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Getting There & Away in Cozumel

How do you get to Cozumel?

Getting There2.7/10Harder to reach than about 80% of cities
Main airport
Cozumel International Airport

Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: airport-cozumel.com, cozumel-tours.com

Good to Know

  • Ferry tickets issued by Ultramar are not accepted on Winjet ferries and vice versa; buy one-way tickets for flexibility on return journey.
  • Pre-book airport transfers at least 24 hours in advance to guarantee availability and confirmed pickup times.
  • Cozumel Airport is approximately 7 minutes driving distance from the ferry pier, so airport-to-ferry combinations are straightforward.
  • Regular city taxis cannot pick up directly at the airport terminal; walk out to Diego's restaurant at airport exit or exit the airport and flag down a taxi to arrange pickup.
  • Ferry schedules and fares change seasonally and monthly; always confirm current times and prices directly with operators before traveling.
  • Round-trip ferry tickets save 10-15% versus buying individual one-way tickets, though one-way offers more scheduling flexibility.
  • Arrive at ferry terminal 30 minutes before departure; luggage must be checked in early if transporting larger items.
  • Taxi fares from cruise ship piers are quoted in USD; downtown taxis typically accept both pesos and USD, but exchanging USD at the taxi union rate is significantly less favorable than bank rates.
  • Arriving cruise passengers exiting the port at Punta Langosta can often walk downtown; International Pier and Puerta Maya require short taxi rides.
  • Ferry rides across are genuinely pleasant—modern boats with AC cabins, open decks, and Caribbean views; occasionally feature live music.
  • Cozumel is a small island; most attractions are accessible by foot downtown or short taxi ride from ferry terminal and major hotels.
  • Mopeds and scooters are popular but can be dangerous for inexperienced drivers; use caution or opt for guided tours if unfamiliar with island riding.

Ferry Connections

Car Ferry
Vehicle ferries available from Punta Venado (Terminal Maritima Calica) in Playa del Carmen for those transporting rental cars
Crossing Time
40-45 minutes
Primary Route
Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
Distance From Mainland
Approximately 12 miles (19 km) from mainland
Ferry Terminal Location
Playa del Carmen Maritime Terminal on the beachfront, centrally located and within walking distance of downtown
Cozumel Terminal Location
Downtown San Miguel, main ferry terminal within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and tour operators
Booking Notes
Arrive 30 minutes early; specify flight arrival time when booking transfers; tickets valid 6 months; one-way tickets provide more flexibility as different companies do not accept each other's tickets

Schedule

Operating Hours
From 7:00-7:30 AM to 9:00-10:00 PM daily
Departure Frequency
Over 20 crossings daily; roughly hourly departures
Low Season Note
Typically 6-9 departures daily in each direction; Sunday schedules may have reduced early morning and late evening services
Peak Season Note
Two services alternate trips on the hour from 7:00 AM until 10:00 PM; third service offers crossings on the half-hour from 7:30 to 9:30 PM

Ticket Prices

Adult One Way
MX$250
Adult Round Trip
MX$500
Children Under 5
Free
Locals And Seniors
Discounts available with ID; Quintana Roo residents and INAPAM seniors qualify
Child 5 To 11 One Way
MX$210
Child 5 To 11 Round Trip
MX$420

Ferry Operators

  • Ultramar
    Color
    Yellow and blue
    Vessel Type
    Modern catamarans
    Notes
    Larger operator; more modern fleet; consistent on-time performance
  • Winjet
    Color
    Orange and blue
    Vessel Type
    Modern ferries
    Notes
    Smaller competitor; similar boats; often slightly lower prices
  • Xcaret Xailing (Ferry Xcaret)
    Color
    Blue
    Vessel Type
    Modern ferries
    Notes
    Newer entrant since 2024; hourly departures; pet-friendly zones available

Onboard Amenities

Pets
Pet-friendly zones available; no crate or carrier needed; bicycles welcome free of charge
Seating
Assigned seating available
Exterior
Open-air decks
Interior
Air-conditioned cabins with panoramic windows
Services
WiFi, restrooms, bar service, snack bar, live music on some sailings, luggage storage
Accessibility
Designated seats and spaces for people with disabilities; wheelchair-accessible areas

Airport Ground Transport

  • Shared Shuttle
    Capacity
    1-10 passengers
    Price One Way
    MX$200
    Price Round Trip
    MX$380
    Notes
    Starting price for downtown areas; zone-based pricing varies from $16-26 USD one-way; may have multiple stops; requires pre-booking 24 hours in advance
  • Private Car Transfer
    Capacity
    1-3 passengers
    Price One Way
    MX$735
    Price Round Trip
    MX$1,385
    Notes
    Direct, non-stop service; available one-way or round-trip
  • Private Shuttle Van
    Capacity
    1-8 passengers
    Notes
    Air-conditioned vehicles; direct service available
  • Private Minibus
    Capacity
    4-10 passengers
    Notes
    For larger groups; prices available upon request
  • Taxi From Airport
    Price
    MX$700
    Notes
    Approximate fare to downtown; taxis do not pick up directly at airport terminal—must walk out and flag down or use Diego's restaurant at airport exit to call one
  • Car Rental
    Price Daily Weekly
    MX$315
    Notes
    Starting at $18 USD per day for weekly rentals with unlimited mileage; companies include ISIS Rentals, Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, National, Alamo; not available directly at airport terminal

Ground Transport On Island

  • Taxi
    Capacity
    Up to 5 passengers standard; larger vans hold up to 8
    Regulation
    Government-regulated zone-based pricing
    Additional Charges
    Phone call: +8 pesos; pickup from ferry pier/supermarket/taxi stand: +8 pesos; night service (midnight-6AM): +12 pesos; pickup from bar: +12 pesos; wait time: 140 pesos/hour; hourly rental in town: 200 pesos/hour
    Cruise Terminal Pricing
    Priced in USD, not pesos; example: Downtown $8 USD, Fiesta Americana $11 USD, Iberostar $19 USD
    Notes
    Ask rate before accepting ride; most taxis are white; rates vary for 1-5 people

    Pricing Zone Example

    Downtown To Downtown
    MX$26
    Downtown To North Hotel Zone
    MX$75
    Downtown To South Hotel Zone
    MX$95
  • Collectivo (Shared Van)
    Routes
    Fixed routes marked on van windshields; all routes begin and end at Chedraui Plaza
    Restrictions
    No animals, smoking, or alcohol; scheduled stops only
    Price Per Ride
    MX$10
    Operating Hours
    7 AM to 9 PM daily; Sundays service may be delayed

    Child Pricing

    Under 3
    MX$4.00
    Students And Seniors
    MX$5.00
  • Car Rental
    Price Range Per Day
    MX$315
    Notes
    Companies include ISIS Rentals, Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, National, Alamo; vehicles include convertibles, jeeps, dune buggies, mopeds
  • Bicycle Rental
    Notes
    Available at several locations around town; affordable option for short distances
  • Golf Cart or Moped
    Notes
    Popular rentals for island exploration; mopeds can be dangerous for inexperienced drivers
  • Walking
    Notes
    Most attractions in central downtown (Centro) are within walking distance; primary option for downtown/Centro exploration

Airport

Name
Cozumel International Airport
Gates
8
Flights
Both domestic and international flights
Runways
2
IATA Code
CZM
Icao Code
MMCZ
Terminals
1
Distance From Center
Central location on the island
Arrival Checkpoint Info
Single terminal facility, much smaller than nearby Cancun International Airport
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

  1. 1.airport-cozumel.com
  2. 2.airport-cozumel.com
  3. 3.cozumel-tours.com
  4. 4.cozumel-tours.com
  5. 5.cozumel-tours.com
  6. 6.xcaret.com
  7. 7.thisiscozumel.com
  8. 8.ferryhopper.com
  9. 9.cozumelcruiseexcursions.net
  10. 10.cozinfo.com
  11. 11.everythingcozumel.com
  12. 12.cozumelvillas.com
  13. 13.aaa.com
  14. 14.lonelyplanet.com
  15. 15.cozumelconnection.com
  16. 16.xe.com
  17. 17.fred.stlouisfed.org

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.