Amazing Things to do in Cozumel Cruise Port (2025)
Looking for things to do at the Cozumel Cruise Port?
Cozumel is an island off the coast of Mexico, known for its amazing snorkelling and scuba diving.
There are actually three different cruise ship ports in Cozumel. The port your cruise stops at depends on which cruise line you’re sailing with.
Here are the cruise ports, and which cruises tend to go to them:
- Punta Langosta Terminal: Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian
- International Cruise Terminal: Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Royal Caribbean
- Puerta Maya: Carnival Cruise Line, AIDA, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia and U.K.), Costa, Seabourn and Cunard
Pro Tip: Punta Langosta is close to the old town of San Miguel, whereas the other two are about a 1-hour walk away, and very close together.
I spent three days in Cozumel walking around everywhere, so I was able to see all there are the things to do in Cozumel near the ports.
There is some overlap, as to the things to do at each – but also things to do that are really close to each one.
So, vamos – let’s jump into your options for things to do at each port in Cozumel!
Things to Do Near BOTH Cruise Terminals in Cozumel
Here are the things to do in Cozumel where it doesn’t matter which cruise port you stop at, because transportation (usually by vehicle) is needed, so you would be picked up at either port
1. Shop for Mexican goods and souvenirs
A cruise stop in Cozumel is a great opportunity to buy some Mexican goods, and gifts that are hard to find anywhere else.
Some examples of things you can find in Cozumel are:
- Mexican vanilla, coffee, chocolate and liquor
- Queso-flavoured Ruffles chips
- Local art, like hand-painted items of Cozumel and Mexico
- Colourful sarape blankets
- Bags, purses, hats, T-shirts and magnets that say Cozumel or Mexico on them
By shopping for souvenirs, you’re often supporting small businesses and artisanal handicrafters. Read my post on the best souvenirs to look for in Mexico.
2. Get your photo taken in front of one of the (many) Cozumel signs
Regardess of which port your cruise ship stops at, you will see lots of photo ops in front of signts that say “Cozumel” or Isla Cozumel.
All four of the above were taken near the Punta Langosta Terminal, but there are more of them down at the other cruise ship terminals too.
3. Explore the island on foot
My favourite thing to do at cruise ship ports in the Carribean is to simply walk around and explore.
If you arrive at the Punta Langosta Terminal, you can take a 15 minute walk into the San Miguel Old Town, its such a charming spot with street art, hanging Mexican decorations, many shops.
If you arrive at one of the other two ports that are further south, you are too far from the old town to walk there (unless you take a cab over to the area, it would be a 10 minute drive.)
But there’s a lot to explore regardless of which terminal you’re at.
Even if you’re dropped off at one of the southern terminals (Puerta Maya or International terminal) you could take a 10 minute taxi ride into San Miguel if you wanted to – but there’s some good walking and exploring to be done in those ports too.
4. Snorkelling with sea turtles
Cozumel is famous for diving, because of being the home to the largest barrier reef in the world – so you can imagine how amazing the snorkelling there is too.
There’s a small reef somewhere in Cozumel that they call a turtle sanctuary, where its not uncommon to see sea turtles.
It’s not really a designated sanctuary from what I can tell, it’s just a small reef that is very popular for sea turtles.
And based on people’s reviews, seeing sea turtles there is quite common and its an amazing experience. You can read more about it on their official website here.
**If you’re arriving at the Punta Langosta (downtown San Migel) pier, then you can walk to the meeting place. If you’re arriving at one of the further piers, then they ask you to take a cab to the meeting area – it would be about a 10 min drive.**
Book your Turtle Sanctuary Snorkel Tour here through Viator (around $65 per person for a 4 hour tour)
5. Take a private tour of Mayan ruins
Cozumel has a long history being settled by the Mayans in the 1st millennium AD. This tour will show you:
- Mayan ruins that are thousands of years old, a sight that is missed by most people who visit Cozumel
- a cenote (one of only 18 on the island of cozumel) which you can swim in at the end of the day
- tequila making
- a traditional Mayan picnic for lunch
The guide for this tour is willing to pick you up at whatever cruise terminal you’re dropped off at, and all ages are welcome.
Book your private tour of Mayan ruins and cenote here (around $100 per person for a 4-5 hour tour that includes traditional lunch)
6. Get braids done
It’s very common on the Mayan Riviera in general to see women offering braiding services.
Some of the braiders set up shop right outside where the cruise ships drop you off and you can get braids done!
And if the braider you see is already braiding someone else’s hair, keep walking – there will be more.
It takes them around around an hour or more to do braids but they have a variety of styles so it depends on which you choose. They’ll accept pesos or US dollars. It usually costs around $50-$100 depending on the style you choose.
Pro Tip: The braids can last in your hair for a surprisingly long time (several weeks) but its apparently not good for your hair to keep them in longer than a few days or a week at the very most.
2. Visit the Mercado Municipal
Mercado Municipal in the centre of San Miguel is a great, more local-feel experience in Cozumel.
It’s visited by many tourists, but its also a place where locals buy goods such as meat, cheeses, and produce.
If you want to buu Mexican souvenirs, I would check here first – you can get better deals here than one of the stores that are specifically aimed at tourists.
The market is open from 8am until 4pm everyday.
From the Punta Langosta Terminal, you can walk to the Mercado Municipal in just 15 minutes (you can take a quick cab ride too.) From the other terminals, you’ll need to take a 10-min cab ride; it would be too far to walk.
In the areas surrounding Mercado Municipal, there is old town San Miguel which is a nice area to stroll through.
7. Take a surf lesson
Cozumel is a great spot for surfing; there are lots of great beaches in the southern part of the island (which is mostly surrounded by jungle but has a few restaurants too) where they have surf schools.
I booked a surf lesson with Camille, through the hostel I was staying at. She has her own surf lesson business that offers tours through Viator.
Camille’s English is fantastic (like seriously good, even though I speak Spanish I didn’t bother using it with her at all because her English was so great.) I also found her to be a really kind, supportive and encouraging instructor.
There are a few things to be aware of about surfing before taking a surf lesson, if its your first time:
- It’s a very weather-dependent activity
- It’s very hard. If you’ve never surfed before, don’t hold your expectations too high for your first lesson. Just go out there to have fun!
Book your surf lesson here (2.5 hours, and about $130 per person)
8. Go scuba diving
Cozumel is famous for its diving, because it has the second largest barrier reef in the world.
I went to Cozumel for the main purpose of scuba diving and was able to do a few dives when I was there.
There is lots of coral along the reef, and its rich with wildlife. I saw a sea turtle and a sleeping nurse shark.
There are so many dive shops in Cozumel, and the one you go with may depend on:
- the cruise terminal your ship is stopping at (it would make more sense to choose a dive shop near your terminal so you can ideally walk to it or get picked up)
- if your cruiseline is affiliated with any of the local dive shops, because booking through your cruise directly may the be the easiest
I went diving with a smaller dive company called Miri Adventures. Miri owns a hostel in town called Casa Samay, and she organizes diving for both people staying on Cozumel and people who arrive via cruise ship. It was a good experience – also she really cares about the environment and prides herself as an eco-tourism business.
9. Spend the day at a beach club
If you want to get away from people and the hustle and bustle and really enjoy some peace and tranquility when ypu’re in Cozumal, then maybe consider spending the day at a beach club.
A day pass at a beach club often grants you:
- access to a private beach
- drinks and food
- use of a swimming pool
- free equipment rental, such as kayaks
- hammocks and lounge chairs
Paradise Beach Club and Mr. Sanchos Beach Club are your two options for beach club in Cozumel, and both offer all of the above.
They are about about a 10 minute cab ride from the International and Puerta Maya Cruise Terminals, and about 20 minutes from the Punta Langosta Cruise Terminal.
10. Visit Isla de la Pasión
Isla de Pasión is a private island off the coast of Cozumel.
Similar to buying a pass at a beach club, you would buy an an All Inclusive Private Island Day Pass to Isla de Pasion and get:
- unlimited buffet meals, and drinks
- private beach access, and lockers to store your things
- places to relax
Things to do Specifically Near the Punta Langosta Pier in Cozumel
The Punta Lagonsta Pier is closest to the town of San Miguel
1. Walk through the old town
One of the biggest perks of being at the Punta Langosta Cruise Terminal is how close you are to the city of San Miguel.
It has a charming old town to walk through. There are many shops and souvenir stores, lots of places to find Mexican goods and souvenirs.
But even just walking around is an experience, its a beautiful historic town.
Even walking down the Malacon is nice; there are many shops, cafés, restaurants and photo ops along the oceanfront.
Pro Tip: When you walk around, don’t be alarmed that people will definitely be trying to get your attention to sell things. Store owners and venors will call to you in Spanish and English hoping you’ll look at their products and buy something. A simple “No, gracias” is all you need.
2. Head to Parque Benito Juarez
Parque Benito Juarez is about a 10 minute walk from the Punta Langosta Cruise Terminal.
It has so many neat sculptures to look at, and its very central to shopping and souvenirs.
There are many places to sit within the park, and right across from the park is the Malecón (side walk that walks along the ocean) with many sculptures and statues to take pictures of.
The park is a nice area with lots of shade, and if you’re not doing anything else in particular I’d definitely check it out.
3. Cook in a traditional Mexican food
Tour the Mercado Municipal, meet the vendors and pick up fresh ingredients – then learn to make traditional Mexican dishes from them.
You make several starters, plus a main. You get to eat the food on-site. You’re also given a recipe book to recreate the food at home.
The meeting point for this activity is at the Mercado Municipal. So, you can visit from either port but you’d need to book a taxi if you’re at one of the southern ports.
Book your family kitchen cooking experience here (around $90 per person, 4 hour experience, all ages welcome)
Things to do near the International Cruise Terminal and Puerta Maya in Cozumel
This port area in Cozumel is known as “Caletta.” It’s smaller and quieter than the Punto Langosta Cruise Ship Terminal, and it’s a good 10 min drive from the main city. Still there’s lots to do in the immediate area from your cruise ship
1. Take a Mayan Mexican Cooking Class
A lot of Mexican cuisine comes from Mayan influence. Here on Cozumel, you can make a few dishes that aren’t common in other parts of Mexico, such as Cochinita Pibil.
The meeting point for this mayan cooking class is right near the International Cruise and Punta Maya Terminals – literally only a 5-10 minute walk.
You choose between a 12:30 and 2:30 start time (I’d go with the earlier one to ensure you’re back to your ship in time.)
Book your Mayan Cooking Class here (2 hours + 45 mins, $75 per person including food)
2. Check out Cenote El Aerolito
Cenote El Aerolito is an open cenote (meaning, its like a large open pit in the ground.)
This is a hidden gem near the southern cruise ports in Cozumel that most people walk past without realizing.
There are crocodiles, and lots of vegetation. This helpful article will prepare you for a walk around the cenote, exploring it.
3. Descend into the deep sea via a real submarine
There’s a vessel in Cozumel that brings passengers under the sea. It would be like being in a submarine, that brings you 100 feet deep.
To take the submarine, you’ll need to head to head to their location at Atlantis Submarines Cozumel, and arrive before your scheduled tour.
It’s less than a 10 minute walk from the International Cruise Terminal and Puerta Maya Terminal.
Book your Atlantis submarine here ($150 per person for a 2-hour experience)
4. Visit the Planetarium
Your cruise ship is probably packed with things to do, but a visit to the Planetario De Cozumel Cha’an Ka’an is a more unique thing to do in Cozumel that most people don’t think of.
It’s within walking distance of the Puerta Maya and International Terminal cruise ship ports (less than 10 minutes.)
A lot of their activities and information have English options too, so its ok if you don’t read Spanish. I find that their website is hard to visit, but you can check their Instagram for events and updates.
5. Scuba diving with Blue Note Dive
Blue Note Dive is located near the Marina Cozumel ASIPONA, mentioned above; about a 20-minute walk or 5-minute drive from both Puerta Maya and the International Cruise terminal.
I wouldn’t walk, I’d hail a cab. The walkway to the Marina Cozumel isn’t super safe so I’d opt for a ride instead of trying to walk.
There are so many of them, and they’re generally pretty safe and used often by tourists in Cozumel.
Book your 2-tank morning dive (start time 9 am, 4 hours long and $150 per person) here
FAQ: Activities Near Cruise Ship Ports in Cozumel
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about how to spend your day when you’re getting off a cruise in Cozumel
Can you walk to a beach from the cruise port in Cozumel?
Honestly, no, there aren’t any good beaches that are within walking distance of either of the cruise ship terminals in Cozumel. The best way to explore some of Cozumel’s beaches from the cruise ship is by booking a tour, or catching a cab. You can also spend the day at one of the beach clubs.
Can you walk around the island of Cozumel?
The island of Cozumel is way too big to walk around, especially not just in a single day. At the most, you could explore the main city, San Miguel on foot in a matter of a few hours (and that would still be quite a bit of walking.)
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Cozumel
I hope that you now feel more educated on the thing to do in Cozumel Cruise Port.
Personally, my favourite cruise terminal is the Punta Langosta Pier, because it’s the closest to the old town. But either way, you’re a quick 10 minute cab ride from whatever activity you above you decide on.
Regardless of which cruise terminal you stop at in Cozumel, I have no doubt that you will love Cozumel. It’s by far, one of the safest places to visit in Mexico, and it has a beautiful old town in San Miguel, great diving and snorkelling and rich history.