I’ve been writing about my trip to Cozumel for a few months now. At this point, it’s time to wrap things up by sharing all of the highlights in one big post!
My hope is this post serves as a starting place from which travelers contemplating Cozumel or planning a trip to Cozumel can further solidify their plans. Each section provides links to launch further into my lengthier posts about each aspect.
There’s even a little exclusive bonus feature highlighting more of my free beach access experience!
Enjoy this overview of highlights from Cozumel!
1. Hike Around San Gervasio
San Gervasio is as close to the famous Chichen Itza ruins of Mexico as you’ll get on Cozumel. It’s a very nicely laid out old Mayan city with tons of original and recreated structures.
This experience doubled as a little hike through forest to get to each site. It’s number 1 on my list because of its easy access to the main city center of San Miguel. You can take a tour there or hop a scooter and be there in 20 minutes! The whole experience as a self-guided tour will only take about 2 hours max.
2. Don’t Jump Into Jade Cenote
Jade Cenote is not the most sanitary cenote in which to go swimming. But it is worth checking out if you love to see live bats and turtles swimming around. I enjoyed humming the Batman and TMNJ themes while here.
Try to go before the tour groups show up for some peace and quiet here before heading in to explore the historic town of El Cedral.
3. Try Peanut Butter Tequila at Rasta Bar
All the way on the opposite side of Cozumel from the main city is one of the best bars on the island—Rasta Bar! I honestly think it’s worth it to go here just to try their famous peanut butter tequila. It’s amazing! The bar owner’s brother makes it, and also happened to be my dive master at Blue Angel Resort!
Come for the tequila, but stay for the scenery. The beach here is really beautiful and the bar provides hammocks so you can kick back and relax for as long as you want!
4. Visit Punta Sur
After visiting Rasta Bar, enter Punta Sur for about $20 USD to gain access to a little bit of everything Cozumel has to offer.
You’ll see a swampy lagoon complete with crocs and flamingos, climb a lighthouse for 360-degree views, lounge on a beach with catered food and rink service, or experience some of the best self-guided snorkeling on the island.
This was the easiest $20 I actually paid twice!
5. Get Free Beach Access Next To Playa Mia
Looking for a free, public access beach to visit in Cozumel? Look no further than the free beach next to Playa Mia Grand Beach park.
The entrance is to the left before entering Playa Mia, next to a bunch of scooters parked. There is an entrance through a gate there and a long pathway sectioned off along the side of Playa Mia.
The path leads out behind the restaurants of Playa Mia and to the left of where all the Playa Mia beachers hang out. Folks pay around $30 to access the beach and lots of beach and water toys.
I enjoyed being adjacent to all that with what appeared to be a nice mix of mainly locals and solo travelers.
There’s lots of palm trees at the back of the beach to catch shade under. The beach is also fairly deep and the sand is very nice. There wasn’t too much sargasm (seaweed) when I was there. While I didn’t opt to go in the water, it was super clear, aqua blue, and beautiful to look at.
The free beach suited me as a traveler who just wants to enjoy the sand and water. I had my own blanket to lay on and didn’t need a chair or water toys.
Nature fulfills me enough! And this beach is truly beautiful! I didn’t write about this beach—just the food that I got and brought back here for a beach sunset picnic!
See what I ate at this beach here.
6. Visit Alberto’s For Mayan Food & Sunset
I went the Alberto’s for the last day of 2023 for dinner and a sunset. This is the ideal location on the island for sunset since it’s is the most West-facing spot that does not require a fee to access. Even Punta Sur kicks you out before sunset.
Alberto’s serves amazing seafood. Be sure to order their seafood made Mayan style with the delicious, secret, Mayan spice—achiote!
7. Find Your Way To Isla Pasion
Just getting to Isla Pasion is half the fun! This was such an adventure to make my way by scooter over the bumpy road to the dock area, take a wooden boat across the bay, and hike to the Caribbean side of the island.
The tours come here for a fee but you access for the low cost of tipping the boat driver. I was able to kayak for free—and the water is soooo clear!
8. Enjoy The Atmosphere & Drinks At Aqui y Ahora cafe
I went twice to this café on the main coastal road in San Miguel. It’s that good!
For one, I’m always a sucker for good lighting, great art, and nice views. Aqui y Ahora has all of this. This two-floor bar and eatery serves up great cocktails for happy hour prices and excellent food, too!
I didn’t even mind that it was one of the more touristy locations. Don’t miss it!
9. See A Drag Show At Pose Bar
Pose was such an unexpected and wonderful surprise. A brand new gay bar that opened in October 2023, Pose has two floors with views of a stage that hosts all kinds of events all week long. But it’s the drag shows that the people really come out for.
They have a consistent, resident queen named Rebecca Wonder and plenty of special guests—even a few from Drag Race pop in here and there.
10. Dive Santa Rosa Wall
This dive site is world renowned but I was still unprepared for just how epic. After logging over 60+ dives around the world, including the Great Barrier Reef, Santa Rosa Wall quickly shot to my #1 dive experience spot. I was floored by the visibility, bright and bold corals, swim throughs, variety of marine life, and ease of this drift dive.
Although my camera died conveniently beforehand, the memory of seeing a spotted eagle ray up close is imprinted on my brain forever! Thank goodness for my dive buddy who was able to capture at least some of the moment!
In Conclusion
And that concludes my trip to Cozumel earlier this year! This is a snippet of basically everything. I believe I really exhausted all there is to do on Cozumel, at least as a low-budget traveler who prefers to self-guide their way through most things.
My next posts will look at my return trip to Mexico—to Playa Del Carmen right across from Cozumel on th emainland. Look out for that! :)
