Ferry to Cozumel: schedules, prices, Ultramar vs Winjet

Cozumel is an island, so reaching it means a ferry — a quick, scenic 45-minute crossing from Playa del Carmen. The route is well served and easy, but there are two competing operators, a separate car ferry, and a few ticket-booth tricks worth knowing before you walk up to the pier.

Where the ferry leaves

Passenger ferries depart from the Playa del Carmen ferry pier, right at the foot of Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida), one block from the beach and a short walk from the ADO bus terminal. They arrive at the San Miguel pier in the heart of Cozumel town, steps from restaurants, dive shops and the waterfront. You do not need a car on Cozumel for a day trip — taxis, scooters and rental cars are available on the island.

Ultramar vs Winjet

Two companies run the crossing, and they compete on price and schedule:

• Ultramar: the larger, better-known operator, modern catamarans, the most frequent departures, sometimes a touch pricier. Has its own clearly branded booths and turnstiles.
• Winjet: the challenger, often a little cheaper, slightly fewer sailings.

Crossing time is about 45 minutes on either. Fares typically run ~200–250 MXN (~12–15 USD) each way, with round-trip and child fares available. Prices shift, so check both booths the day you travel and pick whichever has the better price or the next departure. Buying a round trip locks you to one operator’s return schedule — fine if you like their times, but a one-way each direction keeps you flexible.

Schedules

Both operators run roughly every hour through the day, with the first boats around early morning (~6–7am) and the last returns in the evening (~9–11pm depending on operator and season). Exact times shift seasonally, so confirm the current timetable at the pier or the operator’s site, and note the last ferry back if you are doing a day trip — missing it means an unplanned night on the island.

Buying tickets and the booth hustle

Ticket booths sit right at the pier. A few honest tips:

• Buy from the official Ultramar and Winjet booths at the pier, not from people standing nearby offering “ferry tickets plus a tour.”
• Around the pier, timeshare and tour touts approach with “discounted” ferry deals bundled with a sales presentation — skip these and buy straight from the operator.
• Pay in pesos; if a card machine offers USD, choose MXN to avoid the poor conversion.
• Keep your return ticket safe if you bought round-trip.

Getting to the pier from Cancún

If you are based in Cancún:

• ADO bus Cancún → Playa del Carmen: ~80–110 MXN, ~1 hour, dropping you at the central terminal a short walk from the pier.
• Colectivo: ~50 MXN, slightly less central drop-off.
• Then walk to the pier and take the ferry across.

A full Cozumel day trip from Cancún is very doable: bus to Playa, ferry across, explore, and reverse it — just watch the last ferry and last bus times.

Cost of a Cozumel day, roughly

Done independently from Playa del Carmen, a day works out to:

• Ferry round trip: ~400–500 MXN per person.
• Scooter or car on the island: ~600–900 MXN/day, or a half-day taxi tour ~600–1,000 MXN for the car.
• Snorkel gear or a guided snorkel/dive trip: ~300 MXN for gear up to several thousand for a two-tank dive.
• Food and a beach club: ~300–700 MXN per person.

Add the cost of reaching Playa from Cancún (ADO ~100 MXN or colectivo ~50 MXN), and a self-guided Cozumel day is very reasonable for the quality of the reefs.

The car ferry (different pier)

If you genuinely need a vehicle on Cozumel, there is a separate vehicle ferry from Calica / Punta Venado, a few kilometres south of Playa del Carmen — not from the downtown passenger pier. It is slower, less frequent and pricier, and most visitors do not need it: rent a car or scooter on the island instead, which is cheaper and simpler than shipping your rental over.

Planning a Cozumel day trip

Cozumel is one of the best day trips in the region, and the ferry makes it simple. A workable plan from Playa del Carmen:

1. Take an early ferry (~8–9am) to maximise the day and beat the cruise-ship rush.
2. On arrival, rent a scooter or car (~600–900 MXN/day) or hire a taxi for a half-day tour to circle the island and its eastern wild coast.
3. Snorkel or dive the famous reefs on the leeward (west) side, or relax at a beach club.
4. Catch a ferry back in good time before the last sailing, allowing for queues.

Cozumel’s headline attraction is diving and snorkelling the reefs of the Mesoamerican system — book a reputable dive shop in advance and aim for a morning slot when visibility is best.

Cruise days and crowds

Cozumel is a major cruise port, and on heavy cruise days the town and nearby beach clubs get busy from mid-morning. If your visit coincides, head out of town early — the island’s quieter eastern beaches and reefs stay calmer. The ferry itself runs regardless of cruise traffic, but the first morning boats are the most comfortable.

Practical tips

• The crossing can be choppy; if you get seasick, take something beforehand and sit toward the middle/rear.
• Bring sun protection — open-air upper decks are exposed, and use reef-safe sunscreen for snorkelling.
• For diving (Cozumel’s main draw), book your dive shop in advance and aim for an early ferry.
• Carry small pesos for the pier, taxis on the island, and tips.
• Keep your passport or ID handy; you generally won’t need it for the ferry, but it is wise to carry on day trips.

Common questions

• Do I need to book the ferry ahead? No — turn up and buy at the pier. Departures are frequent enough that walk-up works, even in high season.
• Can I bring luggage? Yes, there is room for bags; just keep an eye on yours on the open deck.
• Is one operator better? Ultramar has more sailings and a slight edge in comfort; Winjet is often a touch cheaper. Pick on price and timing that day.
• How long do I need on Cozumel? A full day for diving or circling the island; a half-day if you just want the town and a beach club.

Bottom line

The Cozumel ferry is cheap, frequent and easy: walk to the Playa del Carmen pier, compare Ultramar and Winjet that day, and buy from the official booth in pesos. Skip the touts and the car ferry, mind the last sailing back, and the island is a simple hour-plus from Cancún via Playa del Carmen.