Most tourists arrive in Cozumel by cruise ship; Soul Of America
Cozumel Transportation
Cozumel International Airport (CZM) is a small international airport that handles traffic for the the island of Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. Aeromexico, American, Sun Country, Delta, United, Air Canada air lines provide flights from Cancun, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Toronto and Minneapolis. The airport is 5 minutes from San Miguel, which is downtown for Cozumel.
Aviomar Shuttle transports people from the Cozumel Airport to downtown and hotels. Taxis won’t pick you up at the airport. You would have to haul your luggage 5 blocks from the baggage claim in the heat/rain, then wait on Airport Blvd for a taxi — not recommended.
The good news is after shuttling to your hotel, Cozumel has no shortage of taxis. Taxi fares are set, so you don’t have to bargain. If your group includes more than two people, you pay extra per person. Taxi drivers charge the price listed for the destination zone. Downtown zone rates are around 25 pesos, with zone 7 at 30 pesos and zone 8 at 35 pesos. Taxis will take your dollars if you offer them, but exchange dollars for pesos at the airport or hotel for better value.
San Miguel municipal pier is where passenger ferries arrive. Cruise ships dock at Punta Langosta Pier, International Pier or Puerta Maya Pier. Punta Langosta Pier is in the middle of downtown. International Pier and Puerta Maya Pier are a $10 taxi ride to downtown. Most tourists arrive in Cozumel by cruise ship, then walk or taxi to souvenir stores in the hotel zone.
If your cruise ship docks at International Pier or Puerta Maya Pier, women traveling alone should taxi to downtown. Local men love to flirt with female tourists who walk by.
Since Cozumel, like Cancun, is located in the state of Quintana Roo, adventurous tourists take the 58-mile drive south of Cancún to just south of Playa del Carmen. Then they transfer to ferry for the 12-mile ride to San Miguel on Cozumel. Only do this if you have a good car air conditioner and experience driving Mexican roads.
Cozumel, 28 miles long and 18 miles wide, is a fairly flat island covered with a low tropical forest. The southwest coast is a divers’ paradise with fantastic reefs to explore, while the west-coast water facing mainland Mexico is calm and peaceful.
The main street in San Miguel is Avenida Rapael Melgar, running along the west coast of the island facing the Yucatan mainland. This is hotel row and extends past town on both sides and to the southern tip of the island. Around Cozumel, you can take a shuttle, taxi, rent a car, scooter or walk.
