You can travel from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel with the daily, frequent ferry boats. Check out our guide with all the important information.
One of the most popular tropical vacation spots in Mexico’s stunning Caribbean region is the peaceful island of Cozumel! The island of Cozumel, now a sparkling tropical paradise, was once a thriving Mayan community with up to 10,000 residents.
Today, Cozumel is at the center of attention and of the most attractive vacation spots for water sports activities and diving. It’s an island with countless white-sand beaches, Mayan ruin sites, and a coral reef system supporting vibrant aquatic life!
The possibilities for adventure are infinite because of the abundance of dive locations, which range from tunnels and breathtaking drop-offs to shallow coral gardens.
Cozumel is a fantastic place full of breathtaking scenery, entertainment, and the ideal spot for leisure. If you want to escape from reality and take in one of Mexico’s most stunning locations, make sure to go to Cozumel!
And what better way to experience all its glory if not by joining one of the fantastic guided day tours!
Join one of the most magnificent catamaran cruises in the Caribbean to see El Cielo Beach and Palancar Reef, the two crown jewels of Cozumel’s marine park.
With this catamaran tour to Cozumel’s El Cielo Beach and Palancar Reef, you may snorkel, swim, relax and have fun on a private beach, and eat lunch with unlimited drinks.
Book now and get the ultimate Cozumel experience!
Check out our guide for all the important information on traveling from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel.
Distance from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
The distance from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel is about 19 kilometers or 11.8 miles by boat.
It takes around 45 minutes to travel by ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel.
Transportation Options from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
The following table outlines all transportation options from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel:
| Method | Travel time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ultramar Ferry Boat from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel | 45 minutes | USD 26 |
| Cargo Ferry Boat from Playa del Carmen (Calica) to Cozumel | 45 minutes | USD 300-USD 400 |
| Guided Tour from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel | – | ~USD 100 |
Getting to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen
1. Ultramar Ferry Boat from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
Travel time: 45 minutes
Being an island, Cozumel can only be reached from Playa del Carmen by ferry. Playa del Carmen is hence the main ferry station for routes to Cozumel!
Playa del Carmen and Cozumel are separated by the Caribbean Sea, and although it isn’t a very long distance, you can still take in the boat ride, the sea, and the sunshine during your trip!
The crossing time from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, which are separated by 11.8 miles or 19 kilometers, is roughly 45 minutes.
Thanks to the various ferry departures from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, you can easily travel at any time of day!
The easiest way to travel to the island is with the Cozumel Ultramar ferry boats. High-speed ferries run by Ultramar usually take 45 minutes to get to Cozumel.
Ultramar is popular due to its speed and convenience. Additionally, they run regularly, allowing you to visit the island whenever you like!
Ferry boats from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel run from 06:00 AM until 10:00 PM. Approximately every two hours, new ferries will be waiting for you!
You can get your tickets at the Ultramar ferry port, but we recommend booking online to avoid the long waits in line!
2. Cargo Ferry from Playa del Carmen (Calica) to Cozumel
Travel time: 45 minutes
If you have a car or you’ve just gotten a rental and want to explore Cozumel on wheels, there is a cargo ferry that can transport your vehicle to Cozumel!
However, to catch the cargo ferry, you’ll have to get to Calica, where the cargo ferry terminal is located.
Calica is about 6.4 miles or 10.4 kilometers south of Playa del Carmen. The ride from Playa del Carmen to the cargo port where the ferries depart takes no more than 5-10 minutes.
Many daily cargo ferries depart from Calica to Cozumel.
Most of these cargo boats have four daily departures and arrivals from/to Cozumel. Car ferries are provided by two significant ferry companies: Ultramar and Transcribe.
One-way tickets for cargo ferries typically cost USD 300 to USD 400, which is relatively pricey. That’s why renting a car in Cozumel would be a more practical option!
3. Guided Tour + Transfer from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
Travel time: ~5 hours
If you want to visit Cozumel for a day trip, you can book numerous guided tours from Playa del Carmen!
Book a tour and get transportation to and from Isla Cozumel and a day filled with activities and excitement!
We recommend this full-day tour that includes round-trip transportation and snorkeling in Cozumel’s seas from a glass-bottom boat! Observe the stunning aquatic life of Cozumel. You’ll then have plenty of time to shop and discover the town.
And to finish off the day, you’ll enjoy traditional lunch at a local restaurant!
Book this day trip to Cozumel today and experience the best of the island!
Best day tours in Cozumel, Mexico
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Check out the following widgets for more day tours in Cozumel, Mexico!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest option to get from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel?
The cheapest option to get from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel is by ferry, which costs USD 26 per person.
What is the fastest way to get from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel?
The fastest way to get from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel is by ferry. The ride takes around 45 minutes.
More Routes from Playa del Carmen
Author: AnaMarija Mishachkovska
AnaMarija is a devoted SEO travel writer with deep expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand. Experience: AnaMarija's academic journey commenced with pursuing a bachelor's degree at AUE FON University in Macedonia. Subsequently, she immersed herself in the realm of travel writing, specializing in creating comprehensive transportation guides for diverse regions in Latin America and Southeast Asia. Since 2021, AnaMarija has been employed as a travel writer with expertise in transportation at Universal Traveller. Furthermore, in 2022, she expanded her horizons by becoming a travel writer for Guatemala Transport Service and Mexico Transport Service. Since 2023, AnaMarija has been actively sharing her extensive knowledge in Thailand transportation as a contributor to Bangkok Insiders. Expertise: AnaMarija holds profound expertise in transportation across various countries, including Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, and Thailand. Her comprehensive knowledge enables her to navigate the most efficient routes effortlessly, while her writing style ensures that this valuable information is easily understandable and readily accessible online. Education: AnaMarija's educational background includes studies in Design and Multimedia at AUE FON University in Macedonia. To augment her academic foundation, she pursued online courses in Search Engine Optimization…
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AnaMaria is a dedicated SEO specialist and content strategist with profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand.
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