Cozumel holiday guide

Crystal clear water and plenty of sunshine on Mexico's Caribbean coast

Cozumel is Mexico’s largest island, and among the top five dive destinations in the world. Its exceptional coral gardens and spectacular reef drop-offs offer legendary snorkelling and diving opportunities. Non-divers can take advantage of Cozumel’s sunshine, beaches and crystal-clear water, or take a day excursion to the mainland to visit Mayan sites such as Chichén Itzá.

Cozumel sits off the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, opposite the resort Playa del Carmen. It is popular with day visitors from holiday cruise ships which pass its west coast and the town of San Miguel, where most development has taken place, and the town is packed with pricey shops, restaurants and bars, as well as dozens of dive shops.

San Miguel is a duty-free zone with hundreds of stores. The waterfront shopping zone stretches to La Plaza, behind which there is a craft market. The shops at the cruise ship passenger terminal at Punta Langosta Pier are fairly expensive, but bargains can be found further away from the docks. Try the Cozumel Market on Adolfo Rosado Salas for fresh seafood, spices and fruit and vegetables.

Choosing where to eat in Cozumel may be difficult, with cafes offering local Mexican dishes, fast food outlets, and French gourmet restaurants. You can even dine on the water! Cozumel night life is varied, catering for both party animals and those seeking a quiet drink in a lounge bar, but evening entertainments tend to begin and end earlier in Cozumel than in other parts of Mexico.

Check out Co-op Holidays’ cheap holiday deals in Cozumel.