Being that there are countries and specific states in each country with different laws and regulations, it is normal to want to make sure of the local laws in Cozumel regarding the legal drinking age and possible exceptions.
The minimum legal drinking age for alcoholic beverages in Cozumel, as in the rest of Mexico is 18 years old. Mexican laws require alcohol selling establishments to ask for some form of identification if a person doesn’t appear old enough to purchase it.
We will dive a little deeper on the subject so that you know the do’s and don’ts about having a drink in Cozumel.
Drinking in Public in Cozumel
Drinking in public in Cozumel is prohibited by law. You can’t be walking on the streets with open containers. Mexican officials will be lenient with you if you’re a little intoxicated, so long as you are not disturbing the public peace.
Are Drinking Laws Enforced During Spring Break in Cozumel?
Drinking laws are enforced in Cozumel during Spring Break and year-round.
The 18-year-old drinking age compared to the minimum 21-year-old drinking age in the US, makes Mexico (and Cozumel isn’t excluded), an attractive destination for teenagers to travel to. This is especially so, during Spring Break every year. More than 100,000 American teenagers visit Mexico each year during Spring Break.
Authorities in Mexico are lenient with Spring Breakers in certain cases. For example, being drunk on the street, as long as they aren’t disturbing the public peace or endangering themselves or others.
As in most countries, teenagers that are not yet in the legal drinking age in Cozumel might be able to get a drink at a bar or restaurant, by mistake of the bartender or the waiter of the establishment, if they deem them old enough and don’t ask for identification. This mistake could mean a very strict fine for the owner and/or even the closing of the establishment.
Alcohol Selling Hours in Cozumel
The alcohol selling hours in Cozumel vary depending on the establishment.
Officially, in a supermarket or grocery store in Cozumel, the alcohol selling hours are from Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. This being said, I haven’t had any difficulty buying wine, beer o liquor in Cozumel on a Sunday afternoon either.
Restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in Cozumel operate under special permits to be able to sell alcoholic beverages daily from 11 a.m. until 3 a.m.
Can you Drink in Cozumel at 16?
This is a question that is often asked on the Internet (this is why I’m addressing it), and the answer is the same: The minimum legal drinking age for alcoholic beverages in Cozumel and the rest of Mexico is 18 years old.
Can Minors Drink with Their Parents in Cozumel?
Another very asked question on the Internet is whether or not, minors can drink with their parents in Cozumel. The Mexican law prohibits minors (people under 18 years old) in Cozumel to be drinking alcoholic beverages.
In Cozumel, even with the parents present, a waiter at a restaurant will ask for identification before serving alcohol to a person that looks younger than 18 years old.
Non Alcoholic Drinking Options in Cozumel
There are several options for places to enjoy, and places to purchase non-alcoholic beverages in Cozumel.
Many bars and restaurants offer non-alcoholic beer at least, you will also find non-alcoholic sparkling and regular wines in other more high-end places.
As for grocery stores and liquor stores to find non-alcoholic beverages in Cozumel, your best options are:
- La Europea
- La Europea Cozumel is a specialized liquor store where you will find non-alcoholic beer and several kinds of wines also.
- Comercial Mexicana (MEGA)
- MEGA is a supermarket where you will be able to find non-alcoholic beer (Old Milwaukee and Sol), as well as non-alcoholic ciders, coolers, and sparkling wines.
- Chedraui
- Another supermarket where you’ll find non-alcoholic beverages. They offer practically the same non-alcoholic drinks as in MEGA, Old Milwaukee, Sol, but also Non-Alcoholic Heineken, ciders, coolers, and sparkling wines.
These three places are walking distance from each other, and conveniently located in the Cozumel Pier (the Malecón), very near to the Punta Langosta Cruise Port.
To Conclude
In Cozumel, the legal drinking age is 18 years old.
Sometimes, a teenager younger than 18 years of age (mainly because of appearing older), might be able to get a drink at a restaurant or bar, but this is not the norm by any means.
At supermarkets and liquor stores it will be the same thing, teenagers will be asked for ID in order to be able to purchase alcoholic beverages.
On a lighter note… Writing this article reminded me of a very popular movie called Superbad, where teenagers in the US try to buy alcohol for a party, and one of them has a fake ID supposedly from Hawaii, with the name McLOVIN. It was hilarious!
Please be safe and have a great Cozumel Day!