The Best Boutique Hotels in Cozumel, Mexico
![Embark on a journey of relaxation and rejuvenation at Secrets Aura, one of Cozumel’s beautiful boutique hotels](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/20x11/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/secrets-aura-cozumel.webp)
Discover the offbeat delights of the largest island in the Yucatan, free from the crowds that flock together across the water in Cancún – and book via Culture Trip
Covered in lush forest and fringed with reef, Cozumel, the largest island in the Yucatán, was Hernán Cortés’s gateway to Mexico. The conquistador met Malitzen (La Malinche) here, an enslaved woman of noble origins who became his interpreter and military advisor. Today, cruise ships dock where galleons once arrived. When they leave, it’s far quieter than across the water in Cancún – populated by locals and the few who choose to stay overnight in a scattering of chic boutique hotels. Many are scuba divers: Cozumel has some of the best diving in the Americas.
1. Villas El Encanto
Boutique Hotel
![Small outdoor pool, ringed by blue mosaic at Villas El Encanto. Green sun loungers with colourful cushions look over the pool.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/8b379605.webp)
A block from the sea in Cozumel town, with dive shops, restaurants and bars outside the front door, El Encanto sits in tranquil gardens and offers a range of rooms at great-value prices. Best of all are the deluxe suites: a modest upgrade from the standard villas but with bedrooms opening onto secluded private plunge pools and lounge decks, and oodles of extra space, including a dining room and fully equipped kitchen.
2. Casita de Maya Boutique Hotel
Hotel
![Small double bed in orange and white room with decorative wall art and white tiled floor at Casita de Maya Boutique Hotel.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/casita-de-maya-boutique-hotel.webp)
Just across the road from the international airport, La Casita may be just walking distance from the plane that brought you here, yet with lush garden surrounds and colorful, cozy rooms (painted in warm ochres and sunny yellows and decorated with bright Mexican textiles) – it feels tranquil and secluded. The breakfasts (with generous portions of huevos rancheros) and dinners are authentically Mexican and excellent value. Meanwhile, the staff can organize island tours and excursions.
3. Flamingo Hotel
Hotel
![Four poster bed with colourful silk pillows and white drapes in boutique, minimal room at the Flamingo Hotel.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/244292853.webp)
The rooms are modish, in off-white with scattered color from Mexican-textile cushions, and there are great views of the sea from the rooftop sundeck, but that’s not why guests come to the Flamingo. They come to dive – the hotel has attractively priced scuba-and-stay packages, and the on-site dive shop has one of the best reputations in Cozumel. The hotel sits in the town center, with the best restaurants and bars on the island within a few minutes’ walk.
4. The Explorean Cozumel
Resort
![Large outdoor pool surrounded by white sun loungers and large, thin trees at the Explorean Cozumel.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/excz-main-pool.webp)
Unlike Cancún or Playa del Carmen, there are sunset-over-the-sea views in Cozumel. At the Explorean, you can see them cocktail-in-hand from the bar-balcony, the extensive lounge areas or the big, jewel-like pool, before retreating to the intimate, minimalist rooms, whose all-white interiors are offset by the lush jungle framed in the wall-to-ceiling windows.
5. Hotel B Unique
Boutique Hotel
![Large double bed in beachy room with wicker furniture and large balcony looking out to sea Hotel B Unique.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/b-unique-.webp)
The rooms to book at the Unique are the Ocean Front Grands – a little costlier than the standards but with wonderful sea and sunset views from their private balconies and, indeed, from the foot of your bed. There’s no beach, but the hotel infinity pool merges with the open waters, and there’s kayaking and snorkeling right off the shore beyond the yoga deck; the hotel can also organize diving.
6. Hacienda Boutique Cozumel
Boutique Hotel
![Small single bed with yellow and blue Mexican textile print in cosy room with decorative art on the wall at MI CASA TU CASA HACIENDA BOUTIQUE.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/208944138.webp)
One of the oldest hotels in Cozumel, the Hacienda Boutique feels like a family home – painted in warm Mexican yellows, pinks and terracottas, with just a handful of rooms, and with public areas dotted with privately collected arts and crafts (hand-woven floral cushions, Taxco silver, kitschy masks from Oaxaca). Breakfasts of Mexican eggs, fruit and pastries are generous, plus there’s a pool, and the hotel is a five-minute cab ride from the airport and the ferry pier.
7. The Landmark Resort of Cozumel
Resort, Hotel
![Outdoor pool at The Landmark of Cozumel. White sun loungers under salmon pink umbrellas, looking out to the hotel exterior.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/the-landmark-of-cozumel.webp)
8. Secrets Aura Cozumel
Resort, Hotel
![Large, open-plan suite in turquoise and white tones with multiple balconies and a view out to sea at Secrets Aura Cozumel.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/seacz_pcrs_of_suite_plungepool_3b.webp)
9. Grand Park Royal
Resort, Hotel
![Aerial view of the Grand Park Royal Cozumel showing the sea, the nearby impressive beach and thatched roof beach huts.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/grand-park-royal-cozumel.webp)
10. El Cozumeleño Beach Resort
Resort, Hotel
![Aerial view of El Cozumeleño Beach Resort. Several pools and a sizeable private beach.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/el-cozumeleno-beach-resort.webp)
11. Sunscape Sabor Cozumel
Resort, Hotel
![Large open-plan suite with wooden furniture and multiple balconies, one with a small private pool, at Sunscape Sabor Cozumel.](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sunscape-sabor-cozumel.webp)
Alex Robinson contributed additional reporting to this article.
Looking for something different? Try booking a stay at one of Cozumel’s best resorts. If you’re on a budget, check out these hostels in Cozumel and book now on Culture Trip.