To travel from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, take a passenger ferry from one of Playa del Carmen’s maritime terminals; Xcaret Xailing gives the crossing time as about 45 minutes. The route makes a Cozumel day trip possible, with ticket choices and departure times varying by operator.
- Route: Playa del Carmen to Cozumel by passenger ferry.
- Crossing: About 45 minutes with Xcaret Xailing.
- Terminals: Xcaret Xailing departs from the Maritime Terminal; Ultramar uses Terminal Marítima NAVEGA.
- Before boarding: Xcaret Xailing and Ultramar recommend arriving 30 minutes before departure.
Where to catch the Cozumel ferry
Playa del Carmen’s passenger ferries leave from maritime terminals in the town center.
Xcaret Xailing gives its terminal address as the Maritime Terminal at Calle 1ra. Sur and Zona Federal Marítima Terrestre. Ultramar’s departure point is Terminal Marítima NAVEGA, Av. Benito Juárez, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo 77710, Mexico. Check the operator name and terminal on your ticket so you go to the right departure point.
The ferry terminal area is close to Quinta Avenida, Paseo del Carmen, the ADO bus terminal and Parque Fundadores. Xcaret Xailing says you can reach its terminal by private car, taxi or public transportation. For moving around town before departure, how to get around Playa del Carmen by bus, taxi or on foot can help with local transport planning.
Ferry operators and crossing basics
Ultramar, Winjet and Xcaret Xailing operate passenger ferries between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.
Xcaret Xailing gives a crossing time of about 45 minutes. Its published timetable shows departures from Playa del Carmen between 08:30 and 22:00 at 30-minute intervals, and departures from Cozumel between 07:30 and 21:30 at 30-minute intervals.
The company says schedules depend on weather and operating capacity. Winjet also publishes departures, but its schedule can change without prior notice. Check the official site before you go.
Ticket prices and conditions differ by operator. Xcaret Xailing charges adults USD 16 one way and USD 32 round trip. For children aged 5 to 11, fares are USD 12 one way and USD 24 round trip; children under 5 travel free.
The company says tickets are available on its official website or at its Playa del Carmen Maritime Terminal. If you need to change plans, its ticket remains valid for six months from the selected date.
Ultramar’s Premium Plus fares are MXN 320 one way or MXN 640 round trip for adults, and MXN 240 one way or MXN 480 round trip for children.
Its First Class fares are MXN 380 one way or MXN 760 round trip for adults and children. The fare table also adds an environmental sanitation fee of MXN 24.37, described as required by the municipal authority.
Ultramar says its tickets are non-refundable and valid for six months from purchase for any available day and time on the route. Both operators recommend arriving at the terminal 30 minutes before departure.
Xcaret Xailing says boarding spaces are subject to availability, children under 18 must travel with an adult, and the Port Captain’s Office determines whether navigation is safe in bad weather.
Xcaret Xailing vessels have Wi-Fi, restrooms, designated seating and spaces for people with disabilities, luggage storage and a pet area. Schedules and fares may change, so confirm the details with your chosen operator before setting out.
Getting around Cozumel
Plan your transportation on Cozumel around the places you intend to visit after arriving by ferry.
The crossing brings you to the island, but the ferry details alone do not determine how you will get around once there.
Before you travel, decide which parts of Cozumel you want to include and check the local transport options that serve them. Leave enough flexibility in your return plan to get back to the port in time for your ferry.
For a trip centered on the coast, you can pair your island plans with a look at which Playa del Carmen shoreline suits your day before or after the crossing. Keep the ferry back to Playa del Carmen in mind as you plan your time away from the port.
How to plan a day on the island
A Cozumel day trip works best when you choose your return sailing as part of the plan.
Start by checking current departures from Playa del Carmen and Cozumel with the operator you plan to use. Then choose a round-trip ticket or confirm how you will buy each leg. Since published schedules and fares can change, use the operator’s current information rather than relying on an old timetable.
Allow time to reach the correct terminal and arrive 30 minutes before departure, as both Xcaret Xailing and Ultramar recommend. Once on Cozumel, keep your return sailing in view when deciding how far to go and how long to spend away from the port. In bad weather, the Port Captain’s Office decides whether navigation is safe.
Suites Corazon is in Playa del Carmen, the ferry’s departure city; this three-star aparthotel is about 45 minutes from the Xcaret Xailing crossing by ferry only after you reach the terminal. For a day trip, the key planning steps are to confirm the departure terminal, check the current timetable and leave time for the return journey.
FAQs
How long is the ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel?
Xcaret Xailing says its crossing takes about 45 minutes.
Where does the ferry leave from in Playa del Carmen?
Xcaret Xailing uses the Maritime Terminal at Calle 1ra. Sur and Zona Federal Marítima Terrestre. Ultramar departs from Terminal Marítima NAVEGA on Av. Benito Juárez.
How early should you arrive for the ferry?
Xcaret Xailing and Ultramar both recommend arriving at the terminal 30 minutes before departure.
Can ferry schedules change because of weather?
Yes. Xcaret Xailing says its schedules depend on weather and operating capacity, and the Port Captain’s Office determines whether navigation is safe in bad weather.