Cozumel in 3 days

A Caribbean dive island of turquoise reefs, cenotes and easygoing Mexican island life. Best time to visit: December-April (dry, calm-sea season). Average daily budget: $90 to $200 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: San Miguel de Cozumel, The island's only town, with the ferry pier, malecón, restaurants and most hotels.

Morning: Dive or snorkel Palancar and Columbia reefs. World-class drift dives along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef with pristine coral walls.

Afternoon: Explore San Miguel de Cozumel, The island's only town, with the ferry pier, malecón, restaurants and most hotels.

Evening: Spend a day at a west-coast beach club. Calm turquoise water, loungers and snorkelling straight from shore at spots like Money Bar or Paradise Beach.

Eat: Fresh ceviche and grilled fish

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: West coast hotel zone, The calm Caribbean-facing coast lined with resorts, beach clubs and dive shops.

Morning: Circle the island by scooter or car. Loop the wild east coast, stop at beach shacks and reach Punta Sur's lighthouse and lagoons.

Afternoon: Explore West coast hotel zone, The calm Caribbean-facing coast lined with resorts, beach clubs and dive shops.

Evening: Swim in a cenote. Cool off in freshwater sinkholes like Cenote Chempita or on a day trip to the mainland cenotes.

Eat: Yucatecan cochinita pibil tacos

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: East coast (windward), Wild, undeveloped beaches with rougher surf, beach shacks and open Caribbean views.

Morning: Visit San Gervasio Mayan ruins. A small but atmospheric Mayan site once dedicated to the goddess Ixchel, tucked in the island's jungle.

Afternoon: Explore East coast (windward), Wild, undeveloped beaches with rougher surf, beach shacks and open Caribbean views.

Evening: The wild, near-empty beaches along the east coast road.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Lobster on the east coast beaches

Hidden gems

The wild, near-empty beaches along the east coast road.
Punta Sur eco-park's crocodile lagoon and lighthouse.
Sunset drinks at a windward-side beach shack.
Local taquerías in San Miguel away from the pier.

Getting around

San Miguel is walkable, but to reach the beach clubs, east coast and southern reefs you'll want wheels: rental cars, scooters and open-air jeeps are all popular for looping the island. Taxis are plentiful but not cheap and don't use meters, so agree fares upfront. Ferries from Playa del Carmen connect Cozumel to the mainland in about 45 minutes.

Safety

Cozumel is one of the safest destinations in Mexico, with a relaxed island atmosphere and low crime. Take normal precautions in San Miguel at night, drive carefully on the east-coast road, respect strong currents on windward beaches (swim on the west coast), and use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the corals. Hurricane season runs June to November.

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