Why Honeymoon in Cozumel
Underwater, Cozumel is the best of the Mexican Caribbean. Walls and coral gardens at sites such as Palancar and Colombia start a short boat ride from the resorts. Even nondivers can drift-snorkel along shallow reef with the current doing the work.
Above water, the island feels more local than the mainland strip. San Miguel is a real town with a central plaza where families gather for music on Sunday evenings. The interior is jungle, while the windward coast has almost no buildings at all.
It also mixes well with other places. A ferry to Playa del Carmen makes it easy to add a few nights in the Riviera Maya or a cenote day, while Cozumel itself stays a calmer base.
When to Go
December through April brings the driest, least humid weather, with January the coolest month at an average in the low 70s Fahrenheit overnight and mid 80s by day. February to April is the classic dry season and the most reliable for clear water and calm crossings.
May is hot and often still dry. June through August brings showers and humidity, but diving stays good and prices drop. September and October are the wettest months and the peak of hurricane season, so leave flexibility and buy insurance if you book then.
Sargassum tends to land on the exposed east coast rather than the sheltered west side where most resorts sit. Mexican holidays and spring break add crowds and push up rates.
Where to Stay
South of San Miguel along the west coast is the best zone for most couples. Hotels here face the calm channel and the reef, with sunset views over the water. Presidente InterContinental Cozumel, a long-running resort on a sheltered stretch of shore, is a reliable upscale pick with good snorkeling from its beach. Secrets Aura Cozumel offers a kid-free all-inclusive option on the north side of town.
In San Miguel itself, small hotels and rentals put you within walking distance of restaurants and the ferry pier, but you will hear the town and see the cruise crowds.
As a rough guide, approximate rates run about US$150 to US$300 a night for good midrange hotels and US$400 to US$900 or more for top resorts and kid-free all-inclusives.
Romantic Things to Do
Book a two-tank dive or a snorkel trip to the southern reefs with a small operator. Ask for a morning departure, when the water is calmest and the boats fewest.
Rent a car or scooter for a day and follow the cross-island road to the east coast. Stop at beach shacks for ceviche and cold beer, watch surf break on the rocks and swim only in protected coves such as Chen Río on a calm day.
Visit San Gervasio, the island's main Maya site, where pilgrims once came to honor the goddess Ixchel. Spend another day at Punta Sur, the eco park at the southern tip, with a lighthouse to climb, lagoon viewpoints and quiet beaches. End one evening in the plaza in San Miguel, ideally a Sunday.
Getting There and Around
Cozumel International Airport (CZM) has nonstop service from US hubs, including Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Miami, plus seasonal routes from cities such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver and Minneapolis. Schedules change, so check current routes. If there is no good nonstop from your city, fly to Cancún and take a shuttle to Playa del Carmen, about an hour, then the passenger ferry, which takes around 35 to 45 minutes.
Taxis on the island use fixed zone fares, so confirm the price before you get in. Rental cars and scooters are easy to arrange in San Miguel. Driving is straightforward, though the east coast has no lighting and few services, so return before dark. Bring your passport for the flight and keep a copy on your phone.
Food and Drink
Eat in San Miguel at least a few nights rather than staying all-inclusive the whole time. Small family restaurants a few blocks inland from the waterfront serve cochinita pibil, fresh ceviche and grilled fish at local prices. Taco stands come alive in the evening.
On the east coast, simple palapa restaurants grill fish and shrimp right on the beach. Lunch there with your feet in the sand is one of the island's best rituals.
For a special night, look for a waterfront table on the west coast for sunset. Drink bottled or filtered water. Bring cash in pesos for smaller places, since cards are not always accepted outside the resorts.
Honeymoon Tips
- Check the cruise schedule. Plan shopping and town visits for days with fewer ships. Use busy days for boat trips or the east coast.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and never touch or stand on coral. Park rules forbid removing anything from the reef.
- Do not swim on the east coast unless the water is clearly calm and you are in a sheltered cove. Rip currents there are strong.
- Pack repellent for dusk. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for Zika and dengue.
- The State Department lists Quintana Roo at "exercise increased caution." Use official taxis at night.
- If you plan to dive, allow at least 18 hours (ideally a full day) between your last dive and your flight home.
