Cozumel's West Coast Beaches
On the South Side of the Island

While Cozumel’s east coast beaches are open to the Caribbean sea’s wind and waves, the west coast beaches offer calm waters that are excellent for snorkeling and diving. While the beaches tend to be narrower than those of the east coast, they still offer fine white sand that is excellent for lounging in. Their close proximity to the town of Cozumel and the numerous ships that call there, make them especially popular with tourists. Each beach has its own unique personality and I will try to describe the types of people that would be drawn to them. Starting from the southernmost point and heading west from Paradise Café the first main beach one reaches is Playa Palancar.

Playa Palancar

The Beach at Playa Palancar

This is the home of world famous Palancar Reef. Unfortunately, you must negotiate a dive boat to take you to the reef, but Playa Palancar offers many activities for day users that show up to enjoy an excellent beach, reasonable snorkeling and excellent sunny opportunities. Because Playa Palancar is the furthest beach from the ships on the western shore and one must pass by several excellent beaches to get there, Playa Palancar enjoys minimal day visits from cruise ship passengers.

Snorkeling at Playa Palancar

Also, because of its reputation as a world-class dive destination it draws many seeking its crystal clear waters and the various reefs surrounding the beach club. There is an excellent restaurant, bar and dive services here. Also, you can arrange to rent hammocks, beach chairs, snorkel and fishing equipment.

Playa Palancar Bar (in the Restaurant)

Playa Palancar Beach Bar

People who would enjoy this beach would be individuals who want to escape the myriad of cruise passengers in favor of a more sophisticated beach club environment and those wanting to either dive Palancar Reef or find some reasonable snorkeling opportunities. Party goers won’t like it too much.

Palancar Dive Shop

Nachi-Cocom

Nachi-Cocom Beach Club

Here is a great beach club for families and other groups that want to get away from other cruise passengers and enjoy a sophisticated beach club environment. It offers an excellent restaurant and bar, a wonderful pool, beach side palapas and a great beach for swimming and snorkeling. While it is possible to visit the beach club without paying (well, they actually have a $10 minimum in purchases; drinks, tips, beach equipment, etc.) they offer a day use rate of $US27 that includes use of all of the club’s facilities and all you can drink all day. The only thing you would have to buy would be any food purchased from the restaurant.

Nachi Cocom Swimming Pool

Nachi Cocom offers a large swimming pool and Jacuzzi, as well as palapas, hammocks, spa services, volley ball and several water sports and activities, such as jet skis, SCUBA rentals, and snorkeling gear.

The Beach at Nachi Cocom

I was surprised to see that Nachi Cocom is wheel chair friendly and accessible making it the only choice for chair bound visitors that I know of in Cozumel. There is also a play area for toddlers, showers and clean bathrooms for everyone.

The Entrance to Nachi Cocom Beach Club

The club is quite sophisticated and would be enjoyed by families and groups of folks looking for a private beach club feel. Taxi fare to / from the International pier is $17 each way. Note, however, if you have a large group, the taxis will charge you more.

Mr. Sancho’s

Mr. Sancho's

This is about as far as the cruise population reaches and Mr. Sancho’s is a great choice for families. It costs nothing to enter the beach area and Mr. Sancho offers a restaurant, bar, beach activities, a swimming pool (and a large Jacuzzi for up to 30 people) and a nice little shopping compound, offering a variety of stores selling items of interest to tourists.

Mr. Sancho's Small Pool Area (Ideal for Children)

The restaurant serves a combination of seafood, Mexican and American cuisine. The beach bar features swings instead of chairs and is a fun place to enjoy a beverage in your bathing suit. There are a good number of palapa tables and shelters for those wanting to stay out of the sun.

Mr. Sancho's Beach

Mt. Sancho's offers a full array of water sports including glass bottom boat trips, banana boat rides, fishing, para-sailing, wind surfing, jet skis, kayaks, SCUBA and snorkeling gear and many beachside rentals as well. In addition to all of this, Mr. Sancho also operates the stable and ATV jungle tracks at the cruise line's private beach (see below) that you can use when they are not being used by the cruise shore excursions.

Mr. Sancho's Shopping Arcade

Mr. Sancho's Beach Palapas

If you are going to visit Mr. Sancho's visit their website at http://www.MrSanchos.com and print out the free coupon for a free margarita or ice cream. What a deal!

(Mr. Sancho's) The Cruise Line's Private Beach

The Cruise Line’s Private Beach
Walking north from Mr. Sancho’s, one goes by the ATV jungle track and horse back riding stable. This area is used by tour operators as a “private beach” I enjoyed a conversation with the gentleman that operated the horse back riding stable and it turns out the good old Mr. Sancho owns the entire area and developed the beach for this purpose. I watched five separate catamarans glide into the beach, one after another, while hundreds of cruise passengers came off one by one. They had obviously been enjoying a booze cruise on the way and the beach went from a peaceful and quiet retreat to a full-on beach party with music, volleyball, horseback riding, ATV driving, drinking, swimming, snorkeling and hundreds of people sun bathing in a period of about 15 minutes. It was incredible.

Playa Mia

Playa Mia
OK partiers. This is the place for you! Playa Mia (formerly Playa Del Sol) is party capital of the beach scene in Cozumel. First, just about all of the booze cruises make their beach stop here, as Playa Mia has a large concrete pier that can accommodate even the largest booze cruise ships. There is a triple decked party boat that arrives about 11 am and then leaves about 2 pm. Count on lots of people that have been drinking and partying heavily. Add to that the other people that know Playa Mia is party central and make their way out here in taxis to join the party and you can begin to get an idea of the craziness that goes on.

Playa Mia's Swimming Pool

Playa Mia has a nominal entrance fee (currently $US6) with other options available that include an open bar and use of the water sports equipment. Playa Mia refers to itself as an "Adventure Beach Park" and offers several unique features. Kids love the zoo that features local animals. In the area right off the beach at Playa Mia, you will find all of the major Mexican Mayan attractions that have been recreated in water depths from 2 feet to about 12 feet. No need to take that long motor coach ride to see Tulum or other Mayan ruins, just snorkel over them here. There is a wide array of water sports including wave runners, kayaks, snorkeling, banana boat rides, many unique water toys in the ocean, pedal boats, sunfish sailboats and more.

Playa Mia's Restaurant

The restaurant and bars offer excellent food and beverages and there are lockers, excellent restrooms and many shore side things to do to keep one quite busy. Playa Mia also offers an extensive kid's area so that youngsters can enjoy themselves in the play structure. All in all, Playa Mia is an excellent choice for those that want to party and be with hundreds of other like minded people.

The Beach Front at Playa Mia

Paradise Beach
(Paradise Beach Report, Updated by Nancy Norris, 10-05)

Cozumel's Paradise Beach

One of the newest beach clubs in this area is Paradise Beach. Recently divided into three separate beach clubs, Paradise Beach resides on the largest portion of what was once one large stretch of sand known as San Francisco Beach. Entering the beach club through a nice palapa restaurant with full service bar, friendly staff greet you upon arrival.

The Water Toys at Paradise Beach

Entrance to the beach and use of beach chairs and umbrellas is free; however, they also offer an $8 package which allows you unlimited use of kayaks, snorkel gear, float mats, trampolines and a floating climbing wall.

Massage Anyone?

For an additional charge, snuba trips can be arranged and parasailing, jet skis, massages, hair braiding and henna tattoos are all available onsite.

The Paradise Beach Main Building and Bar

Paradise Beach has two restaurants and three bars, but on my most recent visit (Sept. 2005) only the main restaurant and bar were fully operational.

The Paradise Beach Bar on the Sand

However, food and drinks may just as easily be ordered and delivered to your beachside lounge chair (my personal preference). Beers were $3 and frozen drinks were $6.50.

The Paradise Beach Restaurant

Everything from chips and salsa to full size dinners can be ordered at reasonable prices. I can highly recommend the fresh grilled shrimp and rather potent Paradise Punch.

The Paradise Beach Changing Rooms (Restaurant on Top)

After a full day of lounging in the sun and playing in the ocean, clean bathrooms and fresh water showers provide a pleasant environment for changing into street clothes. The location of this beach (as well as its two neighbors) is excellent as you are able to enjoy a very nice beach walk between the properties, as well as a bit lengthier stroll to Playa Mia.

The View From the Paradise Beach Restaurant

Paradise Beach is laid back and not the party scene found at Playa Mia. But, with the exception of a fresh water pool, Paradise Beach offers everything one needs for a perfect day at the beach

Playa San Francisco

The Beach at Playa San Francisco

Once a sleepy little beach club with no entrance or users fees, Playa San Francisco is becoming more like “Playa Mia lite” every time I visit it.  Years ago, my son, then quite young and I, found several wonderful conches right in the flats off of Playa San Francisco. It was a wonderful spot doomed to be developed, and it has been. Playa San Francisco offers numerous water sports (jet skis, para sailing, snorkeling, SCUBA diving and a swim area), as well as a large beach area for sunning. Beach lounges are available for rent.

Playa San Francisco Bar

Playa San Francisco Restaurant

There is a good restaurant and bar and drinks are served on the beach if you would like.

Playa San Francisco Shopping

A rather extensive market place has evolved at San Francisco if you are looking for souvenirs shells or handicrafts to purchase. Hair braiding is offered by a number of ladies right on the beach.

Playa San Francisco Water Activities

In the roped off swimming area are some water toys for general use (the same as Playa Mia) and one of the best features is that you may walk the quarter mile down the beach to Playa Mia and enter without paying their admittance fee. Playa Mia is about a $US10 taxi ride from the International pier and taxis are always available for your return trip to the pier or downtown.

Playa Corona

Entrance to Playa Corona

Playa Corona is located just about a mile past Chankanaab National Park but is 180 degrees different. Located in an isolated area Playa Corona is more of a place to hang out, do some snorkeling or diving and enjoy an excellent seafood meal.

Playa Corona Restaurant

There really isn't a beach here other than the sand that makes up the restaurant's floor, but there is excellent diving and snorkeling.

Playa Corona's Pier

The sports shop can arrange for both snorkeling and/or dive trips on short notice (the boats will pick you up at Playa Corona's pier) and you can also use the pier to safely enter the water for a snorkeling adventure on the nearby reefs. Playa Corona would not be a good choice if you have children.

Playa Corona Volleyball Court

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