A Cozumel day trip from Cancún means a private transfer down to Playa del Carmen, a short ferry crossing, and a full day on one of the Caribbean’s best diving islands, without ever booking through your resort’s tour desk.
Getting from Cancún to Cozumel
Cozumel is an island, reached only by passenger ferry from Playa del Carmen, about an hour south of Cancún. There’s no ferry directly from Cancún itself. Most travelers book a private transfer from their Cancún hotel to the Playa del Carmen ferry terminal, then walk on with a same-day ticket.
Ferry Schedule & Pricing
Two companies, Ultramar and Winjet, run the Playa del Carmen–Cozumel route. Fares run roughly $10 to $12 USD one way per adult (about $20 to $24 USD round trip), with the crossing taking 35 to 45 minutes depending on the operator. Both run frequent daily departures, roughly every hour from early morning until around 9 or 10 PM, so there’s no need to book ferry tickets far in advance, though buying online avoids the ticket-counter line.
What There Is to Do on Cozumel
Cozumel’s reef system, part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, is one of the top diving and snorkeling destinations in the Caribbean, with visibility that regularly exceeds 30 meters. Palancar Reef and Columbia Reef are the best-known dive sites, reachable by boat from the island’s west side. Chankanaab National Park combines a saltwater lagoon, botanical garden, and reef access for snorkelers who don’t want a full boat trip. Downtown San Miguel, the island’s only town, has a walkable waterfront malecón, duty-free shopping, and considerably calmer streets than Playa del Carmen’s Quinta Avenida.
Avoiding the Resort Tour Desk Markup
Booking a Cozumel excursion through your resort’s tour desk or a timeshare-linked “activities” table usually costs more than arranging the ferry and a local tour operator yourself, and it’s often the entry point for an unwanted timeshare presentation pitch disguised as a free breakfast or discount voucher. Since ferry tickets and island tours don’t run through us directly, we’re not trying to upsell you here, just pointing you to the operators and giving you the real prices so you can compare.
Planning Your Day
Aim to be at the Playa del Carmen ferry terminal by mid-morning to get a full day on the island before the last return crossings. A private transfer from your Cancún hotel to the ferry terminal removes the guesswork of timing a bus or shared shuttle around a fixed ferry departure. Ask your driver about a Playa del Carmen stop on the way back, since Playacar and the rest of Playa del Carmen are worth an hour before heading home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a ferry directly from Cancún to Cozumel?
No. All passenger ferries to Cozumel depart from Playa del Carmen, about an hour south of Cancún.
How much does the Cozumel ferry cost?
Roughly $10 to $12 USD one way per adult, depending on the operator (Ultramar or Winjet), or about $20 to $24 USD round trip.
How long is the ferry crossing?
About 35 to 45 minutes, depending on the operator and sea conditions.
Is Cozumel good for snorkeling if I’m not a certified diver?
Yes. Chankanaab National Park and several beach clubs offer reef snorkeling that doesn’t require certification or a boat trip.
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