The short version
The ferry leaves from the pier at the end of 5th Avenue and takes 35 to 45 minutes. An adult ticket costs about $16 to $17 each way. Boats run from early morning until about 9 or 10 pm, and there is a departure roughly every hour. You do not need to book days ahead, except on Mexican holidays and Saturdays in high season.
Ferry companies, prices and times
Two companies run the crossing all year: Xcaret Xailing and Ultramar. A third, Winjet, runs fewer boats at a lower price. All of them leave from the same terminal and arrive at the same downtown pier in Cozumel.
| Company | Adult, one way | Crossing | Boats from Playa | Last boat back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xcaret Xailing | $16 (kids 5 to 11: $12, under 5 free) | About 45 min | About every hour, morning to night | About 8:30 pm |
| Ultramar | About 320 pesos ($17), plus a small sanitation fee | 35 to 40 min | About 9 a day | About 8:00 pm |
| Winjet | Usually the cheapest | About 45 min | Fewer departures | Earlier, check the day before |
Prices and times as of October 2026. Schedules change by season and weather, so check the company’s own page the day before you go.
Where to catch it
The terminal is at the beach end of Avenida Juárez, where it meets 5th Avenue, next to Parque Los Fundadores (the park with the tall Portal Maya sculpture). Each company has its own ticket windows and gate. In Cozumel you arrive at the downtown pier on Avenida Rafael E. Melgar, right in front of the main square. It is not the cruise ship pier, so you are already in town when you step off.
How to do it right
- Get there 30 minutes early. Both companies ask for it, and the line at the gate builds fast on busy mornings.
- Buy two one-way tickets if you want flexibility. Tickets only work with the company that sold them. A round trip locks you into that company’s schedule, while two one-ways let you take whichever boat leaves first.
- Plan to take the second-to-last boat back. If a tour runs late or the sea is rough, you still have one more chance to get home.
- Sit low and in the middle. That is where the boat moves least. If you get seasick, take a motion sickness pill 30 minutes before you board.
- Expect choppy water from November to February. Cold fronts called nortes bring wind, and on the worst days the ferries stop running. Keep your Cozumel day flexible in winter.
- Bring your passport or ID. You might not be asked for it, but you should have it. Keep valuables with you, not in checked bags.
- Carry pesos. You will usually get a better price paying in pesos at the window and in Cozumel.
- Buy at the official windows or online. Skip the people selling “ferry plus tour” deals on 5th Avenue.
A good day in Cozumel from Playa
Take a boat around 8:30 or 9 am. Most snorkel tours on the island pick you up at the ferry pier or start a short walk from it, so you can be in the water by 10:30. After the tour, have a late lunch near the main square and catch a boat back between 5 and 7 pm. If you would rather explore alone, rent a scooter or a jeep in town and drive the wild east coast, where the beaches are empty and the bars are made of driftwood.
Want more ideas for the island? See our full guide to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen, with every tour we recommend.
Quick answers
Can I take a car to Cozumel from Playa?
No. The passenger ferries from Playa do not take cars. The car ferry leaves from Calica, south of Playa, and is only worth it if you are staying on the island for several days. Renting a car or scooter in Cozumel is easier.
Do I need to book the ferry in advance?
Usually not. You can buy at the window on the day. Book ahead for Mexican holidays, Easter week and Christmas, when boats fill up.
Is the crossing rough?
Most days it is smooth. From November to February, cold fronts can make it bumpy, and the port sometimes closes on the windiest days.
Is there a fee to enter Cozumel?
There is no separate fee to get on the island. Quintana Roo charges foreign visitors a state tax called Visitax once per stay, but it is paid online or at the airport, not at the ferry.