Lorena Sanchez

On June 2024 I took my daughters on a one-week trip to the Mexican Riviera. The first stop was at Cancun for 4 nights, then we stayed in Cozumel 2 nights, and spent the last 2 nights at Playa del Carmen. In this experience I’m focusing on our visit to Cozumel. To get to Cozumel first we took a one-hour transfer from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. Then we boarded a ferry at Playa del Carmen to Cozumel.  The ferry took approximately 45 minutes, and it was very entertaining - we saw a big dark grey fish about the size of a shark.  Amazing clear waters!

Upon arrival to the Cozumel ferry terminal we walked to our hotel and dropped our luggage. Then we walked to the rental place to pick up a reserved Jeep.  We headed to the Mayan Cacao Company where we learned about the chocolate origins and its production process.  The tour guide prepared chocolate with raw ingredients and shared it with the spectators. That chocolate was very tasty.  The tour included an exhibition of a Mayan hut and tasting a delicious taco with fresh mole and handmade tortilla prepared by a lady. 

Next day we visited the San Gervasio archaeological site and had fun exploring it.  This site was a Mayan sacred center to worship Ixchel (the goddess of fertility), and it’s linked to the Mayan canoe pilgrimages from Xaman-Há in Playa del Carmen. After walking 2 hours in the hot weather at San Gervasio, we were hungry, so we headed to the Mercado Municipal (City Market) de Cozumel where there were many small restaurants and food stalls, vegetable and fruit stands, traditional clothing and artisan shops.  We sat at one of the tables in a small restaurant and had very tasty empanadas along with refreshing fruit water drinks.

The best time to visit Cozumel is March through May with low chance of rain.  We visited on June after school ended, and guess what? It was a little rainy and windy.  We were very excited to visit Playa Palancar, a beach famous for its crystal clear waters.  However, due to the wind and rain, the water was mixed with the soil, so we did not get in the beach.  Hopefully next time we’ll see clear waters, and we’ll visit Playa El Cielo as well. 

From Playa Palancar we continued driving south. The road bends and follows the east coast. Gorgeous views of the ocean while driving on this side of the island.  Also along the east coast there is a path exclusively for bikes.

In the evening after having dinner we walked along the waterfront, in downtown, and stopped by the Parque Benito Juarez – a small park where families were hanging around listening to some teenagers playing music with percussion instruments.

Next morning we boarded the ferry back to Playa del Carmen.

I hope to be back to this beautiful island and stay at least 5 nights so that I can visit many other attractions I did not have time to experience such as the Adventure Park in Chankanaab National Park where you can go diving, snokeling, snuba diving, sea trek, enjoy a sea lion show, swim with a manatee, or have a dolphin encounter.  Another attraction is the Punta Sur ecological park with protected flora, fauna, lagoon systems with wildlife, the Caracol which is a small Maya building, and the Celarain Lighthouse to climb for an amazing view. 

Do you like festivals or sports? Carnival celebration is usually during February, and the Ironman International Endurance Competition is held in November.

If you are a family, a couple or a solo traveler, Cozumel offers an amazing experience for you.

Until next time!