Cozumel is primarily a diving and snorkelling destination, but the mainland Yucatán Peninsula - with Tulum, Cobá, Chichén Itzá, and some of Mexico’s best cenotes - is easily accessible by ferry. The 30-minute crossing to Playa del Carmen opens up most of the Riviera Maya without requiring an overnight stay.
Quick comparison
| Day Trip | Ferry + Travel | Approx Cost (transport) | Entry | Time on Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playa del Carmen | 30–45 min ferry | Ferry ~MXN $500 return | Free | Half–full day |
| Tulum ruins | Ferry + 1 hr | Ferry + colectivo ~MXN $700 | ~MXN $100 | 2–3 hours |
| Cobá | Ferry + 1.5 hrs | Ferry + bus/car ~MXN $800 | ~MXN $100 | 2–3 hours |
| Cobá + Tulum | Ferry + combo | Car rental ~MXN $1,400+ | ~MXN $200 | Full day |
| Cenotes (Riviera Maya) | Ferry + 45 min | Ferry + tour ~MXN $900–1,200 | Included in tour | Half–full day |
| Chichén Itzá | Ferry + 2.5 hrs | Ferry + ADO ~MXN $1,000 | ~MXN $614 | Full day |
| Bacalar | Ferry + 3 hrs | Ferry + ADO ~MXN $600 | Free (lagoon) | Full day |
All costs approximate, as of 2026.
Playa del Carmen - 30 minutes by ferry
The closest mainland escape from Cozumel. Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue) is the pedestrian shopping street that runs parallel to the beach - restaurants, boutiques, and bars for approximately 30 blocks. The beach itself (Playa del Carmen beach) is wide and swimmable, with calmer surf than Cozumel’s windward side.
For a quieter day: take the ferry, walk south from the pier past the beach clubs, and find a palapa-shaded spot at Mamitas Beach or Coco Bongo area where day passes are approximately MXN $300–500 including a sunbed and drink credit. Or simply walk the town and eat well - Carboncitos (tacos al carbón from approximately MXN $50 each) and Babe’s Noodles and Bar are reliable choices.
Tulum ruins - ferry + 1 hour
The cliff-top Maya ruins overlooking the Caribbean are one of the most photographed sites in Mexico. The walled coastal city dates to 1200–1500 AD and served as a trading port. The Castillo (El Castillo pyramid) looks directly over a Caribbean beach where visitors can swim - the combination of ancient stone and turquoise water is visually extraordinary.
Getting there: take the ferry to Playa del Carmen, then a colectivo south on Highway 307 to Tulum (approximately MXN $50–60, 1 hour). From Tulum town to the ruins, a 15-minute walk or MXN $20 colectivo. Entry approximately MXN $100 as of 2026. The site opens at 8 am - aim to arrive before 10 am before tour buses arrive. Bring a swimsuit for the beach at the base of the ruins.
Cobá - ferry + 1.5 hours
Nohoch Mul, the 42 m pyramid at Cobá, is still climbable - making it unique among major Yucatán pyramids. The site sprawls across 80 square kilometres of jungle; rent a bicycle at the entrance (approximately MXN $80) to reach the main structures efficiently. The surrounding jungle teems with birds and occasionally spider monkeys.
Getting there: ferry to Playa del Carmen, then car rental or ADO bus to Tulum (1 hour) then a colectivo to Cobá (45 minutes, approximately MXN $60). Car rental from Playa del Carmen gives the most flexibility - from approximately MXN $600–900/day at agencies near the ferry pier. Entry approximately MXN $100 as of 2026.
Cobá and Tulum combined - full day with car
The classic mainland day trip from Cozumel. Take the 7 am ferry, collect a rental car in Playa del Carmen, drive inland to Cobá (1.5 hours, open from 8 am), spend 2–3 hours at the site including the pyramid climb, drive southeast to Tulum (45 minutes), spend 1.5 hours at the ruins and swim on the beach below, then drive back to Playa del Carmen (1 hour) for the 7 pm ferry.
Total driving: approximately 180 km. Budget approximately MXN $1,200–1,500 for the full day including ferry, car rental, entries, and lunch.
Riviera Maya cenotes - ferry + 45 minutes
The cave and open-air cenotes between Playa del Carmen and Tulum are among the most accessible from Cozumel. Gran Cenote (4 km from Tulum town, entry approximately MXN $500) has a natural arch, stalactites, and turtles visible while snorkelling. Cenote Dos Ojos (20 km north of Tulum, approximately MXN $400) has an open snorkelling track through a flooded cave system.
Closer to Playa: Cenote Cristalino and Cenote Azul (adjacent, approximately MXN $200–250 each) are open-air ponds 25 km south of Playa with rope swings and clear water. Organised cenote tours from Playa del Carmen typically include transport, guide, and 2–3 cenote stops (approximately MXN $700–900 per person, book in Playa after the ferry).
Chichén Itzá - ferry + 2.5 hours
El Castillo (the Kukulcán pyramid), the Ball Court, and the Cenote Sagrado make Chichén Itzá Mexico’s most visited archaeological site. Entry is approximately MXN $614 as of 2026 (combined federal and state fees for foreign visitors). The site opens at 8 am and fills with coach tours by 10 am - arriving early is essential.
From Cozumel: take the 6–7 am ferry, then an ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to Chichén Itzá (approximately MXN $250 each way, 2.5 hours). You will arrive around 11 am - not ideal but workable if you go straight to El Castillo before the crowds peak. Alternatively, book a guided tour that organises your connection from the ferry pier.
Bacalar - ferry + 3 hours
The Laguna de Bacalar - a 42 km freshwater lake with seven distinct shades of blue - is the reward for the longer journey south. Swim from the town’s waterfront dock, take a boat tour, or kayak across the lake to the Pirate Canal (a colonial-era channel). Entry to the lake is free; guided boat tours cost approximately MXN $300–400 per person.
ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to Bacalar costs approximately MXN $250–280 (2.5 hours). Total journey from Cozumel with the ferry is about 3.5 hours each way - making this a long day. Start with the first morning ferry and return on the last evening ferry to Cozumel (check times, approximately 10–11 pm).
Planning tips
- Car rental in Playa del Carmen is the game-changer. Agencies near the ferry pier open early and a car lets you do Cobá + Tulum + a cenote in a single efficient day.
- Book the first ferry (6–7 am) for any destination that requires 2+ hours of onward travel.
- Check ferry times before planning returns - the last ferry from Playa del Carmen back to Cozumel is typically around 10–11 pm, but confirm at the pier.
- Cenotes get crowded mid-morning. Aim to arrive at your first cenote by 9 am for best light and fewest visitors.
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