Getting from Cancun to Cozumel
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Posts: 272
Getting from Cancun to Cozumel
Taking a trip this summer to Cancun, but wanted to spend a couple of nights in Cozumel also(as long as I there ya know). Has anyone ever traveled (by plane,boat,etc) between the two. TIA
#2
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Florida and St Thomas
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 129
You will need to get some kind of ground transportation to Playa del Carmen. It's less than an hours drive. A taxi should run around $50 one way, or there I believe is a bus.
From Playa you will take a fast ferry to Cozumel (about 30 minutes)
Have fun!
From Playa you will take a fast ferry to Cozumel (about 30 minutes)
Have fun!
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Thanks, I usually try to plan out my trips well in advance with transportation but it looks like I'll have to worry about this one when I get there. Sounds like a much shorter trip than what I originally thought. Thanks again.
#4
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Evergreen, CO
Posts: 1,460
Originally Posted by onelove
You will need to get some kind of ground transportation to Playa del Carmen. It's less than an hours drive. A taxi should run around $50 one way, or there I believe is a bus.
From Playa you will take a fast ferry to Cozumel (about 30 minutes)
Have fun!
From Playa you will take a fast ferry to Cozumel (about 30 minutes)
Have fun!
If I go this route, I'll let y'all know. Headed to CUN Tuesday and doing some SCUBA in CZM.
#5
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Evergreen, CO
Posts: 1,460
Sorry, meant to post a link.....
Originally Posted by John Galt
I spoke to a guy who works for a transfer company....he said that my best bet was to take a cab from the hotel zone ($15.00) and a bus to Playa del Carmen ($10). The ferry docks at PDC are 2 blocks from the bus station.
If I go this route, I'll let y'all know. Headed to CUN Tuesday and doing some SCUBA in CZM.
If I go this route, I'll let y'all know. Headed to CUN Tuesday and doing some SCUBA in CZM.
Prices in pesos. 11 Pesos = 1 USD.
#6
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: KRK
Programs: UA Premiere Platinum
Posts: 492
Doing this is really easy. Getting to Playa del Carmen shouldn't be a problem. There are minbusses that go all the time pretty cheaply. Though if you're travelling with luggage it would probably be MUCH more comfortable to arrange a taxi or take a coach bus down. Once in Playa del Carmen you can fly over pretty cheaply, or take a short ferry over. Cozumel is OK, but IMHO there's nothing that great about it, San Miguel is touristy and small, and they don't have much in order of beaches (unlike the Cancun/Riviera Maya side of things). Great! diving out there though.
Although touristy, I would recommed spending at least 1/2 a day in Playa del Carmen. Its absolutely overloaded with tourists every day of the week, but once you get past that, its actually got a lot of charm and a lot of really cool boutique hotels, bars, and restaurants. A personal favourite of mine is the Frida Bar (which has incredible decor based off of the Mexican Artist), its on Avenida Quinta (5th Avenue). Also lots of opportunity for gift shopping, especially as you head south of the ferry dock (there's a conglomeration of shops there where you can bargain hard, and get things pretty cheaply).
Best
W
Although touristy, I would recommed spending at least 1/2 a day in Playa del Carmen. Its absolutely overloaded with tourists every day of the week, but once you get past that, its actually got a lot of charm and a lot of really cool boutique hotels, bars, and restaurants. A personal favourite of mine is the Frida Bar (which has incredible decor based off of the Mexican Artist), its on Avenida Quinta (5th Avenue). Also lots of opportunity for gift shopping, especially as you head south of the ferry dock (there's a conglomeration of shops there where you can bargain hard, and get things pretty cheaply).
Best
W
#7
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Evergreen, CO
Posts: 1,460
Originally Posted by Wingman32
Although touristy, I would recommed spending at least 1/2 a day in Playa del Carmen. Its absolutely overloaded with tourists every day of the week, but once you get past that, its actually got a lot of charm and a lot of really cool boutique hotels, bars, and restaurants. A personal favourite of mine is the Frida Bar (which has incredible decor based off of the Mexican Artist), its on Avenida Quinta (5th Avenue). Also lots of opportunity for gift shopping, especially as you head south of the ferry dock (there's a conglomeration of shops there where you can bargain hard, and get things pretty cheaply).
Best
W
We're taking day trips to Tulum/Akumal (cavern diving/snorkeling) and probably Isla Mujeres.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Evergreen, CO
Posts: 1,460
CUN to CZM
Originally Posted by smileymike13
Taking a trip this summer to Cancun, but wanted to spend a couple of nights in Cozumel also(as long as I there ya know). Has anyone ever traveled (by plane,boat,etc) between the two. TIA
I was in CZM to scuba dive, and did all the above lugging equipment. Agree with one of the other posters that, except SCUBA, there's nothing much in CZM. There were 4 cruise ships in port, and when the cruisers descend, the prices go WAAAY up.
I'd recommend Akumal as a really Margaritaville sort of a town. Don't know what you're looking to do....PM me and I'll be happy to give you ideas.
#9
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The least expensive and best (IMHO) way to get from Cancun to Cozumel is to:
(1) Take the bus from the hotel zone to downtown.
(2) Get off across from the downtown bus terminal, where you can either walk across the street to catch a bus to Playa del Carmen or you can stay on the same side of the street and take one of the white shuttle vans there (the latter is my preferred way).
(3) Once you get to Playa, grab either one of the ferries across to Cozumel.
Expect a total travel time of about 1 hour and 45 minutes for all of the above. For the return, reverse the above steps.
(1) Take the bus from the hotel zone to downtown.
(2) Get off across from the downtown bus terminal, where you can either walk across the street to catch a bus to Playa del Carmen or you can stay on the same side of the street and take one of the white shuttle vans there (the latter is my preferred way).
(3) Once you get to Playa, grab either one of the ferries across to Cozumel.
Expect a total travel time of about 1 hour and 45 minutes for all of the above. For the return, reverse the above steps.
#10
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Evergreen, CO
Posts: 1,460
Agreed....
Originally Posted by cAAl
The least expensive and best (IMHO) way to get from Cancun to Cozumel is to:
(1) Take the bus from the hotel zone to downtown.
(2) Get off across from the downtown bus terminal, where you can either walk across the street to catch a bus to Playa del Carmen or you can stay on the same side of the street and take one of the white shuttle vans there (the latter is my preferred way).
(3) Once you get to Playa, grab either one of the ferries across to Cozumel.
Expect a total travel time of about 1 hour and 45 minutes for all of the above. For the return, reverse the above steps.
(1) Take the bus from the hotel zone to downtown.
(2) Get off across from the downtown bus terminal, where you can either walk across the street to catch a bus to Playa del Carmen or you can stay on the same side of the street and take one of the white shuttle vans there (the latter is my preferred way).
(3) Once you get to Playa, grab either one of the ferries across to Cozumel.
Expect a total travel time of about 1 hour and 45 minutes for all of the above. For the return, reverse the above steps.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 1
Getting from Cancun to Cozumel
How far is the hotel zone from the Cancun airport? Can't you catch a bus at the airport? Any ideas of how much a taxi to Play del Carmen would be? Cozumel is still pretty laid back during the end of March. I am dating myself but I remember friends going there just to drive or snorkel and that was about all the activities going on...which still sounds good if you want to just spend time in water that isn't frozen and not have to wear layers of clothing outside...
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: NYC (formerly BOS/DCA)
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Posts: 60,745
How far is the hotel zone from the Cancun airport? Can't you catch a bus at the airport? Any ideas of how much a taxi to Play del Carmen would be? Cozumel is still pretty laid back during the end of March. I am dating myself but I remember friends going there just to drive or snorkel and that was about all the activities going on...which still sounds good if you want to just spend time in water that isn't frozen and not have to wear layers of clothing outside...
#13
Join Date: Feb 2008
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I have not been to Cozumel, though many times to Cancun, Akumal, and Merida.
I found this link on locogringo forums that had some good info:
http://www.cozumel-tours.com/cozumel-ferry-schedule.htm
The forums on http://forums.locogringo.com/forums/default.asp are really very helpful for any travel info inthe Yucatan. If you asked your questions about costs there you would get an answer for sure!
"The primary gateway between Cozumel and the mainland of the Yucatan Peninsula, including Cancun and the Riviera Maya, is the passenger ferry from Playa del Carmen. Thousands of tourists and locals every day take the 45 minute ride to or from Cozumel. It's very easy, and runs nearly every hour. The ferry makes it a piece of cake to go to or from Cozumel on a day trip"
Location: The ferry terminal is located right in downtown Playa del Carmen, about a block and a half from the main square and Plaza Playacar, where most of the tour pickups take place.
Cancun Airport: Most people coming from the Cancun Airport use pre-reserved Airport Transfers. They'll bring you as far as the ferry pier. Then you'll just ride the ferry to Cozumel. Once in Cozumel, you'll take a taxi to your hotel. They're right there waiting for you at the ferry terminal. Very easy. It takes about 45 minutes to drive to Playa del Carmen from the Cancun Airport.
Mainland Hotel Guests: There is a bus that runs from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. You can also take a taxi, or use a rental car. It takes about an hour from Cancun, 15 minutes from Puerto Aventuras, and 25 minutes from Akumal.
Tip: Only buy a one-way ferry ticket. There are two ferry companies, and they don't accept each other's tickets. Doing only one-way leaves you flexibility to ride one ferry on the way there and the other on the way back.
http://www.granpuerto.com.mx/
http://www.mexicowaterjets.com/
Also suggest buying mapchick maps, we use them on every trip - they rock! http://www.cancunmap.com/
We are going to be down there again Feb 16-24th and can't wait!
Have fun on your journey ;-)
I found this link on locogringo forums that had some good info:
http://www.cozumel-tours.com/cozumel-ferry-schedule.htm
The forums on http://forums.locogringo.com/forums/default.asp are really very helpful for any travel info inthe Yucatan. If you asked your questions about costs there you would get an answer for sure!
"The primary gateway between Cozumel and the mainland of the Yucatan Peninsula, including Cancun and the Riviera Maya, is the passenger ferry from Playa del Carmen. Thousands of tourists and locals every day take the 45 minute ride to or from Cozumel. It's very easy, and runs nearly every hour. The ferry makes it a piece of cake to go to or from Cozumel on a day trip"
Location: The ferry terminal is located right in downtown Playa del Carmen, about a block and a half from the main square and Plaza Playacar, where most of the tour pickups take place.
Cancun Airport: Most people coming from the Cancun Airport use pre-reserved Airport Transfers. They'll bring you as far as the ferry pier. Then you'll just ride the ferry to Cozumel. Once in Cozumel, you'll take a taxi to your hotel. They're right there waiting for you at the ferry terminal. Very easy. It takes about 45 minutes to drive to Playa del Carmen from the Cancun Airport.
Mainland Hotel Guests: There is a bus that runs from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. You can also take a taxi, or use a rental car. It takes about an hour from Cancun, 15 minutes from Puerto Aventuras, and 25 minutes from Akumal.
Tip: Only buy a one-way ferry ticket. There are two ferry companies, and they don't accept each other's tickets. Doing only one-way leaves you flexibility to ride one ferry on the way there and the other on the way back.
http://www.granpuerto.com.mx/
http://www.mexicowaterjets.com/
Also suggest buying mapchick maps, we use them on every trip - they rock! http://www.cancunmap.com/
We are going to be down there again Feb 16-24th and can't wait!
Have fun on your journey ;-)
#14
Join Date: May 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 160
We like to go to Playa. Take the bus down to the terminal and walk from there. At last Xmas the guy in the hotel the night before said let me call you a taxi for the morning. I said no we are taking the bus. He said you better have ticket. So we walked up to the terminal and bought the tickets. He just wanted to get a commission from the taxi driver. Some things in Mexico never change.
#15
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1
Cancun to playa?
We like to go to Playa. Take the bus down to the terminal and walk from there. At last Xmas the guy in the hotel the night before said let me call you a taxi for the morning. I said no we are taking the bus. He said you better have ticket. So we walked up to the terminal and bought the tickets. He just wanted to get a commission from the taxi driver. Some things in Mexico never change.