Top Places to Visit in Cozumel

Did you know that there is a Caribbean island in Mexico? Cozumel, just off the coast of the gorgeous Riviera Maya, is a beach-strewn, palm-laden tropical paradise about 40 minutes by boat from Playa del Carmen, just down the coast from Cancun, and is a truly delightful vacation destination.

It isn’t hard to see why Cozumel is such a draw for visitors to Mexico. Combining the best of the Caribbean with the best of Mexico, it offers superlative snorkeling and scuba diving, gorgeous, sun-drenched beaches, ancient historical sites, and a rich, vibrant culture. All this, along with amazing Mexican cuisine, and tequila and mezcal tasting, makes it an incredibly attractive option for anyone looking for an adventurous, exciting, and luxurious tropical vacation.

So if you are planning on packing your bags and heading down south for a trip, or cruising to Mexico from California, why not consider including the beautiful island of Cozumel in your plans? Here are some of the best things to see and top places to visit in this beautiful corner of the world.

Explore Mayan ruins

Mexico’s Caribbean coast is covered in remarkable, ancient Mayan ruins, often surrounded or even covered by the jungle, and Cozumel is no exception. There are several magnificent archaeological sites on the island that you can visit, and even a pyramid or two to climb! El Cedral in the south is the most impressive ruin, with the additional attraction of costumed performers reenacting ancient Mayan rituals, while Castillo Real in the northeast offers a wonderfully rugged, seafront vista.

See how Tequila is made

Tequila is Mexico’s most famous export, and while most of the distilleries and factories that make this spirit are based in Jalisco, in the north, there are a few scattered around the rest of the country, and one on Cozumel itself. At the Hacienda Antigua you can take a (free) tour to discover how the spiky maguey cactus becomes the fiery tipple that Mexico (and the rest of the world) loves, as well as tasting the finished product!

Hit the beach

You are in the Caribbean, after all, so heading to the beach and soaking up the sun is one of the best things to do! Cozumel has a wide variety of truly stunning beaches, from the luxury resorts and sheltered beach clubs of the west side of the island, to the wilder, rougher east coast beaches that face the open sea. There are hidden beaches where you’ll probably have the whole place to yourself, beaches with wonderful snorkeling just off the shore, beaches like San Francisco with an amazing array of watersports and activities to do, and even the picturesque, exclusive shoreline of Isla Pasion, a semi-private islet.

Dive beneath the waves

Cozumel sits on the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest reef system on earth after the Great Barrier reef. A marine national park, the Arrecifes de Cozumel is celebrated as having some of the best dive sites in Mexico, and even across the whole world. It is a true paradise for scuba divers, with stunning coral walls, adrenaline-pumping underwater caves and swim-throughs, and a quite extraordinary array of underwater life, from sharks and sea turtles to dolphins and eagle rays.

Swim through a pearl farm

Cozumel’s pearl farm is a fascinating and extremely unusual place, a wonderful chance to experience traditional practices up close and participate in a great ecotourism venture. Originally started as a research project, the pearl farm is the only active farm of its kind in the Caribbean, producing Pinctada Radiata pearls naturally and sustainably. It is only accessible by boat, and exploring it has to be done by swimming and snorkeling, which makes it a truly unique and special experience, and not to be missed!

Get underground

One of the highlights of any visit to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Caribbean coast is the chance to explore the magic and mystery of one of its incredible underground sinkholes known as cenotes. Luckily, Cozumel boasts a particularly beautiful example in the form of the Jade Cenote! Cenotes are spots where the thin limestone crust of the surface of the peninsula has collapsed, creating an opening into the system of underground rivers that crisscross the entire area. These atmospheric caves and water holes are amazing places for swimming, snorkeling, and diving, and offer an experience you will find nowhere else in the world!

Visit Punta Sur Ecological Park

Situated right at the southern tip of the island, Punta Sur is the natural jewel in Cozumel’s crown. A vast nature reserve (with, coincidentally, some of the best beaches on the island), it is covered in incredible mangrove forests full of birds, crocodiles, and other fascinating wildlife. There is even a lighthouse that you can climb to get a full 360 degree panoramic view of the entire island.

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This is a guest blog post. We are always open to featuring guest content on our website so please contact us if you have content you want to share with our audience. If you need help with planning your trip to, reach out to Anywhere But Here Travel.

AUTHOR BIO: My name is Frankie and I run the lifestyle and travel blog, A Popsicle Stand.