How much does a trip to Cozumel cost?
Per person and assuming two share a room, budget travelers spend about $60 to $155 a day, mid-range travelers about $125 to $350 a day, and luxury travelers $310 to $950+ a day. Over a week that works out to roughly $390 to $1,290 for budget, $870 to $2,600 for mid-range, and $2,100 and up for luxury, before flights.
Is Cozumel expensive?
It is mid-priced for Mexico. Cozumel costs more than mainland towns but less than Cancun or Tulum, and far less than islands like Turks and Caicos. Local food and transport are cheap, while beachfront hotels and diving are what push a total up.
How much money should I bring for a day in Cozumel?
For a relaxed day walking San Miguel with a couple of meals and drinks, around $100 per person is comfortable. Add the cost of any activity on top, such as a dive at $80 to $130 or an all-inclusive beach club day at $75 to $85.
What is the cheapest time to visit Cozumel?
September and October are usually the cheapest, though they bring more heat, humidity, and rain risk. May, June, and November are strong value shoulder months before holiday demand pushes prices up. See the best time to visit for the full breakdown.
How much is the ferry to Cozumel?
The passenger ferry from Playa del Carmen runs about $15 to $17 each way, or roughly $31 to $44 round trip, and takes around 45 minutes with departures about every hour. See getting to Cozumel for schedules and alternatives.
How much does diving cost in Cozumel?
A two-tank dive runs about $80 to $130 before extras like marine park fees, and an intro discover-scuba dive is roughly $100 to $160. Buying a multi-day package lowers the per-dive cost. See our scuba diving guide to compare trips.
Can you visit Cozumel on a budget?
Yes. Stay a few blocks inland in San Miguel, eat comida corrida and tacos, take the ferry instead of private transfers, and mix free beaches and shore snorkeling with one paid tour. Done carefully, a budget day runs about $60 to $115 per person.
Does Cozumel accept US dollars?
Yes, nearly everywhere a tourist goes. But accepting dollars and giving you a fair rate are two different things. The business sets the exchange rate itself and rounds it in its own favor, so you typically hand over something like 5 to 10 percent more than the same purchase would cost in pesos. Taxis and small kitchens are the worst offenders because the amounts are small and the rounding is blunt. Use dollars as a backup, not a plan: pay cards in pesos, and carry pesos for taxis, street food, tips, and the marine park fee.
Should you tip in Cozumel, and how much?
Yes, and in pesos. Restaurants run 10 to 15 percent, but check the bill first for 'propina incluida', some places on the waterfront add it automatically and a distracted tourist tips twice. Dive and snorkel crews are the ones who really live on tips, 10 to 15 percent of the trip price split among the crew is normal and they earn it. Porters run a dollar or two a bag. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, the zone fare is the fare.
Where should you get pesos in Cozumel?
A bank's own ATM in San Miguel, Santander, Scotiabank, BBVA or Banorte, during the day. Skip the standalone machines at the pier, in shop doorways, and inside beach clubs, they stack a high fixed fee on top of a bad rate and they are the ones most likely to be empty. When any machine offers to 'convert to your home currency', say no and take the charge in pesos, your own bank will beat that rate every time. Airport exchange counters are the worst option on the island.
