15 Best Cozumel Excursions When On A Cruise

A common island stop on a western Caribbean cruise, Cozumel attracts visitors to its sandy beaches and spectacular diving sites. Second, in size to the Great Barrier Reef, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef off Cozumel’s coast is a diver’s paradise. While the best Cozumel excursions are water-based, there are plenty of inexpensive land activities too.

The majority of travelers arrive by cruise ship since flying to mainland Mexico is significantly less expensive than getting to Cozumel. With the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef being the star attraction, most Cozumel cruise excursions include a dip in the ocean.

For those who’d rather stay dry, mainland tours are accessible by ferry. While most places accept American dollars, some only take Pesos.

With approximately three million cruise passengers visiting each year, it’s surprising the island remains widely unprogressive. Should you arrive by cruise ship, vessels dock at San Miguel de Cozumel on the east coast. There are many options for exploration from the Cozumel cruise port.

Where Is Cozumel?

Cozumel, off Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula across from Playa del Carmen, offers a quieter alternative to busy Cancun and Playa del Carmen. It’s easy to visit Cozumel on a day trip from Cancun.

The island’s east side faces the Caribbean and has strong currents, while the calmer west coast is ideal for diving, snorkeling, or relaxing on the beach.

Cozumel’s Top Port Excursions

Docking in San Miguel, most Cozumel attractions are a taxi ride away. Therefore, it’s best to book an excursion or grab a last-minute tour.

1. Visit San Gervasio Mayan Ruins

• Duration: 1-1/2 to 4 hours | Cost: USD 9.50 entrance fee, USD 40.00 for the San Gervasio tour with chocolate tasting

Mayan ruins are a popular draw for visitors to Mexico. San Gervasio may not be as impressive as Chichen Itza, but at 11 miles from San Miguel, it’s a hidden gem on the island. 

Dating back to 100 BC, San Gervasio was home to Ixchel, the goddess of fertility and midwifery. In ancient times, young women traveled to this religious site to worship the goddess.

Today, the ruin is remarkably preserved, with the archeological area presenting many temples and shrines. Spread out over several kilometers, only a small section of the site is viewable.

There are several ways to access the Cozumel ruin. Travelers can take a taxi from Cozumel and pay a small entrance fee. The optional guide of US 20.00 is well worth the money, and you’ll learn the history of the ruin and the people who lived there.

2. Swim With Dolphins

• Duration: 1 hour to 1-1/2 hours | Cost: USD 109.00 to USD 199.00+ per person

Located in Chankanaab National Park, Dolphin Discovery offers dolphin and manatee encounters. While I personally don’t support captive animal tourism, others have enjoyed the experience.

The dolphin encounter includes a kiss, handshake, and tricks. The swim adds a belly ride, while the royal swim, the priciest, features a dorsal tow and foot push. Pool time lasts 30 to 40 minutes, though tours run 1 to 1.5 hours.

Cameras aren’t allowed, and observer areas are too far for photos. Alternatively, the manatee tour lasts 45 minutes and includes feeding and learning about these gentle creatures. All tours include park admission.

3. Learn To Make Salsa

•  Duration: 4-1/2 hours | Cost: USD 94.00+

For a laid-back excursion, try the Salsa, Salsa, and More Salsa tour. It includes a cooking class, salsa dancing, and beach time at Playa Mia.

You’ll learn to make three types of salsa, enjoy tequila and margaritas, and take a dance lesson. The resort offers slides, inflatable water toys, and loungers to relax. With guacamole, quesadillas, and ocean views, it’s a top Cozumel shore pick.

4. Enjoy Cozumel On Horseback

• Duration: 1 to 4-1/2 hours | Cost: USD 85.00 to USD 99.00

Most Cozumel tours focus on water, but horseback riding offers a land-based escape. Mr. Sancho’s Beach Club has a 30-minute beach ride with unlimited food, drinks, and float toys.

Longer rides explore jungle trails, Mayan ruins, or even include a cenote swim. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and NCL offer convenient 4.5-hour excursions with transport included.

5. Escape To A Secluded Island

• Duration: 5 hours | Cost: USD 90.00

Escape busy San Miguel with a trip to Isla Pasion, a secluded beach on Cozumel’s north end, accessible only by boat. We found it crowded when multiple cruise ships are in port.

The scenic 45-minute ride feels shorter thanks to the views. Once there, enjoy a Mexican buffet, unlimited drinks, and great service. The tour includes kayaks, beach chairs, and relaxing hammocks and swings over the water.

6. Take A Jeep Tour

• Duration: 6 hours | Cost: USD 70.00+ per person

A Jeep Tour is a fun family outing with great views, water activities, and Mexican food. Starting in San Miguel, you’ll drive to Punta Sur EcoPark on Cozumel’s southern tip, in a Jeep Wrangler.

The ecological park features lagoons with crocodiles and birds, plus panoramic views from Faro Celarain Lighthouse. The tour then heads to Chankanaab Park for snorkeling, a buffet lunch, and a sea lion show for the kids.

7. Spend A Day At Chankanaab National Park

• Duration: 1 hour to all day | Cost: USD 21.00+ per person

Chankanaab National Park offers more activities than you can fit into a day, making it a top family-friendly excursion in Cozumel. What you spend depends on what you choose to do.

A taxi from town costs about $12 one-way. Unlike traditional national parks, Chankanaab is highly commercialized and lacks a focus on natural preservation.

Admission includes swimming, a sea lion show, gardens, a crocodile exhibit, and use of umbrellas and chairs. Extra fees apply for ziplining, tequila tasting, snorkeling gear, spa services, and Dolphin Discovery.

The park features impressive replica Mayan art, and snorkeling reveals underwater sculptures of the Virgin Mary and a 14-foot Christ statue.

8. Snorkeling Or Diving At Palancar Reef

• Duration: 4 hours to 4-1/2 hours | Cost: USD 55.00+ for snorkeling, USD 75.00+ for diving

No dive certification? No problem; snorkelers can still enjoy Palancar Reef’s calm, clear waters and vibrant marine life. Up to 20 feet deep, the reef hosts tropical fish, sea turtles, rays, barracudas, and nurse sharks.

Protected from overfishing, the reef thrives with coral, algae, and marine life. Though not shore-accessible, many local tours are available.

Divers love Palancar’s varied underwater terrain. The caverns, walls, and swim-throughs keep each visit unique. Jacques Cousteau once praised it as a top dive spot, though his footage was never used.

If you’re heading to Belize instead, consider a Caye Caulker snorkel tour.

9. Visit The Mayan Bee Sanctuary

• Duration: 1-1/2 hours | Cost: USD 8.00+

The Mayan Bee Sanctuary protects the rare, stingless Melipona bees and educates visitors on their life cycle. These bees build tree nest pots and produce floral, citrusy honey often used medicinally.

The entrance fee is low, though cruise tours may bundle it with chocolate and tequila tastings. Honey, chocolate, and tequila—what could be sweeter?

10. Explore A Cenote And Underground Caverns

• Duration: 7 to 8-1/2 hours | Cost: USD 84.00+

Suitable for those five years and above, explore the fantastic underground caves and waterways on the mainland. It’s a whole day excursion that requires a good level of fitness and staying power.

The tour starts with a 45-minute ferry ride to Playa del Carmen. From there, you have options to visit Cenote Azul, Rio Secreto Natural Reserve (Amazing Secret River), or Chaak Tun Cenotes.

Amazing Secret River

At the reserve, operators supply water shoes, short wetsuits, helmets, lockers, and towels. Walking sticks are also available, and most people recommend them.

During the excursion, participants cannot bring a GoPro or cellphone for photos. A photographer accompanies the group and takes individual and group photos.

Before the cenote journey, the group receives a Mayan blessing. Inside, you’ll wade through stunning limestone formations. After the cave tour, enjoy an authentic Mexican buffet.

Chaak Tun Cenotes

The Chaak Tun Cenotes tour includes water shoes, wetsuits, snorkel gear, and allows waterproof cameras—unlike the Amazing Secret River tour.

You’ll explore underground rivers, descend a spiral staircase for stunning cave views, and experience a Temezcal steam bath for spiritual cleansing. The tour ends with a tequila-making demo and a Mayan-style lunch.

It wraps up in Playa del Carmen before the ferry to San Miguel. Since it’s on the mainland, booking through your cruise line is the safest way to ensure on-time return.

11. Discover Chichen Itza

• Duration: 8 hours | Cost: USD 120.00 to USD 190.00

Like the cenotes near Playa del Carmen, a trip to see the Chichen Itza pyramid requires a ferry ride to the mainland. Chichén Itzá is one of the top Mexican Mayan ruins and if it’s on your bucket list, cruise lines make this tour possible from Cozumel.

Travel time is about 3.5 hours each way; 45 minutes by ferry and 2.5 hours by bus. That leaves only one hour at the site. Once the largest Mayan city, Chichén Itzá housed 50,000 people. El Castillo, the iconic pyramid with 364 steps, is its most famous structure.

Climbing is no longer allowed, and many areas are roped off to protect the site. With 2 million visitors a year, it’s no surprise it’s a New Wonder of the World.

12. Visit Pueblo del Maiz

• Duration: 8 hours | Cost: USD 20.00+

Pueblo del Maíz is a hidden gem in Cozumel, offering an interactive journey into ancient Mayan life. Tour temples, watch tortilla and chocolate-making, and learn how gum was made from chicozapote resin before Wrigley’s.

Fun for all ages, the tour includes face painting, weaving, and a Mayan ball game. It ends with traditional song, dance, and fire dancing.

13. Catamaran To Playa Norte

• Duration: 5 hours | Cost: USD 85.00+

From November to April, Cozumel can see up to eight cruise ships a day. With over 20,000 visitors, the vibe is less relaxing during peak season. While busy, it’s a nice place to cruise in February for good weather and great prices, while avoiding wave season.

For a quieter escape, take a catamaran to Isla Mujeres and its famed Playa Norte. The one-hour sail includes lunch, margaritas, and fresh fruit.

Spend 2.5 hours enjoying the island. It offers snorkeling, paddleboarding, or just relaxing on the palm-lined white sand beach. A restaurant offers extras, and after a swim or hammock nap, sail back with a possible snorkeling stop.

14. Get Dirty On A Jungle Adventure

• Duration: 3-1/2 hours | Cost: USD 75.00+

If a day on the beach isn’t your thing, we recommend an ATV adventure. The Jungle ATV and Jade Cavern tour meanders through dusty trails to a cenote. Ride solo or in a double buggy (ages 16–70).

We suggest wearing old clothes and closed-toe shoes. Helmets, goggles, and bandanas are provided; but lockers cost extra. Rain means mud, dry days mean dust. After a 45-minute ride, swim in the jade-green cenote. Rashguard clothing is recommended, and bring a change of clothes for the return to port.

15. Explore A Pearl Farm

• Duration: 6 hours | Cost: USD 110.00 +

Since 2001, a family-run pearl farm on Cozumel’s north side has cultivated pearls using rare Atlantic Pearl Oysters. Tours began in 2012, offering a close look at the process and first pearls.

Visitors then head to the hatchery in turquoise waters, marked by an underwater Our Lady of Guadalupe statue. The tour ends with lunch, consisting of cheeseburgers, grilled pineapple, and Mexican beer—and offers unique pearl jewelry for sale.

Final Thoughts

Cozumel is a top dive destination where you can relax, explore, and enjoy great food. Weather is pleasant year-round, but fall to spring draws more crowds. With so many tours, it’s hard to choose just one, so it gives another reason to return.

If visiting Playa del Carmen or Cancun by ferry, watch your cruise departure time. There’s something here for everyone.