Playa Palancar Tours and Activities
5 Reviews
Playa Palancar is a laid-back beach where you can swim, snorkel, or just relax in a hammock under the coconut-palm trees. It’s one of Cozumel’s most beautiful beaches, with fine white sand and access to an outstanding coral reef just offshore. For a relaxing beach day away from the crowded tourist spots, there’s no better place.
The Basics
While pretty Playa Palancar is surrounded by posh all-inclusives, it’s a public beach. There are several small restaurants and shops selling seafood, drinks, and souvenirs, as well as renting snorkeling equipment and organizing dives. Playa Palancar doesn’t have the party atmosphere or range of hotels and other services that some of the beaches closer to San Miguel do, but for family-friendly fun and fantastic views, it’s hard to do better on the island.
Visit Playa Palancar independently; boats wait to take snorkelers out to the reef, and you can rent equipment close by. Alternatively, go as part of a Cozumel sightseeing tour with hotel or port pickup and drop-off. Island tours typically also include a chocolate factory, a tequila tasting, and the San Gervasio Maya ruins.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Playa Palancar is ideal for beach bums, snorkelers, and families with kids.
- Remember to bring sun protection and water, as the beach offers little shade.
- Bring cash—the bars, restaurants, and shops don’t accept debit or credit cards.
- The beach offers basic facilities, including restrooms and outdoor showers.
- Lounge chairs and beach umbrellas are available to rent.
How to Get There
Playa Palancar is located off the coastal highway, about 20 minutes south of the Cozumel Cruise Terminal. It’s well signed from Avenida Melgar; look for signs before the Costera Sur exits inland. There’s no public bus service (yet, but ask around to see if this has changed). If you hire a taxi to this more remote part of the island, be aware that you may need to wait a bit to get a taxi back to your hotel.
When to Get There
The beach is lovely year-round. Winter brings large numbers of travelers to Cozumel, and the weeks before and after Easter are some of the busiest. Yet even during high season, Playa Palancar is less crowded than other spots on the island.
Cozumel Maya Ruins
Close to the beach turnoff you’ll see signs for El Cedral Maya Ruins. El Cedral is the site of the first Maya settlement on Cozumel. The tiny Maya ruin, a fertility temple, is the size of a small house. It has some historic significance for locals, but fails to impress most visitors.
Address: Avenida Rafael Melgar and the Costera Sur, Mexico
Admission: Free
5 Tours and Activities to Experience Playa Palancar
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Cozumel Shore Excursion: 5-Hour Sightseeing Tour with Private Driver
243
With your select group of family and friends, get to know Cozumel on a private shore excursion. In addition to learning about the island’s history, see how people and local industries there operate today. Visit the San Gervasio Mayan ruins as well as a chocolate factory, and enjoy a tequila tasting. Snorkel and relax at Palancar beach. Experience some of the best of what Cozumel has to offer, without having to follow a rigid schedule. Port/ferry pier pickup and drop-off included.
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From
$60.00
From
$60.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
Private Tour: 5-Hour Cozumel Sightseeing with Private Driver and Tequila Tasting
86
Get oriented to the island of Cozumel on a private tour with your own personal driver/guide. A minivan takes you sightseeing to important landmarks, including a chocolate factory and a tequila tasting. Then travel along the coastal highway and stop at a seafood restaurant and a local beach.
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From
$60.00
From
$60.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
28 ft Sea Ray
14
Enjoy personalized attention, a flexible itinerary, and the run of a 29-foot (9-meter) luxury Bayliner on this tour from Cozumel. Equipped for a private group of up to eight passengers, this boat has seating indoors and outdoors and will take you anywhere you wish around Cozumel. Half-day charter has multiple departure times throughout the day.
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From
$990.00
per group
From
$990.00
per group
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Learn More
45 ft Catamaran
17
Cruise along the coast of Cozumel aboard your own private yacht on this personalized excursion, ideal for couples or travelers celebrating a special occasion. Opt to snorkel around the barrier reef or to secluded beaches, far away from the crowded tourist spots. Your captain can suggest stops based on your interests and customize the itinerary to your preferences. Plus, choose from multiple times to best suit your schedule.
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From
$1,500.00
per group
From
$1,500.00
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More
Private Van Service
private tour for customise the time, places, to visit, you will own the time for spend in each place. just let know what you want to do and we will take care of everything
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From
$48.00
From
$48.00
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