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Which pier will my ship use in Cozumel?

Usually Punta Langosta (downtown) for Disney, MSC and some NCL ships; the International Pier for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity; Puerta Maya for Carnival Corporation lines. Check your daily programme, as allocations change on busy days.

How much is a taxi from Cozumel cruise port to town?

Fares are fixed by the taxi union and posted at each pier, priced per cab for up to four passengers in US dollars. Pay cash; pesos are also accepted.

Is Cozumel a tender port?

No. Ships normally dock at one of three piers. On very busy days a ship may anchor and tender passengers to Punta Langosta.

Can I take the ferry to Playa del Carmen on a cruise day?

Yes, but it is the riskiest independent trip from Cozumel. The crossing takes 35–45 minutes, sailings stop in bad weather, and the ship will not wait. Buy one-way tickets and be back on the island two hours before all-aboard.

How much is Chankanaab?

US$29 for adults and US$20 for children aged 4–12 on the park's official site (2026). It is about 5 minutes by taxi from the southern piers.

Do I need pesos in Cozumel?

Not strictly. US dollars are widely accepted, but change often comes in pesos and the rate favours the seller. Small bills or pesos work best.

Plan my Cozumel day

Port GuidesCozumel Cruise Port

Cruise Port Guide

Cozumel Cruise Port

Quick answerCozumel has three cruise piers: Punta Langosta in downtown San Miguel, and the International Pier and Puerta Maya about 4–5 km south. From the southern piers, take a licensed taxi at the posted fixed fare, priced per cab for up to four people. If you take the ferry to Playa del Carmen, aim to be back on the island two hours before all-aboard, because sailings can be cancelled in bad weather.

Checked October 2026 · Sources

Cozumel transport details Cruise ships in Cozumel this week

At a glance

Terminal to centre

Taxi (fixed fares)

About 10 minutes from the southern piers to San Miguel; about 5 minutes to Chankanaab · Posted fixed fare per taxi, in US dollars, for 1–4 passengers; 5–8 passengers pay a higher rate

Walkable to centre

Partly

Tender

Dock port

Typical time ashore

~9h

Check your own itinerary

Buffer before all-aboard

90 min

Measured for this port

Currency

MXN

Spanish

Transport and cost figures are estimates, last checked 11 October 2026.

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When to head back to the ship in Cozumel

Your all-aboard time

San Miguel (town)
Taxi to southern pier, about 10 min
Leave by
15:45
Chankanaab park
Taxi, about 5 min
Leave by
15:55
Playa del Carmen
Ferry 35–45 min; on Cozumel 2 h before
Leave by
14:15

Where to leave from, and when

15:45

15:55

14:15

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap · Routes: Google

on foot bus, train, boat taxiPins show when to leave each place. Lines: route back to your ship.

Walk or short rideReturn risk: Medium #82 of 172 in the Cruise Port Index

Where people get it wrong: Cutting the ferry back from Playa del Carmen fine; weather suspensions happen with little notice.

Times count back from all-aboard using the travel times and buffers in this guide. Your ship's daily programme always wins.

Open my full Cozumel day, timed to 17:00 Get this for every port on your cruise, with alerts on the day Write about Cozumel? Put these leave-by times on your blog, free

Fees and limits in Cozumel

Foreign cruise passengers pay a non-resident duty once per itinerary, rising in steps to US$21 by 2028.
US$5 (1 Jul 2025–31 Jul 2026); US$10 (1 Aug 2026–30 Jun 2027); US$15 (from 1 Jul 2027); US$21 (from 1 Aug 2028)
Status and sources
Cozumel is the busiest port collecting Mexico's cruise non-resident duty; it is charged once per itinerary, so passengers who already paid at an earlier Mexican port (e.g. Mahahual) do not pay again.
US$10 from 1 August 2026 (US$5 before)
Status and sources

Transport: Cozumel cruise piers (Punta Langosta, International Pier, Puerta Maya) to San Miguel

Cozumel is one of the busiest cruise ports in the Caribbean, and on a full day several ships share the island. Which pier you get decides the day. Punta Langosta drops you in the middle of San Miguel; the International Pier and Puerta Maya, used by most big-ship lines, sit on the south-west coast close to Chankanaab and the beach clubs but a taxi ride from town. The island's draw is the water: the reefs of the west coast, Chankanaab's lagoon and the beach clubs. The ferry to Playa del Carmen is the riskiest choice you can make here.

Walkable? Partly (4 km)

From Punta Langosta, San Miguel is right outside the pier. From the International Pier and Puerta Maya, town is about 4–5 km north along the coast road; there is a pavement, but in heat and humidity most people take a taxi. Playa Stingray, a small beach about 1.6 km north of the southern piers, is a realistic walk.

Where your ship docks

Punta Langosta · 0 km to the centre — Downtown San Miguel. You walk off the pier, over an overpass and through a shopping centre into town. Lines include Disney, MSC and NCL, among others.
International Pier (SSA Mexico) · 4 km to the centre — About 10 minutes south of town by taxi. Mainly Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. Taxi stand at the pier exit with the fare board posted.
Puerta Maya · 5 km to the centre — Just south of the International Pier, mainly Carnival Corporation lines; can take four ships at once. You cannot walk between Puerta Maya and the International Pier inside the port areas.

Taxi (fixed fares)

Posted fixed fare per taxi, in US dollars, for 1–4 passengers; 5–8 passengers pay a higher rateAbout 10 minutes from the southern piers to San Miguel; about 5 minutes to Chankanaab

Fares are set by the island's taxi union and shown on a board at each pier's taxi stand; drivers must show the official rate card on request. Photograph the board. Fares are per cab, not per person, so share with others going the same way. Pay cash: cards are not accepted. Dollars and pesos are both taken; paying in dollars gives a worse exchange rate. At the International Pier, if the queue is long, walk out and turn left towards the El Cid La Ceiba hotel, where taxis from town drop off.

Walk (Punta Langosta)

FreeA few minutes into San Miguel

Downtown shops, the waterfront promenade and the main square are within walking distance. The passenger ferry pier (Muelle Fiscal) is also downtown, opposite the end of Avenida Benito Juárez.

Colectivo vans

MX$10 per adult (as listed by the island's taxi-union information)Fixed routes in town

Shared vans run by the taxi union on set routes from Chedraui Plaza, roughly 07:00–21:00. Useful for locals; not designed for pier runs on a cruise day.

Passenger ferry to Playa del Carmen

Check fares with the operator; buy one-way ticketsAbout 35–45 minutes each way

Winjet, Ultramar and Xailing sail from the Muelle Fiscal downtown. Tickets are not valid on another company's boats, so buy one-way so you can catch whichever returns first. The crossing can be rough, and services are suspended in bad weather.

Know your all-aboard time? Build the whole day around it.

Return timing: getting back to the ship on time

Be on a taxi back to a southern pier 75 minutes before all-aboard (15:45 for a 17:00 all-aboard). From Playa del Carmen, be back on Cozumel 2 hours before all-aboard.

The taxi ride is short, but taxi queues in town build in the afternoon when several ships leave at once. The ferry adds 35–45 minutes of crossing, plus boarding queues, plus the taxi from the Muelle Fiscal to the southern piers. A cancelled or full sailing can leave you on the mainland.

If you're running late

Call the port agent number in your daily programme. The ship will not wait for independent travellers. If you miss it, you pay for getting to the next port; Cozumel has an airport, and Cancún airport is reachable from Playa del Carmen. Keep your passport with you on the ferry.

Ships normally dock. When the piers are full, some ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to Punta Langosta, downtown.

Cruise ships in Cozumel this week

A one-day plan for Cozumel (all aboard 17:00)

Assumes docking at Puerta Maya or the International Pier at 08:00.

08:15 Walk off the pier, photograph the taxi fare board and share a taxi to Chankanaab (about 5 minutes).
08:45 Chankanaab: snorkel the reef from the shore, the lagoon and the botanical garden. Bring reef-safe sunscreen.
12:00 Taxi to San Miguel (about 15 minutes).
12:30 Lunch downtown, then the waterfront promenade and the main square.
14:30 Shopping or a drink near Punta Langosta. Check the time; taxi queues grow mid-afternoon.
15:30 Taxi back to your pier.
16:00 Back on board, 60 minutes before all-aboard.

What to see in Cozumel on a cruise day

Chankanaab park

Reef snorkelling from the shore, a natural lagoon, botanical garden and beach, five minutes from the southern piers.

⏱ 3 hoursUS$29 adult, US$20 child 4–12 (2026)

Tip: Entry includes loungers, hammocks and showers; snorkel gear can be rented inside or brought. Cash, Visa and Mastercard accepted. Dolphin and sea-lion programmes cost extra.

Punta Sur eco-park

The undeveloped southern tip of the island: lighthouse, lagoon and empty beaches.

⏱ 3–4 hours with transportUS$22 adult, US$14 child 4–12, cash only (2026)

Tip: Farther from the piers than Chankanaab, so budget more taxi time and money.

San Miguel waterfront and main square

The island's only town, with the seafront promenade, shops and restaurants.

⏱ 1.5–2 hoursFree

Tip: Walk a few blocks inland from the seafront for local prices.

San Gervasio archaeological site

The island's main Maya site, a sanctuary to the goddess Ixchel.

⏱ 2.5 hours with transportMX$210 for foreign visitors listed by INAH (2026)

Tip: Open daily 09:00–15:30, last entry 15:00. Go in the morning: there is little shade.

Beach clubs on the west coast

Day-pass clubs such as Paradise Beach and Mr Sanchos, with pools, loungers, food and drink.

⏱ Half a dayCheck prices on each club's own site

Tip: Clubs south of the piers are a short taxi ride. Confirm what the pass includes and whether drinks are extra.

Playa Stingray

A small free beach within walking distance of the southern piers.

⏱ 1–2 hoursFree

Tip: Walk about 1.6 km north along the coast-road pavement and look for the sign and steps down.

Playa del Carmen

Mainland resort town across the strait, with Quinta Avenida for shopping.

⏱ Most of the dayTwo one-way ferry tickets

Tip: Only on a long call and calm sea. See the return-timing rule.

Beaches near Cozumel cruise port

Playa Stingray

Walk north from the International Pier or Puerta Maya along the coast-road pavement. · About 20 minutes on foot · Free

Small beach reached by steps. No facilities to speak of.

Chankanaab

Taxi from the southern piers. · About 5 minutes · US$29 adult (2026), plus taxi

More snorkelling than sunbathing; the shore is rocky in places.

Paradise Beach and Mr Sanchos

Taxi south from the piers. · Short taxi ride · Check each club's own site

Beach clubs with day passes, pools and food. Mr Sanchos sells direct rather than through cruise lines.

Punta Sur

Taxi to the eco-park at the south of the island. · Longer taxi ride than Chankanaab · US$22 adult, cash only (2026), plus taxi

Quiet beaches inside the park.

What to eat in Cozumel

Yucatecan dishes such as cochinita pibil
La Choza, downtown San Miguel
Tacos al pastor
El Fogón, downtown San Miguel
Modern Mexican
Kinta, downtown San Miguel
Mexican classics in a garden setting
Pancho's Backyard, Avenida Rafael Melgar
Seafood and fish tacos
Seafront restaurants on the east coast, such as Coconuts

Ship excursion or do it yourself?

Varies by line

Ship excursion avg, per person

US$29

DIY day avg, per person

Depends on line

Saving, per person

Ship tour prices differ by cruise line and change often, so we only show ones we could verify. Check your line's cruise planner.

Item	Ship tour	On your own	Saving
Chankanaab park	Varies by line; check your cruise planner	US$29 adult, US$20 child 4–12 (2026), plus taxi at the posted fixed fare	Depends on line
Punta Sur eco-park	Varies by line; check your cruise planner	US$22 adult, US$14 child 4–12, cash only (2026), plus taxi	Depends on line
Downtown San Miguel	Varies by line; check your cruise planner	Free on foot from Punta Langosta; one taxi each way from the southern piers	—
Playa del Carmen	Varies by line; check your cruise planner	Two one-way ferry tickets plus taxis	Depends on line; carries return risk

Most of Cozumel is easy on your own: fixed taxi fares, a park five minutes from the southern piers, beach clubs that sell day passes direct. A ship tour earns its price for Mayan sites on the mainland such as Tulum, and for any trip that relies on the Playa del Carmen ferry, because the ship waits for its own tours and not for you. Snorkel and dive trips run by established local operators are a fair alternative to ship tours, if they guarantee a return well before all-aboard.

Common mistakes cruise passengers make in Cozumel

Assuming you can walk to town from Puerta Maya or the International Pier.

Instead: Town is 4–5 km away. Take a taxi, or plan your day around the south-west coast.

Agreeing a taxi price per person.

Instead: Fares are posted per cab for up to four people. Photograph the board and ask to see the rate card if a quote differs.

Buying a return ferry ticket to Playa del Carmen.

Instead: Buy one-way tickets so you can take whichever operator's boat leaves first on the way back.

Cutting the ferry return fine.

Instead: Be back on Cozumel two hours before all-aboard. Weather suspensions happen with little notice.

Paying everything in US dollars.

Instead: Dollars are widely accepted, but you get a worse rate and change in pesos. Carry some pesos or small dollar bills.

Using ordinary sunscreen on the reef.

Instead: Parks ask for biodegradable, chemical-free sunscreen. Buy it before you go in the water.

Safety: is Cozumel safe for cruise passengers?

Cozumel is generally safe for cruise passengers, and serious incidents involving them are rare. Mexico as a whole has high levels of violent crime, and Quintana Roo, which includes Cozumel and Playa del Carmen, carries crime warnings in foreign government travel advice; check your government's current advice before you go. Use licensed taxis from the official stands, keep valuables out of sight on beaches, and drink bottled water. Strong currents run on the east coast; swim only where it is marked as safe. Hurricane season runs from June to November, and September and October are the wettest months.

Scams and tourist traps

Taxi drivers quoting more than the posted fixed fare, or a per-person price. Check the fare board at the pier and ask for the official rate card, which drivers must carry.
Fake silver sold in jewellery shops near the piers. Look for the .925 stamp and test with a magnet: real silver is not magnetic.
Poor exchange rates when paying in dollars, with change given in pesos at a rate set by the shop. Check the posted rate first or pay in pesos.

Emergency number: 911

Practical information

Crowds

On busy days several ships are in port at once and taxi stands at the southern piers queue at the start and end of the day. Leave the ship early or wait half an hour after the first rush. Chankanaab and the nearest beach clubs are busiest from mid-morning. Since 1 August 2026 Mexico charges cruise passengers a US$10 fee once per itinerary (up from US$5), collected by the cruise line in taxes and fees; it rises to US$15 from 1 July 2027.

Accessibility

The piers are flat and step-free, but the walks from ship to port exit can be long, especially at Puerta Maya. Downtown San Miguel is flat with uneven pavements and high kerbs. The taxi union offers vans adapted for wheelchair users; ask at the pier stand or book ahead. Tendering, used only when the piers are full, is harder for wheelchair users. Ferries to Playa del Carmen involve steps and can be rough.

If it rains

Rain on Cozumel usually comes in short, heavy showers, though September and October average about 250 mm a month. Snorkelling still works in light rain. The Museo de la Isla de Cozumel on the San Miguel seafront and the covered shops at Punta Langosta are the main dry options. Strong wind is the bigger problem: it can close snorkel sites and stop the Playa del Carmen ferry.

Money, language, time

Currency: MXN · Language: Spanish · Time zone: EST (UTC−5) all year; Quintana Roo does not use daylight saving time

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