We will be ariving on Saturday (3/17/12). We are in Cancun for 6 nights. We have been there about 4 or 5 times.... However we have never made it over to Cozumel. We want to make it over there this trip. Just a day trip not overnight. Is there a day that is better than others.... I dont want to be there when the cruise ships are there and it is real crowded.... Thanks guys and gals...
The cruise ship traffic will not really hinder your day trip. They usually get off the ships by 8 am and then they are back by 5 pm. Most passengers, in my opinion, don't really explore Coz. They get off and do their shopping at the markets right outside the port. This is about 3 miles from downtown Coz, where the ferry comes from the mainland. There is a lot you can do on a day trip. There are two ships and they run to Coz every hour on the hour from 7 am - 10 pm, EXCEPT at 9am, 2pm, 4pm & 9pm. They return, leaving every hour from 6 am - 9 pm, except 8am, 1pm, 3pm & 8pm. There are two companies, Ultramar and the other is Mexico line. Buy a one way ticket. Same price but if you buy r/t you have to come back on the same line. The ships rotate trips, so if one leaves at 9 am for example, the other leaves at 10 am. And they rotate routes every other day. So if Ultramar leaves Monday at 9 am, on Tues, Mexico line has the 9 am run. The trip is about 40-45 minutes each way. Hope this is of some help.
Coz is definitely worth a day trip. You can do a tour from the hotel zone in Cancun, or simply take a bus to Playa Del carmen where the ferry dock is. Private transportation to and from Playa is available but a bit costly. There are many great Cozumel web-sites many of which have descriptions and pics of the various beach clubs. Excellent snorkeling abounds. Be careful if you rent mopeds as we know of more than one "accident" that occurred. As TJ said, do the one way tix!
We spent a week in Cozumel two years ago. I would definately suggest going. Great Snorkling and diving. Downtown is ok. Lots of excursions that make it worth the trip over.
Do you plan on doing any diving or snorkeling while you are there? If so let me know. I know a great instructor/guide there with more than 20 years of experience and a spotless safety record!
I've spent two months in Cozumel, the snorkelling is phenomenal. A nice trip which will take you an hour or two (depending on how fast you drive) is to rent a car and drive around the island. The eastern island is absolutely gorgeous... especially during the sunset. There's also fun tours where you can drive a two person dune buggy and swimming in a cenote where you can enter a batcave via cenote only. If you want to take a Kite-Boarding lesson Cozumel's the place for you.
