|

Best Ways to Get to Cozumel from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum!

Updated on
how to get to cozumel from cancun vs playa del carmen

How to get to Cozumel?

If you want to visit the beautiful Mexican island of Cozumel, there are three ways to do it – by cruise ship, flight, or ferry.

A cruise ship is one of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to get to Cozumel from the United States and there are multiple cruise deals year-round.

💥New: Cruise Deals to Cozumel 4 Days for Only $100/person!

The next option on the list to get to Cozumel is by flight. Even though it’s possible to fly directly to Cozumel International Airport, most visitors choose to take a flight to Cancun International Airport, a car ride to Playa del Carmen, and then a ferry to Cozumel.

But why? Well, first of all, it’s typically cheaper and there are more direct flights to Cancun than Cozumel. Second of all, the journey from Cancun to Cozumel is not as much of a hassle as it sounds – in fact, it gives visitors an opportunity to enhance their vacations with a stop in the exciting beach destination of Playa del Carmen in Riviera Maya.

A common itinerary is to soak in the sun at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun and explore a couple of adventure parks in Playa del Carmen before heading to Cozumel and enjoying all the amazing things the island has to offer.

Xplor vs Xplor Fuego Adventure Cancun Park Review! [2022]
Xelha Water Park Review, Coupons & Tips for a Perfect Day! [2022]

In this article, I’ll share with you all the details on the best ways to get to Cozumel from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum to help make your journey as smooth and easy as possible.

Luxury under Budget aims at helping you get the best deals by maximizing the value of your time and money. My recommendations are based on first-hand experiences and a full analysis of costs vs. benefits. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may get a small commission when you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. This helps support my blog and enables me to provide more free and helpful content. Now, let’s go get you that luxury travel while staying under the budget!

Have You Got These Items For Your Trip Yet?

How to Get to Cozumel from Cancun

There is no direct ferry from Cancun to Cozumel, so you have three options: take a flight from Cancun to Cozumel, join a group tour, or get to Playa del Carmen and take a ferry.

You can fly from Cancun Airport to Cozumel

Looking for the fastest way to get from Cancun to Cozumel? Flying will no doubt be your fastest option since the flight between Cancun and Cozumel is only 20 minutes! And you’re in for a real treat. Not only is the flight quick and easy, but you’ll also get to enjoy some amazing views of the Caribbean Sea.

Yet this method of transportation doesn’t come cheap. The private flight from Cancun to Cozumel costs about $600/one way and can take up to 3 passengers with 1 suitcase and 1 piece of hand luggage each, or up to 5 passengers with hand luggage only.

Although it is not cheap to fly from Cancun to Cozumel, it is worth considering if you have a limited amount of time on vacation and want to visit both Cancun and Cozumel.

Joining a Tour from Cancun to Cozumel

If you don’t want to worry about the logistics, you can join a group tour from Cancun to Cozumel. The door-to-door transportation service makes it easy and all you have to worry about is showing up on time for the pick up from your hotel.

You have approximately 9 hours to explore the island of Cozumel, including ample time for snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, relaxing on the white-sand beaches, and checking out the Museum of the Island of Cozumel.

🤿Cozumel & Snorkel Day Trip from Cancun

Getting from Cancun to Playa del Carmen for Ferry to Cozumel Island

The most common way to get from Cancun to Cozumel is to first get to Playa del Carmen Ferry terminal and take a ferry to cross the water.

Is there Uber in Cancun? Nope, but here are a few ways you can use to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen:

1. Private Transfer Cancun to Playa del Carmen

The easiest way to get from Cancun International Airport to Playa del Carmen is to book a private transfer because you won’t have to worry as much about things that could go wrong. Your driver will wait for you in case there is any flight delay or issues with your luggage.

When you exit the airport after customs clearance and baggage claim, your driver will meet you with a greeting sign. They will walk you and your luggage to the car or SUV and take you directly to your destination.

If you want to change the airport pick up to a hotel pick up, you can. Depending on the hotel location in Cancun, there may or may not be an extra fee. I know that most pick-ups from Cancun Hotel Zone don’t incur additional fees.

The private transfer between Cancun and Playa del Carmen takes around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.

Private Transfer from Cancun to Playa del Carmen

2. Shared Shuttle from Cancun to Playa del Carmen

If you’re looking to cut costs on transportation from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, you may think of using a shared shuttle as an option.

With the shared shuttle, you are sacrificing time and convenience. The shuttle will make stops at all of Cancun International Airport terminals and in Cancun to pick up customers before heading to Playa del Carmen. As a result, it may take 1 to 1.5 hours to reach Playa del Carmen.

This method of transportation can be a good choice for solo travelers, but if you have a large group of three or more people, the private transfer would be a more cost-effective option.

Shared Transportation from Cancun to Playa del Carmen

3. Rent a Car

It is possible to rent a car and drive from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. You will be in full control of your schedules and where you want to stop. However, if you have a rental car, I would strongly suggest you return it in Playa del Carmen before coming to Cozumel.

The regular ferries (Ultramar and Winjet) which run regularly between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel do not transport vehicles. If you want to take your car to Cozumel, you will have to drive further south to Puerto de Punta Venado and use the Transcaribe ferry service to transport the car.

If you have a rental car and want to leave it behind in Playa del Carmen, you can. There’s an underground parking garage near Paseo del Carmen Shopping Plaza.

Even if you have Collision Damage Waiver coverage from U.S credit card companies, you will still be required to purchase Mexican car insurance. Discover Cars offers low rental rates and charges as low as $7 per day for full coverage! ✔️BOOK NOW

4. Get a Taxi

Since transportation from the Cancun International Airport is regulated, only authorized companies can have access and operate at the airport. As you make your way towards the exits, you will see several taxi booths trying to woo you in.

They are so overpriced that even when you can manage to bargain and bring the price down to 70-80% of what they originally offer, it may still be overpriced. Thinking you can bargain more? It’s very difficult because you don’t have leverage at the airport – all of the booths with different names are actually managed by the same company!

That’s why I would recommend choosing a private transfer with a trustworthy company versus a taxi at the airport. The price is more reasonable and you will have an English-speaking driver.

Before or by the taxi booths at the airport, you may be approached by a group of nicely dressed people who speak very good English, offering you a transfer to your hotel anywhere in Quintana Roo (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum) for free in exchange for 90 minutes of your time. You should just shake your head and make your way to the exit.

Free Transportation Scam – Is there Uber/Lyft in Cancun?

Now, if you are coming from a hotel in other areas in Cancun, you will have a better chance of bargaining a decent taxi deal.

Keep in mind that the taxi drivers will judge your appearance and give you a price based on that. If you dress nicely with an all-inclusive band around your wrist, you will most likely get a higher price. If you manage to act like it’s not your first time in Cancun and you seem familiar with the area, you may get a discount.

When you take a taxi from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, be sure to negotiate and agree on the fare before getting in the car. If you just jump in the car, they can throw out whatever price they want when you arrive at your destination. Make sure you know, agree to, and are firm on the price before you get in the taxi.

You can ask your hotel receptionist or the doorman to call a taxi for you. If you give them a nice tip, they are usually pretty good at negotiating the taxi rates for you as well.

In general, the taxi booths at the airport may quote you $100 to $120 (2,000 to 2,400 pesos) for a 4-seat taxi from Cancun International Airport to Playa del Carmen. If you book a taxi outside of the airport, you will have more leverage for bargaining since the taxi drivers know you have more transportation options. As of 2022, it can cost as low as 1,500-1,600 pesos ($75-$80) for a 4-seat taxi from Cancun Hotel Zone to Playa del Carmen.

5. Take a Bus

If you’re looking to save a little money on your trip to Cozumel, the bus-to-ferry transfer is the way to go – but of course, at the expense of time.

Getting from Cancun to Playa del Carmen by bus is the cheapest option and it will take longer than other transportation methods. You don’t need to pre-order the ADO bus ticket in advance. The bus tickets are sold on site at the booth or on the bus.

The ADO buses run directly from Cancun International Airport to downtown Playa del Carmen, with departures every half hour or so. A one-way ticket in an air-conditioned bus with luggage storage underneath the bus costs between $8 and $14.

When arriving in Playa Del Carmen, you can follow the information below to cross the water to Cozumel by ferry. You have two ferry companies to choose from: Ultramar and Winjet (Mexico Waterjet). I have taken both ferries to cross the water between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, so I can tell you the differences between the two ferries from my first-hand experiences.

Can You Catch a Ferry or Boat Directly from Cancun to Cozumel?

As of now, there is no ferry service that runs directly between Cancun and Cozumel – there are only ferries and catamaran tours that can take you from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. If you want to go to Cozumel, you can hire a private boat, but it will likely cost more money and time than chartering a flight from Cancun to Cozumel.

How to Get from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel

Traveling to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen is easy – there are two ferry companies that offer service between the island and Playa del Carmen. The two companies operating this route are Ultramar and Winjet. Both offer similar services, with big stable boats, air-conditioning, comfortable seats, toilets and a cafeteria on board, where you can buy soft drinks and snacks.

For both companies, there are kiosks at the pier, so you don’t need to worry about making a reservation in advance. Just show up and buy a ticket for the next boat leaving.

I prefer the seat outsides on the deck rather than the seats indoors. Winjet’s outdoor seats are very limited and placed at the end of the boat so depending on where you sit and the direction of the wind, the smell of engines can make it a very uncomfortable ride. Ultramar has more outdoor seats and you can choose the rooftop deck, which I think is much better than Winjet.

Playa del Carmen Ferry Terminal

The ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel is just a three-minute walk from the bus terminal or taxi ranks. The pier is located in the pedestrian zone down Quinta Avenida/Fifth Avenue Avenue and there are many signs pointing to the marina, so you won’t have any trouble finding it. You can buy tickets at the booths located next to Parque Los Fundadores.

The Ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel

Depending on the exchange rate, the ferry ticket to Cozumel costs about 10 US dollars one way. The ferry company, Winjet (Mexico Waterjet), is a bit cheaper. However, they have older vessels and the crossing can take a bit longer than Ultramar.

How long is the ferry ride from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel?

The journey by ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel takes about 45 minutes, but it may take one hour or longer due to the ferries having to load and unload passengers and pieces of luggage at each end of the trip.

Cozumel Ferry Terminal

The Cozumel ferry terminal is located right in downtown Cozumel. If you are visiting Cozumel on a day trip, you can start the exploration right away by crossing the streets to the downtown markets or scheduling your snorkeling/scuba diving tour pick up from the pier.

If you want to get to the hotel, you will find a line of people waiting for the taxi. The taxi rates are fixed and you can find the price on the price board by the pier. Just look for your hotel name and the corresponding prices. You won’t be able to negotiate the price by the pier, but rest assured it is not outrageously overpriced like at the airport.

Day Tour from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel

Joining a tour is a great way to get from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel without worrying about the logistics.

⛴️ Playa del Carmen to Cozumel Island Tour with Ferry, Snorkel, Virgin Beach, Buggy and Lunch

This tour includes the ferry tickets between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. It will transfer you to Chankanaab Park, located inside the National Marine Park. There you can explore the botanical gardens, watch the sea lion show, relax on the beach or enjoy snorkeling in crystal clear waters. After that, you can grab an all-terrain buggy to go to Punta Sur Ecological Park and climb the emblematic Celarain Lighthouse.

Take panoramic photos of the stunning scenery and visit the El Caracol sanctuary with archaeological remains and Laguna Colombia, which houses a variety of birds and crocodiles. The last stop will be tequila tasting before heading back.

How to Get from Tulum to Cozumel

There is currently no direct way to get from Tulum to Cozumel, so you will have to get to Playa del Carmen and take a ferry to cross the water to the island per the instructions above. Depending on your budget and travel preferences, you can take a taxi, drive a rental car, or hop on a bus from Tulum to Playa del Carmen.

The Wrap Up: How to Get to Cozumel from Cancun & Riviera Maya

Cozumel is a beautiful island with plenty of things to see and do. If you’re looking for a great place to snorkel or dive, look no further than Cozumel.

The fastest and certainly not the cheapest way to get from Cancun to Cozumel is to charter a flight (costing around $600 for a 20-minute flight). There is currently no ferry from Cancun to Cozumel, so your other option is to get to Playa del Carmen in Riviera Maya and board a ferry to cross the water.

If you don’t want to worry about logistics or standing in line to buy the tickets to Cozumel, you can join an organized tour/day trip from Cancun or Playa del Carmen to Cozumel!

✔️Cancun to Cozumel Day Trip

✔️Playa del Carmen to Cozumel Day Trip

No matter how you choose to get there, I hope you have found helpful information in this article. And be sure to book your snorkel or scuba diving tour in Cozumel in advance – these activities are super popular and tend to fill up quickly!

Cancun/Playa del Carmen Travel Resources

  1. Travel Insurance:
    • No one wants to think about what could go wrong on a vacation, but the truth is that accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have travel insurance, so you can relax and enjoy your trip knowing that you’re covered if something does go wrong. Don’t take the risk when you can be covered for cheap.
    • Safety Wing is a great option for budget-conscious travelers, as policies start at just $40 USD for a whole month! Basic policies cover travel emergencies, medical costs, and medical expenses while you’re in Mexico as well as transportation back to your home country under circumstances.
  2. Getting around Cancun
  3. Car Rental Scam
    • Don’t fall for car rental scams in Mexico! Make sure you have full coverage when you make the reservation so car rental agencies can’t upsell their insurance.
    • Discover Cars offers the cheapest car rental rates in Mexico and full coverage insurance for as low as $7 per day. 
  4. Best Places to Stay in and near Cancun
  5. Best Attractions & Activities in Cancun

Bonus: 61+ Best Cancun Quotes for Instagram & Social Media Captions!