One day in Cozumel

Day by day

1. Day 1: Palancar Reef and El Cielo

   Palancar Reef, El Cielo, Santa Rosa and Columbia walls and West coast beach clubs, then Malecón (Avenida Rafael E. Melgar) in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Palancar Reef

      Ask your dive shop which section suits your experience and the day's current; the shallower Gardens are best for newer divers. Allow Half a day.

   2. Late morning

      El Cielo

      Look, don't touch: lifting starfish out of the water harms them and is prohibited in the park. Allow Half a day by boat.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Fish tacos

      Taquerías and street stalls in the inland streets of San Miguel, busiest at lunchtime.

   4. Afternoon

      Santa Rosa and Columbia walls

      Monitor your depth closely on the wall; the visibility makes it easy to go deeper than planned. Allow Half a day.

   5. Late afternoon

      West coast beach clubs

      Check the cruise-ship schedule and go on a day with few ships in port, when the clubs are much quieter. Allow Half a day.

   6. Evening

      Malecón (Avenida Rafael E. Melgar)

      Walk the stretch north of the ferry pier at sunset, where it is quieter and the views are clearer.

Before you go

• Palancar Reef: Book dives a day or two ahead in high season; most operators limit group sizes.

If it rains

• Swap in Museo de la Isla de Cozumel (Centro and malecón): Visit during the midday heat or on a rainy afternoon, and finish with a drink on the upper terrace.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 13–17 hours of visiting over one day, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.9 hours in December to 13.4 hours in June.

Getting between stops: Ferry. Passenger ferries cross between Playa del Carmen and the pier opposite Plaza del Sol in about 45 minutes, with frequent departures through the day.

More or fewer days

• 2 days in Cozumel
• 3 days in Cozumel
• 5 days in Cozumel

Questions travellers ask