-conditioned cabin plus open-air deck
- Deck tax included in the price
from $43
Open Round Trip
Playa del Carmen to Cozumel: Xcaret Ferry, Open Round Trip
Xcaret Xailing's open round-trip ferry ticket from the Playa del Carmen terminal to Cozumel, with hourly departures, a pet area and a luggage section. Fees and taxes are…
- Hourly departures, about 45 minutes
- Open ticket valid six months
- All fees and taxes included
- Free Cancún Scenic Tower entry with the round trip
from $74
All-Inclusive Catamaran
Cozumel: VIP Catamaran with El Cielo, Reef & Open Bar
A five-hour day on a 72-foot catamaran out of Cozumel, with snorkeling at a protected reef and stops at the El Cielo and Cielito sandbars. Open bar, lunch…
- Anchor at the El Cielo and Cielito sandbars
- Snorkel a protected Cozumel reef
- Open bar and lunch on board
- 72-foot catamaran, five hours from Cozumel
Getting There and Back
The crossing itself
Three passenger operators run the route: Ultramar, Winjet and Xcaret Xailing, all leaving from the terminal at the foot of 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen and arriving at the Muelle Fiscal on Av. Rafael Melgar in downtown San Miguel. The crossing takes about 35 to 45 minutes depending on the boat.
For every operator's schedule and prices, see our Playa del Carmen to Cozumel ferry guide for every operator's schedule and prices. One rule worth knowing before you buy: each operator only accepts its own tickets, so a Winjet ticket will not get you on an Ultramar boat.
Which boat to pick for a day trip
For a day trip the timing logic matters more than the operator. From Playa, first departures run from about 8:00 to 8:30 am, so a morning boat puts you in San Miguel around 9:00 am with the whole day ahead. Coming home, Winjet's last return from Cozumel leaves at 9:00 pm, though most day trippers go back between 5:30 and 6:30 pm after dinner.
Both of the open tickets below stay valid for six months, so you are not locked to a return time when you book.
Two tickets, two styles
The Playa del Carmen: Round-Trip Ferry to/from Cozumel is Ultramar's open round trip at $38, a 35-minute crossing on a 157-foot catamaran with air-conditioned cabins, open decks and a snack bar, and the deck tax is already in the price. The Playa del Carmen to Cozumel: Xcaret Ferry, Open Round Trip costs $43, runs about 45 minutes with hourly departures and includes all fees and taxes, plus free entry to the Scenic Tower in Cancún with the tourist round trip. Pick on price and departure time, since both are flexible open tickets.
A Realistic Day, Ferry to Ferry
This timeline is built from the published first and last departures and the official park closing times, so every stop closes before the last ferry.
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8:00-8:30 am
Ferry from Playa del Carmen
First Winjet departures run from 8:00 am and Xcaret Xailing leaves Playa at 8:30 am, arriving in about 35-45 minutes.
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9:00 am
Arrive at Muelle Fiscal, San Miguel
The pier sits on Av. Rafael Melgar downtown. Grab coffee and decide your one big stop of the day.
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9:30 am
Head inland or south
A taxi or rented scooter gets you to San Gervasio 7 km east, or south to Chankanaab and the west-coast beaches.
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12:30 pm
Beach lunch
The west coast south of town has a string of beach clubs, and Coconuts on the east coast is free to enter, you just pay for food and drinks.
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3:00 pm
Last entry at San Gervasio
The archaeological site stops admitting visitors at 3:00 pm and closes at 3:30 pm, so this is the day's hardest deadline.
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4:00-5:00 pm
Parks close
Chankanaab closes at 4:00 pm and Punta Sur at 5:00 pm Monday to Saturday. On a long day you can still catch a later boat.
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5:30-6:30 pm
Back at the pier
This is the comfortable return window. On multi-ship cruise days, be earlier, because afternoon ferry lines grow fast.
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9:00 pm
Last Winjet return
If you stay for dinner, the last Winjet back to Playa has departed Cozumel at 9:00 pm. Miss it and you are sleeping on the island.
Where to Spend the Day
The three paid stops, fees and hours compared
One day fits one big stop comfortably, maybe two if you move fast. The table below compares the official entry prices and opening hours for the island's three main paid attractions, all quoted from the operators' own pages. Chankanaab is the beach-and-snorkel park, Punta Sur is the wild southern tip with a lighthouse and crocodiles, and San Gervasio is the Mayan site inland.
| Place | Entry | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park | $31 adult, $22 child 4-12, under 3 free | Mon-Sat 8:00 am-4:00 pm | Includes parking, showers, hammocks, beach chairs, life vest and the inlet swimming area. No Sunday hours listed. Extras: snorkel gear $15, locker $5, snuba $65, manatee swim $79 |
| Punta Sur Eco Beach Park | $25 adult, $17 child 4-12, under 3 free | Mon-Sat 9:00 am-5:00 pm, closed Sundays | Includes the Celarain lighthouse with 133 steps and its navigation museum, a scenic tower for crocodile viewing, the El Tatich catamaran ride and a nature trail across 247 acres. Kayak or paddleboard $20-30 per hour |
| San Gervasio archaeological site | $11.56 (210 MXN) for foreign visitors, $5.78 (105 MXN) for Mexicans and residents, camera permit $3.47 (63 MXN) | 9:00 am-3:30 pm, last entry 3:00 pm | INAH site dedicated to Ixchel, developed from 1200 CE, 7 km east of San Miguel. INAH pages can show temporary closures, so check the official INAH site before going |
El Cielo, by boat only
El Cielo is a shallow starfish sandbar off the south coast, inside the Cozumel reefs national park, and you can only reach it by boat. Tours run 3-4 hours, and two rules are strict: never lift a starfish out of the water and wear mineral sunscreen only. The reefs park charges a fee of $12.39 (225 MXN) per person per day, paid by the operator at check-in, and it covers all your in-water time that day.
The Cozumel: VIP Catamaran with El Cielo, Reef & Open Bar runs five hours from the Cozumel wharf on a 72-foot catamaran, with 40 minutes of reef snorkeling, 65 minutes at El Cielo, an open bar and lunch, all for $74. It starts in Cozumel, so you take the ferry over first, and the operator suggests arriving on a ferry at least an hour and a half before the activity. If you want to compare snorkeling closer to the mainland first, our Playa del Carmen snorkeling guide covers the local reefs.
| Stop | Access | Time needed | Cost beyond the boat |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Cielo sandbar | Boat only | About 65 minutes in the water | $12.39 (225 MXN) marine park fee per day if the operator does not include it |
| East coast | Taxi, scooter or rental car | Half a day | Beach bars are pay-as-you-go, Coconuts has free entry |
The east coast and the wild side
The island is about 48 km long and 16 km wide, and its road network covers roughly two thirds of it. The windward east coast is a single road with a handful of beach bars, Mezcalito's among them, where the surf crashes and the crowds from the west side thin out. The far north is reachable only by boat or SUV.
A drive around the loop plus a stop at a beach bar eats half a day, so it competes directly with a park visit. On a first day trip we would choose either the east coast or a park, not both.
Getting Around the Island
Taxis
Taxis are the default way to move around Cozumel and they are everywhere in San Miguel. The taxi union has not published an official fare table online, so we will not quote specific fares. What we can say: taxis carry an official rate sheet and must show it if you ask, drivers often quote above it, and paying in dollars costs more than paying in pesos because of the union's exchange rate.
Agree on the price or ask to see the sheet before you get in. Fares were last adjusted years ago and the union has said an increase was coming, so expect rates to be in flux.
Scooters
Scooter rental runs roughly $25-40 a day and is the fastest way to reach Punta Sur or the east coast on your own schedule. Helmets are mandatory by law and police do stop riders without them. The speed limit on the island is 60 km/h, rentals usually ask for a passport deposit or $100-300 in cash, and basic insurance is typically liability only.
Read the rental contract for damage liability before you sign, because some rentals to tourists come with little regard for safety.
Rental cars and walking
You do not need to bring a car over: a car ferry runs from Calica south of Playa del Carmen and a compact car costs $52.29 (950 MXN) one way, but renting on the island is simpler. A rental car gives you air conditioning and secure storage for the east-coast loop. Downtown San Miguel itself is walkable, and the ferry pier drops you right on the waterfront within a few blocks of the 1910 clock tower, the Museo de la Isla de Cozumel and the evening beach bars north of the pier.
Cruise Days and Sunday Closures
What cruise traffic does to your day
Cozumel is one of the busiest cruise ports in the Caribbean, with 4.73 million cruise passengers arriving over the course of 2025. Peak season runs November through March, when a typical day brings 3-5 ships, and on the busiest days up to 8 ships dock. Friday, Saturday and Monday are the busiest days of the week and Sunday is the lightest.
Downtown San Miguel fills up when ships are in, and Chankanaab and the west-coast beach clubs absorb most of the shore excursion crowds.
The return-ferry buffer
The cruise piers are separate from the ferry pier, but the passengers share the same waterfront on busy afternoons. On multi-ship days the afternoon ferry returns to Playa del Carmen become chaotic, and cruise lines do not wait for independent travelers who miss their ship. We plan a 90-minute buffer before any fixed commitment on the Playa side and head back to the ferry pier well before the last daylight boats.
Booking a morning boat activity instead of an afternoon one also keeps you clear of the crush.
The Sunday trap
Sunday is the quietest cruise day, but it costs you the parks. Punta Sur is closed on Sundays, and Chankanaab shows no Sunday hours on its official page either. San Gervasio has no stated Sunday closure, but remember its last entry is at 3:00 pm and INAH sites can close temporarily at short notice, so verify before you build a day around it.
A Sunday trip therefore means the east coast, beach clubs and downtown, which is a fine day, just a different one.
See the Day Before You Book
Cozumel Day Trip on the Map
The places this page talks about, pinned. Tap a pin for directions.
Cozumel Day Trip Questions
Is a Cozumel day trip actually worth it?
Yes, if you commit to one or two stops instead of trying to see everything. The island is about 48 km long, so distances are real and rushing costs you the day. A park like Chankanaab at $31, Punta Sur at $25 or a boat trip to El Cielo fills a day well. If your Playa itinerary already has several boat days, a relaxed Cozumel day with a beach lunch and downtown wandering still earns its ferry fare.
What fits into one day in Cozumel?
One big stop, a beach lunch and time in San Miguel is the honest answer. Chankanaab closes at 4:00 pm and Punta Sur at 5:00 pm, so a morning ferry gives you a full park visit plus a late afternoon in town. Add the VIP catamaran to El Cielo and the boat takes over your middle hours, since it runs five hours with snorkeling, an open bar and lunch included.
How do you get around Cozumel without a car?
Taxis are the easiest option and they wait at the pier, though no official fare table is published online, so ask to see the driver's rate sheet and pay in pesos. Scooters rent for about $25-40 a day, helmets are required by law and the limit is 60 km/h. Downtown San Miguel is compact and walkable, and the ferry pier sits right on the main waterfront avenue.
Is Cozumel crowded on cruise ship days?
It can be. A typical day in the November to March peak brings 3-5 ships, and on the busiest days up to 8 ships dock at once. Friday, Saturday and Monday are the heaviest days and Sunday the lightest. On multi-ship days the afternoon ferry lines to Playa del Carmen get long, so keep a 90-minute buffer before your return.
What time is the last ferry back to Playa del Carmen?
Winjet's last departure from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen leaves at 9:00 pm, and Xcaret Xailing's first Cozumel departure is at 7:30 am with hourly service through the day. Times can shift with weather, and nortes and hurricane season from June through November can suspend crossings entirely. If you miss the last boat, you are overnighting on the island, so plan a return with margin.
Which ferry should I book for a day trip?
Book an open round trip so you are not tied to a return time. The Ultramar round-trip ferry costs $38 with a 35-minute crossing and the deck tax included, while the Xcaret open round trip is $43 with hourly 45-minute crossings and all fees covered. Each operator only honors its own tickets, so decide before you board. Our ferry guide compares all three operators in detail.
Can I visit the Mayan ruins on a day trip?
Yes, San Gervasio is the island's main archaeological site, dedicated to the goddess Ixchel and developed from 1200 CE. Entry is $11.56 (210 MXN) for foreign visitors, it opens 9:00 am to 3:30 pm and last entry is at 3:00 pm, and it sits 7 km east of San Miguel. INAH sites can close temporarily, so check the official status before you plan the day around it.
Do I need to worry about the marine park fee at El Cielo?
The Cozumel reefs park charges $12.39 (225 MXN) per person per day for in-water time, and your tour operator normally collects it at check-in on the day. It covers all your snorkeling that day, not just one site. Whether a given catamaran ticket already includes it is not always stated on the listing, so read the inclusions or ask the operator before you book.