Where to Stay in Cozumel • 3 DREAMY Spots + Top Hotels

Let’s start our adventure around Cozumel, an island in the Caribbean Sea popular with scuba divers, surfers, and beach lovers! If this sounds like the ideal destination for your next holiday, it’s time to start thinking about where to stay in Cozumel! 

I vacationed in Cozumel a few years back, so I can share my experience and tell you about the best places to stay on the island. 

The best area to stay in Cozumel is Centro, the city center of San Miguel, the largest city on the island. In this part of the island, you’ll find quite a few cool attractions, fantastic restaurants, and some of the best Cozumel resorts and hotels. 

In this post, you’ll find more detailed info about each of the recommended areas, but you’ll also get my handpicked hotel options for all these areas. All you need to do is hurry up and book your hotel in advance – Cozumel is a popular destination, and the good places sell out fast! 

Let’s go! 

Quick Picks for Your Stay

If you want to book right now, here’s a list of the best hotels in Cozumel, all situated in Centro:

Check out this map of Cozumel showcasing the 3 areas of the island I will be talking about in this post:

1. Centro (San Miguel) – where to stay for the first time

Do you want to be in the center of all the action? Say no more! Centro, San Miguel’s city center, is the best place to stay in Cozumel, especially if you’re visiting the island for the first time. 

Situated on the island’s West Coast, Centro is a lively neighborhood offering tons of attractions, great beaches, and some of the most incredible hotels in Cozumel, Mexico. 

As you probably assume, hitting the beach is one of the best things to do in the area. Playa Casitas (map) is the closest beach to Centro, and it’s the ideal spot to spend a day swimming, sunbathing, and even sightseeing – there are some cool Mayan ruins right near the beach. 

TIP: If you want to see other beaches, the ones in Playa del Carmen are stunning (take the ferry from San Miguel, and you’ll be there in 40 minutes).

Another cool thing to do near the water is walk around the Cruise Ship Terminal (map). Many cruise ships dock here, so it can be a little crowded. But there are quite a few restaurants and the Plaza Punta Langosta (map) shopping mall – that certainly makes for an interesting day!

While walking along the waterfront, you should also stop and snap a photo with the Coral Reefs Monument (map) – it’s a super cool attraction – and spend a couple of hours learning about the island’s history in the Cozumel Museum. 

If your mission on this Cozumel trip is to try authentic local food, there’s no better place for it than Mercado Municipal (map). Plenty of local vendors serve traditional Mexican dishes at affordable prices, so it’s a great chance to try as much food as possible! 

In the evenings, you can attend one of the live performances at Benito Juarez Park (map), or go for a drink in Hemingway (map), a super cool beach bar and nightclub. 

Finally, if you’re worried about getting around Centro – don’t be! This part of San Miguel is very compact, so all the points of interest will be within walking distance of each other! However, if you’re willing to go a bit outside of Centro, I recommend renting a scooter and discovering more cool places in San Miguel and around the island. 

NOTE: The Cozumel International Airport is just a 4-min drive away from Centro, so this is the ideal base if you’re on the island for a short time and you want to be near the airport. Better yet, many of the hotels in Centro offer airport transfers (free or paid), so that’s one less thing you need to worry about. 

The first stop I’d recommend you visit is the Corpus Christi neighborhood, specifically the Dolphinaris Cozumel, a dolphinarium where you pet and feed the dolphins but also swim with them! You should also check out Playa Caletitas (map), a smaller, more secluded beach that’s a great spot to explore the tourist crowds. 

Now, let’s take a look at the top hotels and resorts in Centro! 

Other accommodation options in San Miguel

Things to do in San Miguel 

• Spend a day swimming and sunbathing on Playa Casitas
• Take a photo with the Coral Reefs Monument
• Learn more about the island’s history at the Cozumel Museum
• Try authentic local food at the Mercado Municipal
• Embark on a cruise aboard a pirate ship 
• Attend one of the performances at Benito Juarez Park
• Enjoy a drink on the beach at Hemingway
• Swim with dolphins at Dolphinaris Cozumel or relax on Playa Caletitas

2. South Cozumel – where to stay for the best beaches

Want to experience authentic island life, lounge on pristine beaches, and have the most amazing snorkeling experience? If so, South Cozumel will be the ideal fit for you! This laid-back area includes the whole part of Cozumel that’s located South of the capital, San Miguel, but regardless of where you are, you won’t be more than a 30-min drive from Centro. 

Here you won’t see as many restaurants, shops, or many people, as a matter of fact. However, there are many beaches, some cool caves, archeological sites, and plenty of opportunities for exciting water sports. 

NOTE: Seeing as South Cozumel is spread over a larger surface of the island, you’ll need a mode of transportation. Your best options are either renting a car or renting a scooter. I’m more in favor of the scooter – it is more cost-effective and allows you to enjoy the island’s natural beauty a little more. 

South Cozumel is renowned for its beautiful beaches, so you have to spend at least a few days exploring the best spots. Playa Palancar (map) is a great place to visit if you just want a relaxing beach day, but if you want to stay more active, pack your snorkeling equipment (it’s best to bring your own) and head to Playa “El Cielo” (map). 

If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll definitely want to spend at least a day at the Playa Mia Grand Beach Park. This is a family-friendly beach park that offers a variety of cool water activities, like twister water slides, water tricycles, kayaking, and more. 

The Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park is another amazing place to spend the day! This adventure park is one of the island’s top attractions and an ideal spot for diving and snorkeling. Here, you can come face-to-face with marine animals, such as dolphins, manatees, and sea lions, all while admiring stunning coral reefs. 

For a slightly different kind of adventure, spend your day at Punta Sur Eco Beach Park, which, besides snorkeling, provides the opportunities to see abundant wildlife, including birds, raccoons, lizards, and even crocodiles. 

If you need a break from all the water activities and you want to immerse yourself in island culture, visit Zona Arqueológica El Caracol (map). At this archeological site, you can see the ruins of a small Mayan temple; the cool thing is – there are snail shells embedded in the stucco! 

My final recommendation for what to see in South Cozumel is Faro de Punta Celarayn (map), an imposing white lighthouse. When you visit, I highly recommend going up to the top of the lighthouse for the most stunning views over the sea and the beach. 

And if you like to party, South Cozumel won’t disappoint! The entire coast is dotted with beach bars and clubs, so there’s something new to discover every night. 

Other accommodation options in South Cozumel

Things to do in South Cozumel 

• Spend a beach day at Playa Palancar or Playa “El Cielo”
• Take the kids to Playa Mia Grand Beach Park
• Try scuba diving at the Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park
• Join a guided ATV tour of the Jade Cavern
•  Admire the wildlife at Punta Sur Eco Beach Park
• See the Mayan ruins at Zona Arqueológica El Caracol
• Learn more about the Mayan culture at Kun Che Park (map)
• Go up the Faro de Punta Celarayn and enjoy the best views of the Caribbean Sea

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3. North Cozumel – where to stay for tranquility 

Planning on doing nothing but relaxing, swimming, and sipping on cocktails? Well, then, North Cozumel is the perfect spot to make this plan come true. Covering the area North of San Miguel, this quiet and serene area is about a 15 to 25-min drive away from Centro and is an excellent destination for couples, families, and solo travelers – so it’s for everyone! 

North Cozumel has fewer beaches compared to the South of the island and fewer opportunities for water sports. However, there are still some fantastic beaches like Playa Las Rocas (map) and the secluded Playa Punta Norte (map).

And right on the island’s Northern tip, you’ll find Isla de la Pasión (map), a small peninsula with a gorgeous sandy beach. It’s one of those places you see online where the water looks like it’s painted with the most beautiful blue color! 

If you want to learn more about the island’s history during your stay in Cozumel, you can visit some archeological sites. The one on this part of the island is called Zona Arqueológica San Gervasio (map), and it belonged to the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. Here, you can see several Mayan structures, and you’ll even spot some iguanas. 

And even though North Cozumel doesn’t host as many restaurants as Centro or as many beach bars as South Cozumel, there are some amazing spots where you can enjoy a meal and a drink. The most popular restaurant, by far, is Buccanos (map), a beachfront restaurant where you can sample fresh and delicious seafood, as well as some tasty cocktails. 

Now, let’s find you the best hotel in Cozumel on the Northern shore!

Other accommodation options in North Cozumel

Things to do in North Cozumel 

• Relax on Playa Las Rocas or the secluded Playa Punta Norte
• Enjoy the picturesque views at Isla de la Pasión
• Catch a sunset near Mirador Puerto de Abrigo (map)
• See the Mayan ruins at Zona Arqueológica San Gervasio
• Visit the Castillo Real (map)
• Have a delicious meal at Buccanos

👑 Luxury price:	US$250
💵 Mid-range:	US$160
🛏️ Budget:	US$80
📍 Best area:	San Miguel
🛎️ Best luxury hotel:	Cozumel Palace
🧳 Best mid-range hotel:	Hotel Puerto Libre
👛 Best budget hotel:	Caribo Cozumel

Bonus 1: Best family hotels in Cozumel

Traveling with kids? Well, if you are, it’s a good idea to stay in one of the top Cozumel hotels for families. Here, you can stay in family rooms and enjoy many different facilities that can be fun for the whole family – check out my top picks below: 

• Casa Mexicana Cozumel ($$$) – featuring family rooms, this 4-star hotel offers access to an outdoor swimming pool, a free breakfast buffet, room service, and free Wi-Fi
• Blue Angel Resort ($$) – this family-friendly hotel provides stunning views of the ocean, beach access, free sun loungers, and scuba diving opportunities. Guests can also enjoy a free cooked-to-order breakfast and benefit from free parking
• Casa del Solar ($) –a lovely guest house offering family rooms with private bathrooms, air-conditioning, plus various wellness packages. Baby cots are provided free of charge, while extra beds are also available at a small fee

Bonus 2: Best beachfront hotels in Cozumel

Want to spend your Cozumel vacation basking on the beach, swimming in the sea, and sipping on cocktails? If so, you should definitely consider staying in a beachfront hotel! You’ll find my top recommendations below, but keep in mind that these are all luxury properties, considering they’re right on the beach and offer many upscale amenities. 

• Presidente InterContinental Cozumel ($$$) – this top-rated beachfront resort boasts a private beach, an on-site dive shop, a beach bar, and 2 restaurants. Other facilities you’ll find here include 2 swimming pools, a fitness center, and 2 tennis courts
• Playa Azul Cozumel ($$$) – a 4-star beachfront hotel that provides direct beach access, an outdoor pool, and a golf course. When you want to relax, you can spend the day at the spa or sip on a cocktail at one of the 5 on-site restaurants
• Melia Cozumel All Inclusive ($$$) – one of the best all-inclusive resorts on the beach, providing sun loungers, 2 outdoor pools, a swim-up bar, and a full-service spa offering a variety of treatments

FAQs about where to stay in Cozumel

Final words on the best places to stay in Cozumel

What an amazing destination! I hope this post helped you decide where to stay in Cozumel and which hotel to book. 

There are so many incredible places to stay in Cozumel, so if you need a bit of extra help, here are my top 2 favorite hotels in Cozumel, both located in Centro: 

• Cozumel Palace – this all-inclusive resort features a spa center, 4 restaurants, and 2 pools, and also organizes themed parties
• Hotel Puerto Libre – a comfortable 3-star hotel offering concierge services, a tour desk, and free private parking

As in any popular tourist destination, Cozumel hotels sell out quickly – you should hurry up and book yours to secure your spot and get the best deals! 

If you have any questions about Cozumel or where to stay, drop them in the comments below – I’ll get back to you right away! 

Enjoy your island adventure, 

Yulia

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