Last Updated: December 7, 2021

Cancun Vs. Cozumel: Planning A Vacation In Mexico

Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula is home to some of the most popular vacation destinations in the world, the most notable of which are Cancun and Cozumel. One is a thrilling city with the world’s best and most affordable all-inclusive resorts, and the other is an island paradise with some of the best diving you can experience on our planet. And it’s not hard to guess which is which.

This detailed comparison of Mexico’s most popular travel destinations will help you decide whether you should go to Cancun or Cozumel for your vacation. Read on to see what you’ll love (and hate) about each of these places, who they’re better suited for, and why visiting both of them during the same trip is perfectly possible!

Which Is Better? It Depends

Cozumel Marina

Although Cancun and Cozumel are both excellent vacation destinations in Mexico, they attract very different types of people. That’s why there’s no one right answer here – ultimately, the better destination for you depends on what you like to do when you’re on vacation.

If you prefer laid-back vacations that include lots of drinking and partying, you’ll love it in Cancun. The city’s many all-inclusive resorts attract vacationers who want to spend most of their time partying or relaxing on the beach, without getting out and exploring the sights too much. You’ll have access to everything you could possibly need in the resort of your choosing,

Cozumel, on the other hand, is the better option for active vacationers. If you like exploring, diving, and being surrounded by untouched nature, you’ll have a great time in Cozumel.

The island is nowhere near as urban as Cancun, which will appeal more to travelers who prefer beautiful nature to massive shopping malls. Cozumel is also perfect for divers since it is one of the best snorkeling and diving destinations in the world.

Why Choose Cancun

Cancun Resorts

There are several reasons why you just might enjoy your stay in Cancun vs Cozumel, and they’re all covered in this section!

Cheaper Resorts (And More Options)

Cancun Hotel Zone

Cancun is famous for its Hotel Zone, which is a vast stretch of sandy beach lined with fancy resorts. They’re unbelievably affordable, at least for US vacationers who account for the vast majority of the visitors here. The resorts are popular for their incredibly affordable all-inclusive packages, which appeal to anyone who likes spending their vacation days on the beach with a cocktail in their hand.

If that sounds like something you enjoy, you’ll love it in Cancun. Especially if you’re a young adult since that’s the age of most people who opt to stay in Cancun vs Cozumel. In fact, this Mexican city is one of the most popular destinations for spring break, and it sees thousands upon thousands of students from the US partying the days away on the beach.

Also, the resorts in Cancun are designed so that you never have to leave your hotel while you’re there. You can get anything you might need at your resort, from a three-course meal to a brand new Gucci bag. What you can’t really find in Cancun is peace and quiet, because no matter when exactly you visit, there will be a bunch of drunk 20-something-year-olds having the time of their lives at the beach.

Better Nightlife

Cancun Night

If you like partying and drinking, it’s Cancun all the way for you. That’s exactly why the city is one of the best destinations for American spring break – the party never stops in Cancun.

There’s also the fact that if you pay for the all-inclusive service, you won’t have to spend a dime on drinks the whole time you’re there, which is ultimately the best value for money for people who intend to spend most of their vacation with a nice buzz.

Cancun has more options when it comes to all-inclusive resorts, but it’s not just the free drinks that attract party-goers here. It’s also the fact that most resorts will offer some type of live entertainment throughout the entire day and well into the night, meaning you don’t have to spend more than a couple of minutes looking for the best party near you.

Plus, if you do end up venturing into town eventually, you’ll find even more options where you can party the night away.

Easier To Explore The Mainland

Pyramid Near Cancun

Unlike Cozumel, Cancun is situated in mainland Mexico, on the Yucatan Peninsula, so you don’t need to travel in a boat at all to explore the nearby sights. The city is close to Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, and everything else on Riviera Maya. Cozumel is not too far from those places either, but you need to travel by boat for 20-40 minutes first, whenever you want to go explore something on the mainland.

If you’re going to be staying in Mexico for a while, Cancun is the better option simply because there are more things to do. It’s going to be much easier to go on day trips to nearby attractions, and even the city itself offers a wider array of spots that could be of interest to tourists.

What You Might Not Like About Cancun

Cancun Aerial

Cancun is certainly not for everyone, so read this section carefully to see all the drawbacks of staying in one of Mexico’s most popular vacation destinations.

It’s Crowded

Cancun Crowd

Cancun is very popular with American tourists and it’s crowded pretty much all the time. It especially appeals to the younger partying crowds, who aren’t exactly known for being quiet and fun to be around. The same can be said for Playa del Carmen.

Keep in mind that it’s almost guaranteed that there will be a group of 20-something-year-olds that are constantly drunk at your resort, plus the crowds in downtown Cancun are pretty similar to those of bigger North American cities.

Cancun has become very urbanized over recent years, and the number of annual visitors before the pandemic was up to a whopping 6 million. Naturally, the numbers went down as soon as the borders closed, but this party city was one of the first places in the world to open up its hotels to visitors from all over the world, regardless of any travel bans that might have been in place.

Prices

Cancun Shopping

Cancun has very affordable all-inclusive resorts with excellent services, that’s the main attraction of the place. However, that’s pretty much the only thing that’s affordable in the city. You can have a great time on a budget if you don’t leave your resort too much, but if you plan on going shopping and visiting bars in the city, your budget will take a serious hit.

It’s no secret that downtown Cancun is a tourist trap. Everything about this city is designed to attract middle and upper-class Americans, from the air-conditioned shopping malls to ridiculously expensive bars and restaurants. It’s easier to stumble upon a Walmart than an authentic Mexican restaurant in Cancun, and there are more golf courses and casinos than hiking trails near the city!

Fewer Tourist Attractions

Cancun Tourist Attraction

Cancun has become very urbanized over the years in the sense that local grocery shops have been replaced by vast shopping malls and authentic Mexican restaurants have given way to fast food joints popular in the States. If you want to go out and get a sense of Mexican culture, you might struggle to do so if you stay in Cancun.

The top things to do in Cancun include shopping, day drinking, and lounging on the beach. There are but a few landmarks in the city, and you’ll need to venture to other towns on the Riviera Maya if you want to see famous attractions and feel like a tourist.

That’s not really the case in Cozumel – the Mexican island boasts several historical sites and fascinating attractions that are within walking distance of its best sandy beaches, right on the Caribbean sea.

Why Choose Cozumel

Cozumel Mexico

Intrigued by the tropical paradise that is the island of Cozumel? Keep reading to see who this island is perfect for and why you might love it there!

A Diver’s Paradise

Cozumel Diving

The small island of Cozumel is a diver’s paradise and the perfect destination for travelers who enjoy being underwater. If you’re a diver and you’re considering which of these two options is better for you, it’s not even a contest – visit Cozumel immediately!

Seriously – if you’re all about diving, the only thing you need to know is that the island of Cozumel offers world-class diving experiences to all its visitors. Second, only to the famous Great Barrier Reef, this tiny island remains one of the best destinations on our planet for avid divers.

The Paradise Reef, Santa Maria Reef, Yucab Reef, and the Shallow Columbia are just a few of the shallow diving attractions that make Cozumel such a popular destination with people who enjoy being underwater.

It’s also important to note that the island is famous for its underwater gardens, as well as countless deep diving opportunities that really allow you to explore the flora and fauna of this Caribbean island. If you genuinely enjoy diving, snorkeling, and just being in the water, Cozumel is without a doubt the better Mexican destination for you!

Better For Families

Cozumel Beach

In case you’re planning a family vacation in Mexico, you’ll have a much better time in Cozumel. And it’s not just because there won’t be as many drunk young adults in your vicinity at all times, but more so because Cozumel offers more entertainment options for kids and teenagers.

Visit Cancun if fun and partying is your focus, but everything in the city is designed to be fun for those who are 21 or older. Cozumel, on the other hand, has a variety of water parks, amusement parks, and all sorts of other family-friendly activities to keep your party entertained while you’re on vacation.

There Are Fewer Tourists

Cozumel Nature

Cozumel doesn’t get as many tourists as Cancun, so it’s the better destination for people who prefer places without crowds. It’s worth noting that a lot of cruisers stop in Cozumel, and the island does get bursts of tourist crowds at times, but more on that later.

For now, it’s enough to know that most cruisers dock in the island’s main town, so if you stay somewhere that’s not quite as central, it’s likely that you won’t even know when a cruiser docks in the harbor.

Also, it’s worth noting that Cozumel usually gets more older tourists than Cancun. Cancun is extremely popular with college-goers and young adults, whereas Cozumel remains favored among families and cruise-goers. And, it’s no secret that the vast majority of people on those cruisers are middle-aged and retired, so that’s the main reason why the average age of tourists in Cozumel is higher than that of Cancun.

What You Might Not Like In Cozumel

Cozumel Cruise Ship

Not everyone is going to find the prospect of endless diving opportunities super exciting, so read on to see why Cozumel might not be the ideal Mexican destination for you.

The Cruisers

Cozumel Cruisers

Everyone says that Cozumel is not as popular as Cancun, but then you go check out the actual statistics and you see that this tiny island only gets a few hundred thousand fewer tourists than THE party city of Yucatan – what’s the deal with that? It’s the cruisers. Cozumel is one of the hottest destinations for cruises in the Caribbean, and there are a few of them parked in the harbor pretty much at all times.

The good news is that cruisers usually stop at the center of Cozumel for a few hours, and they’re on their way again. The influx of tourists on the island when a cruiser docks is nightmarish, especially for people who chose this quaint little island over Cancun for the peace and quiet.

The good news is that, if you stay in the south-eastern part of the island, you really won’t have any clue how many cruisers are docked in Cozumel at any given moment.

The three main ports on the island are the Puerto Maya, Punta Langosta, and International Pier. All three of them – and all the other ports – are in the main town on the island. That’s always the busiest part of Cozumel, and the good news is that you never have to venture there if you don’t want to.

Accommodation options are available in all corners of the island, but it’s worth noting that the variety of luxury resorts is the best in the most urban island area.

In any case, it’s possible to avoid the cruiser crowds on the island, but you will need to be strategic when it comes to choosing the base for your vacation in Cozumel.

It’s A Little Boring

Cozumel Beach

If you enjoy active vacations but you’re not really into diving, you might find the entertainment options in Cozumel to be lacking. The island is known as a diver’s paradise, but apart from that, there really aren’t that many other things you can do. The highest point on the island is an astounding 14 meters tall, so you can forget all about exciting hiking and climbing adventures.

The most hiking you can do is on the beach under the hot Mexican sun, which isn’t exactly considered a thrilling adventure. But, at least there are several archeological sites on the island that are utterly fascinating to explore!

You can swim in caves, explore Mayan ruins, and discover the remains of a beachside castle. And since the island is pretty much entirely flat, these hiking destinations can be accessed by anyone regardless of their skill level.

For some more exciting climbs and adventures, you’ll need to travel to mainland Mexico by boat. You can get there in about 20-40 minutes, and the good news is that there are taxi boats and transfers to Cozumel from the mainland pretty much all day and night long, so it’s not like you’ll need to rush back to catch the last ferry to the island.

Public Transportation

Cozumel Transportation

Cozumel is not exactly a small island and you will need to rely on public transportation if you want to visit the historic sites and interesting attractions. Public transportation and taxis in particular are the easiest way of getting around the island, and they’re significantly pricier than in Cancun.

You can walk to most destinations in the town, but you’ll need to get in a taxi if you want to explore ruins or some of the more secluded sandy beaches of the island.

Taxis aren’t the only way of getting around Cozumel, but they’re definitely the most reliable one. It’s also possible to ride minivans that function as buses, but they’re even less reliable than taxis. Renting a bike is probably the best way of getting around Cozumel since it gives you access to destinations throughout the entire island and it’s a lot faster than just walking.

However, pedaling for hours under the hot Mexican sun is not exactly a pleasant vacation experience, so consider the bikes only if you’re in great physical condition.

Can I Visit Both?

Riviera Maya

Of course, you can! Cancun and Cozumel are only about three hours apart, and that includes a 45-minute boat transfer from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel. If you are planning a vacation of more than a week, you can definitely spend a few days in one place and the rest in the other.

Just plan the vacation so that you’re staying longer in the place that interests you the most, and then you can spend the final few days of your trip in the other place.

I wouldn’t recommend doing day trips from Cancun to Cozumel (or vice versa) simply because it takes so long to travel between the two cities. But if you can afford the spend a night or two in the other destination, you’ll have a great time exploring the stunning towns of Mexico’s Riviera Maya!

About the Author Anna Timbrook

Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.

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