13 best Instagram spots in Cozumel, Mexico
Come with me to discover the best Instagram spots in Cozumel, Mexico! Cozumel, Mexico’s third-largest island, greeted us with its white sand beaches, lush palm trees, wild nature, delicious food, and Mayan ruins hidden deep in the jungle.
We spent a full week in Cozumel exploring everything this laid-back island had to offer! We loved everything from watching the sunset at the promenade to eating marquesitas in the park and snorkeling in the turquoise waters at the Great Mayan Reef.
In this post, you will find the best Instagram spots in Cozumel with descriptions, photos, and locations on Google Maps. You don’t have to look far for pretty corners in the San Miguel de Cozumel city or picturesque landmarks around the island. Happy travels!
Read more » Cozumel itinerary: 15 top things to do in Cozumel, Mexico
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1. The colorful Cozumel letters
Let’s start with the most obvious Instagram spot in Cozumel – the colorful Cozumel letters! The most popular Cozumel sign is located in the main park – Benito Juarez Park – right in front of the ferry terminal.
However, after spending a whole week on the island of Cozumel, we found a couple more Cozumel letters and photo spots with Cozumel signs. First, the one with an anchor we found at the entry of the ferry terminal (see photo below).
Then there were two Cozumel letter signs that we found on the opposite side of the island – in case you rent a car or a motorbike (which I highly recommend) then stop by El Mirador viewpoint on the East Coast!
El Mirador is one of the most popular points of interest on the East Coast because of the unusual rocks on the beach and because there is a small sea arch stretching into the sea. You can walk on it and feel the strong wind in your face.
The area around El Mirador is filled with palapas and souvenir vendors. But there are also different photo spots like the two colorful Cozumel signs pictured above. Be prepared to meet very passionate vendors there (but in a good way)!
And lastly, we also found a couple of street art murals around the capital of Cozumel with beautiful and photo-perfect Cozumel letters and wings so keep an eye on those when walking around the streets of San Miguel de Cozumel!
Location: Letras Cozumel – El Mirador
2. Cozumel Clock Tower
Located in the same emblematic Benito Juarez Park is another landmark place in Cozumel – the iconic clock tower of Cozumel. The yellow clock tower resembles a lighthouse and is a popular photo spot on the island.
Cozumel Clocktower is more than 100 years old as it was constructed back in 1910 to celebrate the centenary of Mexico’s 1810 War of Independence. Over the years it has become one of the symbols of this charming Caribbean island.
We passed the Cozumel clock numerous times as we walked around the town while hunting the colorful street murals, and passing by souvenir shops. Our evening ritual was to walk to the park and get churros or marquesitas from the street vendors!
If possible I recommend coming here in the morning for photos without crowds and a golden sunrise shade in the sky. However, in the evening, the clock is illuminated in different colors.
Location: Cozumel Clock Tower
3. Cozumel street art murals
One of my favorite things to do in Cozumel was to go on a hunt for the coolest street art murals. And there are so many of them in the streets of San Miguel de Cozumel!
These murals are also some of the coolest Instagram spots in Cozumel! If you have time, I highly recommend wandering around downtown to find the most colorful murals for the most colorful photos!
Most of the street art murals we found around Benito Juarez Park and its adjacent streets. One of my favorite ones was the mural of Cozumel’s angel wings at the very beginning of the Avenida Benito Juarez avenue.
Then we found multiple murals on 5A Avenida Sur-5A Avenida Norte street. If you walk to 5A Avenida Sur and 5A Avenida Norte a couple of blocks in both directions from the Benito Juarez Park you will likely find many street art murals.
We found the one with the pink dolphin and the one with the glass circle on 5A Avenida Sur one or two blocks from the Benito Juarez Park near Pro Dive Shop.
We also saw some on Calle 2 Norte (the turtle mural) and on Calle 4 Norte as well (the leopard). I am very aware that the paint will fade, the murals will be gone and new ones will appear so keep your eyes open around these areas!
Location: Angel Wings Street Art
4. Snorkeling the Great Mayan Reef
Did you know that Cozumel is the most famous snorkeling destination in Mexico? Its shallow turquoise beaches and the proximity to the second-largest barrier reef in the world – the Mesoamerican Reef – make it the perfect place for this activity!
The Mesoamerican Reef is also known as the Great Mayan Reef and stretches along Cozumel. We could not resist the temptation and went on a snorkeling tour to the many parts of the barrier reef – Palancar Reef, Colombia Reef as well as El Cielo sandbar.
To be completely honest this was our first try at snorkeling and quickly became one of the top highlights of our trip to the Yucatan Peninsula. They gave us all the equipment and we got to see the reef, saw many fish like manta rays, as well as starfish.
We ended the tour at Playa El Cielo – the most beautiful beach in Cozumel with shallow turquoise waters. We walked around, had drinks and snacks (included in the price), and watched large manta rays pass us by in the water. It was unforgettable!
A snorkeling tour is also a great opportunity to take some unique photos. If you want cool photos then a GoPro with a floating hand grip will come in handy. However, our guide also had it and took photos of us (photos cost 500 pesos).
Location: Cozumel Snorkeling Tour – El Cielo Beach
5. Coral Reefs Monument
One of my absolute favorite Instagram spots in Cozumel was the ornate Coral Reefs Monument next to the promenade just one block from the ferry terminal. We happened to be there during a lovely sunset which turned the view into a gorgeous ‘painting’!
The monument is a tribute to the coral reef ecosystem that surrounds the island. The most unique part about it is that it comes alive at night – there is a fountain with water falling from the arch and the monument is illuminated in beautiful colors.
Location: Coral Reefs Monument
6. Monumento Al Mestizaje
Now, if you follow further along the promenade you will stumble upon another emblematic place in Cozumel – Monumento Al Mestizaje or the Monument of Miscegenation.
The monument commemorates the beginning of miscegenation in Mexico – a mix of cultures and races between the Europeans and the indigenous Mayans. The monument depicts the Spaniard Gonzalo Guerrero with his Mayan family – his wife and three kids.
Gonzalo Guerrero was a Spanish sailor who was captured by the Maya and later on, married a Mayan woman. He is considered the father of mestizaje or miscegenation in Mexico. Later on, he ended up fighting against the Spaniards.
Monumento Al Mestizaje is one of the most emblematic Instagram spots in Cozumel. It is especially beautiful at sunset as you can see the sun setting right through the arch. When we visited the monument was in need of renovation.
Location: Monumento Al Mestizaje
7. San Gervasio Archaeological Zone
San Gervasio Archaeological Zone is one of the must-visit places in Cozumel, Mexico. Although these Mayan ruins are on a smaller scale compared to many other ruins on the mainland, they are still the largest ones on Cozumel Island.
San Gervasio Archaeological Zone is pretty much scattered around the jungle so you will have to walk a bit to see the most impressive places. It features a couple of temples, arches, columns, and other important structures.
San Gervacio site was dedicated to the goddess Ixchel – the deity of midwifery and fertility – which ensured that many women from the island as well as other Mayan settlements on the mainland traveled to this site to make offerings.
One of the most impressive and best-preserved buildings in the San Gervasio Archaeological Zone is Nohoch Nah or the Big House (first photo). It is a temple that was dedicated to Kukulkan, the Mayan feathered serpent god.
If you climb the stairs and take a look inside the Nohoch Nah temple you can still see the signs of a colorful mural on the walls of the temple. Most of the structures here date back to the period between the 11th and 16th centuries.
I also loved the Arch of San Gervasio which is situated on the main religious pathway called a ‘sacbe’ in Mayan and the cool Los Murcielagos building which was the residence of the Mayan ruler of Cozumel.
Location: San Gervasio Archaeological Zone
8. Monumento a la Hispanidad
So here’s an option for you if you don’t have time to drive deep into the jungle and wander around to find the original Mayan ruins – Monumento a la Hispanidad not too far from the ferry terminal.
Interestingly, Monumento a la Hispanidad is a place that celebrates two cultures and was built right in front of the beach where the Spanish arrived at Cozumel for the first time.
This unique place features a replica of an ancient Mayan temple – a great photo place if you don’t have time to see the real one! – a statue of a missionary as well as a Mayan family.
This square is also the place where the first mass was held on Cozumel Island after the arrival of the Spaniards. By no means does this compare to the real archaeological sites but it is definitely symbolic and of historical significance!
Location: Monumento a la Hispanidad
9. Sunset at Cozumel promenade
Watching the sun go down in the Caribbean Sea was one of my favorite things to do in Cozumel and we went for a sunset walk along the beautiful seaside promenade many times during our stay on the island.
Cozumel has a unique privilege in terms of sunset as most of the popular destinations around Quintana Roo and the Yucatan Peninsula don’t have this luxury – such popular places like Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Cancun all face the sea to the East.
So watching the sunset in the sea can only be done in a few places around Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. That’s why the promenade around sunset hours will be filled with people. But there’s plenty of space for everyone!
I recommend walking around and finding a nice spot to watch the sunset and take some beautiful photos during the golden hour. Luckily you don’t have to walk too far – just wander around the ferry terminal and choose a spot!
Location: Sunset at the promenade
10. Palm-lined Cozumel beaches
There is nothing better that will tell others that you are on a vacation than a photo of a palm-lined white sand beach with turquoise water. Cozumel is well-known for its gorgeous tropical beaches!
However, this comes with a challenge. Cozumel’s beaches are not easily accessible. Some people rent a car or scooter and drive to the East Coast beaches – they are for free but also wild, have strong currents, and often are windy.
On the West side beaches around San Miguel de Cozumel are not suitable for swimming – there is a port area with ferries, cruise ships, and boats. The best way to enjoy the beach is to go to a beach club further South of the capital.
Some of the best and most popular beach clubs in Cozumel are Paradise Beach Cozumel, Mr Sanchos Beach Club, Skyreef Beach Club Cozumel, The Money Bar Beach Club, and Playa Palancar Cozumel Beach Club.
Can you access the beach for free? It is not easy because beach clubs and businesses occupy the territory and roads but we found a free spot to access the beautiful Playa San Francisco next to The Mayan Cacao Company. Small beach but free access!
However, the most beautiful beach in Cozumel is Playa El Cielo which translates as Heaven’s Beach. You can get to the shallow turquoise waters of Heaven’s Beach during a snorkeling tour like we did or a boat trip. We say many manta rays there!
Location: Paradise Beach – Playa El Cielo – Playa San Francisco – Playa Chen Rio
11. Gems of the East Coast: Playa Mezcalito, Playa Chen Rio, El Mirador
One of the must-do things to do in Cozumel is to rent a car for a day and drive around the island while stopping by the many points of interest along the way. Especially on Cozumel’s wild side – the East Coast.
So we rented a car in San Miguel de Cozumel and started our journey around the island. To be precise, you can only drive around half of the island. After stopping by San Gervasio Archaeological Zone we continued to the East Coast of Cozumel.
The first stop once we reached the East Coast was Playa Mezcalito – basically the first place you see once you reach the sea. We stopped there for a couple of minutes to take photos of the swings as well as the calm sea and our cute yellow car.
The next place we stopped was Playa Chen Rio – one of the most popular beaches on the East Coast of Cozumel. Many people come here to swim and sunbathe. We enjoyed some time here and took some photos of the pretty blue boats and palm trees.
Finally, we stopped at one of the most popular viewpoints on the East Coast – El Mirador. The coastline at El Mirador is filled with sharp porous rocks with fossil marks on them. There is a sea arch stretching into the sea – a popular photo spot.
El Mirador is lined with palapas and souvenir vendors. If you are looking for a keepsake from this island then this is a great spot to purchase some. If not, you better be ready to fight off some very passionate (but friendly) vendors, haha!
Location: Playa Mezcalitos – Playa Chen Rio – El Mirador
12. Crocodile watchtower in Punta Sur Eco Park
One of my favorite things to do in Cozumel was to visit the Punta Sur Eco Park. The ecological park spreads across the southern tip of the island and features a crocodile lagoon, an archaeological site, a museum, a lighthouse, a nature trail, and more.
First of all, the park is a closed area, you can visit this place during their working hours and there is an entrance fee – we paid 300 pesos per person. Worth it because you get to spend a couple of hours full of adventures and amazing nature!
We visited the Punta Sur Eco Park during our road trip around the island as we rented a car for a day. As you drive inside the park beware of animals crossing the road! We did see some of them!
The first spot inside the park is at the Crocodile Watchtower next to the Colombia Lagoon. It is a beautiful wooden tower where you can climb up and enjoy the views over the lagoon and try to spot some crocodiles who live there (no luck for us!).
Later on inside the park, you can also join a boat tour through the lagoon to see some wildlife (boat trips happen at certain hours). Boat tours are included in the price you paid for the entry.
Before continuing further inside the park, stop by El Caracol Archaeological Zone just a few meters from the watchtower. The Mayan ruins feature a small Mayan temple El Caracol (the snail) dating back to the 13th-16th centuries.
Location: Crocodile watchtower – El Caracol Archaeological Zone
13. Lighthouse of Punta Celarayn in Punta Sur Eco Park
Another cool spot to visit within the Punta Sur Eco Park is the iconic white Lighthouse of Punta Celarayn. Here’s the best part – you can climb to the top of the lighthouse and see Cozumel from above!
The bottom part of the lighthouse features a Navigation Museum with artifacts and illustrations about marine life as well as the history of the lighthouse and the life of Mayans for the past centuries. Entry to the museum is included in the tickets.
Another attraction included in the tickets is climbing to the top of the Lighthouse of Punta Celarayn. I have to mention that the stairs get very narrow closer to the top and at the very end you have to really bend over and crawl outside on the terrace.
However, the view from the lighthouse is worth it! You get to see 360-degree views of the nearby lagoon, the Caribbean Sea, the white sand beaches, and the whole ecological park. The iconic lighthouse was constructed in the early 20th century.
The top of the 133-foot (40.5-meter) lighthouse makes for beautiful photos overlooking the wilderness of Cozumel. From the top, you can also see some of the beaches that are closed to the public to allow hatching for sea turtles.
At the bottom of the lighthouse, there was a bar for drinks as well as swings and a relaxation area. You can also go for a walk along a 3-mile Nature Trail or take a boat tour to the crocodile lagoon (also included in the entrance ticket).
Location: Lighthouse of Punta Celarayn
Happy exploring!
We stayed in Cozumel Island for 7 days so that we could explore the capital as well as the rest of the island to the fullest – from wild white sand beaches and turquoise water to Mayan ruins in the jungle and tasty street food in San Miguel de Cozumel.
Besides our stay in Cozumel, we also spent a couple of months traveling around the Yucatán Peninsula, including the states of Yucatán and Quintana Roo, and exploring everything this beautiful peninsula had to offer.
From white-sand beaches to dark underground cenotes, and ancient pyramids – there’s just so much to see! I hope you enjoy your time there as much as we did and I hope you get some travel inspiration from this blog post for your travels! Happy travels!
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