12 Best Sights in Cozumel, Mexico

Situated on Dzul-Ha reef, the island's most upscale beach club has a small sandy beach, sunset views, and great food. Entry is free; once inside, you can pay for individual activities or choose an all-inclusive package that might cover anything from meals and massages to guided snorkel tours. (If you snorkel the fish-filled reef on your own, watch out for sea urchins on the rocks.) A water-sports center rents snorkel gear, kayaks, and small sailboats. Mingle with locals and sip frothy cocktails during the two-for-one sunset happy hour. There's live music and dancing on weekend nights. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming.

This club sits just north of the hotel of the same name. The beach is actually pockets of soft sand between limestone shelves; there's also a pool at the hotel that is open to club guests. The restaurant beneath a large palapa serves delicious ceviche and bountiful club sandwiches with a side of fries, and there's free Wi-Fi to boot. Live music on Sunday afternoon draws a crowd of fun-loving people. There's good snorkeling along the reef wall.Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; sunsets; swimming.

This long and wide, white sand beach has natural rock formations that serve as protection from the waves providing calm waters that are perfect for swimming with kids. There are several palapas scattered here and there to relax under. Visit the nearby Mirador Chen Rio for some of the best views on this side of the island. Amenities: food and drinks; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunrise; swimming; walking.

About 3 km (2 miles) to the north of Playa San Martín, the island road turns hilly and offers panoramic ocean views. Coconuts, a hilltop palapa restaurant, is a prime lookout spot that also serves decent food. One hundred yards away, Ventanas al Mar (the only hotel on the windward coast) attracts travelers who value solitude. Locals picnic on the long beach directly north of the hotel. When the water is calm, there's good snorkeling around the rocks beneath Ventanas al Mar, but steer clear if it's rough. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: solitude; snorkeling; surfing.

Not quite 3 km (2 miles) north of Punta Chiqueros, a long stretch of beach begins along the Chen Río Reef. Turtles come to lay their eggs on the section known as Playa de San Martín. Soldiers or ecologists sometimes guard the beach during full moons from May to September to prevent poaching. This is a particularly good spot for swimming when the water is calm. However, if red flags are displayed, it means there is a dangerous rip current—be cautious. When the wind is blowing from the south, though, the water is best for kiteboarders and windsurfers. When you're ready to kick back, La Palapa de St. Martin serves cold drinks and seafood. Amenities: lifeguards (part-time); parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; surfing; swimming.

Hugely popular with locals, Playa Las Casitas has several large palapa-style restaurant-bars, small palapas and palm trees for shade, calm waters, and a long stretch of beach. Swim out 150 yards from the north end to enjoy the fish-filled artificial reefs. Windsurfers and stand-up paddleboards are also available for rent. The beach is fairly deserted on weekdays but completely packed on Sunday, the traditional day for family outings. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunsets; swimming.

South of the resorts, down a dirt road and way off the beaten path, lies this long, serene, walkable beach with hammocks hanging under coconut palms. The on-site dive shop can outfit scuba enthusiasts for trips to the famous Palancar and Columbia reefs, just offshore; boats will take snorkelers out every two hours from 9 to 5. There's also a nice open-air restaurant-bar here if you'd rather just relax. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

Running along the northern hotel strip where the Meliá and El Cozumeleño hotels are located, you'll find long stretches of sand and shallow water that encourage leisurely swims. Beach hotels have all the facilities you would need, but most are all-inclusive and don't allow nonguests on the premises. If you're not staying at one, bring your own shade and slip onto the beach between properties. Kiteboarders gather in this area when the winds are good, offering hours of entertaining acrobatics; equipment can be rented nearby from De Lille Sports. Amenities: food and drink (for guests only); parking (no fee). Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

Sheltered by an offshore reef, this secluded half-moon cove is Mexico's furthest eastern spot. Part of a longer beach that some locals call “Playa Bonita,” it has fine sand, clear water, turtle nests, and moderate waves. There used to be a popular restaurant and beach club here, but it's now abandoned. The road to get here has been neglected in the last few years, so not many people frequent this beautiful beach these days. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

The lighthouse at Cozumel's northernmost point is a solitary, beautiful sight. The rutted road to Punta Molas is accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicles, dirt bikes, and ATVs only, but the scenery is awe-inspiring no matter how far you're able to go. Some tour operators travel out this way when the oceans are calm, providing a photo op from the top of the lighthouse. If making the trip, the small military garrison based there always appreciates a few snacks and soft drinks if you have some to spare.

Surfers, kiteboarders, and boogie boarders have made Punta Morena beach and the restaurant of the same name one of their official hangouts—and for good reason: it has great waves and a restaurant serving surfer-friendly burgers, fries, and Mexican fare. If you are away from the main palapa, ask the waiter for a beverage-service flag, and settle your bill in pesos to avoid conversion costs. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.

This typical east-side beach is great for beachcombing but unsuitable for swimming due to the currents. It's nicknamed Playa Mezcalitos after the much-loved Mezcalito Café, which serves seafood and beer and has beachfront hammocks for an afternoon siesta. Señor Iguana's is the other restaurant option here. The "Naked Beach" sign here doesn't actually indicate the sector of sand where discreet nudity is tolerated. For that, walk north along the beach. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: nudists (to the north); partiers; walking.