 COZUMEL BEACHES
What makes Cozumel so attractive is the beaches on the west coast of the island overlooking calm waters.
If you stay at an all-inclusive resort located on a beach then there will be a nice sandy beach with palapas and gentle waves right at your resort.
If you stay at a hotel in town then you will have to travel to any of the public or commercial beaches located around the island.
There is a road that goes almost all around the whole island. The road cuts across the island from San Miguel on the west side to Mezcalitos Beach on the east side. From there the road goes around the south end of the island.
Along the coast is sections of jagged rock and coral then sections of sandy beaches. The east side of the island faces the ocean and thus the full velocity of wind and waves hits the island along this coastline. There are also strong undertows and currents.
If you travel to the island's east side chances are in your favor you can find an entire beach to yourself as the east side is not too popular amongst tourists. You need to exercise caution when swimming there. Flags are flown to indicate conditions and it is wise to pay attention to them!
On the west side there are numerous beaches, some commercialized but many not. If you have rented a car you will find a number of spots to stop.
There are also small hotels along the west side of the island near beautiful beaches.
 BEACHES NORTH OF SAN MIGUEL
Playa San Juan has sandy beaches with beach bar and restaurant.
No entrance fee
Country Club Beach is just beach with no facilities.
No entrance fee
Playa Azul Beach Club is a lovely beach with restaurant, children's park, showers, volleyball, snorkel equipment, and aquatic bicycles.
No entrance fee
BEACHES SOUTH OF SAN MIGUEL
Villa Blanca is the closest public beach south of San Miguel.
No entrance fee
Chankanaab Eco-Park has a beach area, snorkeling, baby pool, dolphin encounter [$120 USD], restaurants, bars, lockers, restrooms, and showers.
$10 USD entrance fee
Playa Maya is a rustic sandy beach with restaurant and bar.
No entrance fee
Playa San Francisco has a nice beach for kids, snorkel equipment is available for rent.
No entrance fee
Playa Sol Beach Club has a beautiful beach with restaurants, bars, shops, banana boat rides, windsurfing, jet skis, parasailing, diving, swimming pool and a small zoo. There is also a giant inflated "iceberg" for kids to play on. It floats in the water just off the beach.
Entrance fee
Mr. Sancho's is a fun place with a nice beach, bars, restaurants, shops, jet skis, parasailing, windsurfing, swimming pool, diving, trampolines, restrooms, showers and horseback riding.
No entrance fee
Playa Nachi Cocom is a nice beach with windsurfing, jet skis, parasailing, restaurant, bar, swimming pool.
No entrance fee
Playa Palancar is a beautiful rustic beach area with lots of beach, small bar and restaurant.
No entrance fee
EAST SIDE BEACHES
To get to the east of Cozumel you can either drive around the southern tip or cut across the interior. The east coast of the island is virtually undeveloped except for a few small beach bars/restaurants and secluded beaches. All beaches are free on the east side.
At the southern tip is Parque Punta Sur, an ecological reserve with lighthouse, restaurant, snorkeling and tours.
After Punta Sur the road curves and goes north down the coast.
Playa Bosh is the first beach area on the eastern side of the island. There are two small bars/restaurants there.
Along the road is Cocos. A bar on the side of a cliff. You cannot see this bar from the road so watch for signs.
Two spots that are usually calm enough for swimming are Punta Chiqueros and Chen Rio, both are in sheltered coves. You can camp at both beaches. There is not much at either beach but Punta Chiqueros has a small restaruant, "Paradise Cafe".
Mezcalitos is the last beach before the road cuts back across the island to the other side. There you will find a deserted beach and the popluar Mezcalitos restaurant.
North of Mezcalitos [on the dirt road] is Playa Bonita then Playa Santa Cecilia. These beaches will more than likely be deserted. You can camp at Playa Bonita so sometimes you will have company.
BEACH FLAGS
Depending on the weather, wave and tide conditions, beaches are marked with a
flag indicating whether it is safe to swim there:
Black Flag
Don't swim, too dangerous.
Red Flag
Use caution, dangerous.
Yellow Flag
Use caution.
Green Flag
Water conditions okay safe to swim.
Very rarely do they fly green - even if it is calm - exercise caution.
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Beach Information
