Plan around your all-aboard time
What to do in Cozumel on a long cruise stop
A longer Cozumel stop gives you room to spend time in one place. Choose a beach and snorkeling venue, or make Punta Sur your main outing. The example below uses eight hours remaining once you can leave the ship. It does not assume every eight-hour scheduled call supplies that much time ashore.
Start with the time you actually have
Count from when you can get off the ship, or ashore by tender, to the all-aboard time, using ship time. Times on these plans are our estimates, with time to spare; they cannot promise a plan fits your sailing.
Short plans need up to 4 hours in total, medium up to 6, long more than 6. A plan with a connection still to confirm has no total.
Choose one main outing
For the beach plan, choose one venue such as Chankanaab and give it the main part of the day. For nature and coastline, make Punta Sur the destination and settle the full transport arrangement first. The plans are alternatives, not a two-park itinerary.
Chankanaab
Beach & snorkeling
Make the southern-coast beach park your main outing, with published facilities and a separate admission charge.
- Return ride needed
- US$31 adult admission
Loading map…
Stops, in order
Your beach & snorkeling plan
A little structure, room to explore.
- At the stops
- 3 hr–4 hr
- Getting there and back
- Confirm locally
- Time to spare
- 1 hr
- Confirm the park is open on your call date and arrange your return ride.
- Choose the beach or activities that suit your group and conditions.
- Meet your driver with time for the return to your own cruise pier.
Local tip
You can take a break from the water. General admission includes a tropical garden, a Mayan-house display and pre-Hispanic replicas. These provide a land-based alternative during the same park visit.
- Time to allow
- Not timed yet: some connections still need confirming.
- Time at the stops
- 3 hr–4 hr. Three to four hours at Chankanaab, including a food break. A separate boat trip, timed add-on activity or second venue needs its own complete schedule.
- Transport and waiting
- Not yet included in a total. Book transport to Chankanaab from your assigned pier, not simply “Cozumel.” Check the posted taxi rate and confirm the return meeting point and time before starting the visit. Ask separately whether any park package includes transport and whether a booked activity has its own check-in deadline. Leave time for the ride, port security and walk to your ship.
- Connection evidence
- Cozumel Parks recommends taxis and says rates are posted at the arrival pier. No primary source reviewed bounds both Chankanaab rides, pickup waits and berth connections. A park ticket does not establish a complete transport arrangement. Checked Oct 6, 2026. Transport notes checked Oct 6, 2026. The complete connection still needs confirming.
- Return reserve
- Keep 1 hr spare before all-aboard, or before the last tender if that is earlier. Our suggestion, not a cruise-line rule; allow more if your ship asks.
- If you get ashore late
- Choose one venue. Cut beach time, not the return allowance; avoid adding a second beach club.
- Walking
- Expect a beach-park visit rather than a downtown stroll. Confirm the entrance route, assistance and water access directly for any mobility needs.
- Food & opening hours
- The park lists three ocean-view restaurants: Blue Lagoon, Dolphin Discovery Restaurant and El Bucanero. Meals cost extra; individual outlet hours and menus need checking.
- Hours, facilities & extra costs
- Beach and snorkeling park on the southern coast. Published hours: Mon–Sat, 8 am–4 pm. Listed admission: US$31 adult; US$22 ages 4–12. Bathrooms, showers, changing rooms and beach chairs are listed; meals and additional activities cost extra. Arrange transport from your pier.
- Transport
- Use the rate board at your arrival pier, which Cozumel Parks identifies as the place to check taxi prices. Agree the currency, passenger count and whether the quote covers one way or a return. Give the driver your exact cruise pier name.
- Accessible transport
- Arrange any vehicle before sailing. Puerta Maya’s operator lists taxi contacts +52 987 872 1130 and +52 987 872 1167. Ask specifically about ramps or lifts, your chair’s dimensions, travelling while seated in it, and pickup at your assigned pier. These contacts do not establish accessible-vehicle availability.
- Booking & access
- Check the taxi rate posted at your arrival pier. Puerta Maya’s directory lists taxi contacts at +52 987 8721130 and +52 987 8721167; it does not promise an accessible vehicle. Ask about availability, boarding, chair dimensions and both pickups before booking. Park access needs separate confirmation. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
Set a return reminder
Your phone uses its own clock; if it differs from ship time, set the reminder by ship time.
Hours and prices checked Oct 6, 2026.
Cozumel Parks: Chankanaab admission and hoursMapcarta / OpenStreetMap: Chankanaab park locationCozumel Parks: payment methods, taxis and bringing snorkel equipment (connection review, Oct 6, 2026)Cozumel Tours: Chankanaab taxi estimates by pier (package seller)Cozumel Parks: payment methods, taxis and bringing snorkel equipmentPuerta Maya operator: taxi information and dispatch contactsPuerta Maya operator: taxi information and dispatch contacts (connection review, Oct 6, 2026)
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Punta Sur
Nature & coastline
Choose the nature park’s beaches, lighthouse and lagoon scenery for a longer port call.
- Arrange both directions
- US$25 adult admission
Loading map…
Stops, in order
Your nature & coastline plan
A little structure, room to explore.
- At the stops
- 3 hr–4 hr
- Getting there and back
- Confirm locally
- Time to spare
- 1 hr
- Check the park’s opening date and arrange a vehicle for both the port transfers and the stops inside Punta Sur.
- Visit Celarain lighthouse, then continue by vehicle to the western beach area if time and conditions allow.
- Leave optional lagoon activities out unless their schedule fits. Meet your driver for the direct return to your assigned cruise pier.
Local tip
Ask about the lagoon boat before planning around it. The park lists the El Tatich boat ride in general admission. Confirm the day’s departures and operation on arrival; no departure time is verified here.
- Time to allow
- Not timed yet: some connections still need confirming.
- Time at the stops
- 3 hr–4 hr. Suggested time at the stops, including local browsing and a food break where described. Transport to and from the outing is separate.
- Transport and waiting
- Not yet included in a total. Arrange the Punta Sur outing from your assigned pier and confirm transport between Celarain Lighthouse and the beach inside the park. Ask whether the driver stays, which stops the quote includes and where to meet for the return. An arrival at the park gate leaves the internal connections unresolved. Confirm your visit date and any separate boat timetable before booking.
- Connection evidence
- The park lists Celarain Lighthouse, beach areas and parking among its facilities. Cozumel Parks recommends taxis to its parks, but does not publish a complete pier-to-gate-to-stops-and-return schedule. Checked Oct 6, 2026. Transport notes checked Oct 6, 2026. The complete connection still needs confirming.
- Return reserve
- Keep 1 hr spare before all-aboard, or before the last tender if that is earlier. Our suggestion, not a cruise-line rule; allow more if your ship asks.
- If you get ashore late
- Remove optional stops inside the park. Do not add a separate town outing.
- Walking
- Ask the park which areas suit your mobility and whether your chosen stops involve steps or uneven ground.
- Food & opening hours
- The park lists seaside food outlets at its beach clubs. Meals are extra; confirm which outlets are open and their prices on arrival.
- Hours & admission
- A longer outing to a nature park with beaches, a lighthouse and lagoon scenery. Mon–Sat, 9 am–5 pm. Listed admission: US$25 adult; US$17 ages 4–12. Arrange a return ride before setting off; our suggestion is to keep this for a longer call.
- Transport
- Use the rate board at your arrival pier, which Cozumel Parks identifies as the place to check taxi prices. Agree the currency, passenger count and whether the quote covers one way or a return. Give the driver your exact cruise pier name.
- Accessible transport
- Arrange any vehicle before sailing. Puerta Maya’s operator lists taxi contacts +52 987 872 1130 and +52 987 872 1167. Ask specifically about ramps or lifts, your chair’s dimensions, travelling while seated in it, and pickup at your assigned pier. These contacts do not establish accessible-vehicle availability.
- Booking & access
- Check the taxi rate posted at your arrival pier. Puerta Maya’s directory lists taxi contacts at +52 987 8721130 and +52 987 8721167; it does not promise an accessible vehicle. Ask about availability, boarding, chair dimensions and both pickups before booking. Park access needs separate confirmation. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
Set a return reminder
Your phone uses its own clock; if it differs from ship time, set the reminder by ship time.
Hours and prices checked Oct 6, 2026.
Cozumel Parks: Punta SurMapcarta / OpenStreetMap: Celarain lighthouse locationMapcarta / OpenStreetMap: Punta Sur beach-area locationCozumel Parks: Punta Sur (connection review, Oct 6, 2026)Cozumel Parks: payment methods, taxis and bringing snorkel equipment (connection review, Oct 6, 2026)Cozumel Parks: payment methods, taxis and bringing snorkel equipmentPuerta Maya operator: taxi information and dispatch contactsPuerta Maya operator: taxi information and dispatch contacts (connection review, Oct 6, 2026)Work backward from your deadline
This example has 8 hr available. It is a planning exercise, not your ship’s schedule. Use the upper activity allowance and keep the return reserve untouched.
- Beach & snorkeling: after the upper activity allowance and return reserve, 3 hr remains for all transport and waiting. This is the maximum room in the example, not an estimate of the journey. Confirm that every connection fits before choosing it.
- Nature & coastline: after the upper activity allowance and return reserve, 3 hr remains for all transport and waiting. This is the maximum room in the example, not an estimate of the journey. Confirm that every connection fits before choosing it.
Chankanaab now has a conditional budget for direct taxis, pickup waiting and the pier connection. Check it against your assigned terminal and current conditions. Punta Sur still needs a complete transfer estimate, including travel within the park; its card remains unclassified until that gap is resolved.
If you have less time
Do not add a mainland ferry excursion or a second beach club to these plans. If the return transfer leaves less time than expected, shorten the stay at your chosen venue. Any timed add-on activity must have a finish that still preserves the agreed pickup and return reserve.
Check before you go
Chankanaab currently lists Monday–Saturday, 8 am–4 pm; Punta Sur lists Monday–Saturday, 9 am–5 pm. Check the date and local opening hours against ship time before paying. Rechecked September 23, 2026.
Read the full Cozumel port guide for terminals, maps, costs and dated source notes.