I heard that Isla Pasion, or Passion Island, is one of the major attractions in Cozumel. It’s known for its white sand beaches, clear turquoise water, and deserted island feel away from the main island.
I saw there were tours that went there when I initially researched the island. I wanted to find my own way there, however, so I immediately looked into self-guided access to Passion Island. The plan seemed simple enough especially since I would already be renting a scooter all week to get me to the taxi boat ride to the island.
What I didn’t realize was the tour groups that go there do not just show up to a deserted island. They show up to a bunch of integrated, resort-like amenities that I ended up stumbling upon—and benefiting from for no-cost. In the end, I had a really great time relaxing and enjoying the beautiful water and beach at Passion Island for a tiny fraction of the all-inclusive tour cost.
Getting To Isla Pasion
I set out at 10:15am from my San Miguel accommodation and headed North. It only took about 15 minutes to make it to the final stretch of road to the dock.
This is where I had to slow down significantly. The road became a very bumpy dirt road. By road I mean ATV-jump course and by bumpy I mean WILD! This was definitely a challenging road that most people suggest can “only” be driven by a 4x4.
But I have a good track record with roads like this in vehicles that you “aren’t supposed to drive” without a 4x4. In fact, I think my scooter was actually a better option because I could navigate around most holes and huge bumps, sticking mostly to the flatter side of the road. I went right on passed the 4x4 vehicles bumping and bottoming out on this road!
Anyway, I arrived to a parking lot looking out over the water at the island. A small docking area was there. I parked next to some trees and out walked a man who asked me if I was going to Passion Island.
The cost was $15 USD. I handed him the money and he gave me his cell phone number to call when I would need to return. I followed him out to the end of the dock and he called a boat to come and pick me up.
I had my own private boat ride island hopping from Cozumel to Isla Pasion.
I jumped out of the boat into calf-deep water and watched from the beach as the boat pulled away.
It was quiet. And I was alone. Ahhh.
Finding Civilization
When I turned around up the short path, I saw a completely desolate beach and beautiful aqua water in the distance.
This was a very natural, unmaintained beach. I appreciated that aspect of it—but it wasn’t at all what the descriptions online said. For $15 to get across, I was expecting beautiful, white sand and seaweed-free, clear water—at least equal to what I could pay the same for back on Cozumel.
Not only that, the beach was kind of trashed! There was a lot of it strewn around here. If that wasn’t enough to disappoint, I started getting attacked by little no-see-ums (either mosquitos or sand flies or both). They were viscious!
Passion Island was starting to feel like Trash-on Island. But I was determined. This island had to have something to offer, even if just a nice hike, right?!
I followed a path into a wooded area up ahead.
The views from this side of the beach were not too bad! But not good enough. I pushed into the shaded forest.
There was just barely a beaten path here. I had to duck or push through some brambles at parts.
After about 5 minutes of walking, I saw a clearing. In the distance was a dock—well that seems like something. I continued on ahead.
By about 11am, I made it to a clearing that was starting to look more like an established area. In the distance I could see pristine beach and ocean.
Sure enough, I had arrived!
And apparently, so had the tours! I could not have timed my arrival better. I was there right when the first boat landed from the excursion tours.
Default Amenities
Looking down the beach, I could see lounge chairs and a lot more. I wondered how much of this would be accessible to me.
After visiting Passion Island, I looked up the cost of the tours and found that the cruise ships charge $85 or more to experience all the Island has to offer. I also saw a $65 all-inclusive pass with transport from the main Cozumel port.
The island has a bunch of amenities and experiences for both adults and children. These include buffet, some drinks, showers, lockers, restrooms, lounge chairs, water toys and inflatables, kayaks, hammocks, massage beds, tequila tasting, souvenir shopping, and more.
As far as I could tell, some of these amenities, like massage and the cash bar, were extra even for those with the pass.
What did I pay? I paid the cost of my daily scooter rental ($17) and boat transfer ($15). I brought my own food ($5 groceries) and managed to get a free drink (+ $1 tip). That’s at least half price!
As I explored the area, I had my eye on a section of the beach with beautiful white tents and bohemian pillows set up. But I would go back to that later because there was something else I wanted to do first.
Kayaking For Free
Back home in Florida, I enjoy kayaking. I don’t often get to use a hard top kayak. I also tend to explore the same areas closest to me around Miami. So I was excited to get to paddle the beautiful turquoise waters along the beaches of Passion Island.
I saw others pulling yellow kayaks out to the water. When I asked where they got them, they pointed over to the last remaining one—mine!
Now I was happy as could be! I was already looking into taking a kayak out during my time on Cozumel. I was going to pay around $30 to do that and here I was getting my fill of kayaking for free!
The water was super crystal clear and shallow enough to see right down to the white sandy bottom.
I paddled far away from the crowded beach and out toward the farthest end. The beach was less maintained here, but still nice. Now I felt like I was on a truly deserted and beautiful island.
Beach Canopy—Accidentally For Free
I eventually made my way back to the main beach area and put the kayak back up on the beach for others to use. I snorkeled for a bit here with my own gear. I saw a couple of stingrays and some fish, but not much else.
I then made my way over to one of the boho canopies set up in rows. I selected the one farthest from other people. I chilled here for quite a long time. Read my book. Nobody bothered me.
I noticed a small bar behind the canopies that people were getting drinks from and returning to their canopy. I figured I might need a wristband or something to access this, as some of the people had one.
At one point I walked by the bar to head to the restrooms and one of the bartenders asked me if I wanted a drink. I asked “What do you have?” and he offered me a rum punch. I accepted and he said it was included for Carnival cruise. I nodded and tipped him $1.
And that’s how I got a free drink! :)
As I was finishing my drink, I saw that the majority of people on the beach were starting to gather and walk toward the dock. By now it was 3pm. The transport boats arrived and were taking people back.
I figured I shouldn’t push my luck any more than I already had! I gathered my things and started walking in the direction of the groups. But instead of boarding with them, I went toward the woods and gave my boat taxi a call.
In Conclusion
Check out this video summary of my experience:
Paying for an all inclusive experience like an organized tour to Isla Pasion is not my jam. But I’m not above taking advantage of it after stumbling upon it.
I would never pay for an experience like it but it was definitely convenient to have access to kayaking, a beautiful beach, and a cute beach setup.
There were definitely parts of the experience I could have taken more advantage of (free food, more drinks). But I was very happy with all that I did regardless.
Above all, my timing was really impeccable—arriving at the same time as the cruise ship tours helped me blend in with the other tourists. I experienced the island and its amenities like everyone else—just a bit on the slick and sly! ;)
