21 Awesome Things to Do in Cozumel with Kids

Looking for some really interesting things to do in Cozumel with kids? You’ve come to the right place!

I lived in Riviera Maya for almost a year with my family. We spent a fair amount of time day-tripping and weekending on Cozumel, so we found all the best spots to spend some time.

Cozumel is an island off the coast of Playa del Carmen in the Riviera Maya region of Quintana Roo, Mexico. It’s approximately 12 miles from the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.

As the largest inhabited island in Mexico, it is roughly 30 miles long and 10 miles wide. While its size may sound overwhelming, there is a lot of undeveloped land on the island.

The lack of development does not mean there aren’t many things to do in Cozumel Mexico with kids, though! On the contrary, as we quickly discovered, one day will not be enough to finish your Cozumel family vacation wish list.

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Top Activities in Cozumel with Kids

1. Wander Around Centro

There is so much to do in Cozumel with kids that it’s tempting to zoom off as soon as you arrive at the ferry or cruise port. However, the downtown area (called Centro) also has a lot to offer.

👉 If you want to ensure you see all the best sights in Centro, this tour provides exactly that along with a tasty lunch!

Every town in Mexico has a zocalo (aka: town square). The zocalo in Cozumel is called Plaza del Sol. It’s a scenic spot to shop for souvenirs. There are several popular restaurants in town as well.

2. Museo de Cozumel

The newly renovated museum has 11 interactive rooms with cutting-edge technology. Displays are posted in both English and Spanish. Visitors can discover Cozumel’s culture, history, and biocultural heritage.

The museum tells a fascinating history you won’t find anywhere else from who conquered it in the 1500s to how Abraham Lincoln tried to buy it!

👉 This walking tour of Cozumel includes a guided tour of the Cozumel Museum!

It also has displays about the island’s history with Carnivale as well as ancient artifacts found on the island, what the island is made of, and local history about the Mayan people.

Whether you’re popping in to escape the heat (the AC is excellent) or want to engage in a bit of worldschooling, the museum is a fun and interactive experience for the whole family.

An Instagrammer hotspot, the landmark is located adjacent to the passenger ferry terminal. It is a beautiful monument to the coral reefs. It has two scuba divers diving the reefs as the water sprays down from above.

3. Visit the Coral Reefs Monument

The divers are surrounded by fish and sea life. All around the sculpture, there are various animals along the bottom and up it.

At night, it lights up and the adjacent fountain changes colors. The best time to visit is at dusk because the sun sets right behind the monument. Get there early for a good seat!

4. Take a Photo of the Cozumel Sign

Like every town in Mexico, there is a rainbow sign with the name in the Zocalo. There are actually two Cozumel signs, but the one in the Zocalo is easier to get to and easier to photos of.

The downside is that also makes it very popular. Especially later in the day, it can be difficult to get a photo without at least a couple of strangers in there.

The *other* sign is on Avenida Rafael E. Melgar/Highway C-1, the main street that runs along the entire east side of the island. It’s south of Centro, just a bit north of the cruise ship terminal. Keep an eye out for it on the ocean (southbound) side of the street.

☑️ Learn About Mayan Culture

Like much of the Yucatan peninsula, Mayan culture is actively celebrated on Cozumel. Despite their civilization disappearing over 2,000 years ago, its history is taught and shared with anyone who is interested to explore it.

There are several really cool ways to learn about Mayan culture on Cozumel. These experiences are what actually prompted us to visit!

5. Chocolate Making Class

David and I made chocolate during a visit to Nicaragua, but that was before having kids. Plus, different parts of the world have different ways of making chocolate.

Since Little Man is a chocoholic, we knew that a chocolate-making class had to be on our itinerary. When visiting Cozumel kids will love this activity!

👉 We loved this chocolate making class at Mayan Cacao Company!

After a quick tour showing us the history of Mayan chocolate making, you get escorted to a private outdoor ‘classroom.

Our teacher was really accommodating to Little Man and taught us about the symbolism of each ingredient that went into our chocolate.

From peeling and hand-grinding your own cacao beans to choosing how sweet of chocolate you want to make, the class is fun and interactive for the whole family.

6. Kun Che Park

👉 Kun Che Park is a theme park that celebrates all the things that make the Mayan culture so captivating.

Now that Discover Mexico Park is permanently closed, Kun Che is one of the top educational experiences in Cozumel with kids.

Visitors can watch the famous Mayan ball game (Pok To Pok) and explore local foods like tamales and tortillas.

Enjoy cultural fiestas and folklore dances during meals. They offer various packages to suit different budgets and timeframes, including transportation and a visit to nearby Cedral town with a cute gift shop and Mayan ruins.

Smaller than San Gervasio, they are nestled between homes and shops in town.

7. Mayan Bee Sanctuary

👉 While you can just show up at the sanctuary, it’s better to book in advance so you won’t have to wait for a tour to be available.

Mayan bees are truly special because they are stingless. This means you can get close to them and their hives without risking injury.

They are the perfect way for kids and adults alike to learn more about how integral bees are to the global ecosystem.

We learned a little bit about these magical creatures during our Mayan Cacao Company tour.

However, our guide even told us he learned everything he knew from the owner at the Mayan Bee Sanctuary. When we told him we planned to visit, he said we wouldn’t regret it. He was right!

During the tour of the sanctuary, we got to see several types of beehives. It was a really neat experience to have bees swarming around us without feeling at all nervous. Little Man was full of questions.

He loved being able to sit and watch the bees at their hives. Watching the bees actually guard the hives was truly a unique moment for all of us.

My favorite part was the honey tasting at the end of the tour. It’s darker and has a much different flavor than traditional bee honey. You can even buy some of their honey on-site, which I definitely recommend doing!

8. San Gervasio Mayan Ruins

While not as vast as the more popular mainland sites, like Chichen Itza, the San Gervasio ruins have their own magical feeling.

This may be because the archaeological site was one of the premier Mayan pilgrimage sites in all of Mesoamerica. It was dedicated to the worship of Ix Chel, the goddess of childbirth, medicine, and weaving.

☑️ Location: Enter from QR C-1 heading east out of Centro
☑️ Hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; last admission is 3:15 pm
☑️ Cost: 80 pesos, cash only
☑️ Bathrooms: Yes
☑️ Souvenir Shopping: Yes
☑️ Snacks and Drinks: Drinks, cash only

Although ruins aren’t always the most exciting thing for kids, this site adds a bit of adventure for families. It has a lot more trees around than Chichen Itza and Tulum.

So kids who’ve seen an adventure film, like Dora the Explorer or even Indiana Jones, can pretend they’re in their own movie as your family strolls through the site.

☑️ Enjoy Cozumel Water Sports

It’s an island, so of course, at least some aquatic Cozumel tourist attractions need to be on your list of things to do with kids in Cozumel, right? These are our favorites!

9. Go Diving (or Snorkeling)

Cozumel is home to some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Mexico. However, scuba diving is only something that families of older children (12+) can do if certified.

Since Little Man wasn’t old enough yet, on any of our visits to Cozumel, that wasn’t part of our explorations.

👉 Families traveling to Cozumel with kids over 12 should certainly consider going Discover Scuba diving or getting certified there.

Alternatively, if your family has young kids that can’t safely swim in deeper water, then scuba diving may not be a good activity. Never fear, though!

Parent Tip: Keep scrolling for other underwater family friendly activities that don’t involve swimming.

10. Snorkeling with Sea Stars

Along with some of the best scuba diving in Mexico, Cozumel also offers amazing snorkeling offshore. A day trip to the three best reefs is a wonderful adventure for any water-loving family.

👉 The best way to see El Cielo, Panacur, and Columbia reefs is on a guided tour.

Panacur has a wide variety of sea life, Columbia has colorful fish, and El Cielo has starfish laying on a pure white sand bottom. Each place is truly unique.

Many tours for snorkeling Cozumel with kids allow children as young as three or four to participate because the water surrounding the reefs is fairly calm.

As long as younger kids are comfortable floating in a life vest in water where they can’t touch the bottom, they should find the experience to be a lot of fun.

When Little Man was three and four years old, he simply held on to one of us adults while he floated and watched the fish. He’s pretty fearless, though, so each family should decide their comfort level with this type of activity.

11. Snorkeling at Money Bar

If getting on a boat isn’t your thing, it’s still possible to enjoy snorkeling on Cozumel with kids. Money Bar isn’t a swanky drinking establishment. It’s a waterfront restaurant with a small beach that allows guests to snorkel right from the shore!

If you don’t have your own snorkeling equipment (we do), then it’s available for rent from a hut adjacent to the restaurant’s dining area.

We had lunch and then stored our stuff in the car while we snorkeled. Although other guests left their stuff at their table, I wouldn’t recommend doing that if possible to avoid someone walking off with your belongings.

Cozumel is one of the safest places in all of Mexico, but why tempt fate?

During water excursions Cozumel Mexico, I store our essentials in a waterproof waist pouch. It’s one of the best Amazon purchases I’ve made.

👉 I love this waist pouch. It triple seals before rolling down to velcro shut. After 2+ years of regular use, I’ve had no problems.

In all honesty, the food was overpriced and just mediocre. The snorkeling was mostly just fish. Avid snorkelers who’ve been to some really amazing places might find it a little boring. However, Little Man had an absolute blast!

Afterward, we were able to take a cold freshwater shower and then pop into the restrooms to change our clothes. It was really nice not to have to get back in our rental car all wet! Overall, the staff were friendly and the snorkeling was fun.

Note: I do not recommend Dolphin Discovery Cozumel, or any of their other locations. Authentic experiences with wild animals, like swimming with whale sharks, are much more ethical.

12. Cozumel Pearl Farm

The Cozumel Pearl Farm is the only active pearl farm in the Caribbean. Only accessible by boat, it’s the best-kept secret on the island of Cozumel.

Owned and operated by a local family, this beautiful location at the north end of the island has remained pristine. It offers visitors gentle breezes, clear turquoise waters, coral reefs for snorkeling, and a white sandy beach.

☑️ Cost: $110 USD for adults
$85 USD for kids 6-12
Kids 5 and under are free
☑️ Location: Northern part of Cozumel
☑️ Transportation: Included; by private boat from Cozumel Centro
☑️ Group Size: Maximum of 8 people daily

During the tour, you walk the farm facilities to learn about how they cultivate pearls. You even get to snorkel at the hatchery, which has a life-size Virgin of Guadalupe underwater statue and some beautiful natural reef formations.

After snorkeling, you visit the farm’s sandbank while a local chef grills pineapple for a tasty afternoon snack. Adults can even enjoy a cold beer under a beach palapa. The rest of the afternoon is left for relaxing.

Whether you spend it lying in a hammock, swimming in the ocean, or playing in the sand, it’s a perfect day for parents who want to enjoy a special day on Cozumel with kids.

☑️ Relax at a Beach Club

Whether you want to spend all day chilling in a lounge chair or prefer to relax for a few hours after a morning out adventuring, Cozumel has excellent beach clubs. Many have much better amenities than the ones in Playa del Carmen, too!

13. Paradise Beach Club

This beach club is on one of the best stretches of sand on Cozumel. There’s also a huge palapa in the middle of the pool that provides shaded pool time. It does not disappoint!

👉 This all-inclusive pass to Paradise beach Cozumel provides unlimited food and drinks at two restaurants.

You can also get food and drink delivered to your lounge chair while sitting at the heated pool or on the beach.

In addition, there’s a huge inflatable obstacle course available to guests as well as select non-motorized watersports, like stand-up paddleboarding. Plus there’s free wifi and freshwater showers.

14. Mr. Sanchos Beach Club

This is the most popular beach club Cozumel has to offer. This means it can get a bit hectic during the high season when multiple cruise ships are in port.

👉 With their all-inclusive pass, you get access to all their amenities in addition to unlimited food and beverages all day long, too.

However, it consistently gets high reviews so clearly, they know how to provide good service regardless of how busy they get!

In addition to relaxing on the beach in a hammock or lounge chair, visitors can also enjoy the inflatable obstacle course. If beaches and saltwater aren’t your things, then hang out at the pool or the pool bar while the kiddos swim.

Unlike some other beach clubs, lockers are included here. Wifi, showers, changing rooms, and restrooms are also available to all guests. Even ocean kayaks are included in the access pass!

15. Mia Grand Beach Park

Playa Mia Beach Club is popular with families because it has excursions in Cozumel Mexico for kids of all ages. It’s one of the top things to do in Cozumel with toddlers!

👉 With an all-inclusive day pass, you don’t have to worry about meals or drinks all day long.

From zero-entry pools with a small splash park to a larger-than-life inflatable obstacle course off the beach, families in Cozumel with kids young and old will enjoy every moment here. There are even water slides, ice cream, and wifi!

This beach club and its kid-friendly Cozumel water park is a perfect end to a one-day itinerary on Cozumel for kids and families who don’t want to rent a car or hire a driver.

Wander Centro, take a morning chocolate factory tour/chocolate-making class at Mayan Cacao Company, and then stroll across the parking lot to Playa Mia. They are right next to each other.

You can either arrange to have the taxi that dropped you off come back at a set time to pick you up, or the beach club can call one for you when you’re ready to leave.

16. Punta Sur Eco Beach Park

While this isn’t the typical beach club experience offered at the clubs along the western shore, it’s still a fun time.

In addition to enjoying the beach on the southern tip of the island, visitors here also get to see a variety of wildlife. Punta Sur is an eco-reserve with over 1,000 hectares of protected land as well as a beach park.

Don’t be surprised if you see iguanas sunbathing or a crocodile in the lagoon! If you visit at the right time of year, you may even get to see some sea turtle nests on the beach!

In addition to relaxing on the beach, visitors can check out the Navigation Museum and explore the two lighthouses. But if relaxing on the beach is all you seek there are hammocks, restrooms, and showers to make the day easier.

☑️ Go on a Unique Adventure

There is so much more to do on Cozumel with kids than historical or swimming activities. So if that’s not your jam, keep reading!

From indoor, air-conditioned experiences to outdoor adventures, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy on the island.

17. Atlantis Submarine

Even if you do a snorkeling excursion on Cozumel, the Atlantis Submarine goes far deeper.

👉 The Atlantis submarine ride often sells out so prebook tickets in advance!

At 100 feet deep in Chankanaab Eco Marine Park, near Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park on Chankanaab Beach in Cozumel, you will see sights unlike any snorkeling excursion on the island.

The Atlantis Submarine visits the most colorful reef on Cozumel Island. You’ll even get to see 30-foot-tall corals!

In addition, there is an actual guide navigating the sub. They also explain the plants and wildlife you see out your window. It can finally be your opportunity to put names to all the different types of fish you’ve seen on other snorkeling adventures!

This 45-minute tour is limited to guests who are at least 3 feet tall *and* 4 years old. This age and height limit is for safety purposes and cannot be negotiated.

Pro Tip: Check your kiddos’ height before booking the tour to avoid potential disappointment.

18. ATV to Cenote

Until we experienced an ATV ride through a fruit farm in Malaysia with Little Man, we never would have considered ATVs a family-friendly activity.

👉 This ATV tour is perfect for adventurous folks in Cozumel with kids ages eight and up.

However, they’re stable enough on designated trails to be fairly safe. In addition, when driven at the slower speeds of a guided tour, they don’t feel dangerous at all. Little Man loves riding in front of his dad to feel like he’s steering!

After driving a path to an underground cenote, you get to jump or climb in for a refreshing swim. Then, you ride through a coral cave and even get to learn about some local Mayan culture.

Your kiddos will be having so much fun they won’t even realize they’re learning!

19. Private Sunset Sailboat Cruise

If you’re looking for a truly unique experience, enjoy the sunset on Cozumel from the deck of your own private sailboat.

👉 This luxury yacht has a perfect five-star rating on Viator and is a perfect way for families to unwind.

It allows for customized music and premium beverage options. The menu also includes local, handpicked food that is prepared fresh onboard. The catamaran even has wifi!

Even families of small children will enjoy this excursion. Since it’s a private sailboat, adults can put the youngest ones to bed downstairs while they enjoy a peaceful sunset upstairs. It’s a great option even for families in Cozumel with baby.

The sailboat holds up to 15 people, so don’t be afraid to book it with some friends!

20. Drive the Wild Side

Most of the development on Cozumel is on the west side of the island facing the mainland. However, there is a smooth highway circling the entire island.

👉 I recommend using Discover Cars for renting a car on your trip!

There are a number of beautiful beaches on the eastern side of the island. None of them have the beach club amenities of the western beaches. In addition, the waves are big and the tide is strong.

Family Tip: Families with small kids may want to skip trying to swim at west side beaches for safety reasons. Even the locals recommended we skip swimming there during our visit.

The only exception is Chen Rio beach on the southeastern shore of Cozumel. While it has big waves and strong tides, there are some small tidal pools along the beach where little ones can play more safely.

Whether you swim or not these rugged, eastern beaches are a beautiful sight to behold!

21. Cozumel Planetarium

Located around the corner from the cruise ship terminal, the Cozumel Planetarium offers some truly unique experiences for adults and kids alike. It’s one of the best indoor activities Cozumel has to offer!

From presentations in the digital dome to hands-on workshops for kids, it’s a great way to spend a little time learning about Mexican culture. They even offer a presentation on Mayan constellations from time to time!

Workshops are presented Thursdays-Saturdays to kids 5-12. There are extra fees included with these workshops.

Hours: 10 am – 6 pm
Closed: Sundays & Mondays
General Admission: Free
Digital Dome Price: 200 pesos for adults
150 pesos for kids
Workshop Prices: 30-50 pesos

Not all the workshops and shows are in Spanish. Check their website for the day you want to visit to confirm which experiences will be presented in your preferred language, Spanish or English.

Getting to Cozumel with Kids

Unless you’re planning to swim, the most common way to get to Cozumel is by boat. There are three main types of boat that people use to get to Cozumel.

It is also possible to fly to Cozumel. Some visitors fly directly to Cozumel from far-away cities on name-brand carriers like Southwest or Aeromexico.

However, it is also possible to fly there on small aircraft that leave from the local airports in Playa del Carmen, Valladolid, and elsewhere in the Yucatan peninsula.

⛴ Passenger Ferry

The most common way to get to Cozumel is by boat. Most people take a ferry from Playa del Carmen. Passenger ferries arrive at the main ferry pier closest to Centro.

The pier to the south of downtown near the lighthouse is used for vehicle ferries but not cruise ship passengers.

There are two main ferry companies that run between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel: Winjet and Ultramar. Their prices and amenities are similar.

Ultramar Winjet
💲 Adult Ticket Cost: 250 pesos 220 pesos
💲 Child Ticket Cost: 200 pesos 140 pesos
💲 Run Times: Hourly Hourly
💲 Luggage Storage: Yes Yes
💲 Pet Friendly: Yes Yes
💲 Priority Disabled Seating: Yes Yes

Note: Pet owners may only sit with their animals in the outdoor seating area.

During High Season: Ultramar runs at the top of each hour and Winjet runs at the half hours. Don’t book round-trip tickets. This allows for more flexibility in your return in case the next ferry leaving is a different one than you took to get to the island.

During Off-Season: The ferry companies take turns running daily. Go ahead and buy a round-trip ticket if you’re only visiting for a single day.

🛥 Car Ferry

If you prefer to bring your car to Cozumel, there is a car ferry at the Calica cruise ship port. This is located a bit south of Playa del Carmen. It’s well-marked on highway 307 but it has a more limited departure schedule.

One-way fares are 500 pesos per vehicle. In addition, each passenger (including kids) costs 68 pesos for a one-way ride. Most people visiting Cozumel for a short trip simply rent a car on the island because the car ferry schedule is so limited.

🛳 Cruises

The island of Cozumel is also a popular cruise port. Sometimes, multiple cruise ships are in port on the same day! If this happens, the quiet island can become very busy, especially in Centro.

There are three cruise ship piers to accommodate all the cruise ships during the high season. The closest is a five-minute walk from Centro and the furthest is five kilometers south of Centro.

People arriving by cruise ship to that pier will need to take a taxi up to Centro in order to wander around.

👉 Many people on cruise ships prefer to book a guided cruise excursion to see more of the island in just one day.

If you aren’t planning a guided excursion, though, there are still some amazing activities Cozumel offers for families on any budget.

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Getting Around Cozumel with Kids

Cozumel is a pretty big island, so you’ll need a vehicle to go anywhere outside of Centro.

Unlike in Isla Mujeres, there is not a booming golf cart rental industry to enjoy. Instead, there are public buses and colectivos (shared-ride taxi vans common throughout Riviera Maya) on the island.

However, none of them run outside the town of San Miguel de Cozumel where all the cruise and ferry docks are located.

Your only other options to explore further afield are to hire a driver or rent a car. Whenever we visited, we chose the latter option.

Not only was it more cost-effective, but it was also more flexible. This was key for us visiting Cozumel with kids.

👉 I recommend using Discover Cars for renting a car on your trip!

We like being able to store all our stuff safely in the trunk. It’s also nice to be able to change our Cozumel itinerary at the moment if it suits us.

👉 This driver is an excellent choice to take you around Cozumel on a day trip!

Final Thoughts on Cozumel with Kids

Visitors on a day trip or cruise excursion won’t be able to do everything on our list in a single visit. There are easily enough Cozumel Mexico things to do with kids to keep a family busy on a one-week vacation!

Although we lived in Playa del Carmen, we found ourselves returning to Cozumel because it was just so much fun!

If you’re visiting Cozumel for a single day, it’ll likely be just enough time to convince you to return again for another adventure.

👉 While we have global health insurance for our day-to-day lives, we also elect travel insurance with SafetyWing for our spurts of fast travel adventure!