Cozumel Quintana Roo Mexico, Riviera Maya cruise port schedule

Table Of Content

• Puerta Maya and International Terminal
• Punta Langosta Mall
• Best Lunch Restaurants and Bars within Walking Distance of Punta Langosta:
• Search Underway for Missing Cruise Passenger in Mexico
• What side of Cozumel has the best beaches?
• Walkability Makes Cozumel Port Days Cheap and Chill
• Night Eastern / Western CaribbeanDetails

Previously, the plan for a 4th berth was rejected in June 2016 by local residents following public consultation. The site for the new terminal was in front of Marina Banco Playa (Puerto de Abrigo, island's northern coast). Port Cozumel also has a Ferry Pier located to the north of Punta Langosta.

Puerta Maya and International Terminal

Have lunch at Chen Rio’s as you overlook the waves crashing against the magnificent rocks along the shore. The palapa-inspired decor gives you an authentic tropical island experience. There’s an extensive menu to peruse and a sandy path down to the sea for exploring after lunch. This beach is tucked away on the less popular east side of the island. Here, you can rent a hammock or lounger or use your belongings for sitting privately and spending time alone in paradise. If you’re looking for a quieter place to relax and enjoy a good book without interruption, try visiting one of these options on the “other” side of the island.

Punta Langosta Mall

Anchoring in Cozumel promises an array of experiences, from diving in crystal-clear waters to savoring mouthwatering Mexican cuisine. Stretching your adventure a bit beyond Cozumel cruise port borders can reward you with experiences that are both diverse and enriching. Here, you’ll find a plethora of duty-free shops, restaurants, and a vibrant plaza that often features local musicians and dancers.

Best Lunch Restaurants and Bars within Walking Distance of Punta Langosta:

The list of amenities also includes a swim-up bar, beach bar, public restrooms, outdoor showers (freshwater), beach hammocks, palapas umbrellas, English-speaking staff, lounge chairs. During the post-COVID season 2022, Port Cozumel recorded a total of 1117 ship calls and handled 2, million cruisers. For season 2023, the Port had booked 1154 ship berthings (scheduled ship visits) with estimated 3, million tourists.

Search Underway for Missing Cruise Passenger in Mexico

But to ensure your time on the island is not just enjoyable but also seamless and efficient, we’ve curated a list of insider tips. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sea traveler, these nuggets of wisdom will come in handy. Even if you’re on a tight cruise schedule, the island generously offers an array of activities and sights just a stone’s throw away from the port.

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Is It Safe to Travel to Mexico? What Cruisers Need to Know.

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The day pass provides access to amenities like kayaks, showers, lockers, hammocks, and loungers. You’ll also find a Mexican-style buffet restaurant and a fully-stocked bar. Chankanaab’s beach area has sandy spots, although the shoreline itself has many rocks. On the beach, you’ll find chairs, hammocks, and beach huts for lounging. You can find the most pristine, sandy-white beaches along the southwestern coast of Cozumel.

After debarking from the ship walk down the pier and through the overpass to get to the entrance of Punta Langosta Mall. At the end of the pier is a mandatory security checkup area that ensures you don’t bring in prohibited items into the island including food. Because Cozumel has evolved to become a major tourist hub with almost all cruise lines featuring this once sleepy island in their western Caribbean itineraries. Some of the cruise companies have partnered with the island’s government and developed the piers into stunning areas that feature all the tourist attractions that cruisers love. If you're taking a cruise vacation in the western Caribbean it is likely your cruise ship will call in Cozumel, Mexico so here's everything you need to know and useful cruise tips about Cozumel cruise ports. Tucked inside Hotel Barracuda, No Name Bar is another Cozumel staple.

Restaurants Near the Cozumel Cruise Port (Plus Shopping and Other Services)

This is the favorite place for many cruise passengers and the perfect spot to either begin or end your day in Cozumel. Around 11 miles off the coast of the Yucatan peninsula and right across Playa del Carmen, Cozumel is the largest island in Mexico and the most popular cruise ship port in the Caribbean. In fact, with over 3 million cruise ship passengers docking in Cozumel every year, it is one of the most visited ports in the World.

Night Eastern / Western CaribbeanDetails

The all-inclusive fee includes drinks, beach access, free WiFi, a pool, a hot tub, restrooms, outdoor showers, and more. After paying the balance of our day pass, we were guided to a set of chairs and an umbrella. It was beachfront, with easy access to the water, the restrooms, and a bar. Right away, our drink order was taken, and we settled in to enjoy the beach. During our Royal Caribbean cruise this winter, we decided to book a day at Nachi Cocom Beach Club and Water Sports Center.

Many also charge an admission fee, so have some pesos with you before you go. Being the most popular cruise port in Mexico means Cozumel has its fair share of souvenir stores. Unlike other busy cruise port shops, Los Cinco Soles is at the far end of downtown and widely considered to have the best selection of handcrafts, silver, and naturally grown vanilla.

It’s really hard NOT to see some amazing things in the water around Cozumel. There are many more places you can dive and snorkel in Cozumel, so don’t look at this list as exhaustive. In fact, if you have a great reef to check out please let us know in the comment section below this post.

We recommend booking either at the airport or in advance online. The bus ride from Cancun to Playa del Carmen is about one hour. Just like you’ve seen on TV, you can explore Cozumel while cracking clues, solving mysteries, and playing adventurous games with fellow travelers. This competitive journey will take about 4.5 hours and there is a post-race award ceremony that follows.

If you want truly spectacular Mayan ruins you can still see them during your cruise to Cozumel, but since they are on the main land of Mexico it will be an all-day event which will require a ferry ride. Chichen Itza (recently named one of the 7 wonders of the world) and Tulum are the main Mayan sites you can see. I recommend grabbing a local taxi right at the cruise port to make sure you’re getting the real deal. This is a little confusing to cruise ship passengers who have never been to Cozumel before.

Cruise Terminals in Cozumel Mexico Port: Review 2023

Table Of Content

• MSC Cruises adds Costa Maya and Cozumel to Seascape ship's ex-Galveston itinerary
• Luxury Caribbean Cruises
• Top Tips for Visiting Cozumel on a Cruise
• Cozumel’s Best-Known Features in 2024: the Inside Scoop

In front of the terminal, you’ll spot a spacious area featuring a large Margaritaville, usually filled with cheerful people dancing salsa, drinking tequila, or eating delicious Mexican food. There are plenty of tour booths, shops, several bars, and restaurants (Bar Mandy, Senor Frog’s, Bubba Gump Shrimp…) in this area. This is where you meet your tour operators when joining the shore excursions. Normally they hold the signs with tour names, so you can easily spot them. In the port area you’ll find a number of restaurants such as Fat Tuesday, Three Amigos, and Pancho’s Backyard.

MSC Cruises adds Costa Maya and Cozumel to Seascape ship's ex-Galveston itinerary

Without a doubt, Puerta Maya is the most beautiful port in Cozumel, so if you don’t want to wander far, you can enjoy yourself at this port without any additions. It offers beautiful views of the ocean and surrounding areas and a good atmosphere to enjoy your meal in. Whatever makes you feel calmer and refueled, be sure to set aside time during your Cozumel vacation to breathe and enjoy where you’re at. They considered Cozumel a type of sacred space, an island sanctuary, and it became a site for many important ceremonies and rituals. One such practice was the fertility ritual, and you can still spot remnants of these temples around the island.

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Search Continues for Missing Cruise Passenger in Mexico.

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Luxury Caribbean Cruises

Other than the three piers mentioned in this article, there is also the Ferry Pier. If you want to take a trip to Playa Del Carmen, at the ferry pier is where your trip will start at. Taxis are available on this port, for $10 each way to San Miguel. Try sharing the ride with 3 other people so that you can split the cost. If you happen to be in Cozumel on a Sunday, then you should definitely visit the town square.

Top Tips for Visiting Cozumel on a Cruise

Hail any taxi returning from the other ports and destinations. It will also be a bit cheaper this way but ensure you confirm the price before getting in. It is used by ships, ferries and some of the smaller cruise lines. This is the best port to dock at if you want to have an authentic Cozumel exploration since it’s right in the heart of San Miguel town.

In fact, in the last few years, Tikila has really grown its scuba diving offerings and is one of the best places to go for a shore dive in Cozumel. But at its heart, it’s a great little bar and grill with a cool balcony area to have a cold beer and watch the boats go by for a while. Check your cruise itinerary and see if your cruise ship docks instead at The International Pier in Cozumel.

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Best Time to Cruise to Cozumel: A Month-by-Month Guide.

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Finally, be sure to negotiate and settle on a fare before getting into any taxi. News headlines spark a lot of fear in people not familiar with the area. To be honest, Mexico is seeing higher violent crime rates even in places that used to be untouched by the violence like Cancun. You should be well-prepared for a trip to Cozumel as long as you bring lightweight clothing, sunscreen, and some extra cash.

Since 1962, Panaderia la Cozumelena has been serving delicious coffee and breakfast to its patrons. The menu has something for everyone, including light fruit and smoothies to substantial breakfasts. Pescaderia also plays live music and is known for its accommodating and amiable owners and staff. This family-run restaurant has gluten-free options and reasonable prices for its high-quality food.

Local musicians play the sounds of Mexico for a fantastic ambiance. Instead, there are usually three people quietly playing guitar and accompanying instruments. When you only have one day to spare, it’s helpful to know exactly where to eat in Cozumel. The International Pier is also home to colorful architectural sites and a giant shopping center and places to eat and drink. This is the only drawback to cruising with Royal Caribbean and brands. As tempting as it may be to explore the vibrant streets of Cozumel on foot, there are some good reasons to consider taking a Cozumel taxi instead.

This article is a comprehensive cruise port guide for Cozumel, offering insights into the top activities and restaurants to enjoy during your port visit. When cruise ships anchor, tender boats will moor at smaller piers next to Puerta Maya or the International Pier. Besides the archaeological tours and shore excursions, many activities, which can also be enjoyed on your own. However, be aware that some activities like the Dolphin Discovery, which do not allow walk-in cruise passengers and if you try to book online the website will redirect to your cruise line. There are good reasons why Cozumel is such a popular cruise port. To start with, the tropical weather is just fabulous and very reliable with 80°F (27° C) average annual temperature.

One thing I love about cruising is that it gives you a sampling of different places that you can then revisit once you find what you like. Planning what to do in Cozumel ahead of time can be a bit daunting. There is a lot to do and see in this beautiful and exotic location. But remember, only unopened packs of food, coffee, spices, etc., are allowed back on the ship.

Take a Photo of the Taxi RatesAt the taxi stand outside the ports, there are large signs with posted rates. Cozumel uses flat rates from the piers to points of interest around the island. Grab a quick picture of the sign before you head to get a cab. We’ve found that many of these all-inclusive spots offer up some great food that’s also a nice break from the fare on the cruise ship.

The government of Cozumel made it easy for tourists when they came up with standard taxi rates from ports to popular destinations on the island. Check out the taxi rates board found a few meters away from the dock, near the taxi area. The rates are fixed and charged according to the number of people taking a cab. However, skip the queues and catch a taxi by walking out of the port in the southern direction.