Cozumel is a small island located on the eastern side of México in the caribbean sea. It is east of the Yucatan Peninsula, and forms part of the state of Quintana Roo.

You can get to Cozumel by air flying directly to Cozumel International Airport or  to Cancun International Airport. Take the shuttle to Playa del Carmen, a small town 30 miles south of Cancun International Airport, and then take the forty minute passenger boat to Cozumel. Boats depart almost every hour on the hour and arrive at the downtown pier, right in front of the main plaza.

You can bring your car to Cozumel by using the ferry ship that departs from Puerto Morelos. Make sure to check departure times. Usually, Tuesday and Friday are black cargo days meaning only dangerous cargo is accepted onboard, mainly gasoline and natural gas. Tourist cars are still allowed but only the driver can travel with the car these days. This restriction is strictly enforced and applies only from Puerto Morelos to Cozumel. Cozumel has plenty of taxis, car and moped rental facilities, so unless you have a specific reason to bring a car from the mainland, normally it's unnecessary. The trip is approximately two hours long. Make sure you are on the pier at least two hours before scheduled departure.

Cozumel has three international piers: Punta Langosta, Puerta Maya and the International Pier. Cozumel is a top cruise destination in the Caribbean hosting several of the most important cruise lines every day. Cruise ships represent the main tourist source for Cozumel with more than two million passengers disembarking on the island last year.

If you are in Cancun or Playa del Carmen, and you wish to visit the island. You may either get one of the many one day tours to Cozumel or come by yourself. From the Cancun International Airport there are frequent fligths to and from the island. You may also use the passenger ferry at Playa del Carmen.

The island of Cozumel is the largest of the Mexican islands in the Caribbean Sea, as well as the most inhabited island in the country. It is located 18 km (11.25 miles) off the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Measuring 52km (32.5mi) from north to south and 14km (8.7mi) from east to west, its total area is a little more than 500 km² (195 mi²). Like a major portion of the nearby peninsula, the island originated in the Pliocene Age (5.4 - 2.4 millon years ago) as one of the land masses that emerged from the ocean in the latter part of this period. As a result, the base of the island is composed of marine sediment frequently covered with fossilized shells and sea life.

Cozumel, located between 20° 15' and 20° 36' latitude north, and 86° 42' and 87° 02' longitude west, is in the tropical zone. Its climate is hot and humid. Although there are rainy and dry seasons, there is generally abundant rain year round making very little difference between the seasons. The island is very porous. Aside from rain runoff, it has no surface lakes or fresh water rivers. Like the peninsula, Cozumel has many underground rivers and ponds known as cenotes. Because of the incredible beauty of the caverns and tunnels carved out of the rock over centuries and their famous clear water, many are considered to be ideal sites for diving.

The island is described by the Mayans as Tzeke - that is, calcified rock covered with a thin layer of soil. The high lime content in the rock makes it very permeable which facilitates the formation of caves and underground rivers. Lime is also responsible for the whiteness of the sand on the beaches and the clarity of the water in the adjacent sea.

There are five main plant communities on the island:  mangroves, tasistal, medium height forest, chit palm groves and coastal bush. These together contain some 400 plant species and 140 species of land vertebrates.

Aproximately ten hurricanes form every year in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean sea. At least two or three of these may touch the Quintana Roo Coast. Hurricane season begins in August and lasts until the end of November.

The mean annual rainfall is 1,458 mm. (57 in.), mean relative humidity 75% and mean temperature is 35°C (95°F).