Cruise to Cozumel (Quintana Roo, Mexico)

Cozumel on a Western Caribbean itinerary

Carnival features the Carnival Liberty on a Western Caribbean itinerary departing from New Orleans, with Cozumel, Belize and Roatán as ports of call on the way back. The itinerary lists Cozumel on the third day of the cruise, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This places Cozumel between the departure from New Orleans and the later Caribbean stops in Belize and Roatán. Use your time ashore to choose an island experience that differs from the other days in port; for a booked departure, follow the times listed in the onboard program.

Finding the right cruise terminal

Cruise ships dock at three locations in Cozumel: Punta Langosta is right by the center of San Miguel, while Puerta Maya and SSA Cozumel are farther south. Punta Langosta opens onto the city's waterfront; taxis wait at the exits of the two southern terminals. So your pier assignment determines whether you step ashore right in the waterfront district or need transportation first to reach other parts of the island. Coordinate your meeting point, taxi ride or rental car pickup with the pier used by your departure.

Ferries from Playa del Carmen dock at a separate ferry terminal, not at the cruise piers. The SSA terminal complex has a waiting area, shops, restrooms, bus and rental car services, and tours. At Puerta Maya, the excursion pier for boat trips is separate from the main pier; it serves water-based excursions and transportation toward town.

Reefs, island nature or Maya history

For a day on the water, Cozumel is best known for diving and snorkeling. The reefs along the west coast include numerous dive sites; Chankanaab and the southern reefs also offer snorkeling spots that do not require diving equipment. A guided boat tour is a good fit for this kind of day, while San Miguel, with its shops and restaurants, is an option for a shorter waterfront visit.

If you would rather stay on land, you can choose between two distinctly different island destinations. Punta Sur, at the southern tip, combines a lighthouse with a lagoon, dunes and an open beach. San Gervasio lies inland: the archaeological site was a sanctuary to the Maya goddess Ixchel, with plazas and temples set among wooded surroundings. Punta Sur and San Gervasio are each full-day island excursions in their own right. So first decide whether you want a reef, town, nature park or archaeological site, rather than trying to fit several far-flung destinations into a single port day.

Taxi, excursion or rental car

Taxis are available at the exits of both southern cruise terminals. This can be the simplest option for a single beach or park visit; for an organized snorkeling or cultural trip, an excursion can combine transportation with the destination. A rental car is particularly useful for the east coast and Punta Sur. Having your own vehicle is therefore better suited to a self-planned trip with several stops than to a short visit to the waterfront at Punta Langosta. If you plan to visit several places, compare driving distances, the time you expect to spend at each stop and the vehicle return arrangements before choosing how long to rent the car.