Maps
Cozumel Vacation Villas and Condos
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Cozumel Coastline Highlights Explore Cozumel's beaches and shores. Stroll the sandy beaches, poke around the marina, snorkel, drop into beach clubs. Below are some of the highlights along Cozumel's shores. We've divided the areas as follows:
Start your tour from town and head south: SOUTH BEACH AREAS AND HIGHLIGHTS
Another small beach area that is worth a stop is Uva's Beach Club, just past Fiesta Americana, but before Chankanaab. It has a bar/restaurant and tables overlooking the ocean. This is a pretty private area, never too many people. Chankanaab is next along the line. You'll pay an entry fee into this national park area. Superb snorkeling, restaurants, bars, shops, botanical gardens, swimming with the dolphins as well as other activities are offered here. Try get here when there aren't too many cruise ships in.
San Francisco: Now we're getting into the major beach sites. Restaurant, bar, watersports and LOTS of sandy beach. Carlos and Charlie's now has a restaurant/bar on this beach. Paradise Beach (below): Just south of San Francisco. Lots of diversions here Playa Mia: Sun, sand and creatures. There is plenty of powdery white sand, beach chairs, hammocks as well as a swimming pool, bar and restaurant. Activities include jet skiing, sea kayaks, snorkeling, water skiing, diving, volleyball, banana boat rides and more. Climb to the stop of the giant inflatable plastic "iceberg" and slide down into the warm waters of the Caribbean. If you're in the mood for a ride along the beach, horses are available. Entrance fee varies depending on which package you would like, from basic package, to all-inclusive package including all you can eat. There are bathroom and shower facilities. Also, look for the monkeys, alligators, and iguanas; no, they don't roam free, but are on display in the small zoo. If nothing else, stop in and name a monkey. Personally, I'd skip this area and choose one of the areas with no entrance fees. Next beach playground is Mr. Sancho's which has most everything that Playa Mia has, without the entry fee. Great beach area with pool, jacuzzi, hammocks, bar/restaurant. You can get mighty comfy here! A DJ on the beach keeps things moving along if you want to join in the tug of war, limbo, volleyball or other activities. They now have a giant inflatible trampoline in the ocean (their answer to Playa Mia's iceberg, I guess). Nachi Cocom Beach: Another beach area with swimming pool, jacuzzi, restaurant, pier for dive boats, watersports. This is a beautiful spot and a very pleasant place to spend a day. Not too busy, not too slow . . . picture-perfect views and long stretches of sand to leave your footprints as you take a long stroll in the warm sunshine. ALBERTO'S: At one time this was a well kept secret place only frequented by the locals (it had a different name then). These days, it is still used by the locals but is being discovered by more and more tourists. TFresh seafood is a feature of this casual beach restaurant/bar. There are "marginal" bathrooms . . . but they are functional! Palancar Beach: This is one of our favorites with lots of sand and few people. Quieter than some of the other beach areas . . . and NO motorized water toys (jet skis, etc.). A very pretty area where you can take long walks along the beach without seeing many other people. You'll find a restaurant, bar and restrooms. One of our FAVORITE beach areas. PUNTA SUR: Located at the southern end of the island. Schedule your visit just right and you can climb to the top of the lighthouse just as the sun is setting, and enjoy a unforgettable view of the Caribbean. The road is now gated, and there is an entrance fee. Go and take a peek and enjoy some great views from the top of the lighthouse. This area is has an ecological park with an information center, beach snack bar, ruins of the original Mayan lighthouse which was used for maritime navigation nearly 800 years ago. It also boasts a museum located in the existing lighthouse and a snorkel and restaurant center. For an additional fee you can also take a pontoon boat ride into the lagoon where you may see crocodiles and a variety of birds and other wildlife. NORTH BEACH AREAS AND HIGHLIGHTS Next, stop in at Playa Azul where you'll fnd jet skis, a restaurant, bar, volleyball and more. Puerto Abrigo is not a beach area, but boat-lovers may want to stop by this picturesque marina for a stroll amidst the various vessels. You're likely to see sail boats, fishing boats, dive boats, yachts and sometimes military vessels. Playa Casitas is located just north of town, before the marina (Puerto Abrigo). This beach area is a hot spot for locals who bring their families on Sundays and holidays. Gringos are welcome, too, but you won't find any lounge chairs or tourist frills. Cold beer, sodas and snacks are available; sometimes live music is provided. Restrooms are available for use for 5 pesos. The WILD SIDE (East Coast):
Galeon is a beach area where you can enjoy food, drinks and kiteboarders performing acrobatic movements if the wind happens to be right (see lime green kite in photo at left). Do not miss Coconuts, a cliffside bar/restaurant (limited menu), with a breathtaking view. From this lofty perch you can watch waves break all the way down the coast. Local surfers can often be seen riding– and wiping out–on the waves below. Enjoy the view at Coconuts from the cliffs! There's a small hotel just north of Coconuts. Completed in 2006, Senor Iguana's is now the second-to-the-last stop along the coast heading north. This oceanfront restaurant and bar competes wiht Mezcalito's (see below); keep them both happy and stop at each. Great views, cold beer and reportedly tasty –but pricey–food is offered here. Conveniently located next to "Target" so shopaholics have easy access to satisfy their buying needs.
Now from here you have two choices, you can head back into town on the cross island road. Or, if you've had a few too many drinks you might consider taking a drive down Punta Molas Road. You may want to think again. Your insurance on your rental vehicle is null and void when you leave the paved road . This dirt/sand path is a "jeep only" road that leads to the northern-most lighthouse. It passes several great beaches and some Mayan ruins along the way. Sounds really neat, huh? Well, do remember that you have no insurance if you choose to go this route. And don't be a cry baby when you end up paying big bucks to get your car out. Note that this road is closed to ALL at this time and it is patrolled (do you really want to see the inside of a Mexican jail?) |
Continuing down the beach is Money Bar (left), formerly Dzul Ha, where they serve drinks and lunch all day. Take a dip in the ocean. Snorkeling is fine!
Playa Corona (right): A popular gathering point along the ocean. There is a pier in this area, snorkeling, a bar and restaurant . A raft is usually anchored not far off-shore. No admittance charge.
with a bar/restaurant, kayaks, diving, massage, shops, etc. Beautifully manitured garden and entry area (looks like a golf course!).
Continue up the coast to other beach areas (left) where you'll find inviting little beachfront bars offering white sand, ice cold margaritas and snacks at Punta Chiqueros, Chen Rio or Punta Morena.
Last stop along the coast before cutting back across the island, is well known Mezcalito's (right) which has been holding down the beach at this end of the island for years. Stop in for a brew (we really do hope you have a designated driver if you're taking our advice and drinking all that beer), join in a volleyball game, slink into the sand, or for god's sake buy some of those damn Big Mexican Blankets, which are "almost free," and "cheaper than Walmart". Mezcalito's is said to have some pretty decent food, but maybe that's because everyone's had a few beers before they get there.