Cozumel is small enough – about 30 miles long and 10 miles wide – that you can easily cover the whole island in a day. The entire city of San Miguel is walkable, but you’ll need a car to go anywhere else.
San Miguel
Midway along the west coast, the island’s only town is a laid-back place to eat, drink, shop, and arrange dive trips. Most of the action occurs in the blocks surrounding the ferry dock.
Northern Hotel Zone
Immediately north of San Miguel is a cluster of hotels along the water. It’s not a major destination on its own, as the reef is sparse, but it is conveniently close to town.
Southern Hotel Zone
South of San Miguel lie the cruise-ship piers and a number of dive hotels that offer guests easy access to the coral reefs directly off the coast. There are also excellent spots for wade-in snorkeling here.
Southern Beaches
Cozumel’s southwest shore is one, long, postcard-worthy beach fronting the calm, green sea. Resorts and clubs offer activities that range from wild water sports to simple sun-tanning.
Inland
Densely forested and barely inhabited, the center of Cozumel is the place to poke around Maya ruins and spot wildlife.
East Coast
Cozumel’s eastern shore – which faces the open Caribbean Sea – is empty save for a few rustic beach clubs. Due to crashing surf, swimming is possible only on the calmest days, but the area is a beautiful respite from crowds anytime.
