Are you wondering is Cozumel safe?
The Yucatan is Mexico’s most visited region. With destinations such as Cancun and Chichen Itza, it’s quite a hotbed for visitors and tourists.
However, what a lot of visitors discover is that these locations can be quite crowded. With millions of visitors a year, anyone who’s just passing through might feel overwhelmed.
Table of Contents
Is Cozumel Safe?
Cozumel has become the ultimate Caribbean island that happens to be Mexican, with a beautiful aesthetic and amazing greenery.
It’s the perfect spot for the passing traveler looking for a break or an excursion to an all-inclusive Yucatan holiday.
Most visitors to Playa del Carmen or Cancun will visit Cozumel for the balnearios, snorkeling, and world-class scuba diving experiences.
It’s a getaway island that economy is solely based on tourism, making it one of the safest locations in the whole of Mexico.
However, Mexico has a reputation for being dangerous, and traveling to this great island involves a ferry.
Where is Cozumel?
Cozumel is one of many stunning tropical islands located off Mexico’s Caribbean coast.
Known for its stunning beaches and wild untouched jungle, it’s around 47km east from the mainland, and can be accessed by ferry leaving from either Cancun or Playa del Carmen.
Situated in the northern area of the Riviera Mayan peninsular, the closest mainland city to Cozumel is Playa del Carmen, with the ferry port here the most popular way of arriving.
Out of all the Riviera Mayan islands to visit, Cozumel is also the biggest, stretching around 25 miles from the two extreme corners of the island.
Is it Safe to Travel to Cozumel?
It’s incredibly safe to travel to Cozumel since thousands of tourists visit every year. Compare Cozumel vs Cancun here for more ideas.
Cancun is viewed as the tourist capital of Mexico, but Cozumel is a better alternative to its overly touristy counterpart.
Yucatan as a whole is an amazing place to visit and explore, so visitors shouldn’t be scared to venture out of their complexes, or even buy an all-inclusive package in the first place.
Safety Facts about Mexico
- According to the UK Government, over 576,971 British nationals visited Mexico in 2017 with most visits being trouble-free.
- The intentional homicide rate of Yucatan is 3 per 100,000. That’s better than the US homicide rate which is 5.
- Cozumel is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world.
- New York and Chicago have higher crime rates than Yucatan.
- Also according to the UK Government, Major tourist destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, and Nuevo Vallarta have mostly not seen the levels of drug-related violence and crime experienced elsewhere in Mexico.
Is Cozumel Safe to Travel Alone?
Yes! Cozumel is perfectly safe to travel alone.
Get proper travel insurance for a start, stay within the confines of the beach areas and trust your instincts and you’ll have a wonderful time.
You’ll need to abide by the same precautions as you would with travel to Central America such as don’t go out at night, don’t trust strangers, don’t flash expensive items, etc.
Book yourself a place to stay in Cozumel such as Mi Casa tu Casa B&B which is a literal slice of paradise suitable for all types of travelers.
It would definitely help if you knew some Spanish since Mexicans very much appreciate English speakers who learn it as a second language.
You can meet like-minded travelers by staying at one of the top-rated hostels in Cozumel which could make your stay one to remember.
After all, meeting new people is paramount to solo travel!
Booking excursions, hotels, and even when taking advantage of bus travel in Mexico will be a lot easier if you did speak Spanish.
However, the area is tourist-centric due to the hub of Cancun so it isn’t as much of a necessity as with the rest of Mexico or Central America.
See these basic Spanish conversation tips for some simple phrases.
Backpacking Mexico Safety
Backpacking across Mexico can be tricky since most of the bordering regions with other countries have a difficult reputation.
However, Yucatan and Quintana Roo are considered a part of the Gringo Trail and are extremely safe as compared to the rest of Mexico.
Mexico is an amazing country to navigate, but you definitely need to look up which regions should be avoided when backpacking.
Yucatan can be the starting point for many backpackers taking the long route down to Colombia to see all the Central American countries.
Backpacking Cozumel
If you are backpacking Mexico this is the ideal place to start since it has the best sights in Mexico plus it’s so close to Guatemala and Belize.
This could potentially be the point in a backpacking trip that’s aim is to relax the beaten traveler.
This is the perfect spot for Mayan ruins if you’re interested as well.
Whilst in Cozumel though, keep your belongings close by at all times and don’t leave valuables out of sight.
For those cashless travelers, be wary of attempts at credit-card fraud.
One method is when the cashier swipes your card twice (once for the transaction and once for nefarious purposes).
It would be best to only use cash, by keeping most in your hotel safe and taking small amounts out with you.
Cozumel Nightlife
The best nightlife is Cozumel is located in Cozumel Centro, which is close to the ferry port that connects the island to Mexico’s mainland.
One of the favorites here is Señor Frogs, which is a restaurant bar popular all over the country, and is a great place to start the night.
Other good bars include Alberto’s Beach Bar and Wet Wendy’s to get the drinks flowing. On the eastern coast, head to Mezcalitos, with this beach bar perfect for a relaxing beer with its frontline ocean views.
Cozumel Travel Safety Tips
Tourists are targeted in all locations around the globe, not just in Mexico so keep on the lookout for petty crime.
⤵️ Here are some tips to help you on your journey:
- Hollywood is notorious for damaging Mexicans stereotypes with both lazy and dangerous assumptions of all kinds.
- Only travel to Mexico once the borders are open and the COVID-19 virus has absolved.
- Keep dummy wallets for pickpockets and keep your money hidden away. Bras, money belts or secret bag compartments will do.
- Don’t accept offers of drugs. Not only is it illegal, but it’s dangerous and you’re helping an industry wrought with crime that the government is trying to stop.
- If you are a person that suffers from typical culture shock symptoms see our tips on adapting to new surroundings on this blog.
- Make sure to use trusted and accredited hotels in Cozumel (or hostels). Then once you’ve booked your room, book taxis or buses through the hotel if you’re not familiar with Uber.
- Make sure to take sunscreen. This is the hottest region of Mexico and the ocean breeze may fool you.
- Do you want to take expensive equipment such as cameras or smartphones? Keep them hidden, locked away and on you in person. You’ll find a PacSafe backpack works well for this.
- If you think you’re being overcharged for a taxi, just know that most taxis shouldn’t cost any more than 35 pesos.
- There is still a risk of contracting Zika virus. See Travel Health Pro for more information on this.
- Don’t go where there are few other people in the vicinity; this includes camping in secluded places. A simple rule: if there are families around, you’re probably safe.
- Don’t leave any valuables unattended while you swim. Run-and-grab thefts by people lurking in the woods are a common occurrence.
Don’t take Cozumel lightly just because it’s a touristy island.
The Yucatan region and its many towns and cities are safe compared to the rest of the Central American region.
With this in mind, however, it still pays back in dividends if you exercise the right precautions.
Ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
The new luxury ferry run by Ultramar costs 200 pesos per person and takes about 20 minutes.
The lone car ferry is run by Transcaribe out of the Calica port at Punta Venado, just south of Playa del Carmen, and costs 500 pesos each way. The trip takes about an hour and 15 minutes.
The ferry is mostly used by tourists so you’ll find that it’s quite easy to use. Ask around if you want to get the ferry price a little cheaper.
You can also hire a car for the day whilst in Cozumel which is a great way to access the island’s beaches as well as see other scenic sport.
Got Travel Insurance for Cozumel?
Designed by travelers, for travelers, World Nomads covers more than 150 adventure sports and activities so you can explore your boundaries.
Best time to go to Cozumel
The dry season in Cozumel runs from November until May. Average temperatures during the period hover between 75-78°F, with highs of up to 86°F and lows of 68°F.
Rainfall typically averages around 0.5-2 inches for each month, with February being the driest month to visit Cozumel. The contrasting wet season runs from late May until November.
Average temperatures range from 81-83°F, with highs of up to 90°F (August being the hottest month) and lows of 72°F. Rainfall is thick and heavy during this time, with storms and hurricanes more likely around September and October.
You can expect anywhere from 2.5 to a whopping 10 inches of rainfall each month (September is the heaviest with 10 inches of downpour).
Cozumel Safety FAQs
See these frequently asked questions about safety in Cozumel:
Is Cozumel Safe?
Cozumel and the Yucatan are wonderful places to visit and the crime rates are extremely low.
Cozumel has all the charm of Mexico with none of the danger. It has some amazing experiences that await you.
Are you ready to get inspired by this island paradise? Read this guide on things to do in Cozumel for ideas and what activities you can do.
📌 Like this article? Pin it…
💬 Leave a nice comment or let’s start a conversation below!
“Dear friend! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, book a hostel or sign up for a tour, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot and helps me to keep traveling and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”
