How to Get Around Cozumel: 7 Best Ways
Are you visiting Cozumel and wondering how to get around Cozumel? You’ve come to the right place; this guide covers all the best transportation options in Cozumel.
Cozumel is one of the largest islands in the Caribbean, meaning most of it is not walkable. Also, with so much to see and experience in Cozumel that shouldn’t be missed, you’ll need to use some form of transportation to explore many parts of the island.
Getting around Cozumel is easy; despite being an island, Cozumel sometimes feels like a city because its main downtown part, also known as “Centro,” is decently developed.
Suppose you decide to stay in the Centro part of Cozumel. In that case, you won’t have to worry about transportation when going to a bar, restaurant, shop, etc, as they’re all walkable.
But walking to the remote beaches or the jungle area of Cozumel and other popular attractions like Punta Sur Eco Park is quite far.
RELATED: Is Cozumel Expensive to Visit?
Taxi or Collectivos
The best way to get around Cozumel is by taxi if you want to go somewhere specific on the island. Walking around, especially in the Centro/Downtown part of the island, you’ll notice many taxis waiting to take visitors to different parts of Cozumel.
A taxi will cost around $9 to $50 US, depending on where you’re going on the island. Taxi drivers are also known for providing a tour base service, where they’ll drive you around the island for a fixed rate, usually around $50 – $60 US.
Unfortunately, taxis here don’t use meters, so you will have to speak to the driver and negotiate your price with the driver. For short trips, a maximum of $15 -$20 is about right; much further around the island will cost you $40+ US.
If you prefer public transportation, take a collectivos; these white vans operate on certain routes and pick up/drop off passengers along the way. The minibuses’ main route is through downtown Cozumel, which isn’t towards any popular touristy parts of the island. Collectivos only cost around 8-10 Mexican pesos/.50 US.
Rent a Scooter/Motorcycle
Another great way to get around is renting a scooter in Cozumel or a motorbike and drive around the island yourself!
There’s no better way to experience Cozumel than to drive around its stunning coastline and feel the sea breeze!
The best part about driving in Cozumel is that it’s almost impossible to get lost driving here; only one main road circles a major portion of the island, starting from the Centro of Cozumel.
Costs to rent a scooter are from $15 to $40 US a day, depending on the type of scooter you rent!
By the way, always wear your helmet during your scooter rental in Cozumel!
TIP: The earlier you reserve your Scooter/Motorbike, the cheaper you’ll pay for the rental!
Guided Tour
One of the best ways for getting around Cozumel is by just attending various guided tours of places you’d like to see on the island. That way, you don’t have to worry about transportation whatsoever.
Most popular tours in Cozumel include transportation in the tour price, but still make sure to check that, just in case you’ll be picked up/dropped off back at your hotel.
Some tours will have you come to a meeting point instead, which will most likely be somewhere central in the downtown area of Cozumel.
The most popular tours in Cozumel are the following:
Rent a Car
If you’re visiting with a family or a few friends, renting a car in Cozumel makes more sense than renting scooters, it’s more cost effective and convenient!
Having a car on the island will allow you to explore on your own time and visit many remote beaches, which are ideal for snorkeling. As mentioned before, Cozumel has one main road that circles most of the island, so it’s easy to navigate the island.
The cost of your car rental will ultimately depend on the make of the car; the starting price for car rentals in Cozumel is around $26+ US per day.
Jeeps will always cost more because they’re popular to rent in Cozumel; who doesn’t love feeling the sea breeze during a drive?
Bicycle
Who’s looking to get some exercise done during their visit to Cozumel? Rent a bicycle and tour the island!
Not only is it cheaper than the options mentioned above, but you’ll get some exercise, and you’re guaranteed to feel the sea breeze as you ride around the island, with the possibility of stopping at remote beaches with small restaurants/bars.
There are many bike shops you can rent from in Cozumel, and you can also reserve a bike online to guarantee you get something you’d like!
Also, online, you’ll find different types of bikes, from your traditional bicycle pictured above to e-bikes, mountain bikes, and more!
TIP: The earlier you reserve your Bicycle, the cheaper you’ll pay for the rental!
Resort Shuttles & Activities
Many resorts in Cozumel, especially the large ones, offer either a shuttle to the Centro part of the island or activities from the resort where transportation is included.
So, if you decide to stay at one of the many large resorts in Cozumel, you can take advantage of this!
Depending on the hotel, some offer a complimentary shuttle service, while others have the service but offer it at an additional cost.
Also, many of the large resorts in Cozumel have exclusive taxi services for the resort, and they offer fixed rates for visitors. This is more convenient than using any of the local taxis in the city, where you might have to negotiate a price for a fair ride.
Walk
Last but not least, you can always walk around Cozumel if you’d like to, at least in the Centro area of the island, where you’ll find plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, hotels/hostels, and more.
Beyond Centro, the only other place that’s walkable is the marina-like area of Cozumel’s main coastline, which faces Playa Del Carmen, where you will arrive if you take the ferry to Cozumel from Playa Del Carmen.
If you’d prefer not to drive around Cozumel and prefer to walk, heads up, taxis here can get quite expensive, and in the evening hours, taxi drivers tend to hike up their prices as they know many tourists are more in need of a ride then, with fewer taxis driving around.
How to Get Around Cozumel — Final Thoughts
There you have it, those are all the best ways for how to get around Cozumel. See which of the many options works best for you.
Consider who you’re coming with to Cozumel; if you’re solo, the options vary more for transportation, but if you’re visiting with a family or group, you’ll want to factor that in!
Many visitors to Cozumel come visit the island on a day trip from Playa Del Carmen due to its close proximity. If you’re visiting Playa Del Carmen, a trip to Cozumel is a must-do!
Anyways, if you choose to take the ferry to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen for a day trip, make sure to catch the ferry back to Playa del Carmen, or else you’ll be stuck on Cozumel for the night.
The last ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen is 8:00 PM, 9:00 PM, or 10:00 PM; it depends on the ferry operating company and the day; check the ferry schedule.
Another Island in Mexico I recommend visiting not too far from Cozumel is Isla Mujeres!
RELATED: 11 Cheapest Beach Towns in Mexico
Do I need a car to get around Cozumel?
It depends on what you’d like to do; many people want to visit many parts of Cozumel on their own time, so renting a car makes sense.
Others visit Cozumel and attend tours when looking to do excursions on the island, and if you’d like to do so, there’s no reason to rent a car.
Can you just walk around Cozumel?
Yes, you can; Cozumel’s Centro area is considered the city part of the island and is very walkable. The area is full of restaurants, bars, and shops.
Also, the main marina-like area in Cozumel is walkable. But if you’d like to venture further into the island, you must use some form of transportation!
Is it safe to take a taxi in Cozumel?
Yes, taking a taxi in Cozumel is safe, but remember to negotiate a fair price with the taxi driver.
Take note of the price averages mentioned above in this article and negotiate accordingly.
Confirm the price with the taxi driver twice before getting in the taxi to have a firm and clear understanding of the agreed price.
Is it safe to walk around Cozumel alone?
Yes, walking in the main Centro area and the marina during the day or night is safe. But walking around in remote parts of the island at night isn’t considered safe.
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