6 of the best things to do in Cozumel, Mexico

Welcome to Cozumel!

Cozumel, Mexico, is a stunning island located off the Yucatan peninsula. Cozumel’s gorgeous water, beautiful wildlife, and fun atmosphere bring in cruise ships and tourists alike. The island has something for everybody, whether you are on the adventures side or prefer to stay on the beach. I have been to the island many times, and here are a few things that I can recommend to anyone visiting. If you are there for an entire week or only a few hours, there is plenty of things to do in Cozumel to fill your time.

1. Take a Ride on the Atlantis Submarine Tour

If you want something memorable and unique, I’d recommend the Atlantis Submarine Tour. It’s the perfect length for a short visit to the island, just under two hours total. I did this excursion on my most recent trip to the island in July. You watch a short safety video about the trip and ferry out about 15 mins to the submarine. While you do stay at about 60 ft below sea level most of the time, the submarine does dip down to 100 ft. 

During the trip, you will see lots of gorgeous sea life in Cozumel’s Chankanaab reef. You will later see the edge of the island, a 2,000 steep drop into the ocean called “LA PARED”. My favorite part of the tour was seeing the sunken ship “Felipe Xicotencatl”. One of the nice parts of this tour is that it is air-conditioned, so it’s great if you are looking to get out of the heat for a little while. I will add a disclaimer that it can be quite cramped, especially if you are prone to feeling claustrophobic. We took a mid-morning tour and every seat was filled- perhaps it would be better at an earlier time if you can manage.

From the main office, a smaller boat will ferry you out to the submarine in deeper waters.

2. Visit Chankanaab Adventure Park

How does a piña colada in a pineapple on the beach sound to you? Would you prefer to explore ancient ruins? Or take a stab at SNUBA? Perhaps you’d like to wander some botanical gardens? Chankanaab Adventure Park has it all! Located inside Cozumel’s National Reef Marine Park, this place truly has something for everyone. On the property, there are 3 different restaurants to choose from, (beach)chair-side service, tequila-tasting, sea-lion shows, and lots of underwater statues and wildlife to explore. This park is really fun to explore, as a family or just two. I especially enjoyed one of the beach-side massages during my visit. I’d like to note that some of the amenities cost extra and that there are also different package options you can go for. Overall, this place is a great time for everyone!

artistic thin statue of a woman on top of a platform that reads "Chankanaab" underwater
Man-made structures like this one are visible underwater at the Chankanaab Park to explore and draw fish nearby.

3. Have a Snorkel Day

Cozumel has such rich and beautiful sea life. One of my favorite things to do in Cozumel is to spend the day in the water snorkeling! While there is plenty of fantastic shore snorkeling on the island, if you have more time renting a snorkel tour is absolutely the way to go. The last time we went, we saw tons of turtles, sting rays, and so many different types of fish, barracuda, and starfish. I wouldn’t recommend the exact tour that we booked last time for a couple of reasons, but this tour has tons of great reviews and a great price.

manta ray swimming in turquoise water
Manta rays are a common site while snorkeling in Cozumel.

4. Become a Pirate on the Pirate Lobster Dinner Cruise

Okay, this is a bit of an interesting suggestion but I promise you, it’s a great time. If you are spending the night on the island, you will have an unforgettable time on this pirate dinner cruise. Climb aboard a pirate ship and be prepared to be entertained by the pirate crew! 

The show they put on is hilarious and they get the whole ship involved. Dinner is served while you sail across the Cozumel coast at sunset, and the fun resumes after the meal as you make your way back to port. This is more of an adult-leaning activity with an open bar and some crude humor. But if you have the time and are looking for a show, definitely spend a night with the piratas!

people dressed as pirates dance on a ship. People on the edges laugh and record video.
As this chaotic picture would suggest, a night on the pirate cruise is one you won’t soon forget!

5. Enjoy a Chocolate and Wine Tasting

I can’t think of a better way thing to do in Cozumel than with a hands-on chocolate-making class! These are so fun to do, for travelers of any age. Learn how traditional chocolate is made, from the beans to the bar. Make your own chocolate souvenir to eat during your trip or to take home with you. This tour ends with a delicious red wine tasting, and you can see how well your chocolate pairs with it. A great way to spend an hour or two on this cultural and fun tour.

dried cacao beans
Cacao is the main ingredient in chocolate!

6. Take a Private Island Tour

Certainly, there are a lot of different ways you can see the beautiful island of Cozumel. Although most people coming from the cruise ships only see the port and downtown, Cozumel’s other side is protected, wild beauty. Cozumel also has a rich history and many interesting sights to see. If you can spend the day in Cozumel, consider hiring a private tour! 

This fully customizable tour will take you to places that you want to experience. If you just want to hang back and let the guides give you a tour you can do that too! See all that Cozumel has to offer and enjoy the ride, without any planning! I would recommend booking a tour with lots of good reviews like this one– some tour and taxi companies take passengers to timeshare presentations. Avoid this by making sure the company you choose is reputable, and consult your hotel or cruise ship for recommended tours.

ragged rocks and ocean water
The “wild side” of Cozumel is preserved land, free from resorts and commercial buildings.

Summary

These are only a few of the incredible things you can do in Cozumel! I have been there three times, and each visit is different from the last. Which one of these activities is on your bucket list? And if you’ve been, what is this list missing?

*Note- this blog post contains affiliate links so I may earn a small commission when you purchase at no additional cost to you.*

Join the Email List!