15 Best Things To Do In Cozumel, Mexico

1. Dolphinaris Cozumel

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

An attraction for all types of guests, Dolphinaris Cozumel is an exciting destination for families, couples, friends, and even solo wanderers. It is located in a tropical setting. This dreamy place lets guests enjoy a day in the waters and play with some of its friendly inhabitants - the dolphins. Besides delightful encounters with dolphins, guests may enjoy a museum tour that features exhibits on facts and trivia about the ocean. Dolphinaris Cozumel has showers, a changing room, a souvenir shop, and a superb floating restaurant that serves Mexican and seafood fares.

Dolphinaris Cozumel

Address: Zona 2, Km.1.5, Av. Rafael E. Melgar, Gonzalo Guerrero, 77600 San Miguel de Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico

Website: Dolphinaris Cozumel

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sun)

Price: From 69 USD

2. Dr. Adolfo Rosado Salas Monument

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Dr. Adolfo Rosado Salas Monument is one of the most iconic landmarks in Cozumel. It is located in the heart of the island - in a street named after the same doctor that the monument portrays. With the seas as its background, nothing’s more dreamy than this monument’s postcard-perfect setting. Dr. Adolfo Rosado Salas was a doctor in Cozumel in the 1940s. Although he wasn’t born and raised in Cozumel, he was well-loved for his free medical assistance for the people. Because of the locals’ adoration for him, they named a street after him and built a structure in his likeness made of concrete and marble.

Dr. Adolfo Rosado Salas Monument

Address: Calle Dr Adolfo Rosado Salas 10, Centro, 77600 San Miguel de Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

3. Letras Cozumel

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

One of the most picture-perfect tourist attractions in Cozumel that you must not miss is Letras Cozumel. Set right in front of the Grand Park Royal Cozumel Hotel, Letras Cozumel are large multi-colored stacked alphabets that spell out the city’s name - Cozumel. It features pink, purple, green, blue, and orange colors, creating a fun and festive vibe. Its location is perfect as it has the Caribbean Sea as its backdrop, and in its location, the sunsets are beautiful.

Letras Cozumel

Address: Playa Paraiso Km. 3.5, Chankanaab Sur, Zona Hotelera Nte., 77675 San Miguel de Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico

4. Coral Reefs Monument

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Cozumel is a beautiful coastal city adorned with many stunning monuments and tourist attractions. One of them is the Coral Reefs Monument in Avenida General Avenue. It is a concrete art installation that features coral reefs, marine animals, and scuba divers - reflecting the rich biodiversity of Cozumel. The Caribbean sea gives it a stunning background that looks even more magical during sunset. Also, the Coral Reefs Monument has a series of fountains that treat people to a sight of dancing waters. This monument is conveniently close to shops and restaurants, making it an excellent stop before or after going on a shopping spree or food trip.

Coral Reefs Monument

Address: Avenida General, Av. Rafael E. Melgar 101, Centro, 77600 San Miguel de Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico

5. Dolphin Discovery Cozumel

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Located in Parque Nacional Chankanaab, Dolphin Discovery Cozumel is an idyllic attraction that welcomes families, friends, love birds, and solo adventurers. It promises its guests a fun-filled day under the sun and in the company of friendly dolphins. Tourists can hug, kiss, and play with adorable dolphins all day long. You can choose among many activities that this destination offers, including the Dolphin Encounter, Dolphin VIP Swim, Dive With Dolphins, and more. Plus, you can also book a Manatee Encounter and Sea Lion Discovery packages.

Dolphin Discovery Cozumel

Address: Carretera Costera Sur Km. 9.5, Parque Nacional Chankanaab, 77600 San Miguel de Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico

Website: Dolphin Discovery Cozumel

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

Price: From 62 USD

6. Cozumel Sailing

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Cozumel Sailing is a superb tour company that offers tourists delightful opportunities to make their Cozumel holiday one for the books. One of their many packages includes the Tucan Sailing Adventure, which takes sea-lovers to secluded beaches on the northern side of the island. Its Sunset Sail package is popular among couples and friends as it is a romantic adventure that includes music and food with the magical sunset as the backdrop. Private charters for families and workmates are also offered. Cozumel Sailing also has deep-sea fishing adventures for tourists who are into these kinds of activities.

Cozumel Sailing

Address: Av. Rafael E. Melgar S/N, Zona Hotelera Nte., 77613 San Miguel de Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico

Website: Cozumel Sailing

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat: 9am - 1pm (closed on Sun)

Price: From 25 USD

7. Playa El Cielo

People say a trip to Cozumel’s Playa El Cielo is the most spectacular experience in the Caribbean. El Cielo, which means “heaven” in English, has shallow, crystal clear water and is accessible by boat - some snorkelling tour companies offer a stop here. El Cielo is the perfect place to just go and relax in the water after a day of exploring and adventure and a great place to enjoy some cold beverages and just float in the hot sun.

Also, El Cielo is supposed to be one of the cleanest and safest beaches on the island, with soft, white powder sand.

Cozumel "El Cielo"

Address: Ave Melgar (Malecon), Cozumel, Quintana Roo 77600

Website: El Cielo Tour

8. Palancar Reef

There are few people who would say they never want to go diving, at least once in their lives. Amazing coral reef, colourful fish, clear water - it’s something everyone should experience. And Cozumel is the perfect place for diving, being part of the world’s second largest coral reef system. Located on the southwest side of the island, Palancar Reef is divided into a couple of sections with different levels of difficulty, based on depth and coral formations.

Palancar Reef is also part of the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park. Especially recommended is a reef called Horseshoe, considered intermediate in experience level.

Scuba diving in Cozumel

Website: Diving Map

9. Chankanaab National Park

Chankanaab is a national park under protection since 1980 and one of Cozumel’s greatest wonders. It’s the perfect place for everyone, young and old and it offers plenty of amazing attractions, including snorkelling, scuba diving and swimming with dolphins! There’s also the Adventure Beach Club, located in the park, with a nice swimming area, playgrounds and much more.

Admission to the park is 21 USD for adults and 14 USD for children. Just remember, they close at 5 pm!

Chankanaab Park

Address: Carretera Costera Sur Km. 9.5, 77600 Cozumel, Q.R.

Website: Chankanaab Park

10. San Gervasio ruins

Located in the northern part of the island, the Mayan ruins of San Gervasio are Cozumel’s biggest and only official archaeological site. The ruins were once a site of worship for Ixchel, the goddess of love. A trip to the ruins will let you experience the mystery of Mayan culture and are well worth a visit.

Park entry is under 5 USD and there is an additional fee of 4.50 USD from the Parks and Museums Foundation of Cozumel to access the road leading into the site and the service area. Since it’s located in the middle of the island, a couple of kilometres away from the city, there are a couple of ways to get to the ruins. You can take a tour to the ruins, through a company like Cozumel Tours, where you’ll be able to learn a lot about the site from your guide. Or, you can take a taxi there, and explore the site on your own.

Mayan Ruins

Address: Kilómetro 7.5, Carretera Transversal, Centro, 77600 Cozumel, Q.R., Meksyk

Website: San Gervasio Tour

11. Discover Mexico Cozumel Park

The east side of Cozumel is called the “Wild Side” of Cozumel, by the locals and tourists, because of its deserted beaches and jungle. If you get tired of the crowds, this is the place to go, where you can become Robinson Crusoe for a few hours. You can take an ATV tour to get you here, but you can also rent a car and hang around in this wonderland until sunset, for a chance to feel like you’re in a movie.

Cozumel's "Wild Side"

Website: ATV Trip

12. Punta Molas Faro

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Molas Point Lighthouse can be found at the northernmost point of the island. The only way to get here is by a rutted road, only open to four-wheel drive vehicles or buggies. There are plenty of ATV companies offering crazy tours up north, through the spectacular jungle. But, no matter how you get here, you will find yourself in a place that makes you feel like you’re at the edge of the world.

Punta Molas ATV ride

Website: ATV Rental

13. Punta Sur Eco Beach Park

Every wildlife lover must visit Punta Sur Eco Beach Park, known also as Faro Celerain Eco Park. It lies on the southern tip of the island and it contains many different animal species, including exotic birds and crocodiles. But that’s not all, in the park you can also visit the El Caracol Mayan Ruins and the lighthouse.

The admission is 14 USD per person, and the easiest way to get here is by taxi.

Punta Sur Eco Beach Park

Website: Punta Sur Eco Beach Park

14. The Mayan Cacao Company

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Who doesn’t love chocolate? Everyone loves chocolate, whether you’re a child or an adult and we all have our favourite, between white, milk, dark, with almonds or without. If you have ever wondered about the origins of the world’s favourite treat, a visit to the Mayan Cacao Company is a must. In this interactive adventure, you can learn about the whole history of cacao and how it is turned into chocolate.

Admission is 15 USD or 9 USD for children and the museum is open Monday through Saturday, from 8 am to 4 pm.

The Mayan Cacao Factory

Address: Carretera Costera Sur km. 15.5, C.P. 77600, Cozumel, Q. Roo

Website: The Mayan Cacao Factory

15. El Paso del Cedral Reef

If you’re looking for a great, colourful reef to take some good photographs, El Paso del Cedral is the place to go. Full of sponges, corals and big fish, like grunts and porkfish, the reef is 50 to 60 feet (15.2 to 18.3 meters) deep and is rated as intermediate.

Diving in El Paso del Cedral

Website: El Pas del Cedral Reef

A place for everyone

No matter if you’re a beach, sun or tequila lover, or if you prefer to spend time on some mind-blowing adventures, you should give Cozumel a shot. This incredible island has a lot to offer and will amaze everyone with its natural wonders.