Cozumel (Mexico, Riviera Maya)

San Miguel de Cozumel is a major cruise port and city on Cozumel Island. Cozumel is part of Mexico's Quintana Roo state, located on Yucatan Peninsula's northeastern part. This is the most visited port of call on roundtrip voyages from the USA to the Western Caribbean.

By berthing capacity and annual cruise shipping volumes, Cozumel is currently ranked the world's 4th-largest cruise port - following only Florida's PortMiami, Port Canaveral/Orlando, and Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale.

This Mexican port city destination attracts international tourists (mostly from the USA) with its tropical weather, snorkeling, diving and sea fishing opportunities, shopping and sightseeing. The island has population around 100,000, most of whom (around 80,000) live in San Miguel de Cozumel. In Quintana Roo is also Costa Maya (Mexico's second-largest cruise port).

Port Calica is located approx 5 mi / 8 km south of Playa del Carmen. Currently, there is a small pier serving mainly ferries to / from Cozumel (approx 12 mi / 20 km away). There are two ferry companies running the Calica (Playa del Carmen)-Cozumel ferries. Tickets cost ~USD 15 pp (roundtrip). Depending on weather, the crossing Cozumel-Calica is 30-45 min.

Puerto Cozumel (locode MXCZM) is opposite Playa del Carmen and is the principal/main cruise port to Cancun - one of Mexico's most visited tourist destinations. Cancun is best known for the Mayan archaeological sites El Rey, El Meco, Coba, Muyil, Xcaret, Kohunlich, Kinichna, Dzibanche, Oxtankah, Tulum, Chacchoben, Chichen Itza. Cancun is approx 60 mi (100 km) from Cozumel (~2,5 hours drive distance) and is served by an International Airport linking via regularly scheduled flights to Canada, USA, Central and South America, Europe.

Cozumel Island offers some of the world's best underwater tour activities, with its main tourist attractions being offshore coral reefs and numerous diving shops and tour operators. The main diving areas are located on the island's western side. Its east side is relatively undeveloped but has amazing beaches with beach restaurants every few miles. The most popular among tourists beaches are Playa Palancar and Playa Azul.

Chankanaab National Park is approx 5,5 mi (9 km) south of San Miguel. The park is open daily (between 7 am - 5 pm) and as amenities offers a lagoon, beach, restaurant, full-service bar, changing rooms, several walking trails. There you can enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, SeaTREK helmet diving, swimming with dolphins. Another major attraction is the Cozumel Pearl Farm. This is an active farm surrounded by a mangrove lagoon and accessible only by boat.

The local economy depends heavily on tourism. The island's tropical climate determines the rainy season (from June through November) and the dry season (from December through May). The wet season is also characterized by hurricanes.

Cozumel cruise port

A single cruise vessel in Cozumel (with max passenger capacity 3000 plus max crew 500) generates on average spending USD 313740 (passengers) and USD 31740 (crew), plus nearly USD 29000 in port fees. This results in total contribution to the local economy of USD 374480 - and this is per ship.

The following statistical data was provided by the Cozumel port authority.

In 2006 the cruise port received 2,028 million passengers, out of all the 5,551 million that visited Mexico that year. In 2007, this number jumped to 2,45 million (23% increase), while Mexico saw a 10% growth (to 6+ million).

In 2009, the average per-passenger spending in Cozumel was USD 105 (17% increase over 2008) directly benefiting various local industries through purchases (goods and services), including tours (shore excursions), drinks and food, retail shopping, ground transportation services.

In 2014, the cruising industry generated in Cozumel USD 565,4 million in cruise spending (crews, passengers and shipping companies combined), 15990 local jobs, USD 93,5 million in wages (produced through cruise ship tourism).

In 2014, the cruise port handled over 3,3 million passengers. In 2017, this number reached 3,6 million, ranking Cozumel the world's leading cruise ship tourism destination. In October 2015, the port hosted the second "FCCA Cruise Conference and Trade Show" (Oct 5-9).

In December 2020, Quintana Roo media reported that a new (USD 10 pp) tourist tax on foreigners goes into effect since April 1, 2021. Details on how it will be collected or will it be applied also to cruise ship tourists were not revealed.

In early-February 2021 was proposed that following the impact of the Coronavirus crisis, Cozumel could be also used as homeport (departure port) for roundtrips to Caribbean island destinations - including Cuba. The idea is well backed up by the cheap flights from the USA and Port Cozumel's lower dockage fees, in comparison to the American ports' fees.

During the post-COVID season 2022, Port Cozumel recorded a total of 1117 ship calls and handled 2,943760 million cruisers. For season 2023, the Port had booked 1154 ship berthings (scheduled ship visits) with estimated 3,726115 million tourists.

Royal Beach Club Cozumel (Royal Caribbean Resort)

In late-March 2024, RCG/Royal Caribbean Group announced its plans for the Royal Beach Club Cozumel.

Scheduled for inauguration in 2026, this exclusive destination (to be developed at Cozumel Island's western coast) will feature several beaches (including adults-only and suite guests-only), kids playgrounds, resort-style large freshwater swimming pools, swim-up bars, various drinking and dining venues (lounges, bars, snack shacks, restaurants), Street Market (shops) as well as live music and entertainment, private poolside cabanas (for rent), watersports activities (snorkeling/scuba diving, kayaking, windsurfing).

Unlike other RCI Caribbean private island destinations (Paradise Island Beach Club Nassau), Royal Beach Club Cozumel costs extra, being offered as an optional shore excursion choice. In October 2024 was announced the Perfect Day Mexico project (Costa Maya) scheduled for completion/inauguration in 2027.

More details and information on Royal Beach Club Cozumel will be revealed gradually in the coming months.

Cozumel cruise terminal