Cozumel holds a special allure for children and adults alike. If you were to ask my ten-year-old daughter where she wants to go on vacation next, she would reply “Cozumel” with no hesitation. Despite having already been several times already, her love for the island doesn’t fade. The freedom of walking around the small town, the joy of scouring the rocky shores for shells, and the afternoons spent snorkeling in the crystal clear waters are just a few of the reasons why your kids will love it so much, and why you will, too! So let’s take a look at how to get the most of a trip to Cozumel with kids.

Monica is regularly in Cozumel with her 2 children as they have family from the island. This article includes her top tips to enjoy the island with children and is based on years of research and joy on the island.

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Best hotels for families on Cozumel

Why Cozumel is a great place for kids

Cozumel Mexico is a small island that lies off the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the Caribbean Sea. It boasts pristine beaches and vibrant marine life. There are so many reasons that visiting Cozumel with kids is a perfect vacation plan. With its stunning coastline, family-friendly activities, and warm hospitality, this beautiful island makes a great place for a family vacation and is sure to create memories that will last a lifetime!

➕ Cozumel has been named as one of Quintana Roo’s pueblos magicos.

👣 Safe & easily walkable

The island feels safe and family friendly, the people are kind and eager to help, and many are fluent in English. Given the high influx of cruise ships, Cozumel thrives on tourism. Conveniently located within walking distance downtown are taxis, rental car agencies, hotels, and tourist information booths, ready to help book a private tour, find private drivers and tour guides, or assist in whatever you need.

Children love the freedom a small town offers. It doesn’t take long for them to feel at home on the island. Unlike in Playa del Carmen, where they stick close to me, in San Miguel de Cozumel, my kids feel confident to venture ahead and explore on their own.

In the small center square, there are plenty of places to shop and eat, all easily walkable with kids. Along the main coastal road, a row of stores face a long scenic boardwalk that stretches along the sea. While there aren’t designated swimming spots along the stretch of downtown, there are steps leading down to a rocky ledge where kids can hunt for snails (supervised by an adult, as the ledge is narrow). This is our favorite early-morning activity—a quick beach excursion right after waking up.

And of course, don’t forget that just a 20 minute drive from the town are one of the island’s Mayan ruins, the San Gervasio ruins. They’re no Chichén Itzá but they are worth seeing if your kids are interested in Mayan history. 

🐠 Colorful Fish

🐠 Even in the shallow water, you can see large, colorful fish and it feels like you’re swimming around in an aquarium. This is because the island is located near the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second-largest coral reef system in the world.

🤿 All this to say, you must bring your goggles! But if you forget, it’ll be okay, because in Cozumel there is a surplus of beach and snorkeling gear available. We took a short walk from the boardwalk to Chedraui, the main supermarket on the island, where they have a whole aisle of snorkeling kits, in both kid and adult sizes. They also sell water shoes that are handy for walking along the rocky shores (any sandal that you don’t mind getting wet will do), and if you plan to explore on your own in deeper waters, you can also pick up a life jacket for everyone here.

⭐️ My kids were obsessed with the fish. Every beach we went to, they had to put on their goggles to check who was swimming around. I was impressed too. Unlike the Yucatan coastline that we live near, the sea around Cozumel is teeming with a wide variety of fish and corals.

🏝 Crystal clear waters

🏝 If your kids are nervous about walking through murky water or choppy waves, they will have no problems here. One of the best things about Cozumel is that the water is astonishingly clear. Not only does this lend itself to great snorkeling, but it eases the experience of walking into the ocean for young children.

⚠️ Sargassum warning – there can be substantial amounts of seaweed in Cozumel and its arrival is unfortunately unpredictable – always best to ask before making your way over to the island to ensure you’re there when things aren’t too bad.

Kids may want to frolic and play in the seaweed but it can cause mild rashes on sensitive skin so best not to let them. If they do get a rash, apply vinegar and it should fade quickly.

🐚 Rocky shores

🐚 Not all of Cozumel is a perfect beach and the kids will love the rocky shore (that looks like coral) as much as they enjoy playing in the water in Cozumel. Cozumel’s rugged coastline primarily consists of limestone formations composed mostly of calcium carbonate, which forms from the accumulation of shells, coral, algae, and other calcium-rich marine organisms over millions of years. The porous nature of limestone makes it susceptible to erosion by water, leading to the creation of jagged features. It is captivating watching the waves crash into this area of shoreline.

🩴 It is too rough to walk on barefoot, so bring your water shoes because the whole family will get wrapped up in exploring here. You will see snails, crabs, small fish, coral, and shells as you walk over the porous coast. There can also be sea urchins hiding in the tide pools, so remind your kids to watch their step and not to touch them.

⛴ Boats and islands 

⛴ The idea of being on an island is just cool, and kids will love the adventure of getting there on a boat. The 30-45 minute ferry boat ride there will build anticipation for what awaits them in Cozumel. The ferry is comfortable and air conditioned inside, with large windows allowing passengers to admire the Caribbean Sea.

🤢 To reduce the chances of feeling seasick, sit in the middle of the boat where there is less rocking motion or upstairs in the fresh air. There is a snack bar, a small ball pit for toddlers to play in, and an upstairs open-air deck that lets you enjoy the breeze and panoramic views.

→ Save time and buy your ferry tickets in advance. The ferry leaves from Playa del Carmen.

✈️ Of course, it’s also possible to fly direct to Cozumel from airports in Mexico, Canada and the USA, which is also fun as you land right by the beach.

Ice cream

Of course, like everywhere in Mexico, ice cream is important so be sure to let your kids (and the big-adulty-kids too) eat plenty of ice cream to keep themselves cool.

Cozumel with kids: Cozumel’s East Coast

The highlight of going to Cozumel for my family is exploring the coastline on our own. From pristine beaches to rugged shorelines, the island is full of breathtaking views and natural wonders waiting to be discovered.

🚗 Renting a car or jeep for the day is a great option for an unforgettable Cozumel adventure. Getting around is easy as there is one main road that circles the bottom half of the island, with a shortcut back midway to return to the downtown area (it’s the only road marked on any map app).

While the drive itself takes just over an hour, plan for a longer excursion to fully savor the stops along the way. Keep in mind that the northern part of the island is less developed, and driving down dirt roads there may void your rental car insurance.

→ Check car rental options now

Note: If you plan to stay in Cozumel for more than a few days and have a car in Playa, crossing it over via ferry is a convenient and cost-effective option. Ferry services between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel are frequent and reliable. Be sure to check the ferry schedule and book tickets in advance.

Day of adventure: East coast style

This adventure day (loved by my kids) begins in downtown Cozumel and moves (by car) counterclockwise along the coast:

Rocky shore

As you round the southern tip of Cozumel and start driving up the east coast, you’ll see pull-offs along the road to stop and park, from where you can climb down and walk on the rocky shore.

You’ll likely have the place all to yourselves with a breathtaking view of waves crashing against a rugged coast stretching as far as the eye can see.

These aren’t good places to swim, but everyone will have a great time exploring the tide pools here. There are interesting coral formations and all sorts of sea critters living in pools of seawater between the rocks.

🩴 Remember to use your water shoes as the rocks are sharp. As a point of reference, on our last visit we parked at a pull-off 2 minutes past Playa Bonita.

El Caracol ruins

🐊 Stop off to explore El Caracol, one of the archaeological sites on the island. As you go through the laguna you may also spot crocodiles, which the kids always love.

🌮 Lunch options

Chen Río

This restaurant on the east coast beach is a beautiful place to spend a few hours. Large rocks in the water serve as a natural barrier, creating a shallow area perfect for kids to swim in safely. The crystal clear water has enough colorful fish to keep you and your little snorkelers entertained for hours. For the best sightings, look beside the rocks, as this is where they tend to congregate and swim around the most.

Other perks for families here are white-sand beaches, a couple of swings, and, of course margaritas and micheladas for the parents.

Punta Morena

Just 4 minutes north from Chen Río is another restaurant on the beach worth visiting. It also has large stones blocking the waves and an area of clear, shallow water. The sandbar between the two beaches is a unique feature that offers a place to play for small children. 

Both Chen Rio and Punta Morena are great for young kids due to the shallow water, and offer a more authentic experience compared to some of the more commercialized beaches on the island’s western coast. Families looking to escape the crowds and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Cozumel will find these two destinations to be perfect retreats. Here you will have the best time snorkeling as a family, soaking in the natural surroundings, and dining on delicious seafood and drinks.

Day of adventure: beaches and beach clubs near Cozumel town

If you have only half a day to explore Cozumel and prefer staying closer to the boat pier, there are some great things to do on the west coast as well.

Why not spend the day relaxing and playing at one of the nearby shoreside restaurants:

Playa Caletitas

You will notice that along the downtown Malecón (boardwalk), there isn’t an entrance to swim since the ocean comes right up to the seawall. But Playa Caletitas is a small beach close to Centro (a 10 minute taxi drive south) that is shallow and perfect for kids. It is difficult to snorkel here, because although the water is clear, freshwater from a nearby source meets the ocean and creates a swirling effect that distorts the view. Still, this makes for a delightful beach trip and your kids will have fun exploring on top of the rocks. There are two restaurants on site.

Playa Cosmica Restaurante

This restaurant is right beside Playa Caletitas. It has bathrooms and showers for rinsing off, and well as an outdoor dining deck from where you can watch your kids play on the beach.

Ananda

If you have older kids that want to snorkel in deeper water, try stationing yourselves at the next restaurant over, Ananda. There’s a beautiful coral reef along the edge of this rocky shoreline just beyond the dining terrace. The ocean is deep here so we put lifejackets on the kids, and had a great experience together snorkeling along the edge of the rocks. We saw a variety of large, colorful fish and sea life. Just remind your kids not to brush up against the coral while swimming, as it can have sharp edges. 

Playa Palancar 

One of the best beaches in Cozumel known for its clear waters and white sand. Families can enjoy snorkeling, swimming, and beachside lounge chairs and umbrellas. It’s perfect for a relaxing day by the sea with kids but it’s a little further from town – a 25 minute drive/taxi ride.

Sky Reef

A popular beach club and snorkeling destination featuring vibrant coral reefs. Families can explore the marine life together or simply relax on the beach. The beach club also offers restaurants, showers, and lounge areas for added convenience.

Downtown San Miguel de Cozumel

The best way to spend an evening in Cozumel is by strolling along the boardwalk to watch the sunset, or walking around the picturesque plaza to sightsee and shop. You’ll find that many of the locals are excellent craftsmen, artists, and artisans. They have perfected their craft of making beautiful items from shells, pearls, and other indigenous treasures. There are also plenty of restaurants nearby when you’re ready to enjoy another meal.

Adventure parks, attractions and tours

In addition to exploring Cozumel on your own, you may opt to stay at a kid-friendly resort, or choose from a variety of tours and destinations. Beyond its natural beauty, Cozumel offers a lot of fun activities, ensuring that every member of your family will find something they enjoy. 

🐬 A note on dolphins in captivity: you may be tempted to visit Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park and honestly, yes, the kids would probably enjoy it but they keep dolphins in captivity so keep this in mind when making your plans.

🌟 There are also numerous tours offering you up close experiences with manatees and starfish from Cozumel, whatever you do, please don’t touch or interfere with the marine life whether you’re seeing it in the wild or in tanks.

MexicoCassie note: we all make our own decisions. I recently went to an aquarium that had dolphins in captivity and I hadn’t done my research in advance so didn’t realise. I refused to watch the show and explained to my kids why I didn’t but I let them make up their own minds since we were already in there.

Chankanaab Beach adventure park

This adventure park offers a blend of natural beauty and family-friendly activities such as , an eco-archaeological tour, snorkel tours, sea-beed walks and more. With its stunning coral reef and amenities like snorkel gear rental and guided tours, Chankanaab Park offers snorkeling experience for kids of all ages.

Playa Mia Grand beach park

This beach park caters to families with various water activities and amenities. It features awesome water slides, a floating water park, water trampolines, kayaking, paddle boarding, and a kids’ club with supervised activities. It’s the perfect place for the entire family to spend a fun-filled day together.

Lancha transparente – a fully transparent boat tour with snorkeling option

This attraction offers fully transparent boat tours, allowing families to marvel at the colorful marine life without getting wet if you don’t want. It’s a great option for families with younger children or those who prefer a leisurely sightseeing experience.

(note this tour includes some drinks but does not include a small dock fee per person)

Atlantis submarine tour

This provides families with the opportunity to explore the sea from the comfort of a semi-submersible vessel (the sub descends to 100ft/30m). With large viewing windows, passengers can marvel at coral reefs and fish. It’s a safe and immersive way for families to discover the beauty beneath the sea (kids under 4 not allowed).

Isla de la Pasión

A secluded section of Cozumel accessible only by boat, offering a paradise beach, crystal clear waters, and opportunities for snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding. It’s a great getaway for families seeking a relaxing escape from the crowds.

Cozumel pearl farm

This guided tour provides an educational experience for families curious about pearl cultivation. Visitors are taken by boat to pristine white sand beaches to witness the pearl farming process. Afterward, snorkeling offers a close-up view of the pearl hatchery. The tour wraps up with beach relaxation and a served lunch.

Scuba diving

For the teens and adults in your party, scuba diving is always an option. Whether you’re already qualified or just want a taster session it’s  perfectly possible to find excellent scuba options from Cozumel – remember, we’re near the Mesoamerican Reef here. 

Cozumel zipline adventure

If your kids love speed and aren’t afraid of heights, this series of 6 ziplines over the Cozumel jungle will be an absolute winner of a day activity.