Getting there
By ferry from Playa del Carmen (most common)
Most independent travelers arrive by passenger ferry from Playa del Carmen. The crossing takes roughly 45 minutes and boats run frequently through the day, from early morning until late evening. Two operators, Ultramar and Winjet, work the same route from the Playa del Carmen pier at the end of Calle 1 Sur, and the fare runs around 200 to 300 MXN each way (approximate). The ferry lands right in San Miguel, walking distance from town hotels.
Honest comfort note: the crossing can be genuinely choppy, and this is one of the queasier short ferries in Mexico when the wind is up. If you are prone to seasickness, sit low and toward the center, keep your eyes on the horizon, and take something beforehand.
To reach Playa del Carmen in the first place, fly into Cancun airport (CUN) and take an ADO bus or a shuttle down Highway 307, roughly an hour to Playa, then walk to the ferry pier. ADO runs directly from the CUN terminals to Playa del Carmen for around 250 to 400 MXN (approximate).
By air into Cozumel (CZM)
Cozumel has its own airport, CZM, just north of San Miguel, with direct seasonal flights from several US cities plus connections through Mexico City and Cancun. A taxi from the airport into town is a short, fixed-rate ride. Flying straight in skips the ferry and the highway entirely, which is worth it if you can get a reasonable fare, though routing through Cancun is usually cheaper.
Car ferry from Calica
A separate vehicle ferry runs from Calica (Punta Venado), south of Playa del Carmen, for those bringing a car across. Most visitors skip it and simply rent on the island, which is far less hassle.
Getting around the island
- Rental car. The easiest way to reach the reef shore access, drive the ring road and see Punta Sur on your own clock. Book ahead in the December to April high season. A day rental runs roughly 600 to 1,000 MXN (approximate) plus fuel.
- Scooter. Cheap and fun, but the ring road is fast and scooters cause most tourist injuries here. Only if you are already confident on two wheels, and never in the rain.
- Taxis. Plentiful in and around San Miguel, with fixed zone pricing rather than meters. There are no app-based rides (no Uber or DiDi) on the island, so taxis are your default if you do not rent. Always agree the fare before you get in; short town hops are cheap, but a run to Punta Sur or the far south adds up.
- On foot. San Miguel town itself is fully walkable, ferry to plaza to dinner without needing a ride.
All times, fares and prices here are approximate; the site confirms current schedules and rates separately. Plan a base with where to stay before deciding whether you need a car.