How Far Is Cozumel From Cancun
This Island Looks So Close To Cancun... But Getting There Might Shock You
Ok, so let’s say you’re thinking about visiting Cozumel but you’re in Cancun (or flying into Cancun) and you want to know how close this tiny tropical island is. On the map, it looks close. You might think you can just jump in a cab and be there in half an hour. But no. That’s not how it goes, and I only wish someone had explained this to me when I made the trip for the first time.
So let’s discuss how long is Cozumel from Cancun and even better, what this means for your vacation time.
You Think Cozumel Is Close? Wait Until You See What It Really Takes To Get There
If you’re measuring only by geography, the distance between Cancun and Cozumel is around 60 kilometers, or some 37 miles, in a straight line. But unless you happen to be a pelican winging over the Caribbean, you’re not traveling that way.
Here's the real scoop: you need to travel by land from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, which is approximately 1 hour on the bus, car or shuttle (around 42 miles or 68 km). Then you’ll take a ferry over to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen, an additional 45-minute ride by water. And if you’re unlucky, you’ll be waiting an additional half-hour to an hour just for the ferry to depart.
So in total? You’re talking about 2 to 3 hours, give or take.
The Boat Ride From Playa Sounds Easy… Until You’re Stuck Waiting In The Heat With Hundreds
Once in Playa del Carmen, you’ll walk down to the ferry terminal near 5th Avenue. You won’t get lost; just follow the rest of the tourists sweating and rolling bags of luggage.
There are two major ferry companies here: Ultramar and Winjet. They go back and forth to Cozumel approximately once an hour during the day, and the ticket is about $15-20 USD one way. The ferry ride itself is 45 minutes, but it’s hardly ever on the dot, that 8:40 p.m. departure. Sometimes you are waiting in the sun, sometimes in the terminal, and sometimes simply stuck boarding in a giant mob.
You could wait up to an hour for the next ferry if you arrive close on the heels of a departure.
Why “Just Across the Sea” Doesn’t Mean What You Think When It Comes To Cozumel
If you mean how far it is “door to door,” the door in question doesn’t necessarily have to be the one you just closed.
Here’s the breakdown:
Cancun to Playa del Carmen: 1 hour
Time spent waiting for ferry: 15–60 minutes
Time by ferry to Cozumel: 45 minutes
It adds to your bottom-line tally of about 2 or 3 hours, give or take how smoothly the rest of the process goes. It will feel even longer if you have luggage, children, or a low tolerance for waiting around.
You Can Fly To Cozumel From Cancun… But Here’s Why Almost No One Does
There is a small airport on Cozumel, and yes, arguably, there are flights from Cancun. But they are not daily and not inexpensive. Most of the travelers were to fly directly into Cozumel from the U.S. (Dallas or Houston) ones, or to Cancun as an international hub and land-and-ferry combo.
You can reach Cozumel from Cancun in fewer than 30 minutes by charter flight or small puddle jumpers (and for several hundred dollars), but that approach certainly misses the excitement of arriving by seaventure. That’s usually not worth it unless you are desperate or have an aversion to boats.
So Many People Regret This Trip. Should You Skip Cozumel Altogether?
If you’re wondering whether this entire side trip is worth it, that’s a matter of taste.
Cozumel is slower-paced, more chill, and less of the party-central that is Cancun. It’s a divers and snorkelers' dream, as part of the Mesoamerican Reef, the world’s second-largest. And if you’re a water sports enthusiast or just looking to slow things down, Cozumel has you covered.
But if you’re visiting Cancun for only a few nights, planning a Cozumel day trip can be tight. We call it to sleep at least one night on the island, and that’s especially true since that travel day is largely eaten up by the trip.
If You’re Planning To Visit Cozumel From Cancun, Don’t Make This Rookie Mistake
If your hotel or resort in Cancun is arranging your trip to Cozumel, they will most likely be selling a package, shuttle, ferry, maybe even a tour. Those are handy, but keep track of the timings. It’s amazing how hard on the clock it can be if you’re doing this all in one day, so not everybody understands that.
Also, wear sunscreen. Seriously. If you’re not prepared for it, that ferry wait under the Caribbean sun can be brutal.
What The Map Won’t Tell You About The Real Distance Between Cancun And Cozumel
So yah, Cozumel is not exactly a great distance from where the bus spits you out in Cancun. But when you tally up the logistics, it’s still at least a multi-hour journey across land and sea. It’s not a zip-over-for-lunch kind of place.” But if you have the time, the island vibe is worth it.
Bring patience, be forgiving of others and yourself, leave early, and don’t underestimate how tired you’re going to be when you arrive. But by the time you’re bobbing in the crystal-clear water of Cozumel, with fish swimming beneath you, you likely won’t be concerned with that bus and boat ride at all.
