Outdoors · Cozumel · Mexico
8 best outdoor things to do in Cozumel
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Johnnie Flashlite, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Palancar Reef, El Cielo and Santa Rosa and Columbia walls. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 21–28 hours across 5 areas; 1 is free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 1
- Time to see them all
- 21–28 hours
- Areas
- Southwest coast, South Hotel Zone and Punta Sur
Outdoors in Cozumel
Nature · Southwest coast
1.Palancar Reef
Ask your dive shop which section suits your experience and the day's current; the shallower Gardens are best for newer divers.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
Nature · Southwest coast
2.El Cielo
Look, don't touch: lifting starfish out of the water harms them and is prohibited in the park.
- Time needed
- Half a day by boat
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Nature · Southwest coast
3.Santa Rosa and Columbia walls
Monitor your depth closely on the wall; the visibility makes it easy to go deeper than planned.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Nature
- Outdoors
Park · South Hotel Zone
4.Chankanaab park
Head straight to the snorkelling area in the morning before cruise groups arrive, and bring your own gear if you have it.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Nature · Punta Sur
5.Punta Sur Eco Beach Park
Allow a full afternoon and bring cash, insect repellent and reef-safe sunscreen; facilities inside the park are limited.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Views
- Kids
- Outdoors
- History
Historic site · Island interior
6.San Gervasio
Hire a guide at the entrance; the structures are modest, and the stories of the pilgrimages are the real interest.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
Experience · East coast
7.East coast drive
Drive it clockwise from the south so the sea is on your side, and only swim in sheltered coves such as Chen Río.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Couples
Beach · East coast
8.Chen Río
Stay inside the protected pool area; currents outside the rocks are strong.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest coast | Palancar Reef, El Cielo and Santa Rosa and Columbia walls | Half a day + Half a day by boat + Half a day |
| South Hotel Zone | Chankanaab park | Half a day |
| Punta Sur | Punta Sur Eco Beach Park | Half a day |
| Island interior | San Gervasio | 1–1.5 hours |
| East coast | East coast drive and Chen Río | Half a day + 2 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 1 free, 2 low cost, 3 mid-priced, 2 expensive. Book ahead for Palancar Reef. The longest visit is Palancar Reef; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Palancar Reef: Book dives a day or two ahead in high season; most operators limit group sizes.
How to fit them into 8 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Southwest coast): Palancar Reef, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Southwest coast): El Cielo, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Southwest coast): Santa Rosa and Columbia walls, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 4 (South Hotel Zone): Chankanaab park, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 5 (Punta Sur): Punta Sur Eco Beach Park, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 6 (Island interior): San Gervasio, at least 1 hour.
- Half-day 7 (East coast): East coast drive, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 8 (East coast): Chen Río, at least 2 hours.
The best months to be outside
- March: highs of 29°C (84°F), about 4 rainy days, very busy crowds. Dry, sunny and calm; spring break and Easter make it one of the busiest months.
- April: highs of 31°C (88°F), about 3 rainy days, busy crowds. Hot and dry with calm seas and excellent visibility; the El Cedral fair begins at the end of the month.
- February: highs of 28°C (82°F), about 5 rainy days, very busy crowds. Sunny, comfortable and busy; Carnival may fall this month or in early March.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- South Hotel Zone — Dive resorts, cruise piers and shore snorkelling
- Southwest coast — All-inclusive resorts and beach clubs near Palancar
More of Cozumel
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Cozumel?
Palancar Reef. A long system of coral buttresses, swim-throughs and caverns along the island's southwest coast, Palancar is Cozumel's signature dive.
+Which of these are free in Cozumel?
Chen Río.