Travel tips · Cozumel · Mexico
Cozumel travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: NASA, Public domain
Quick answer
Cozumel was a sacred island for the Maya, a stop on pilgrimages to the goddess Ixchel. Today it is a working island of fishermen, dive professionals and families whose life revolves around tourism and cruise ships. Yucatecan Maya traditions show up in food, festivals such as the Feria de El Cedral, and the island's long-standing Carnival.
Key facts
- Language
- Spanish
- Currency
- MXN
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 127 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or purified water, which hotels provide.
- Emergency
- 911
Things to know
- Greet people with 'buenos días' or 'buenas tardes' in shops and taxis.
- Cover up with a shirt when you walk from the beach into town or restaurants.
- Do not touch or stand on coral, and never remove starfish or shells from the water.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen in the marine park; some operators ask you not to wear chemical sunscreen.
- Ask before photographing people and their homes.
- Book Palancar Reef ahead: Book dives a day or two ahead in high season; most operators limit group sizes.
- Eat in the inland streets of San Miguel rather than on the malecón near the cruise piers.
Tipping
Tip 10–15% in restaurants, and give dive and snorkel crews around 10% of the trip price or a few dollars per tank. Taxi drivers do not usually expect tips.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Buenos días | Good morning |
| ¿Cuánto cuesta? | How much is it? |
| La cuenta, por favor | The bill, please |
| Bucear | To dive |
| Sin hielo | Without ice |
What to wear
Light beachwear by day; a shirt and sandals are expected in town and restaurants. Pack a rash vest for sun protection when snorkelling.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 127 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or purified water, which hotels provide.
- Emergency number
- 911
- Phone and internet
- Mobile coverage is good in town and along the west coast but patchy on parts of the east coast.
- Time zone
- America/Cancun
Currents on the east coast and on some dive sites are strong; swim only in sheltered spots and dive with licensed operators. Scooter accidents are a common cause of injury, so ride carefully or use taxis, and use reef-safe sunscreen against the strong sun.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Mexico's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Cozumel?
Tip 10–15% in restaurants, and give dive and snorkel crews around 10% of the trip price or a few dollars per tank. Taxi drivers do not usually expect tips.
+Can you drink the tap water in Cozumel?
Do not drink tap water; use bottled or purified water, which hotels provide.
+What plugs are used in Cozumel?
Type A and B sockets, 127 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Cozumel?
Spanish.