Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel Ferry Schedule

The passenger ferry linking Playa del Carmen to Cozumel carries more than two million travelers annually across the Cozumel Channel, making it one of the busiest short-haul maritime routes in the Mexican Caribbean. Ultramar operates the primary service from a dedicated terminal on Calle 1 Sur in the heart of Playa del Carmen's tourist district, within walking distance of Quinta Avenida. The ferry schedule maintains consistent daily operations throughout the year, with departures beginning at 07:00 and the final crossing leaving at 22:00. Frequency varies with passenger volume—expect tighter intervals during winter high season and wider gaps in late spring and early autumn. Crossing duration holds steady at 45 minutes under normal sea conditions, though strong north winds between November and February can occasionally add ten minutes to the voyage. The route serves both day-trippers visiting Cozumel's reefs and cruise passengers returning to the mainland. Vessels accommodate walk-on passengers exclusively; vehicles require the separate car ferry operated by Transcaribe from Calica, seven kilometers south. Each Ultramar ferry holds roughly 300 passengers across open-air and enclosed seating decks. Air-conditioned cabins fill quickly during midday heat, so boarding early secures preferred seating. Ticket counters open thirty minutes before the first departure. Same-day tickets remain available most of the year, but winter weekends and Mexican holiday periods warrant advance purchase to avoid standby queues. The playa del carmen to cozumel ferry schedule does not require reservations for walk-on passengers, though online booking through the operator's website locks in your fare and provides a boarding voucher that bypasses the ticket window. Return crossings follow a similar rhythm from Cozumel's Muelle Fiscal pier, timed to interleave with Playa departures and maintain the hourly cadence. Passengers clear a brief security check at the terminal entrance—carry-on bags pass through X-ray, and boarding passes are scanned at the gangway. No immigration formalities apply since both ports lie within Mexico; travelers need only valid identification for domestic passage. The terminal offers limited seating, a small café, and restrooms. Arriving twenty minutes before your intended sailing allows time for ticket collection, security, and boarding without rushed transfers. Morning departures before 09:00 tend to carry fewer tourists, while the 17:00–19:00 window captures returning day visitors and creates the busiest boarding periods.