Cozumel attractions: plan your ruins, reef and beach stops
Cozumel's sights split between the island's interior and its southern coast. San Gervasio, the main Maya site, sits in the northern third off Quintana Roo C-1, about 25 minutes from San Miguel, while Chankanaab, Punta Sur and El Cedral line up along the southbound routes.
Admission works differently from stop to stop. Punta Sur charges about $12 for adults and $6 for children 3–11, and San Gervasio charges 14.50 USD, with children under 3 free. Chankanaab's admission covers the lagoon, beach and gardens, but cabanas, massages and the dolphin program cost extra, and a 2019 listing put adult admission at $21. El Cedral's entry details are left open.
Book ahead for Chankanaab, Punta Sur and El Cedral; San Gervasio needs no booking. Time on the ground varies as much as the drive: under an hour at El Cedral, two to three hours at San Gervasio, half a day at Chankanaab, and at least half a day at Punta Sur.
Decide by how far south you want to go. A northern ruin circuit and a southbound beach run do not fit comfortably in the same port call, so pick one direction and pace it.
| Place | Time to allow | Cost | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chankanaab Park in Cozumel | half a day | admission plus add-ons; 2019 listing $21 adults | Carretera Costera Sur, southwest coast |
| Punta Sur Cozumel | at least half a day | about $12 adults, $6 children 3–11 | southern tip of Cozumel |
| San Gervasio, Cozumel | 2-3 hours | General entrance 14.50 USD; children under 3 free | Northern third of Cozumel, off Quintana Roo C-1 |
| El Cedral, Cozumel | under an hour | – | south Cozumel, off the Costera Sur highway |
Cozumel attraction guides
Chankanaab Park in Cozumel: Lagoon, Reef and What to Expect
A walled beach and eco park south of San Miguel built around a clear saltwater lagoon, with reef snorkeling right off the sand. Admission covers the lagoon, beach and gardens, but cabanas, massages and the dolphin program cost extra, and transfers eat into port time.
half a day · admission plus add-ons; 2019 listing $21 adults · Book ahead · Best for families and cautious swimmers
Punta Sur Cozumel: Lighthouse, Lagoon and Beach at the Eco Park
An ecological park at Cozumel's southern tip where the ticket covers a lighthouse climb, a small maritime museum and an eco-bus to a white-sand beach. It's about 17 miles from San Miguel, so arrange a taxi pickup time or drive yourself.
at least half a day · about $12 adults, $6 children 3–11 · Book ahead · Best for lighthouse, lagoon and beach in one
San Gervasio, Cozumel: Maya Ruins Tickets, Hours and How to Get There
Cozumel's main Maya site, about 25 minutes from San Miguel on the cross-island road. Expect temples, altars and white sacbé roads through jungle, not pyramids; two to three hours covers the circuit at an easy pace.
2-3 hours · General entrance 14.50 USD; children under 3 free · Best for Maya ruins without a ferry ride
El Cedral, Cozumel: Ruins, Village and How to Visit
A farming village on Cozumel's south side where a small church, plaza, and compact Maya ruin sit together. It works as a brief stop on a southbound drive, not a full archaeological site, and gets busy only during the late-April or early-May Santa Cruz festival.
under an hour · Book ahead · Best for south-island drivers wanting a quick village stop
Reserving Chankanaab, Punta Sur and El Cedral
Some stops reward planning. Chankanaab admits guests to a walled beach and eco park with a saltwater lagoon and reef snorkeling off the sand; admission covers the lagoon, beach and gardens, but cabanas, massages and the dolphin program cost extra. Transfers also eat into port time, so reserve and set a schedule.
Punta Sur's ticket covers the lighthouse climb, a small maritime museum and an eco-bus to a white-sand beach. It sits about 17 miles from San Miguel, so arrange a taxi pickup time or drive yourself. El Cedral works best as a brief southbound stop, and booking is recommended. San Gervasio needs no booking and keeps daily hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.