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Cozumel Basics

Cozumel is the most popular cruise destination in the Western Caribbean area, noted for its tropical weather, fishing, abundant diving and snorkeling opportunities and Mayan ruins. The island sports a population of around 75,000 people, with most of the residents living in the main town of San Miguel. Cozumel is located in the Mexican State of Quintana Roo, which also encompasses much of the Yucatan peninsula.

Cozumel's economy is completely dependent on tourism. It was hit hard by Hurricane Wilma in November 2005, completely knocking out the three cruise terminals and other infrastructure. But the island has come back stronger than ever, with the port authority taking the opportunity to double the cruise ship berthing capacity.

The weather in Cozumel is tropical, with warm days and high humidities the norm. The rainy season lasts from June through November; expect a brief afternoon shower every day, and the occasional torrential downpour. The dry season lasts from December through May. June through November is hurricane season.

First Impressions

Cozumel is a large flat coastal island 12 miles off the coast of the Yucatan peninsula. Most of the island is uninhabited, covered with dense vegetation. The island is comprised primarily of limestone. Your ship will dock in the city of San Miguel, which is by far the largest settlement on the island.

There are three cruise ship piers and one passenger ferry pier on Cozumel Island. The Punta Langosta Pier is located in the center of San Miguel's downtown area, and is a short walk to the town's restaurants, bars and shops. The TMM International Pier is about 5 miles south of San Miguel's downtown area. The Puerta Maya Pier is just south of the International Pier.

The San Miguel Passenger Ferry Pier is adjacent to the Punta Langosta Pier in downtown San Miguel; this is where you will board the ferry to Playa del Carmen.

There are basically three things to do on your visit to Cozumel. Scuba diving and snorkeling are what brings most folks to the island, owing to the large number of excellent reef sites that are situated on the western shore of the island. You can also check out the Mayan ruins that exist on the island and on the mainland, at Tulum, Coba and other locations; Tulum is particularly well preserved and worth a visit. And lastly, you can dine, drink and/or shop in San Miguel's bars, restaurants, stores and shopping centers.

San Miguel is a fairly compact city that is easy to get around. The central square is known as Plaza del Sol, and on the west side of the plaza you'll find the ferry docks that take you to Playa del Carmen, a 45-minute boat ride away. Ave. Rafael Melgar is the main beachside road, or Malecon, that runs the length of the city from the airport in the north to the southern reaches of the city. If your ship docks at the International Pier or the Puerta Maya Pier, you'll need to take a taxi to get to the downtown area.

Ancient Mayan Road

Time Zone

Cozumel is on Central Time, six hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time during Standard Time, and seven hours later than GMT during Daylight Savings Time. Daylight savings time begins on the first Sunday of April, and ends on the last Sunday of October.

Language

Spanish is universally spoken in Cozumel and Playa del Carmen; all of the restaurant and shop personnel catering to tourists also speak English.

Travel Advisory

The U. S. Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico about the security situation in Mexico.

"Since 2006, the Mexican government has engaged in an extensive effort to combat transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). The TCOs, meanwhile, have been engaged in a vicious struggle to control drug trafficking routes and other criminal activity...

"There is no evidence that U.S. tourists have been targeted by criminal elements due to their citizenship. Nonetheless, while in Mexico you should be aware of your surroundings at all times and exercise particular caution in unfamiliar areas..."

Currency

The Peso is Mexico's official currency, and uses the "$" sign to denote the peso amount.

As of February 3, 2012, the exchange rate was roughly 12.60 Pesos per US dollar.

Just be aware: larger notes (e.g., $500 Peso notes) are often difficult to change.

Banks and ATMs

You will find an ATM machine in most all of the hotels on Cozumel. Banks with ATM machines can be found in the downtown area of San Miguel; many are located around Plaza del Sol, which is just behind the dock of the passenger ferry to Playa del Carmen. Some ATMs dispense US dollars along with Pesos. ATM machines in the downtown area can be found at the following locations:

Santander Serfin: has a branch located at 10th Av. #198, at the corner of Calle 3 sur.

Bancomer: has two branches near the Plaza del Sol, at 5th Av. at Plaza del Sol, and at Ave. Rafael Melgar, #1001.

HSBC: has a branch located at 5th Av. on the corner of Calle 1 sur.

Citibank: has a branch located at 5th Av. South #8, in downtown San Miguel.

Banorte: has a branch located at 5th Av. at the Plaza del Sol.

Banamex: has a branch located at Calle 1 South and A R Salas.

To see the locations of Cozumel's ATMs, see our Cozumel ATM map.

Using US Dollars in Cozumel

You don't have to change your dollars into pesos, as US dollars are widely accepted in Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. If you're using dollars alone, make sure to bring smaller denominations to pay for incidentals and taxi rides.

Weather

Cozumel enjoys a tropical climate, with warm year-round temperatures and daytime highs averaging around 85° F (30°C). There are two seasons in Cozumel: summer (or Rainy Season) lasts from June through October, and winter (or Dry Season) lasts from November through May.

During the summer months, rain falls almost daily, with brief showers typically falling in the afternoon. During this period, you can also expect occasional torrential rain and thunder showers, and the humidity is in the high 80% range. During the winter months, rainfall is rare, and the humidity drops to the low 80% range.

Water temperatures average around 80°F (27°C) year round.

Fall brings the hurricane season, typically lasting from mid-June through mid-November.

Cozumel Average Temperatures
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg High - F	82	84	84	87	86	87	87	89	87	86	82	82
Avg High - C	28	29	29	31	30	31	31	32	31	30	28	28
Avg Low - F	68	68	68	71	73	73	73	73	73	73	71	68
Avg Low - C	20	20	20	22	23	23	23	23	23	23	22	20

Cozumel Average Precipitation
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg, Inches	3.2	2.4	1.3	1.8	4.4	7.6	4.6	5.6	9.5	9.6	4.8	4.2
Avg, mm	81	60	32	45	111	192	116	142	240	243	123	107

Cozumel Weather Forecast, Mexico

Keeping In Touch

Internet Cafes

You can find internet cafes throughout San Miguel; their rates vary, but are generally pretty reasonable. Here are a few suggestions:

CoffeeNet has several locations in San Miguel: Av. Rafael E. Melgar #798 (located on the corner of the Malecon and Avenida 11 Sur). Internet rates are $9 per hour. Open daily, 8:00 am to 11:00 pm., year round. Phone: (987) 26394.

Palma Dorada located at A. R. Salas #44, between the Malecon and 5th Av. Internet rates are US$1 per hour. Open daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Phone: (987) 872-0330.

RX Internet Cafe, Calle 7 sur No. 14 between the Malecon (R.E. Melgar) and 5th Av. Internet rates are 10 cents per minute, with no minimum. Open daily from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. Phone: (987) 23179

Starbucks has a store at the Punta Langosta shopping center, across from the Punta Langosta pier; they offer free Wi-Fi.

To see the locations of Cozumel's Internet Cafe and Wi-Fi locations, see our Map of Cozumel Internet Cafes & Wi-Fi Hotspots.

Finding US Newspapers.

You can find a variety of U.S. newspapers and magazines, including USA Today, The Miami Herald, People, Cosmopolitan and Vanity Fair, at the Agencia de Publicaciones Gracia, located on the east side of the Plaza del Sol in San Miguel.

Kindle Connectivity

In Cozumel, you can download your Kindle newspaper and magazine subscriptions, as well as books and selected blogs, through Telcel's EDGE/GPRS coverage in the city. Telcel's coverage in Playa del Carmen is 3-G.

Local Holidays & Festivals

Look for the following local festivals, holidays and events taking place in Cozumel in 2012:

Ano Nuevo (New Year's Day), January 1. National holiday celebrated with dances and fiestas.

Dia de los Santos Reyes (Day of the Three Kings), January 6. A national holiday celebrating the New Testament story of the arrival of the three wise men who each brought a gift to the Christ child. It's the day that children receive gifts as well as shoes full of candy, and people buy a pastry called rosca de reyes.

Dia de la Constitucion (Constitution Day), February 5. Public holiday commemorating the signing of the Mexican Constitution of 1917. The day is usually marked by festivals and street celebrations in and around San Miguel. Most of the businesses in and around Cozumel close for the day to join in the fun.

Carnaval (Mardis Gras), February 15 to 22. Throughout the city of San Miguel, you'll find venues featuring music, food, costume parades and art exhibits, plus nighttime fireworks. The big party is the night of the 21st.

Birthday of Benito Juarez, March 21. A public holiday celebrating the birthday of Benito Juarez, who rose from humble origins to occupy the Presidency of the Republic in the second half of the 19th century. In San Miguel, you'll see processions and other public events centered around the Parque de Benito Juarez, with nighttime fireworks displays and partying. Since it takes place on Wednesday in 2012, people also get off on Monday, March 19.

Semana Santa (Easter Week), April 1 to 8. You can witness re-enactments of the Bible story, the burning of Judases and a fiesta atmosphere.

Fiesta de la Santa Cruz/Feria del Cedral, April 15 to May 6. This festival celebrates the first mass at the village of El Cedral, which was the first settlement on Cozumel. The celebrations include bullfights, folk music and dancing.

Primero de Mayo (Labor Day), May 1. A national holiday.

Cinco de Mayo, May 5. A Mexican holiday commemorating the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when the Mexican army defeated a French force twice its size just south of Mexico City. In Cozumel look for street parties and a nighttime fireworks display.

Dia del San Pedro y San Pablo (Saint Peter and Saint Paul Day), June 29. In addition to the religious ceremonies honoring these two saints, you'll find an evening carnival and nighttime fireworks.

Election Day, July 1. A national holiday set aside for the election of a new Mexican president in 2012.

Independence Day, September 16. Look for the delivery of the "El Grito de Dolores," the official grunt that marks the day. The activities in Cozumel take place beginning on the evening of the 15th, and at one minute past midnight the celebrations begin, accompanied by a fireworks display.

Fiesta de San Miguel Arcangel, September 21 to 29. This week-long festival celebrates Cozumel's patron saint, St. Michael (San Miguel) with processions through the streets. On the 29th, fishermen load an image of San Miguel on a boat, taking it out onto the water. The boat is followed by city residents, who board a ferry and throw flowers upon the sea. Later, look for a nighttime fireworks display.

Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day), October 12. Dia de la Raza is how Mexico celebrates Columbus Day. In downtown San Miguel, they've got a carnival with lively music and entertainment for the city dwellers.

Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), November 1 and 2. A day when celebrants honor the deceased. Locals celebrate with music and decorate shrines with flowers and photos.

Revolution Day, November 20. A national holiday celebrating the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Throughout the island they've got carnival parades, lively festivities and a nighttime fireworks display. The most lavish activities take place in San Miguel.

Inauguration Day, December 1. In 2012, this national holiday celebrates the inauguration of the new Mexican president.

Fiesta de la Inmaculada (Feast of the Immaculate Conception), December 8. Marks the beginning of the Christmas celebration season.

Dia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe), December 12. Commemorates the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint. In Cozumel, expect to see parades, festive partying and a nighttime fireworks display.

Navidad (Christmas Day), December 25. A public and religious holiday celebrating the birth of Christ.

Cruise Lines Making Port

Cozumel is the most popular port in the Western Caribbean. In 2012, Cozumel will welcome 879 cruise ships carrying just under 2.5 million passengers to the island. If you'd like to see which cruise ships are scheduled to arrive in Cozumel, check out our Cozumel Cruise Ship Schedule - 2012.

The following cruise lines make port in Cozumel: