cozumelcruiseports

The Cozumel cruise port, formally known as “Port of Cozumel,” in Mexico is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world and has much to offer to cruisers. It’s an island paradise located off the Mayan Riviera coast and offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. Along with Costa Maya, it’s one of Mexico’s most visited cruise ports. It’s also significantly developed.Unlike other Mexican cruise ports like Progreso, and very touristic – although this isn’t necessarily a good thing, depending on what you like when you travel. Pronounced “Coe-zoo-mel,” most American tourists pronounce it “Cah-zoo-mel,” but don’t sweat it because generally, nobody will correct or mock you if you use either pronunciation. San Miguel de Cozumel is the arrival point for most visitors. It is the largest town on the island. It can be confusing because most people usually just refer to it as “Cozumel”. I love this port because there’s much to do that is affordable; namely its popular beach clubs, detailed further below. Unlike other ports, where taxi prices are overly inflated (I’m looking at you, Puerto Plata), taxis here are quite affordable and easy to access. Language & Currency in Cozumel Given its huge influx of tourists yearly, with more than four million cruisers alone, Cozumel is a tourist-friendly cruise port. Spanish is the official language, but most vendors on the island speak Spanish and at least conversational English. Cozumel is one of the world’s busiest ports. There’s no need to convert currency here. While the official currency here is Mexican Pesos (MXN), US currency is widely accepted. Note, though, that the symbol for pesos is the same as a dollar ($), which can be confusing. While you don’t need to bring pesos, however, do bring cash as credit cards are not as universally accepted here, as they are at other large cruise ports of call. Most taxis, for instance, accept cash only. Besides taxi prices, which are regulated and fixed, haggling is the norm here. Cozumel, Mexico Cruise Terminals There are three terminals in Cozumel: Puerta Maya, International Cruise Terminal, and Punta Langosta, and cruisers can consult their cruise documents to determine which pier they will visit if Cozumel is on the itinerary. It’s important to check this, as all the piers are different, not just in where they are located in Cozumel but also in the amenities that they offer. Puerta Maya The Puerta Maya terminal in Cozumel, Mexico. Puerta Maya is a busy cruise ship terminal on Cozumel’s western coast, and it’s exclusive to Carnival Corporation cruise ships, which includes several brands other than just Carnival Cruise Line. It’s modern, clean, and lush, with lots of plants and even a water feature with small wooden bridges where cruisers can view a dozen or so turtles that live there. It also contains many of the amenities of most other cruise terminals, including cruise mainstays like Effy and other souvenir shops. Of the three terminals, this one arguably has the best shopping, with over 65 stores and stalls. Speaking of shopping, while being forced through a duty-free store isn’t uncommon at cruise terminals, one thing that I don’t love about the Puerta Maya terminal is that the store here is very long and narrow, and it can get congested. For cruisers like me, who sail often and avoid shopping and souvenir-buying, this is a bit frustrating and can add quite a bit of time just traversing from the ship, down the long pier, through the very long and narrow duty-free store, and through and out the terminal. This is especially true when the pier is at capacity, accommodating three ships simultaneously. Otherwise, though, this is a lovely terminal with a well-organized, albeit busy, taxi stand. There isn’t much that’s walkable from the Puerta Maya cruise port once you exit the terminal, and of the three Cozumel cruise piers, it’s the furthest from downtown San Miguel de Cozumel, about 5 miles. International Cruise Terminal The International Cruise Terminal, or “SSA International Pier” is used by several cruise lines, including Holland America Line, Norwegian, Princess, and others. Like Puerta Maya, it’s not walkable to downtown San Miguel, but it’s an easy taxi ride, only about 3 miles away. This is the oldest of the three piers in Cozumel, but it’s still full of great shops, restaurants, and bars. Cruisers who love the bar scene will be happy to know that there’s a Margaritaville right at the end of the pier in the cruise terminal. Besides food and shopping, there’s not much else to do at the International Pier, although it has a pretty cool cenote. It’s very small and walled off, but it is an interesting sight to see while you’re walking through the terminal. Photo Credit: This is Cozumel While the International Pier doesn’t have a pool or beach, there is a very small (and I mean small) area by Bubba Gump where cruisers can enter the water for a swim. Punta Langosta Punta Langosta (which interestingly translates to “lobster tip”) is used by several cruise lines, including Disney, Celebrity, and MSC. If you’re docking at this terminal, you’re in luck. Of the three in Cozumel, it’s the only one located right in downtown San Miguel and is a gateway to Cozumel’s bustling city center. From the Punta Langosta cruise terminal, cruisers can easily walk to shops, bars, and restaurants right outside of the terminal. Located in the heart of downtown San Miguel, Punta Langosta allows cruisers easy access to stroll along the waterfront promenade, browse local shops and galleries, and sample delicious street food. Once cruisers exit the pier, they will traverse an overpass to get to Punta Langosta Mall, a two-story shopping center offering the standard cruise shopping experience. From there, they’re in San Miguel and can explore all the area offers. Beach Clubs in Cozumel One of the most popular attractions among cruisers porting in Cozumel is to enjoy a day at one of the many local beach clubs. While the island does offer some public beaches, the free access areas aren’t always desirable (they’re generally