Cozumel Travel Guide — Stunning Underwater Worlds and Caribbean Flair: A Paradise for Divers and Travelers
Our Highlights for Cozumel
Our top highlight on Cozumel is the exceptionally good diving and snorkeling, which was made world-famous by Jacques Cousteau when he published reports about the expansive, vibrant coral reefs back in the 1960s.
Cozumel is also known for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. Much of the island, however, is covered in untouched jungle teeming with wildlife such as tropical birds and reptiles.
The island was once a pilgrimage site of the Maya. To this day, you can visit Maya ruins at San Gervasio and Castillo Real.
Cozumel has been a popular port of call for cruise ships since the 1990s.
Climate & Best Time to Visit Cozumel
Cozumel enjoys a tropical climate with temperatures ranging from about 25 °C to 35 °C. Water temperatures hover between roughly 25 °C and 31 °C. This means ideal conditions all year round — even during the rainy season from May to September, when showers tend to be brief and offer a welcome cool-down.
Entry Requirements, Vaccinations & Practical Information for Cozumel
German nationals can enter Mexico without a visa.
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months, or at least for the duration of your stay.
You will also need a tourist card called "FMT," which is distributed during your flight and at border crossings into Mexico. It is stamped at the border, and the validity period is noted. Note: Pay close attention to the recorded validity period!
The tourist card must be presented when leaving Mexico.
Note: During identity checks, authorities will ask not only for your passport but also for the Mexican tourist card. Therefore, always carry it with you to prove your legal stay.
Please note: When entering overland via the USA, tourist cards have sometimes not been stamped. In such cases, this can usually be rectified — for instance by presenting a bus ticket — at the relevant authority in Mexico (Instituto Nacional de Migración). When entering or leaving via the USA, US entry requirements must also be observed!
Importing food is prohibited, as is exporting gold (except gold jewelry), antiques, archaeological artifacts, coral, and cacti.
Vaccinations: It is recommended to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A, Tetanus, and Diphtheria. There is a moderate malaria risk year-round, particularly in rainforest areas. Highland areas, cities, coastal regions, and tourist resorts are considered malaria-free.
All information without guarantee!
Getting There & Transportation on Cozumel
From Playa del Carmen, you can reach Cozumel by ferry in about half an hour.
By plane from Cancún, it takes roughly twenty minutes. Arriving by cruise ship is also an excellent option, as Cozumel is a port of call for many major cruise lines.
Airlines serving Cozumel include American Airlines, Continental Airlines, and Delta, among others. From Cozumel Airport, you can reach 10 airports across four countries. A total of 10 airlines operate from Cozumel Airport, with Aeromexico offering the most destinations — three routes from here.
Where Is Cozumel?
The Mexican island of Cozumel lies just off the eastern coast of Yucatán and belongs to the state of Quintana Roo. Covering approximately 646 km², it is Mexico's largest island and sits 15.8 km from the mainland. The island's capital is San Miguel de Cozumel, home to around 90,000 residents — the vast majority of Cozumel's population.
The History of Cozumel
- In Mayan times, Cozumel was known as Cuzamil and was an important religious and economic center around 1000 AD.
- On May 3, 1518, the Spanish conquistador Juan de Grijalva landed on Cozumel. He destroyed the Mayan religious sites and renamed the island Isla Santa Cruz.
- As a result, by the end of the 17th century the island was almost completely abandoned. Only pirates used it as a hideout and shelter.
- In the early 20th century, Cozumel was resettled thanks to chicle deposits — the sap used to produce chewing gum.
- During World War II, the US Navy used the airport as a coordination post. After the war, only a few fishermen remained on the island.
- The island gained fame in 1961 through the French marine biologist Jacques Cousteau. Today, Cozumel's economy relies almost entirely on tourism.
- Hurricanes: In 2005, Cozumel was hit by two hurricanes — Hurricane Emily on July 18, and Hurricane Wilma on October 21.
