Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel Ferry Price

The ferry terminal on Calle 1 Norte handles departures every hour from early morning through evening, and every passenger moving between the mainland and Cozumel passes through one of two competing operators. Ultramar dominates the schedule with the most frequent sailings, while Winjet runs a smaller rotation on select hours. Both companies publish identical or near-identical base fares, a product of the regulated concession structure that governs the route. Understanding the playa del carmen to cozumel ferry price means looking beyond the ticket window figure, because the advertised rate rarely matches the amount debited at checkout. The 310 MXN fare covers passage only. A mandatory sanitation fee is assessed separately at the pier, collected either during online checkout or at a kiosk before boarding. This surcharge fluctuates slightly depending on local port authority policy, but typically adds 15 to 20 pesos per passenger. The fee is not optional, and cash is often required even when the ticket itself was paid by card. Travelers booking in advance through third-party platforms may find the sanitation component bundled into the total, though the line item is not always transparent. The crossing itself takes 45 minutes in calm seas, longer if swell or traffic delays departure from the congested Playa del Carmen marina. Seasonal demand drives subtle pricing adjustments. High-season months—December through April—see operators introduce premium boarding tiers that bundle priority queuing or air-conditioned cabins, though the standard open-air deck remains available at the base rate. Round-trip tickets purchased together are discounted by approximately 10 percent, a worthwhile consideration for day-trippers planning a return the same afternoon. Children between ages two and eleven travel at half fare, and infants under two ride free when seated on a lap. Ferry fare from Playa del Carmen to the island does not include ground transportation on either side, and taxi queues at both terminals operate on fixed-zone pricing that can match or exceed the cost of the water crossing itself. Payment at the terminal accepts pesos, US dollars at an unfavorable exchange rate, and major credit cards, though card machines occasionally fail during peak boarding windows. Travelers comparing the cost of the Cozumel ferry crossing against private water taxis will find the latter priced at three to four times the standard fare, a premium justified only by flexible departure schedules or group charters. The regulated ferry system remains the most economical passage, and the departure frequency—nearly every hour from 07:30 through 22:00—makes advance reservations optional outside holiday weekends.