How to get to Cozumel from Cancun Airport (a guide with pictures).

The object of this article is to give you a detailed guide (with pictures) of how to get to Cozumel from Cancun Airport specifically. As we know, Cozumel is a paradise-like island in the Caribbean Sea.

There are two basic ways of how to get to Cozumel from Cancun airport:

• By plane (40 minutes max):
  • Cozumel has an International Airport to which you can fly from Cancun Airport. There are a couple of companies that fly from Cancun Airport to Cozumel, it’s a 20 min. flight.
• By land and then by sea (2 hours max):
  • You have to get to the pier in Playa del Carmen by bus or private shuttle (1-hour) and take a ferry to Cozumel (45 min).

Getting to Cozumel from Cancun Airport by Plane

Getting to Cozumel from Cancun Airport by plane is the fastest way to get there, although not necessarily the most inexpensive.

There are two companies that offer flights from Cancun Airport to Cozumel:

• MAYAir (offers a regular schedule of flights during the week)
• Fly Cozumel (you can charter a flight especially suited to your needs)

Based on my research, I believe that MAYAir is the best option to fly from Cancun Airport to Cozumel Airport. The price of a flight with this company is around $80 USD per person for a one-way ticket. Here is a timetable of their flights Cancun – Cozumel, and Cozumel – Cancun, as of October 2019:

There is a MAYAir stand in the new terminal of the Cancun Airport. Their Phone number is: +52-998-881-9413

The phone number of Fly Cozumel is +52-987-564-8162 (you can also send them a WhatsApp message).

Obviously, you would have to check your flight schedules in advance, to see if you have enough time to coordinate your arrival at the Cancun Airport with the flights to Cozumel. This might be a bit tricky, because you’d have to take into account the time it takes you to get your luggage upon arrival to Cancun, get through customs, get to the plane, etc. If you give these companies a phone call, they will gladly explain the whole process.

The most sought after, used and less expensive option, is to get to Cozumel from the Cancun Airport by land and then by sea. I will now describe this process in a bit more detail:

Getting to Cozumel from Cancun Airport by Land (bus or private shuttle) and then by Sea (ferry):

They say that getting there is half the fun! This a very simple, 2-hour max trip all the way from Cancun Airport to Cozumel.

There are two legs on this journey:

1. Getting from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen (by land, on a bus or private shuttle), which is where the ferry pier to Cozumel is located.
2. Getting from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel (by Ferry).

From Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen:

Taxi (or private shuttle):

You can take a taxi (or private shuttle). Depending on the number of members of your group, this could be almost as inexpensive as a bus, and it is more comfortable and faster (you get to Playa del Carmen around 15 minutes earlier than taking a bus).

The company that I recommend for the shuttles is a very reputable one and is always looking out for your safety and well being. It’s called Cancun Airport Transportation. With them, you can find a wide array of services and tours in addition to the shuttle to Playa del Carmen.

As an example, private service from Cancun Airport to the ferry pier in Playa del Carmen for up to 3 passengers would cost $60 USD one way, and $110 USD on a round trip.

For up to six passengers, you could get a luxury service (a Suburban, Yukon, Explorer, Escalade or similar vehicle) for $99 USD one way or $175 USD for a round trip.

It’s a good idea, if you will hire this shuttle service, that you take a look at the Arrival Instructions Cancun Airport Transportation has prepared for you, just to make things easier. You can find such instructions HERE.

Bus Ride:

Less expensive and still quite comfortable.

When taking a bus from the Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen (first leg of the trip), you’ll have to go to the ADO booth (there are a couple of these booths in every terminal of the Cancun Airport).

The price of a one way trip per person, from Cancun Airport to the Playa del Carmen bus terminal (which is located on the 5th avenue, less than 3 blocks from the ferry to Cozumel pier) is around $ 210 Mexican pesos (around $10 USD, depending on that day’s exchange rate).

There are buses leaving for Playa del Carmen, from Cancun Airport pretty much every 30 minutes. It will be easy for you to find spaces available fairly quickly.

This bus ride lasts around 1-hour, and is very comfortable, the interior is air-conditioned and the buses are fairly new.

Once you arrive at the ADO bus terminal on the 5th Avenue of Playa del Carmen, you have to walk (less than 3 blocks) to the Ferry Pier to Cozumel. This is where the second and final leg of the trip begins…

Ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel

This is the second and final part of getting to Cozumel from Cancun Airport by land, and now by sea.

Once you arrive at the 5th avenue of Playa del Carmen, either by bus or by private shuttle, you will have to walk (less than 3 blocks) to the Ferry Pier.

You will find lot’s of people trying to sell you tours and telling you they have cheaper tickets for the ferries, I recommend that you purchase your tickets for the ferry ride either online or at the last booth, before you get to the boarding area (below the escalator).

There are two ferry companies that offer the trip to Cozumel: Ultramar and Winjet. The duration of the ferry ride is 45 minutes with either company.

Once you have purchased your tickets, you will go through a security check, and then on to the pier. You will hand your luggage (excluding carryons) to the employees of your ferry line, and proceed to board.

These ferry rides are safe, clean and very comfortable. You can even purchase a Starbucks coffee, a beer or other beverage, and/or a snack during your ride (I’ve done this on the Ultramar ride).

There is little chance that you will get seasick on the ride because the boats are fast and the rides (depending on the weather conditions) are smooth.

Both of these companies are excellent, but the one that stands out for me is Ultramar.

Cozumel – Playa del Carmen Ferry Schedules and Prices

Ultramar Schedules:

Ultramar prices:

Ultramar Children policy:

1. Children under 5 years old do not pay ticket.
2. Children from 6 to 11 years old pay child rate.
3. Children 12 years old and older pay adult rate.

Winjet Schedules:

Winjet prices:

Arriving in Cozumel

You will arrive at the Ferry Pier in Cozumel, which is a 1 or 2-minute walk to the Cozumel Downtown.

There are always taxis waiting at the pier to take you wherever you need to go in Cozumel (hotel, restaurants, beach clubs, parks, etc.).

You made it to Cozumel! Now its time to enjoy all that this paradise-like island has to offer.

I hope that once you’re there, you have a great Cozumel day!