Cozumel
Go to Cozumel for snorkeling and diving over Caribbean coral reefs, reached by ferry from the Yucatan mainland.
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Cozumel is an island in the Caribbean Sea, off the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Most travelers reach it by air or by ferry from the mainland. San Miguel, the island's main town, is where most visitors stay, eat and shop. Cruise ships also dock here, so the town is busiest on cruise days.
The island is known for its coral reefs, which are part of the Mesoamerican Reef and draw divers and snorkelers. Inland, the Maya site of San Gervasio was a pilgrimage place for women honoring the goddess Ix Chel. The east coast is quieter and more exposed to wind and waves, with fewer resorts. Cozumel suits a beach and water trip, or a stop between other Yucatan destinations. The drier months run from December to April, and hurricane season runs June through November. Three to four days leaves room for a few dives and a loop of the island by car.
Cozumel in five
- Take the ferry from Playa del CarmenThe ferry runs from the Playa del Carmen terminal to the Cozumel terminal in San Miguel. Check the timetable for both directions before you pick a day.Playa del Carmen to Cozumel ferry
- Book reef trips with the price in writingPalancar and Columbia are two reefs in Cozumel Reef National Park. Ask whether the park fee is included in your dive or snorkel price before you pay.
- Carry small pesosSmall shops, beach stalls and taxi drivers often cannot break large notes. Carry small pesos for snacks, tips and short rides.
- Check the cruise ship calendarOn days when several cruise ships are in port, San Miguel fills with day visitors. Check the port schedule before you choose the day for the reef.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guardThe sun on the water is strong, and reef operators often ask for mineral or reef-safe sunscreen. A rash guard means you need less of it.
Need to know
- Currency
- Mexican peso (MXN)
- Entry
- Visa-free tourist stays for many passports; tourist permit (FMM) on arrival Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Customary at restaurants and for taxi drivers; 10 to 15 percent is common
- Time
- UTC-5, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Dry, cool, busyJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool, busy
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Dry, peak seasonFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, peak season
- MarchPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Dry, warmMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- AprilPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Dry, getting hotAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, getting hot
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Hot, humidMayPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- JuneRain17 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Storms beginJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 225 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storms begin
- JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Hot, humidJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- AugustRain18 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Peak storm riskAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 159 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak storm risk
- SeptemberRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low27°Peak storm riskSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 196 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Peak storm risk
- OctoberRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Storm seasonOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 234 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm season
- NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Storms easingNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 155 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storms easing
- DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Dry, holiday crowdsDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holiday crowds
Average daily high and low in Cozumel, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Cozumel
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 32°
- Humidity
- 77%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 27%
Cozumel
07:53 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today31°24°27%Monday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Tue30°25°51%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 51%.
- Wed30°24°24%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Thu30°24°12%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Fri30°24°20%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Sat31°24°44%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 44%.
- Sun30°24°51%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 51%.
Updated 05:07 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.81 MXN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
Day trips from Cozumel, the full guide- Playa del Carmenabout 45 min to 1 hour by ferryThe mainland resort town where the ferry departs, and an easy add-on for a meal before the crossing.Read the guide
- Tulumabout 2 to 3 hours with ferry and roadClifftop Maya ruins above the sea, reached by road from the mainland ferry port.Read the guide
- Isla Mujeresabout 3 hours with ferry and transfersA smaller, quieter island to compare with Cozumel before you choose your base.Read the guide
Before you go to Cozumel
Rules for Cozumel, checked
- Visa-free entry covers many passports, but you still receive a tourist permit (FMM) on arrival. Check current rules at gob.mx/sre before you book.Source
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form. Check the current amount with the tax agency SAT before you fly to Cozumel.
- Do not touch, stand on or take coral, shells or sand from the reef in the marine park.
- The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18, and bars and shops may ask for photo ID.
Cozumel FAQ
Is Cozumel worth visiting?
Yes, for diving and snorkeling on the reefs and for quieter beaches than the mainland resort towns. Choose the mainland instead if you want large Maya sites such as Tulum or a bigger town.
How many days do you need in Cozumel?
Three or four nights covers two reef days, a day in San Miguel and a beach day. Two nights is enough if the reef is the only reason you are going.
How do you get to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen?
Take the ferry from the Playa del Carmen terminal to Cozumel, which docks in San Miguel. Check the timetable for both directions before you cross.
Do you need a visa for Cozumel?
Cozumel follows Mexico's entry rules. Many passports need no visa for tourist stays, but you still receive a tourist permit (FMM) on arrival. Check gob.mx/sre.
When is the best time to visit Cozumel?
December to April has the driest weather. June to November is hurricane season, with the highest risk from August to October.
Is Cozumel or Isla Mujeres better?
Cozumel is better for reef diving. Isla Mujeres is smaller and quieter. The comparison guide covers the differences.