Cruising is such a fun way to travel, and the Caribbean is my favorite place to cruise. We love Mexico, especially the Yucatan Peninsula & Riviera Maya. Cozumel is home to some beautiful beaches with fabulous beach clubs with great amenities, so that along with some fun local shopping is what we are going to highlight here. When we are at a port of call, we like to spend as much of our day at the port as we can because we hate to miss a moment of Mexico!

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Cozumel Mexico - Itinerary for a Perfect Day

Once you are off the boat at the port, you are going to look for the taxi area. There are a ton of taxis and Ubers all lined up to choose from, and there is even a board posted with the rates (so your driver doesn’t take advantage of you and you can expect what to pay).

The beaches are gorgeous and that is what you want to hit first! There are a couple great beach clubs we have vetted or several of our friends have recommended. You can’t go wrong with either of these. Hop in your taxi and head to one of these options:

Playa Palancar Beach Club
This is a beautiful option if you just want a nice day at a gorgeous beach with a few perks. When we went, it was $10/person and that included beach chairs, shower, restroom, changing room and an umbrella. The rates have gone up just a bit since then, but are still reasonable. I have the website linked above, so you can see current prices.
We brought our own snorkles, but you can rent some there. There are lots of other added amenities they offer such as paddle boarding, jet skis, Bali beds, massages, towel rental, lockers, photography service, snorkeling tours, etc.
They have a restaurant and bar on site and we loved ordering yummy drinks and appetizers as we hung out on the beach.
Our taxi driver surprised us by also being on the beach, laying out, while waiting for us to need another ride to our next stop. Haha!
Mr Sanchos
This is the beach club that has been highly recommended to us by friends who have traveled to Cozumel. It’s only about 5 minutes away from Playa Palancar and is similar in its offerings, but take it to the next level if you are willing to pay more $$$ for some added adventure.
They offer an all inclusive experience with different levels that gives you access to different experiences and amenities such as snorkeling, kayaks, cabanas, massages, pools, horseback riding, scuba diving, parasailing, ATV tours and more.
Shopping & Eats at Benito Juarez Park
Rather than spending all our money as we are walking off the boat, we like to head to areas just outside the hot bed of the tourist action. Juarez Park is located just down the street from the cruise port on Avenida Rafael E Melgar. It’s a 5 minute taxi ride or a 12 minute walk. We took a taxi there from the beach and then walked back to the boat.
As you walk through the park, you will see there are tons of little shops and stalls full of souvenirs to browse through and purchase.
They also have some great local restaurants that give you a taste of true Yucatan flavors. One of our favorite things to get when we are in that area of Mexico is their panuchos. They the ultimate street food! Imagine little tostadas that are often stuffed with black beans and then layered with other toppings. Grab some if you can!

We loved our day in Cozumel and can’t wait to go back! It’s such a dreamy spot!! We have a lot more info for you about other cruise stops as well as places in Mexico. Check them out below!