Just off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, the Caribbean island of Cozumel attracts more than two million visitors a year. Most are drawn to the diminutive island because of its impressive beaches. Blessed with unblemished sand and turquoise waters, Cozumel’s shoreline offers ample opportunities for recreation. This is a great place to fish, snorkel or simply stretch out on the sand.
You’d be hard pressed to beat this luxurious beach, which offers powdery sand and warm Caribbean waters. Stretching 3,500 feet on the western coast of the island, Playa Palancar ticks all the boxes when it comes to amenities. Beach umbrellas are available to rent and there is a large palapa-roofed dining area where you can buy ice cold beers and mouthwatering fish tacos.
Playa Palancar, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Playa Palancar | © Falco Ermert / Flickr
This popular beach offers warm Caribbean waters and is a great place to watch the sun set over the island. Yet there are much larger and more impressive beaches in the nearby area, so why all the fuss about Dzul Ha? The secret to its success is that it provides access to Dzul Ha reef, which is close enough to access from the shore without the need of a boat or tour guide. Bursting with exotic fish and plants, the reef is one of the best places for snorkeling in Cozumel, if not Mexico. The beach backs onto the Money Bar on the western shore of the island. If you take a taxi or ask for directions, don’t forget that the beach and reef are pronounced ‘Zool-Ha’.
Playa Dzul Ha, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Dzul Ha | © Tristan Higbee / Flickr
Less a beach than a launch pad, Playa Corona is a skinny stretch of sand that offers world-class snorkeling opportunities. Located on Cozumel’s more developed western coast, people flock to the beach so they can explore its crystal clear waters. Just off the shore you’ll find the southern section of Chankanaab reef, an area teeming with marine life. When you’ve finished snorkeling, head to the one of the beach huts behind the sand and relax with a cold, ahem, Corona.
Playa Corona, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Playa Corona | © Skeeze / Pixabay
This remote beach on Cozumel’s eastern side is blessed with pristine white sand and clear azure water. Some distance from the island’s more crowded areas, Playa Bonita is never crowded and is widely regarded as Cozumel’s most romantic beach. History buffs will also be happy here because the beach contains a small ruin. The Mayans believed this spot was the end of civilization because it was located on the most easterly of point of land they were aware of.
Playa Bonita, Playa Palancar, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Playa Bonita | © Maessive / Flickr
Also situated on the western side of the island, Chen Rio is surrounded by verdant vegetation. The beach gets crowded on Sundays as locals come to soak up some rays and lunch at the Chen Rio Restaurant, a delicious seafood eatery. The ceviche and the whole fish platter are highly recommended.
Chen Rio, Playa Palancar, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Chen Rio | © Ethan Ableman / Flickr