How to Get Around Cozumel: Transportation Guide
How to Get Around Cozumel
Getting around Cozumel is surprisingly easy once you know your options. Whether you’re heading downtown for dinner, driving the wild east side, meeting a dive boat, exploring beach bars, or simply getting from your vacation rental to the grocery store, the best way to get around depends on what you have planned.
Jefé and I have spent years exploring Cozumel by rental car, taxi, private driver, scooter, bicycle, and on foot. We’ve learned that there really isn’t one transportation option that works best for every trip—or even every day of the same trip.
If we’re heading out to explore the wild east side, I love having the freedom of a rental car. If we’re going downtown for dinner, I’d rather grab a taxi than worry about parking. And if we’re spending the day visiting beach bars with friends, nobody needs to volunteer to be the designated driver—that’s a private-driver day for me.
Where you stay matters too. At our oceanfront condo at El Cantil, we can walk to restaurants, shopping and groceries in San Miguel. At our beach villa at Costa del Sol on Cozumel’s quieter south side, having transportation available is much more useful.
So instead of telling you there’s one “best” way to get around Cozumel, I’ll walk you through the options we actually use and when each one makes the most sense.
| If you want to... | Good Options |
|---|---|
| Explore the island at your own pace | 🚗 Rental Car |
| Visit Punta Sur & the wild east side | 🚗 Rental Car or 🚐 Private Driver |
| Do the Beach Bar Loop | 🚐 Private Driver or 🚗 Rental Car |
| Stay in downtown San Miguel | 🚶 Walking & 🚕 Taxi |
| Dive every day | 🤿 Participating Dive-Boat Pier Pickup, 🚕 Taxi, or 🚗 Rental Car |
| Travel with kids or a larger group | 🚗 Rental Car or 🚐 Private Driver |
| Avoid driving altogether | 🚕 Taxi or 🚐 Private Driver |
Rental Cars in Cozumel
If you want the freedom to explore Cozumel at your own pace, renting a car is hard to beat. It makes it easy to head to the beach, explore the wild east side, spend time at Punta Sur, stop for tacos, or pull over because you spotted something you want to check out.
We especially like having a car when we’re planning a full day away from San Miguel. I don’t want to spend the day watching the clock or worrying about finding a taxi for the next stop. Some of our favorite Cozumel days are the ones when we head out with a general idea of where we’re going and see where the day takes us.
- Best For: Families, groups, divers with gear, and anyone who wants the freedom to explore beyond San Miguel.
- Where to Rent: You’ll find both international rental companies and local agencies in Cozumel, including options near the airport and around San Miguel. Compare what’s actually included in the quoted price before you book—not just the number that first catches your eye.
- Insurance: Pay close attention to the insurance included with your rental. Mexican liability requirements and the coverage included in online rates can be confusing, so ask the rental company to explain exactly what is—and isn’t—included before you pay.
- Parking: Parking is generally pretty straightforward at beaches, restaurants and attractions outside downtown. In central San Miguel, pay attention to posted restrictions, curbs and designated parking areas.
Planning a day to explore? My Cozumel Beach Bar Loop, Hidden Gems in Cozumel, and Things to Do in Cozumel guides have plenty of ideas for places you might want to stop along the way.
Taxis in Cozumel
One of the things I love about Cozumel is that you rarely have to look far for a taxi. If we're heading downtown for dinner, picking up groceries, or just don't feel like driving, taking a taxi is usually the easy answer.
You'll find taxis around San Miguel, near the ferry terminal, at many hotels and resorts, and around popular restaurants and attractions. Confirm the fare before you ride, and I recommend carrying cash, preferably pesos.
Staying at our Costa del Sol Beach Villa ? The security guard at the Costa del Sol gate can help call a taxi when you need one. The community pier also allows boat pickup for participating dive and excursion operators.
Staying at our Oceanfront Condo at El Cantil ? Taxis are easy to find nearby, but one of the things we love about El Cantil is how much we can walk to. Restaurants, shopping, groceries and other everyday essentials are all close by.
Getting From the Cozumel Airport to Your Accommodations
If you're arriving at Cozumel International Airport (CZM), authorized airport transportation is available to take arriving passengers to accommodations around the island. If you're traveling with family or a larger group—or you're like us and arrive with suitcases and scuba gear—make sure the transportation you choose has enough room for everyone and all that luggage.
Scooter Rentals in Cozumel
You’ll see scooters everywhere in Cozumel, and I completely understand the appeal. There’s something pretty great about cruising along the coast with the Caribbean Sea beside you and nowhere you need to be in a hurry.
But this is not where I’d recommend learning to ride one. If you’re already an experienced and confident scooter rider, it can be a fun way to explore the island. If you’re not, Cozumel traffic, intersections, road conditions, and other vehicles can make vacation a less-than-ideal time to figure it out.
- Best For: Experienced riders who are comfortable operating a scooter in traffic and want the flexibility to explore beaches, restaurants, and Cozumel's scenic coastline.
- Before You Rent: Use an established rental agency, ask what insurance is included, make sure you understand the rental requirements, and inspect the scooter before you leave. Always wear a helmet.
- Fuel Up: If you're heading out to explore Cozumel's wild east side, fill up before leaving San Miguel. Services become much more limited once you're outside town.
Heading around the island? My Hidden Gems in Cozumel guide has some of my favorite places to stop along the way.
💎 Dory's Treasure Tip: Whether you're driving a car or riding a scooter in Cozumel, keep an extra eye out for scooters and motorcycles around you. They can be easy to miss in your mirrors, so check carefully before changing lanes, turning, pulling away from the curb, or opening a car door. And whether you’re driving, riding, or walking, stay alert at intersections—don’t assume everyone else sees you.
Bicycles in Cozumel
If you’re not in a hurry, a bicycle can be a great way to see Cozumel at a slower pace. Around San Miguel, you can ride along the waterfront, stop for coffee, explore nearby streets, or catch a Caribbean sunset along the way.
- Best For: Short rides, sightseeing, and exploring San Miguel at a leisurely pace.
- Where to Ride: Stick to routes where you’re comfortable with the traffic and road conditions, including designated bike paths and quieter streets in and around San Miguel.
- Ride Smart: Keep an eye out for vehicles, scooters, pedestrians, changing road conditions, and car doors—especially in busier parts of town. If you’re riding after dark, make sure drivers can easily see you.
Navigation Apps & Safety Tips
Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze can all be helpful for getting around Cozumel. We use navigation apps ourselves, especially when we're looking for a particular restaurant, shop, or somewhere tucked away in San Miguel.
I also recommend downloading an offline map before you head out. It's especially useful if you're exploring Cozumel's wild east side or Punta Sur, where I wouldn't want to depend completely on having a cell connection.
Cozumel's main roads are fairly straightforward, but keep an eye out for speed bumps, changing road conditions, pedestrians, bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles.
Always wear a helmet if you're riding a scooter or ATV. Give yourself a little extra time when you're going somewhere unfamiliar, and if you're driving after dark, slow down and pay extra attention to the road and the traffic around you.
Dory’s Cozumel Favorites Map
Want an easy way to find some of the places we actually use and recommend around Cozumel? I’ve put together a custom Google Map with our favorite restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies, beaches, scenic stops, and other useful places to have at your fingertips while you're exploring the island.
Dory’s Cozumel Favorites Map includes:
- Favorite restaurants and local food stops
- Grocery stores and markets
- Pharmacies and useful island essentials
- Beaches, scenic stops, and photo spots
Open Dory’s Cozumel Favorites Map →
💎 Dory’s Treasure Tip: Open the map before you head out and save it to your Google Maps account. It’s especially handy when you’re exploring beyond San Miguel and want to see what we’ve marked nearby.
~ Explore the beauty of Cozumel ~
Private Drivers in Cozumel
Hiring a private driver is one of my favorite ways to explore Cozumel when we're with friends or family. Everyone gets to relax and enjoy the day, and nobody has to worry about directions, parking, or being the designated driver.
It's especially nice for a day exploring Punta Sur and Cozumel's wild east side, or if you're planning to make your way around several beach bars. You still have the freedom to stop when something catches your eye—you just get to let someone else do the driving.
Staying at We’ve Gone Coastal? We can help connect our guests with trusted local drivers for transportation from our Costa del Sol Beach Villa or Oceanfront Condo at El Cantil, as well as island outings during your stay. Just reach out and we'll help point you toward an option that fits your plans.
💎 Dory’s Treasure Tip: If your plans include the Beach Bar Loop, this is one of those days when I'd much rather have a driver. Everyone gets to enjoy the stops, nobody has to be the designated driver, and you can make the day your own.
Continue Planning Your Cozumel Vacation
Now that you know how to get around the island, here are a few of my other Cozumel guides to help you decide what to do, where to go, and what to pack.
Explore Cozumel
Before You Go
Beach Villa at Costa del Sol
3 bedrooms, 3 baths, steps from the beach and Caribbean Sea, with access to Costa del Sol's oceanfront infinity pool and private community pier on Cozumel's quieter south side.
Explore Our Costa del Sol Beach Villa →
Oceanfront Condo at El Cantil
4 bedrooms, 4 baths, Caribbean views, a heated saltwater pool and hot tub, private community pier, and a San Miguel location where you can walk to restaurants, shopping and groceries.
Explore Our Oceanfront Condo at El Cantil →
Choose Your Cozumel Home Base
Where you stay really does change how you get around Cozumel. At Costa del Sol, we like having transportation available for exploring the island. At El Cantil, we can walk to dinner, groceries and plenty of places in San Miguel and grab a taxi when we need one. Choose the location that fits the way you want to spend your time in Cozumel.
Check Availability & Book Direct →Meet Dory (Shannon Coleman)
Hi, I’m Dory—aka Shannon Coleman. My husband, Jefé, and I have spent years exploring Cozumel, and getting around the island is part of the adventure for us. We’ve driven the wild east side, taken more taxis than I could count, explored with local drivers, ridden bikes and scooters, and figured out which transportation options make the most sense depending on what we have planned.
Jefé and I own We’ve Gone Coastal Cozumel, with our beach villa at Costa del Sol and oceanfront condo at El Cantil. Because the two properties are in very different parts of the island, we’ve also learned firsthand how much your location can influence whether you’ll want a rental car, use taxis, walk, arrange a driver, or take advantage of pier pickup.
I created Dory’s Blog to share the places, experiences, and practical Cozumel tips we genuinely recommend from our own time on the island.
