The quickest and most convenient way to reach Cozumel is by air. All major American airlines provide service to the Cozumel International Airport, located in the northwest corner of the island. Several charter airlines also provide year-round service to Cozumel. Traveling during the week will generally be less expensive than booking a flight which departs on a weekend. Those who choose to travel by air should aim to arrive at their departure airport well in advance of the flight, and be prepared to spend time in customs before being able to head to the resort.
For those looking to make it to Cozumel by sea, a cruise ship voyage is a good option. Carnival Cruises is one of several cruise lines offering a wide variety of trips that make stops in Cozumel, departing from several different cities in Florida along with New Orleans; Mobile, Alabama; and Galveston, Texas. The cruises usually dock in Cozumel in the morning, giving passengers the entire day to explore the beach, restaurants and shops while mingling with other ship passengers, vacationers and locals . The ship usually departs for its next destination later that night, with the length of stay dependent on the length of the cruise and the number of other scheduled stops that have to be made.
Travelers looking for a different type of Cozumel adventure can choose to travel to the island by ferry. Most airlines offer more frequent flights to Cancun, a resort hot spot on Mexico's east coast. Travelers can opt to fly to Cancun, take a 50-minute bus north to Playa del Carmen and ride the ferry over to Cozumel. The trip will cost more due to the extra bus and ferry charges, and could take several hours longer than a direct flight. Vacationers looking for the most direct route will likely want to wait for a non-stop flight, while those who don't mind making a short detour and seeing some other sights along the way may favor the Cancun-Playa del Carmen route.
