So you’re thinking about taking a trip to sunny Mexico. Good choice! Mexico has something for everyone, from ancient ruins to world-renowned diving to decadent all-inclusive resorts. While performing your research, you’ve probably noticed that two very popular locations in Mexico include Cozumel and Cancun.
As you plan your trip, you might be wondering where in Mexico you should stay. I don’t blame you – there are so many options! I have been fortunate enough to visit Mexico multiple times, and have stayed in both Cancun and Cozumel. There are pros and cons to each. Where you should go really depends on what you’re looking to get out of your trip.
Note: when I refer to Cancun, I am referring to the general area within the mainland across from Cozumel. This includes Cancun, Tulum, Akumal, and Playa del Carmen.
If you’re a scuba diver….Cozumel
If you’ve been scuba diving for some time, you probably already know this one. Cozumel is known internationally as being one of the best dive locations in the world. I’ve been diving in multiple places, including Hawaii and the Bahamas, but Cozumel still has my heart. Cozumel is one of my favorite places to scuba dive, so much so that I have returned several times to explore these crystal-clear waters.
Cozumel diving is incredible for many reasons. For one, the visibility is unparalleled. In Cozumel, you can easily see 80 to 100 feet away from you at all times. This makes for easier diving as well as more opportunity to spot wildlife out in the distance. The coral reefs in Cozumel are a part of the Mesoamerican coral reef, the second-largest reef system in the entire world. Here, you can spot a variety of wildlife from various shark species to eagle rays to sea turtles.
The reefs alone are simply incredible in size. For more experienced divers, there are a variety of wall dives available at greater depths. There are also tons of swim-throughs to explore. These not only are beautiful, but provide the opportunity to spot smaller creatures hiding in the coral such as lobsters and crabs. For those that don’t know, a swim-through is a tunnel-like passage through coral.
The majority of diving in Cozumel is drift diving, so you can just float along and observe. Typically, the dive shop will have a boat come and pick you up wherever your group finishes the dive. This way you don’t have to worry about swimming against any current to get back to your original drop-in spot. I recommend bringing your own delayed surface marker buoy just in case you happen to get separated from the group. This one has a reel so you can inflate the buoy and send it to the surface while you are still under water. This way, the boat can start heading your direction while you perform your safety stop.
Arguably one of my favorite aspects about diving in Cozumel, however, is the night diving. If you have never been night diving before, this is definitely the place to do it. While you may be shaking at the thought of being 50 feet under the ocean’s surface surrounded by darkness, you will quickly realize that this is opening you up to a whole new underwater world!
You will have ample sources of light, and most dive instructors will encourage everyone to turn off their flashlights at some point to allow your eyes to adjust. You will be amazed by how much you can see just with the moonlight. What really makes night diving in Cozumel special, however, is the octopi! I have seen as many as 8 octopi in a single night dive in Cozumel, making it truly a unique experience. It is very rare to see an octopus during the day!
This is not to say that Cancun doesn’t have any scuba diving. I actually learned to dive in Cancun. From there, I was opened up to an incredible hobby and an inspiration for future travel adventures. It’s great for beginner divers or those that have never been diving before to get a taste of scuba diving. I will say, however, that when I returned to Cancun after diving in Cozumel several times, I was kind of disappointed. There was still good diving, but the water wasn’t as clear and the corals weren’t as spectacular. If you’re an experienced diver, Cozumel is definitely the place to go.
Now if you’re super adventurous and looking for an adrenaline rush, you can go diving with bull sharks. The problem is you have to go to the mainland (Cancun). I know what you’re thinking. I just said if you want to go diving you should go to Cozumel and now I’m telling you about this incredible diving opportunity in Cancun. This really depends on the time of year you go. Bull shark season in this area is from late November until early March. If you won’t be there during that time of year, then it’s a no-brainer: go to Cozumel.
But Katie, I am going during that time and now you’re telling me I have to choose between world-renowned diving or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dive with bull sharks?
Nope! In this case I would recommend staying in Cozumel and going on a one-day excursion over to the mainland to dive with the bull sharks.
I have yet to go on the bull shark excursion, as last time I went in-season they did not have the normal amount of bull sharks. They have luckily returned this year! I have, however, gone on a cenote excursion to the mainland from Cozumel. It’s a bit of a hassle, as you have to take a cab over to the ferry and take the 7 am ride over to Playa del Carmen. The ferry ride takes around 45 minutes. The cost to ride the ferry is $10.50 USD each way. If you have your own dive gear, you unfortunately have to lug all of that with you. That being said, I would 100% do that in order to get the most out of my trip. Next time I go, I plan on diving with bull sharks!
If you want to stay at a big, luxurious resort….Cancun
I’ll give Cancun this, they have incredible all-inclusive resorts. Every time I go, I am simply baffled by some of the things these resorts have. From massive restaurants, to surf simulators and even their own waterparks, the options are endless! The resorts even have trams taking guests to different parts of the resorts because they’re that big. There are decadent restaurants, shopping, and typically more nightlife events. As much as I love the diving in Cozumel, these resorts are definitely something to experience at least once.
During one of my more recent trips to Mexico, I stayed at the Grand Palladium Colonial Resort and Spa in Akumal. Overall, I really loved this resort and the variety of activities it had to offer. The resort is huge, having multiple different pools and areas to relax within the resort and on the beach. Every day there were different scheduled activities from tequila tastings to night shows to fire dance parties on the beach.
There were a variety of restaurants (such as a Japanese steakhouse), and, being an all-inclusive resort, everything was included in the price of the room. There were various bars, including pool bars, beach bars, a sports bar, and a bourbon and cigar bar. In addition, there was a dive shop on site, making going diving every day a breeze. If you’ve never been diving before, you have the opportunity to learn while you stay here!
Another resort I’ve stayed at is the Bahia Principe Grand Coba. This resort is also very large, with multiple bars, restaurants, and shopping opportunities. This resort offers similar activities as the Grand Palladium, as well as diving. It’s another great option if you are looking for a large resort with lots to do!
If you’re interested in ancient Mayan ruins….Both
…but mainly Cancun. Both Cancun and Cozumel have ancient Mayan ruins you can explore to fuel all of your archaeological desires. I will say, however, that most of the larger, more popular ruins are located on the mainland near Cancun.
Near Cancun, the main sites for Mayan ruins are Chichén Itzá, Coba, and Tulum. As with the resorts, everything is bigger on the mainland, and the Mayan ruins are no different. These sites are much larger in scale than those on the island of Cozumel, and each offer something a little bit different.
Chichén Itzá is probably the most well-known of the ruins in this area, and if you’ve been looking into a trip to Mexico I’m willing to bet you’ve gotten ads and recommendations for Chichén Itzá. It’s a beautiful site to behold (and one of the Seven Wonders of the World!). I would definitely recommend experiencing it, especially if you have even the slightest interest in history.
This site is an ancient city built by Mayan peoples centuries ago. Here, you can see some still very-well-preserved ruins from this city, including a ball game court and various platforms and temples. You’ll soon find out that pyramids aren’t just in Egypt, as you have the opportunity to see the very famous Pyramid of Kukulcan, or the Chichén Itzá Pyramid.
Admission for international visitors is 614 pesos or roughly 35.50 USD, and for Mexican citizens the entrance fee is 272 pesos. It is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm. Be prepared for very little shade as most of the ruins are out in the hot sun. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunblock!
Coba is another popular site to explore Mayan ruins, but tends to be much less crowded as it is not as well-known. It is also significantly cheaper, with an admission of 100 pesos (5.50 USD) and parking of 50 pesos (2.75 USD). What makes this site unique, however, is it has the only Mayan pyramid you are still able to climb. Don’t let the picture fool you — it is actually much scarier at the top than it looks from the bottom. Once at the top, though, you will be so glad you pushed through as you can see so much scenery overtop the jungle. Coba was one of my favorite experiences. It was so much more low-key than Chichén Itzá, while still having plenty of Mayan ruins to explore (and had a lot more shade cover!).
Hours here are the same as Chichén Itzá: 8 am to 5 pm. You can rent a bicycle for $3.75 USD if you don’t feel like walking the whole time, which is another nice perk!
Lastly for the mainland, the Tulum ruins offer another unique experience for those interested in archaeology and ancient history. Tulum is another ancient Mayan civilization, but was once used as a seaport and is located along the beach.
What makes this archaeological site so incredible is you have the ability to explore the ruins while getting picturesque views of the Caribbean Sea. The site is not as hot as you can feel the breeze coming in from the ocean.
The main viewpoint at Tulum is the Castillo, or castle. Entrance to Tulum is $9 USD, also making this significantly cheaper compared to Chichén Itzá.
In Cozumel, El Cedral and San Gervasio are the places to go for ancient ruins. El Cedral is rather small in comparison to the previously mentioned sites, and can typically be viewed as part of a bigger tour of Cozumel. The ruin is within the town of El Cedral, which is free to visit on your own. Accessing the ruin itself costs a mere $1.50 USD. San Gervasio is larger than El Cedral, with more ruins to visit. It is open every day from 8 am to 4 pm, and tickets are $13 USD per person.
If you’re looking to explore crystal-clear cenotes….Cancun
While you CAN take a day trip from Cozumel to get to the cenotes, it is significantly easier to do so from the mainland.
Oh, what-in-the-heck is a cenote, you ask?
A cenote is essentially a sinkhole filled with water where the limestone ceiling of a cave has collapsed. Now I know what you’re thinking, why would I want to visit a sinkhole? Because they are absolutely beautiful, filled with crystal-clear water and abundant with fascinating geological formations. Cenotes also have an incredible cultural history, as ancient Mayan peoples revered cenotes as sacred sites and believed they were the entrances to the Underworld.
The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is known for having a large quantity of cenotes in such a small region. There are a variety of different cenotes — from larger, more open cenotes popular for swimmers and snorkelers, to more cavernous cenotes popular for cavern and cave divers. If you’ve only been diving in open water and have an interest in pursuing cave diving, cavern diving in the cenotes is a great in-between to get your feet wet (literally) before fully committing to a cave dive.
What’s the difference, you ask? Cavern diving is similar to cave diving, but with cavern diving, you are always able to see natural daylight. There are also certain parameters, such as not penetrating greater than 200 feet or going deeper than 70 feet. Generally, you also stay within no deco limits with cavern diving. Being able to see an opening at all times helps ease some of the fears and anxieties that can come with cave diving while still being able to explore these underground systems. There is additional training and different gear required for cave diving, but you can use your recreational gear and open water training for cavern diving.
One of the most popular cenotes for divers is Dos Ojos, which I have personally been cavern diving in. This site isn’t particularly suited for snorkelers and swimmers, so best to avoid if you are not scuba certified. You have the opportunity to book a cavern diving or cave diving tour, depending on your certifications.
If you’re not a diver, there are plenty of cenotes that cater to snorkelers and swimmers. Many of these are accessed as a part of a tour, but you can also access them via rental car. Most resorts offer excursions in the main lobby, so you have a variety to choose from based on what you want to do.
If you want more laid-back, small-scale resorts….Cozumel
Large resorts not really your thing? Well there are plenty of smaller, more intimate all-inclusive resorts on the island of Cozumel. These are resorts you can walk to any location on the property. You are more likely to get to know everyone, especially if you’re a scuba diver. You tend to see the same people at breakfast, lunch, dinner, on the beach, and at the pool. Definitely a great way to make new friends if that is something you’re interested in.
One resort I go to time and time again is the Iberostar Cozumel. This all-inclusive resort has an incredible dive shop owned by Dressel Divers and has a large diving community that visits.
This dive shop is the closest to the main reefs. The boat ride to get to the most beautiful sites is a lot shorter, giving you more time to relax at the resort when you’re done diving.
As you can see from the schedule, the dive shop offers something for everyone. You can visit the best reefs and obtain various scuba certifications. They offer cenote excursions, night dives, and even a free scuba try-out for anyone interested in trying diving!
Different boats go out at different times based on the type of diving you want to do and your experience level. This way no one is limited in what they have the opportunity to do!
One of my favorite aspects about this resort, however, is its abundance of wildlife. I’m a huge animal lover, and love seeing peacocks, parrots, and iguanas just about everywhere I look.
Here, you will find various bars throughout the resort, as well as multiples places to eat. Everything is included in the price of your room. The resort feels very earthy, with thatched roofs and more intimate hut-like rooms.
Despite being smaller, there are still plenty of activities to do while on the resort. There are scheduled pool activities, yoga on the beach, volleyball, archery, and water sports like catamaran sailing and sea kayaking. Overall, I definitely recommend this for anyone wanting to visit Cozumel!
If you want to venture outside the resort…Both
If staying on the resort all week isn’t your thing, there is plenty to do outside of the resorts in both Cancun and Cozumel. In Cancun, there are various excursions you can book through your hotel or separately, including tours of Mayan ruins and cenotes as mentioned above. Many of these tours also include a cultural education and provide you with authentic Mayan cooking for lunch or dinner. You have the opportunity to explore some of the nightlife that Cancun has to offer on your own as well by booking a cab from your resort.
In Cozumel, the island is small but there is lots you can see. There are Jeep tours that take you around the island to a variety of locations. Some of the most popular sites are a tequileria, snorkeling opportunities, and Punta Sur Ecological Beach Park.
At the tequileria, or Hacienda Antigua, visitors can learn about the history behind tequila production in Mexico. You’ll get a tour of the farm and factory, learning how tequila is made using agave. And, of course, the fun part is you get to taste some agave and tequila samples at the end!
Punta Sur is the southernmost point in Cozumel, with plenty of activities and absolutely stunning views. The beach offers kayaking and snorkeling opportunities. You can also take advantage of the hammocks if you simply want to take a nap in paradise. For those interested in educational-type trips, there is a navigation museum to visit while you’re here.
There are also more Mayan ruins to see while at Punta Sur, such as “El Caracol”. Though they are much smaller than ruins found on the mainland or at San Gervasio, I still find ancient Mayan history fascinating in any location.
Quite possibly the best part about Punta Sur is the lighthouse. The views from the top of the lighthouse are absolutely gorgeous, and I still can’t get over the pictures I got from the top. I mean, just look at how beautiful that water is!
I can’t believe I almost forgot to mention Wet Wendy’s! A trip to Cozumel would not be complete without venturing into the Downtown area. There are shops and restaurants all over Downtown Cozumel, so I definitely recommend venturing out here one night.
In Downtown Cozumel, Wet Wendy’s is a must. This bar and restaurant has live music in the evenings and offers HUGE margaritas of various flavors.
While Downtown, be sure to stop at some of the local vendors selling handmade goods ,and consider helping out the local community by purchasing some souvenirs. Some of the craftsmanship is truly incredible and worth a look!
If you’re wanting to have an incredible trip….BOTH!
Ultimately, I’ve never had a bad experience in either region of Mexico. It’s all about figuring out what is more ideal for you on this trip. Then you can maybe test out the other on the next trip!
If you have a passion for scuba diving and have never been to Mexico before, I would definitely say stay in Cozumel at a resort with a dive shop. From there, maybe take an excursion or two using the ferry to explore some of the things you can only see on the mainland. Just be prepared that an excursion to the mainland may take up the greater portion of your day, if not the whole day (i.e. when you miss the ferry by under five minutes – TWICE – and get stuck in a torrential downpour – not my finest of days).
If you’re not a diver or have been to Cozumel already and want to try something else out, then I would say staying in Cancun is the best option. This way, you get to experience different types of resorts with greater ease of access to cenotes and the bigger Mayan ruins while still being able to go diving!
No matter where you choose to go, I hope you found this guide useful and will use it to make the most out of your trip.
Safe travels!
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