Here’s the Ultimate Playa del Carmen to Cozumel Day Trip Guide!

Playa del Carmen is the ideal playground for digital nomads. Strategically located between Cancun and Tulum, Playa del Carmen is also the gateway to Cozumel. Only a short ferry ride away, you will step off the boat and step into the paradise that is Cozumel.

Traveling from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel for a day trip is an easy and worthwhile adventure especially if you need a mini-getaway.

We love to recommend taking a day trip from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel because it’s an easy excursion, a relaxing getaway or a fun-filled adventure.

In this blog, you’ll learn more about Cozumel, how to get there, the costs you can expect and the ideal day trip itinerary.

Overview Of Cozumel

Cozumel is a beautiful island located just off the coast of the Riviera Maya.

You’ll find yourself in a scuba-diving paradise, low-key laid-back atmosphere and beach galore. Cozumel is known for its pristine beaches and world-famous scuba diving and snorkeling.

Why visit Cozumel?

Cozumel is located just 18km to the right of Playa del Carmen, Mexico. You can visit the island via a ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel for a day trip or you can fly into Cozumel International Airport.

Every type of traveler visits Cozumel – the family on vacation, the digital nomads, the pro-scuba-divers, the beach club-lovers and so much more. There’s something for everyone!

How To Get From Playa del Carmen to Cozumel For A Day Trip

The best way to get from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel day trip adventure is via a 30-minute ferry ride. The process to buy tickets, get on the boat and get off is fairly easy. We will take you through the process below.

Taking The Ferry From Playa del Carmen to Cozumel Day Trip

The experience of finding the ferry terminal, buying tickets and getting on the ferry to Cozumel was an overwhelming experience for us.

Why?

We decided to take a taxi from our Airbnb apartment to the ferry terminal and they dropped us off a couple of blocks away because taxis aren’t allowed to go all the way. We got off and there were plenty of stands that say ‘Ferry to Cozumel Tickets’ along 5th Avenue so we tried going to a couple.

Turns out…

…they are just fake ticket stands that sell tour guides instead. They DON’T actually sell the ferry tickets. Steer away from them and you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble.

Once we found the real stand, everything was easy from there. Hopefully, this blog post prepares you and you get a better experience than us.

Ferry Ticket Location & Port

The real ferry ticket stands location is on the corner of Avenida Juarez and 5th Avenue. You will see there are two stands a couple of feet away from each other.

Tip: People will come up to you as you are lined up to sell tickets – don’t be fooled. You can only buy tickets from the cashiers behind the stand. Buy your tickets online on the official sites to save time and hassle – it’s the same price.

Save this Google Map listing here: https://g.page/ultramar-ferry?share

Ferry Price to Cozumel

The price of an Ultramar ticket from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel for a day trip is:

• One way: $250 pesos ($12.50 USD)
• Return: $500 pesos ($25 USD)

The price of a Winjet ticket from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel for a day trip is:

• One way: $13 USD
• Return: $25 USD

When doing a day trip from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, we recommend buying a return ticket so you don’t have to worry about it later.

Ferry Trip Duration

How long is the Playa del Carmen to Cozumel Day Trip ferry?

30 – 40 minutes.

Ferry Schedule From Playa del Carmen to Cozumel

From Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, the ferry starts operating at 8:00am and leaves every hour on the dot.

The last ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen leaves at 9:00pm. Be sure to be at the ferry terminal at least 30 minutes before so you don’t miss the last ferry home to Playa del Carmen.

Ferry Companies

There are only two ferry companies:

• Ultramar – buy tickets here.
• Winjet – buy tickets here.

Ultramar has nicer boats and for some reason was a few minutes faster than Winjet. Winjet seems to have older boats but it all works the same.

Playa del Carmen to Cozumel Day Trip – Transport Options

There are plenty of transportation options when you step off the ferry in Cozumel. It all depends on how you want to travel, the activities you want to do and how long you have in Cozumel.

Rent A Car

A popular thing to do in Cozumel is to rent a Jeep and drive around the entire island. You can also just rent any car and do the same but maybe the Jeep tickles your fancy.

We trust and use rentalcars.com to book a car.

You can also arrive in Cozumel and walk to car rental shops and get one right then and there.

Rent A Motorbike

Renting a motorbike in Cozumel is another popular option because it’s more flexible in terms of parking. You’re also on a beautiful island and it’d be fun to drive all around the Cozumel with a motorbike.

Take A Taxi

If you can’t rent a car or motorbike – a taxi is your next best option. You can find taxis at popular spots like right outside the ferry terminal or near hotels. Otherwise, walk to the end of the road near the street and hail one from there.

We took a taxi from the ferry terminal to an all-inclusive hotel which was like a 12 minute drive and it cost us $100 pesos ($5 USD without tip).

Things To Do On A Playa del Carmen to Cozumel Day Trip

Snorkeling. Beach Clubs. Scuba-diving. Swimming. Long drives. What’s there not to do in Cozumel?!

For a day trip to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen, here are the things to do:

• Go on a snorkeling tour
• Rent a Jeep and drive around the island
• Lounge at a beach club
• Swim in clean, clear waters
• Go scuba-diving along the reefs
• Explore downtown Cozumel

Playa del Carmen to Cozumel Day Trip Ideal Itinerary

How do you spend a day in Cozumel? This is our recommendation which is usually a mix of adventure and relaxing (that’s always our kind of trips 😛 )

8:00am: Catch the first ferry to Cozumel

9:00am: Arrive in Cozumel

9:30am: Start snorkeling tour (scuba diving if you’re licensed)

12:30pm: Eat a Mexican lunch at Kinta

1:30pm: Swim, lounge and snack at Monkey Bar Beach Club

4:00pm: Drive around the island with your jeep, car or motorbike

5:30pm: Explore downtown Cozumel

7:00pm: Have dinner

9:00pm: Catch the ferry to Playa del Carmen

What To Bring When Going From Playa del Carmen to Cozumel For A Day Trip

Below are some items we recommend bringing on a day trip to Cozumel. The important thing is to pack light because remember it is just a day trip.

G4Free Lightweight Backpack – $16.99

Sand-Free Turkish Beach Towel – $20.79

Reef Safe Sunscreen – $19.95

 GoPro Hero 9 (Waterproof, 5K Video) – $349.99

Aluminum Water Bottle – $44.17

Read This Next: The Only Mexico Packing List You’ll Need

Playa del Carmen to Cozumel Day Trip – Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the ferry ride from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel?

A one-way ticket is around $12-$13 USD. A return ticket is around $25 USD.

Is a day trip to Cozumel, Mexico worth it?

Absolutely! A short ferry ride to stunning beaches, pristine waters and island vibes?! If you are looking to get away, to relax, or simply switch up the scenery – a visit to Cozumel is worth it.

Can you do a day trip from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel?

Yes, you can easily and comfortably do a day trip from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel. Hop on the first ferry, enjoy your day there and hop on the last ferry back.

How long is the ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel?

The ferry takes 30 minutes to get from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel. Make sure you arrive 40 minutes before your departure time.

Is Cozumel safe 2021?

We felt very safe when we were there. We had nice taxi drivers and the locals seemed lovely. Just be your usual aware self when you travel.