This is a question that comes up frequently. Many people start their trips in Mexico (the mainland) in places other than Cozumel, and they have previously rented a car to travel through the Riviera Maya. Others, live in Mexico already and have their own car. So, being that Cozumel is an island, the obvious question is:
Can I take a car (rented or not) to Cozumel? You can take a car to Cozumel, via a cargo ferry from Calica (part of Playa del Carmen) to Cozumel. There are two cargo ferry lines that go to Cozumel: ULTRAMAR and TRANSCARIBE.
It’s relevant to go more in detail about this subject in this article so that you can have a more complete picture of how easy it is to take your car to Cozumel.
How can I get to the Calica (Playa del Carmen) car and cargo ferry dock?
Getting to the Calica dock, where the car ferries depart to Cozumel is really easy because the dock is located next to a world-famous theme park called Xcaret, which is the best reference. Here is the Google Maps link to the location of the Calica Port.
What ferry companies can I use to take a car to Cozumel?
There are two ferry companies that take cargo to Cozumel: Ultramar and Transcaribe.
They are both similar in price, and the only thing that varies is their schedules:
From Calica (Playa del Carmen) to Cozumel
| Ferry Line | Monday to Saturday | Sundays |
|---|---|---|
| Transcaribe | 8:00 a.m. | |
| Ultramar | 10:15 a.m. | |
| Transcaribe | 1:30 p.m. | |
| Ultramar | 3:45 p.m. | |
| Transcaribe | 6:00 p.m. | |
| Ultramar | 8:00 p.m. | |
| Transcaribe | 7:00 a.m. | |
| Ultramar | 8:30 a.m. | |
| Transcaribe | 11:00 a.m. | |
| Ultramar | 12:30 p.m. | |
| Ultramar | 5:15 p.m. | |
| Transcaribe | 7:30 p.m. | |
| Ultramar | 9:45 p.m. |
From Cozumel to Calica (Playa del Carmen)
| Ferry Line | Monday to Saturday | Sundays |
|---|---|---|
| Transcaribe | 1:30 a.m. | |
| Ultramar | 3:45 a.m. | |
| Transcaribe | 6:00 a.m. | |
| Ultramar | 7:30 a.m. | |
| Transcaribe | 11:00 a.m. | |
| Ultramar | 12:30 p.m. | |
| Transcaribe | 4:00 p.m. | |
| Ultramar | 6:00 p.m. | |
| Transcaribe | 8:30 p.m. | |
| Ultramar | 11:30 p.m. | |
| Ultramar | 6:15 a.m. | |
| Transcaribe | 9:00 a.m. | |
| Ultramar | 10:30 a.m. | |
| Ultramar | 2:30 p.m. | |
| Transcaribe | 5:00 p.m. | |
| Ultramar | 8:00 p.m. | |
| Transcaribe | 9:00 p.m. | |
| Ultramar | 11:30 p.m. |
Insider tip: You can purchase your tickets online instead of doing so at arrival to the ferry port, it will save you time and guarantee your place on the boat.
How Long Does the Car Ferry Trip to Cozumel Last?
The whole car ferry trip from Calica to Cozumel or vice-versa lasts around 1 hour give or take.
Again, here are the links to the ferry webpages so you can purchase your tickets in advance:
If you found this article helpful, or if you want any other information, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below.
Also, you might be interested in reading more about Cozumel, I recommend these articles:
10 Awesome Beaches with Crystal Clear Water in Cozumel