Want to spend 5 perfect days in Cozumel? Of course you do. Cozumel is a beautiful island with endless things to do. World class scuba diving, spectacular snorkeling, not to mention minerally enriched cenotes and inspiring beaches.
Cheat Sheet
Day 1 of 5 Perfect Days in Cozumel
Take it Easy…or Not
It’s your first day of vacation so you’re out of bed and ready to go at 6:30 am right? Of course not, that’s why you want a beach day. Hang out at the hotel beach or head on over to one of the many beach clubs. Beach clubs have an entrance fee but they provide showers, restaurants and bars. Some beaches have awesome huge inflatable beach toys. “Beach toys?!” That’s right, think launching your friend off of the 6 person 10′ high teeter totter.
Be prepared to be awed by the crystal clear water at the beach. Walk right in with your snorkel gear and check out the countless numbers of amazing marine life steps off of the beach. What? You didn’t bring your snorkel gear? Don’t worry you can rent it either at your hotel or at the beach club.
If you feel like getting your party-vacation-self going then check out one of the beach clubs that are as much party as they are swimming like the Money Bar.
Day 2 of 5 Perfect Days in Cozumel
X-rails to Jade Cavern
You know what’s fun? Driving your x-rail go cart through the Yucatan Jungle. Speed over the dirt road and and be sure to hit those mud puddles so you can splash the losers behind you. When you get to Jade Cavern, don’t be a baby, climb to the top and jump in the water, you won’t regret it. This cenote is filled with jade green water and it’s as refreshing as the name is cool. Take your time and swim in the water while you’re there, check out the tropical foliage around you, explore the cave because there’s no rush to get back.
Do yourself a favor before you go back to town, head on over to El Cedral, the little town right outside the gate of the Jade Cavern tour. There you will find a quaint little Mexican town where you can see Mayan ruins and an old Catholic church.
Jean Lafitte Pirate Dinner Cruise
Think of an interactive dinner show on a pirate ship (don’t worry, they won’t make you walk the plank). From the time that you get on the ship both the drinks and jokes are flowing. Your dinner is a choice of chicken, lobster or steak, you can’t go wrong with any of them, but the lobster is excellent! It’s a great sunset cruise with an entertaining crew. Just a warning, there is audience participation, so be prepared to get involved whether you want to or not.
Day 3 of 5 Perfect Days in Cozumel
Adrian Cozumel
Adrian’s parents knew that he was going to know so much about Cozumel they named him after the island! While he offers fishing charters and catamaran snorkeling charters, the charter to take is to the Lighthouse of Punta Molas (the northern tip of the island where the abandoned north lighthouse is). The lighthouse is so remote, the only way to get there is by a long dirt, mud, sand and rocky road only accessible by 4×4 or by a boat captained by someone who can navigate the rock infested shallows.
He’ll load you up in his small boat, necessary for the shallow water, and set out for the north side of the island. Once there you’ll have to walk through waist deep water and rocks to get to the lighthouse so be sure to bring some type of water shoes. After the hike through the water you can climb up to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy the views and get your share of pictures in. Adrian will give you the history of the lighthouse and even the island.
Lighthouse of Punta Molas
After the lighthouse you’re on you’re way to snorkel a reef with shipwrecks from the 1700’s, colorful fish and coral.
The Sound House Mayan Ruins
From snorkeling Adrian will take you to Rio de la Plata Lagoon. Once you land you’ll walk a half mile in waist deep water over an old Mayan road to an island. On the island is a Mayan ruin of an old sound house. The lack of any noise in this part of the island is incredible and it really adds to the atmosphere. Again Adrian will give you a brief lecture on the history of the house and what the Mayans used it for.
Last stop before home is the clearest water that you’ve ever seen! This water is so clear you will wish that it was in your swimming pool! Have a drink, get in the water and enjoy the solitude.
A bonus on this tour is that the group of people that you are with will probably be the only people that you see during the trip. To get in touch with Adrian you can find him on Facebook at Adrian Cozumel.
Day 4 of 5 Perfect Days in Cozumel
Fury Charters or Scuba Diving
That’s right, you have a choice. Sign up for one of the Fury Catamaran snorkeling tours and have a fun day sailing, snorkeling and swimming. Sail out to Palancar Reef on a 65′ catamaran. Jump into the water and get a guided tour of the reef. Afterwards head over to a private beach and have fun in the crystal clear water.
Want to get a little deeper in the water? Then give scuba diving a try. Contact one of the many PADI certified scuba shops and sign up for their discover scuba dives. You don’t have to be licensed, they’ll go over your equipment and safety procedures, and then they’ll take you down. Some will take you out to a reef on a boat and some will just walk you off the beach. Either way you’ll go down about 30′. Pro tip – take an underwater camera so that you can endlessly show your friends pictures of you in your scuba gear.
Day 5 of 5 Perfect Days in Cozumel
San Gervasio Mayan Ruins
Rent a jeep, rent a scooter, or just take a taxi. San Gervasio is the most populated collection of Mayan ruins on the island. The site is dedicated to the Goddess of Fertility, Ixchel. Supposedly all Mayan women journeyed to the island to be blessed by Ixchel. While it’s not as big as some of the other Mayan sites on the mainland of Mexico it still offers some nice ruins.
Tour the place by yourself with a self guided tour or spring for a guide. Either way you’ll find yourself in a very tranquil spot surrounded by the jungle. It’s not a huge area so when your done there you can go explore the island.
Explore the Island
The main highway is a loop around the island. Head south along the west coast and by the time that you hit the south point (Punta Sur) you’ll see a fantastic beach with a Reggae bar in front of it. If you turn right off the highway onto the dirt road that will take you to the Eco Park. There’s a fee to get in but there’s a light house that you can climb, possible crocodile sightings and a great beach with spectacular snorkeling.
Head north along the east side from there and you’ll find more beach areas with restaurants. Stop at one and get some fantastic and fresh seafood for lunch. After that browse the small shops nearby and haggle on pricing for a souvenir. You can even have put your feet in an aquarium and have them cleaned by small fish (thankfully those aren’t the seafood that they’re selling in the restaurants).
After your done with your beach hopping, head north again and take the road back into town. When you get into town find a parking spot and explore. The town of San Miguel is a typical Mexican town with a square in the middle of the shopping plaza. There are restaurants throughout the town, stop at one and have the best Mexican dinner that you’ve ever had. Enjoy it because you’re going home to Chilis tomorrow.
Not enough for you? Then you’ll want to read 15 Awesome Things to do in Cozumel.
You can also get off the island and head over to Riviera Maya and explore the mainland. Check out our guide.
