Getting Here & Transportation

How do I get to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen?

Verified by PlayaStays’ local teamLast reviewed May 30, 20264 min readPlaya del Carmen
Chris, PlayaStays founder, photographed in Playa del Carmen
Written by
& the PlayaStays local team
Founder, PlayaStaysOperating in Playa del Carmen since 2018

Direct answer

Two ferry companies (Ultramar and Winjet) run between Playa and Cozumel every hour. ~45 min crossing. ~$23–28 USD round trip per person. Buy tickets at the Playa Fundadores pier or online. Ferries run 6am–11pm. Take the first morning ferry if you want a full Cozumel day; last return is 10pm.

Ferry from Playa to Cozumel is straightforward — two companies (Ultramar and Winjet) run hourly crossings from the Playa Fundadores pier (next to the central park). 45-minute crossing, ~$23–28 USD round-trip per person. Schedules run 6am to 11pm. Take the 7am or 8am ferry for a full Cozumel day. Reserve seats online during high season (Dec–Mar) to avoid sold-out departures.

What to do

Follow these steps

  1. Walk to Playa Fundadores pier (next to the central park).
  2. Buy tickets at the booth or online in advance.
  3. Take the 7am or 8am morning ferry.
  4. Plan your Cozumel day in advance — pre-book a rental scooter, dive trip, or beach club.
  5. Return on the 6pm or 8pm ferry.
  6. For longer stays (3+ days), consider booking a PlayaStays Cozumel rental for the full island experience.

Full details

Playa del Carmen to Cozumel is one of the most well-traveled ferry routes in Mexico — millions of passengers per year. Two companies compete on the route: Ultramar (the larger, faster boats) and Winjet (slightly cheaper, similar service). Both leave from the same pier in Playa Fundadores (next to the central park, walkable from anywhere in 5th Avenue area). Arrival on Cozumel side: San Miguel passenger pier in the heart of town.

Schedules + frequency:

  • Departures from Playa: every hour, 6am–11pm typical (varies by season)
  • Departures from Cozumel: every hour, 5am–10pm typical
  • Crossing time: 45 min (Ultramar slightly faster in calm seas)
  • Both companies are reliable; minor schedule shifts during weather

Pricing:

  • One-way: ~$14–17 USD/adult
  • Round-trip: ~$23–28 USD/adult
  • Kids (5–11): ~50% off
  • Kids under 5: free
  • Online booking often 5–10% cheaper than dock prices
  • Booking through hotels or tour desks adds 15–25% markup — buy direct

Tickets:

  • At the pier: ticket booths on the Playa side. Open 30 min before each departure. Cash + cards.
  • Online: ultramarferry.com or winjet.com.mx (Spanish; use Google Translate or pay in pesos via PayPal)
  • From your rental: PlayaStays guests can arrange tickets in advance

Boarding:

  • Arrive 30 min before departure (15 min minimum)
  • Security check (no liquids over 1L, similar to airport-light)
  • Seats are unassigned — board early for window seats
  • Two decks: covered (with AC) and open-air (top deck, breezier, photogenic)

Day-trip rhythm:

  • 7am or 8am ferry from Playa
  • 8am or 9am arrival in San Miguel
  • Pick up rental car/scooter at the port (book in advance), or take a taxi
  • Beach/dive/snorkel until 4pm
  • Last ferry back: usually 10pm; for safety, plan to be on the 6pm or 8pm return
  • Total day-trip cost: $50–80 USD/person (ferry + rental + lunch)

Multi-day option:

If you have 3+ days, consider staying overnight on Cozumel — the island is far more rewarding when you have multiple days for east-side exploration, multiple dive days, or quiet beach time. PlayaStays manages Cozumel rentals.

Bringing a car?

  • Passenger ferries (Ultramar, Winjet) are passenger-only — no cars.
  • Cargo ferry (Transcaribe) at the Calica port (~40 min south of Playa) does take vehicles. ~$50 USD per car each way. Reservations required, weekday only typically.
  • Most visitors leave the car in Playa and rent a separate scooter/car on Cozumel — much easier.

Seasickness:

  • 45 min is short, and the catamaran boats are stable, but bumpy days happen.
  • Bring Dramamine or similar if you're sensitive.
  • Open-air top deck is better for queasy stomachs (fresh air).

What to bring for the day:

  • Sunscreen (mineral if you'll snorkel)
  • Cash (Cozumel accepts pesos and USD)
  • Sunglasses
  • Water (~1L)
  • Camera

Local context

The Playa–Cozumel ferry has been operating since the 1970s — it's part of how the Riviera Maya developed. The two-company competition keeps pricing reasonable. Both companies have been in operation 20+ years. The Playa Fundadores pier serves only the Cozumel route — it's not part of any other ferry system. Cozumel's San Miguel passenger terminal is in the heart of the town, walkable to most beach clubs, restaurants, and dive shops. The cruise terminals (Punta Langosta and SSA) are different infrastructure — passenger ferry visitors arrive at the smaller pier and largely skip the cruise tourism economy.

Common mistake

Booking the ferry through a tour desk or hotel concierge for $35–40 USD round-trip when it's $23–28 USD at the pier. The markup is pure profit — buy direct at the booth or online.

Recommendations

Specific picks

Ultramar Ferry

~$14–17 USD one-way
Playa Fundadores pierLarger boats, faster

Larger, faster catamarans. Slightly more expensive than Winjet but consistent.

View on map / site →

Winjet Ferry

~$12–15 USD one-way
Playa Fundadores pierSlightly cheaper

Competitor on the same route. Slightly cheaper, similar service.

View on map / site →

Playa Fundadores pier

Free entry
Centro PlayaPassenger pier

Departure point in Playa. Next to the central park, 5-min walk from 5th Avenue.

View on map / site →

We recommend these because we know them — not because anyone paid us. Hours and prices change; verify before you go.

Planning a trip?

Planning a trip to Playa Del Carmen?

Ask before you book. Our local team reviews your dates, arrival logistics, and zones.

Message us on WhatsApp →Browse rentals

Related on PlayaStays

Related answers

Keep reading

Transportation & arrival

How do I get to Playa del Carmen from Cancún Airport?

Three real options: pre-booked private transfer (~$60–95 USD, door-to-door, easiest), ADO bus ($16–20 USD, drops you at Playa's central bus station), or official airport taxi (~$80–120 USD). Skip every "free shuttle" desk past customs — those are timeshare pitches.

Transportation & arrival

My flight lands late in Cancún. Can I still get to Playa del Carmen?

Yes — pre-book a private transfer before you fly. ADO buses run until ~11pm; after that you're on a $80–120 airport taxi or a pre-paid driver. Confirm late check-in with your host the day of travel so you're not stuck outside at 1am.

Transportation & arrival

Can I get to Isla Mujeres the same night I land in Cancún?

Sometimes — if you land before ~9pm and move fast through customs. After that, sleep near the Puerto Juárez ferry and cross in the morning; late-night Isla arrivals are two legs (ground + ferry) and easy to underestimate.

← All answers

Chris, PlayaStays founder

Hi, I'm Chris — founder of PlayaStays.

I've stayed in Airbnbs across more than 35 countries — from design-led glamping in Patagonia to penthouse condos in major cities. I've learned what makes a property great: photography that earns the click, messaging that holds Superhost standards, and pricing that reads the local market instead of a template. We bring that same eye to every PlayaStays Airbnb in Quintana Roo.

WhatsApp Chris →
Want a smoother trip?

Ask us before you book — no commitment.

Message us on WhatsApp →
Ask us →