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Heading to one of the Cozumel beaches is a favorite way to off-gas for our divers. I so often get asked about which Cozumel beach to go to, I’ve decided to go ahead and designate an entire blog to the topic. Also, considering the Riviera Maya has recently been seeing hard times with the Sargasso algae problem, I think it’s only likely our Cozumel beaches will start seeing an increase in traffic. As half of Cozumel lies on the leeward side, that is the side of the island opposite the natural trade winds, half of Cozumel remains Sargasso-free.
However, unlike most traditional blogs that want to give you a Top 10 list or something similar, I’ve decided against doing this. What I consider an idyllic Caribbean beach might be quite the different idea from what you had in mind. So instead I’ll simply add a few comments about each Cozumel beach listed and my favorite things about that location. This is an exhaustive list. To my knowledge this lists every beach or beach club on Cozumel. If you find I am missing a beach, please do contact us and let me know.
What are your favorite Cozumel beaches?
By default most of Cozumel beaches have restaurants or bars located on them. In some cases the primary location is the bar or restaurant, not the beach itself. However, it became difficult when I tried to classify or separate by this criteria. Ultimately, I decided if the location had sand and you can swim, it would get listed here as a Cozumel beach. As a result there are locations in this list that are not ideal Caribbean beaches. I do bring attention to this in my comments, if required.
Beaches are listed in alphabetical order. I’ve included a map PIN drop of each location.
Alberto’s Beach Bar
Food / Drinks – Full scale restaurant with alcoholic beverages is available. Nothing fancy – Mexican-American fare like fajitas, ceviche, guacamole and Mexican macro beers with basic cocktails. Snorkeling – Not ideal. Mostly sea grass. Careful to not venture too far offshore as it is a high traffic area with dive boats. Children – Great for all ages.. Sand quality – Great beach. Clean, fine sand. No liter. Very long stretch of sand allowing you to get away from everyone if you wish. No shade available outside the restaurant area. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – The location is primarily a restaurant with table sand chairs in the sand. Beach chairs are not available. However, it is on a one of the better stretches of Cozumel beaches. Great location to enjoy the sunset if you are on the south end of the island and looking for a long beach walk.
Additionally, we can offer pick-up and drop-off services for scuba or snorkeling from this location. See here…
Beach volleyball if you are game
Looking north
Entrance from the highway
Great beach looking towards Iberostar resort
Seating area for food and drinks
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Barracuda Beach Club
Food / Drinks – Cafeteria style food available. Snorkeling – Available with gear rental also available, but mostly all sea grass. Pay tour available. Children -.Good. Sand quality – Decent, but has some Sargasso sea grass washing up Restrooms – Yes. Comments – The furthest north beach club. You won’t find this place by accident as it requires a bit of off-road driving to reach. Large property that generally remains mostly quiet.
Beach area
Entrance
Pool bar
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Beachcomber
Food / Drinks – A full menu of food and drinks is available next door at the Money Bar. Snorkeling – Available with gear rental also available. Children -. Great for children and adults, although this is probably more fashioned for adults. Sand quality – None. Mix of gravel and limestone with some rough sand mixed in. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – Not really a beach as much as it is an extension of Money Bar and the Landmark Hotel. Included in the Cozumel beaches because it offers easy access for decent snorkeling.
Signage from the old highway
The lounging area of the beach
Looking north
Entrance
Entrance for swimming
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Carlos n Charlies
Food / Drinks – Full scale restaurant with alcoholic beverages is available. Nothing fancy – Mexican-American fare like fajitas, ceviche, guacamole and Mexican macro beers with basic cocktails. Snorkeling – Not great but possible. Mostly sea grass off their shore. Snorkel excursions sold on site. Children -. Great for children and adults. Sand quality – Good. This is an extensive, long, well kept beach. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – Very popular location with tourists. There is a lot going on at this location with snorkeling, jet skis, parasailing, and glass bottom boat tours being sold, plus multiple craft vendors on hand. Several other pay-for-access beaches are adjacent including Paradise Beach Club and San Francisco Beach, plus resorts to the north like Secrets and Residencias Reef, make this large extensive beach popular on days with several cruise ships in port and resorts full. Pro tip: You can access the pay-for-access beaches by entering at Carlos n Charlies for free and walking down the beach just 50 yards/meters.
Additionally, we can offer pick-up and drop-off services for scuba or snorkeling from this location. See here…
Entrance from the highway
entrance to the restaurant
The view looking south along the beach
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Chen Rio
Food / Drinks – Full scale restaurant with alcoholic beverages is available. Nothing fancy – Mexican-American fare like fajitas, ceviche, guacamole and Mexican macro beers with basic cocktails. Snorkeling – Not recommended. Possible large waves and surf with strong currents. There is a small protected area for swimming on one side of the beach. Children -. Great for children and adults. The beach has two sections. One half has a natural child’s pool for young children to safely play. The other side tends to become an unwritten adults-only side thanks to the natural pool drawing the families to the opposite side. Sand quality – Good. Child’s side has more limestone, but still a quality large beach area. Adult side has a fantastic beach when the Sargasso algae is not present. The adult-side beach extends an extended distance allowing for long beach walks or swimming alone. This is the “wild side” so litter washing ashore is a possibility and use caution when swimming and playing in the waves. Restrooms – Yes, outhouses available. Comments – Very popular location with the locals on Sunday – consider avoiding it completely on Sunday. Or, on the other hand, go on a Sunday and enjoy the full experience. Children to one side, adults on the other, separated by a shaded restaurant. The adult side features a natural crescent-shaped wall of rocks that creates a break wall for the waves and a great area to swim behind. The child’s side has become known as THE spot for surfing and kite-boarding in Cozumel. Even if you do not partake yourself it can make for enjoyable viewing on good wind or wave days.
Restaurant entrance
Child’s area
Child side showing natural wave break and shallow water area
Looking over the adult side from a distance
Adult side
Middle beach area separating child from adult side
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Islands Beach Club
Food / Drinks – There are a full restaurant and bar on property. Snorkeling – Fairly decent. Possible strong currents so please use caution. Children -.Great for all ages. Sand quality – Varies. Mostly not so good. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – Massive beach club with plenty of space to spread out. Beach chairs both shaded and un-shaded. Overall nice property, if only they had better sand. Located in the north so clean water for snorkeling, but also lots of limestone ledges.
Well maintained property
Beach chairs
As seen from highway
Bar and restaurant
Snorkeling tour
Shaded beach chairs
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Las Brisas
Food / Drinks – There are a full restaurant and bar nearby. Snorkeling – Fairly decent. Possible strong currents so please use caution. Children -.Great for all ages, although there is not much space of children to roam. Sand quality – Varies. Some areas of nice sand. Restrooms – Yes, at the restaurant. Comments – Locals use this on Sunday afternoons. You can access this beach area just north of the Las Brisas property. Pro tip: the pay-for-access location called Tequila Beach Club can be accessed using this location.
But a few steps south looks like this (note: photo taken from the pay-for-access Tequila Beach Club)
Where you enter doesn’t look so great
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Mezcalitos
Food / Drinks – Several locations nearby serving basic Mexican-American food and cold beer and mixed cocktails. Snorkeling – Not recommended. Large waves and surf are possible with strong currents. Children – Great for all ages. Sand quality – Nice beach when not covered with Sargasso algae. Small, but enjoyable. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – Best beach on the island to watch the sunRISE. Yes, really. You won’t be alone when you arrive at 5:30am. Otherwise the location doesn’t seem to be a crowd favorite. It’s first, or last, on your travels as you make “the lap” around the island. Stop, take your photo with the massive iguana, and enjoy the view for your first or last time. Most people make this a quick pit stop and not a layover.
Beach area
The entrance
Bar ./ dining area
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Mojito Factory / Miami Bar / 25 Hour Bar
Food / Drinks – Limited menu for food focused on fresh seafood like ceviche and soup. Very good ceviche. Best fresh-fruit cocktails and mojitos on the island, no exceptions. Snorkeling – Not recommended, Possible large waves and surf with strong currents. Children -.Great for all ages, but young children should be watched carefully. Sand quality – Mixed. There is a very small beach that is tucked between limestone walls. The sand is perfect – when its not covered with Sargasso algae. Restrooms – Yes, a single outhouse. Comments – My favorite place to go for a cocktail and a nap in a hammock ocean side on a rare afternoon off. More suited to enjoying a cocktail in a rustic picturesque location than anything else. Go there for the mojito if nothing else. The limestone cliffs nearby seem to have a magnetic pull to them, but walk carefully on the sharp jagged rocks.
A great little roadside shack
There is a small covered hammock area and a few tables
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No Name Bar and Grill
Food / Drinks – American style bar food. Sandwiches, burgers, etc. Full bar, which can be accessed as a swim-up pool bar, also. Snorkeling – Not ideal, but better than most the beaches of Cozumel. Water is deep immediately – you jump or walk down a ladder / staircase to enter – with some colorful fish and stingrays. Children -.Great for all ages, although it does tend to get a lot of attention from cruise ship employees (read: 20 year old foreigners) during the afternoon hours. Sand quality – Mediocre. It is trucked in sand to create a false beach. For being downtown, its better than nothing. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – Right downtown and easy to get to from any hotel in the downtown area. Don’t be confused by the locked doors in the afternoon. There is two entrances – use the “Staff” entrance to walk directly to the beach bar. Part of the Hotel Barracuda. This is another one that was dicey making the list as it is mostly a restaurant / bar. The ability to swim and snorkel downtown finally won over in my decision making.
Steps into the water
Swimming area
Lounging and dining
Swim-up pool bar
Don’t be afriad
As seen from the main street
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Palancar Beach / Playa Palancar
Food / Drinks – Full scale restaurant with alcoholic beverages is available. Nothing fancy – Mexican-American fare like fajitas, ceviche, guacamole and Mexican macro beers with basic cocktails. Snorkeling – Not ideal. Mostly sea grass, but usually nice calm waters. Careful to not venture too far offshore without a surface marker buoy as this location does receive a lot of boat traffic. Children -.Great for all ages. Sand quality – Excellent. What you would envision a Caribbean beach to look like. Seems endless – great for long walks. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – The furthest south Cozumel beach club. A great location with a nice mix of food and beverages plus beach chairs and good swimming and shade. Due to its distance from the cruise ships, this beach tends to be the quietest beach on afternoons with many cruise ships in the Cozumel ports.
Beautiful sand beach and clean
Looking north
Resident peacock
Looking south
Entrance
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Playa Azul
Food / Drinks – A restaurant and bar is available Snorkeling – Better than most the beaches, but possible strong currents. Use caution. Children -.Great for all ages. Possibly the best beach for children as it offers a playground, child’s pool, and easy ocean access. Sand quality – Excellent, albeit a small beach. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – Part of the Hotel Azul property, this is an excellent free beach to visit, especially with children. Can get busy on Sunday.
A few covered chairs
Easy access swimming
Signage from the road
Playground for the children
Looking north towards the Westin property
Walking
The restaurant area
Child’s pool
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Playa Caletitas
Food / Drinks – Several restaurants available nearby. Occasionally a food vendor on a push cart also. Snorkeling – Possible, but not ideal. Children -.Great for all ages. Many local children play here. Sand quality – Poor. Restrooms – Yes, at the nearby restaurants. Comments – Favorite swimming hole of locals. Especially crowded on Sunday afternoons. Very small. Best used as a near-town swimming hole as the locals do.
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Playa Corona
Food / Drinks – A full restaurant and bar is available serving basic Mexican-American favorites. Snorkeling – Possible, with gear rental available. Children -.Great for all ages. Sand quality – Mediocre. Mostly hard-packed. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – A large area offering easy steps access into the water. If you are looking for a quality beach this is probably not it, but does offer one more location to snorkel.
Looking back at the restaurant and bar
Signage from the old highway
Hard packed sand surrounds covered eating areas.
Steps into the ocean
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Punta Molas
Food / Drinks – Bring you own WATER. You will be alone. Snorkeling – Not recommended. Possible large waves and surge with strong currents. Children -.Not a good idea. Sand quality – Varies from perfect to not so perfect. Unattended beaches so Sargasso and litter may be seen. Restrooms – Nature. Comments – This is not for the faint of heart. A high-quality 4WD vehicle is REQUIRED. You enter near Mezcalitos and take a small road north to the lighthouse. Along th epath will be hard pack earth, mud, swamp, sand, sugar-fine sand, and limestone ledges. Again, a 4WD is a must and bring plenty of water. The reward is unspoiled beaches and Mayan ruins the likes of which few have ever seen. Contact me for more information if you want to make this happen.
Rugged coastline
Pristine beaches
Many places to stop for photos
Another Mayan ruin
Makeshift lunch pit stop
Several Mayan ruins along the coastline
Still fully intact
Endless coastine views
The drive is quite an adventure
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Punta Morena
Food / Drinks – Full scale restaurant with alcoholic beverages is available. Nothing fancy – Mexican-American fare like fajitas, ceviche, guacamole and Mexican macro beers with basic cocktails. Snorkeling – Not recommended. Possible large waves and surge with strong currents.There is a small cove offering some protection, but it is a small area. Children -.Great for all ages. Pool, pool table, and foosball among the amenities for children. Sand quality – Good when Sargasso algae is not present. Possible litter washing ashore, but seems to be very well kept most the time. Off all the east side beaches, these seems to be regularly the cleanest. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – A very large property which does not get enough attention for the wonderful beach area that it is.
Looking north up the beach. In the distance is Mezcalitos
Looking south over the bay.
A fantastic beach area.
Great for relaxed swimming.
Plenty of space.
A row of hammocks.
The beach cabana for drinks.
Pool for the children.
The restaurant overlooking the ocean.
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Random Beaches
Food / Drinks – Bring your own. Snorkeling – Available if you bring your own gear. Use caution. Children -.Not ideal. Sand quality – Mostly gravel and limestone. Restrooms – Nature. Comments – There are over a dozen spots to pull off along the south old highway that offer private beach or waterfront access. Locals use them for private parties or cook-outs. Watch for paths that exit the road into the bushes in the direction of the waterfront. Not always easy water access. Please note the PIN drops on the map are not accurate – you’ll have to search for them!
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San Francisco
Food / Drinks – Full bar and restaurant is available. Snorkeling – Available from shore but not the best. Children -.Good. Sand quality – Very good. Restrooms – Yes.. Comments – A very popular beach club that can be crowded on days with several cruise ships in port. Pay services available include snorkeling, parasailing, jet-ski rentals, plus souvenir shops.
Additionally, we can offer pick-up and drop-off services for scuba or snorkeling from this location. See here…
Looking north towards Carlos n Charlies
Looking south towards Paradise Beach
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San Martin
Food / Drinks – There is a restaurant and bar across the way, but it has opened and closed at various times.over the years. Perhaps best to bring your own. Snorkeling – Not recommended. Possible large waves and surge with strong currents. Children -.Great for all ages, just keep a keen eye on them as they play in the waves. Sand quality – Good when Sargasso algae is not present. Possible litter washing ashore simple because it is not maintained by any business. Restrooms – Yes, across the street. Comments – At one time it could be argued this was the best beach of Cozumel. Recent Sargasso algae has taken some of the luster off this diamond, but it remains a beautiful beach just the same. Parking can be a task looking for a spot on Sundays.
Favorite post of locals
Car / restaurant across the way
Almost seems endless looking south
And endless looking north
Some info on the beach
Path entrances like this dot the roadway
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Sky Reef
Food / Drinks – There is a full-scale restaurant and bar serving fresh seafood and Mexican-American favorites. Snorkeling – Rental gear available for rent. They offer an area marked by buoys for snorkeling. Children -.Great for all ages, though this is primarily for food and drinks. Sand quality – Poor. Actually, there is no sand. It’s mostly gravel and limestone. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – I debated about listing this location as the argument could be made that it is not a beach but rather a restaurant / bar. It has snorkeling and swimming plus beach chairs and massage tables, so in the end it made the list. Just be aware you won’t be building any sand castles. Sunday afternoons feature live music, which always draws a lively crowd.
Waterfront tables
Signage from the old highway
Looking back at the covered restaurant
Not so much a beach
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The Aquarium
Food / Drinks – There is a full-scale restaurant and bar serving fresh seafood and Mexican-American favorites. Snorkeling – Available but mostly sand and sea grass. . Children -.Allowed but not ideal. Sand quality – Good sand, but a small beach area. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – Odd place as it was clearly a private home which was refitted to become a beach club. Don’t be afraid to walk in. Pool is small and cramped, as is the beach.
Looking north
Looking south
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Tortuga Beach Club
Food / Drinks – There is a full-scale restaurant and bar serving fresh seafood and Mexican-American favorites. Snorkeling – Available but mostly sand and sea grass. . Children -.Allowed but not ideal. Sand quality – Good sand, but a small beach area. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – Nice beach area if only a little small. Grounds are well kept with ample parking available. Jet-skis available for rent.
As seen from highway
Restaurant and bar
Looking north
looking south
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Uva’s Beach Club
Food / Drinks – There is a full-scale restaurant and bar serving fresh seafood and Mexican-American favorites. Snorkeling – Available but mostly sand and sea grass. . Children -.Allowed but not ideal. Sand quality – Not so good. You won’t be building sand castles. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – Nice, clean property. Has somewhat of a European feel to it. Many services and shops available.
Looking north
Beach area
Looking south
Clean and well kept
As seen from the highway
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Pay-Access Cozumel Beaches
Buccanos Beach Club and Grill
Food / Drinks – A diverse menu of upscale sandwiches and salads. Full bar with good=quality cocktails. Snorkeling – Quite decent. They’ve roped off their snorkel area for your protection and have two easy entry / exit points, one at either end. This makes for easy drifting in Cozumel currents, regardless of which direction the current flows. Children -. Great for children and adults. The is a shallow water children’s pool located near the beach. Sand quality – Good. Typical Caribbean sand beach although only limited ocean access due to limestone shoreline. Restrooms – Yes, clean and modern. Comments – Very popular location with the locals ex-pats and cruise ship guests. There is an entry fee of 150 peso (as of October 2018), which is discounted in full on the purchase of any food or drinks. Most the beach has restricted access to the water – it’s a raised limestone ledge. There is one small area where the sand naturally slopes into the ocean. Small, but perfect water entry. Many beach chairs, loungers, and wait staff which cater to your needs. Excellent landscaping and grounds well taken care of. For Cozumel this is an upscale location without breaking the bank. Often quiet on Sunday due to lack of cruise ships in port.
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Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park
Food / Drinks – A full restaurant and beachside bar provide Mexican-American favorites like fajitas and ceviche. Snorkeling – Quite decent. They’ve roped off their snorkel area for your protection and have several easy entry / exit points. Also a floating pier to rest on out in the ocean. Children – Excellent except there is no easy access into the ocean. Its a limestone ledge hich requires the use of a ladder or jumping. San quality – Good, minus the vertical entry. Sand has been trucked into back fill the beach area. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – Very popular location with the cruise ship visitors. The entry is $21usd as of October 2018. The property is large with plenty of room to spread out your “camp,” or check out the cenote and zip-lining. On property is also caged dolphins which you can swim with for an additional fee, and a large gift shop.
More looking south
Snorkel area
Looking north
Looking south
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Mr. Sancho’s Beach Club
Food / Drinks – A full restaurant and beach side bar provide Mexican favorites and Caribbean cuisine Snorkeling – Available. Mostly sand and sea grass. Children – Good. Sand quality – Very nice beach. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – All-inclusive beach club. Entrance fee $55. No reservations necessary.
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Nachi Cocom
Food / Drinks – A full restaurant and beach side bar provide Mexican favorites and Caribbean cuisine Snorkeling – Available. Mostly sand and sea grass. Children – Good. Sand quality – Very nice beach. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – Private beach club which requires reservations several days in advance at an all-inclusive rate of $55 per beach-goer.
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Paradise Beach Club
Food / Drinks – A full restaurant and beach side bar provide Mexican-American favorites. Snorkeling – Available. Mostly sand and sea grass. Children – Good. Sand quality – Very nice beach. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – Very nice beach club that shares the same stretch of beach as San Francisco and Carlos n Charlies. $18 entrance fee.
Additionally, we can offer pick-up and drop-off services for scuba or snorkeling from this location. See here…
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Playa Mia
Food / Drinks – A full restaurant and beach side bar provide Mexican-American favorites. Snorkeling – Available. Mostly sand and sea grass. Children – Excellent. Ideal location for children with many water toys and activities. Sand quality – Very nice beach. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – Very nice beach club especially designed for families. Prices starting at $30 with a host of other add-on island activities. Pro Tip: Find the secret entrance near Playa Mia that gives you access to a fantastic private beach!
As seen from the highway
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Punta Sur Eco Marine Park
Food / Drinks – A full restaurant and beach side bar provide Mexican-American favorites like fajitas and ceviche. A separate shack also has snack food available. Snorkeling – Maybe the best of Cozumel short of getting on a boat. There is a small reef just off shore which is very shallow and completely covered in the colorful purple sea fans. Large schools of grunts and snappers ca be found plus angelfish and butterflies. Very colorful and full of life. Children – Very good. Sand quality – Excellent. Post card perfect Caribbean beach. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – If you (and your car) can survive the road in you will love everything this location has to offer. The beach is perfect, snorkeling excellent, plus it has Mayan ruins, look-outs over the swamp for crocodile spotting or bird watching, a small museum, craft shops. regular run-ins with local wildlife, and of course the fully functional lighthouse you can climb into. Entrance fee is I believe $14usd as of October 2018. Punta Sur means “southern point,” which it is.
Pastcard beaches
The bulb for the lighthouse
To the beach we go
Punta Sur Lighthosue
Postcard beaches
The wild side begins under the lighthouse
View from the top over the swamp and entrance road
Lots of stairs to the top
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Tequila Beach Club
Food / Drinks – A full restaurant and beach side bar provide Mexican-American favorites like fajitas and ceviche. Snorkeling – Available and decent. Children – Allowed, but not ideal.. Sand quality – Good, but only in a small area. Restrooms – Yes. Comments – The all-inclusive beach club to the north of Cozumel. Overall a small area. Pro tip: You can access their beach area by walking over from Las Brisas beach.
Small pool
Beach area
As seen from the highway
Restaurant and bar area
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Cozumel Beaches – A Complete Guide Heading to one of the Cozumel beaches is a favorite way to off-gas for our divers. I so often get asked about which Cozumel beach to go to, I've decided to go ahead and designate an entire blog to the topic.
