Orientation

The town of San Miguel de Cozumel is located on the west side of the island. The main passenger ferry lands here, across from the central plaza. Most streets are one-way in town; if you’re driving, be aware that avenidas (avenues) run north–south and have the right-of-way over calles (streets), which run east–west. Once you leave town, there is a single road that circles the entire island.

Avenida Benito Juárez is one of the main streets in San Miguel de Cozumel, beginning at the central plaza, crossing town, and becoming the Carretera Transversal (Cross-Island Highway). The highway passes the turnoff to the San Gervasio ruins before intersecting with the coastal road. The coastal road follows Cozumel’s eastern shore, which is dotted with a few beach clubs and restaurants. Rounding the southern tip, the road heads north along the west shore before becoming Avenida Rafael Melgar and returning to the central plaza. Continuing north, the road passes turnoffs to the airport and a country club before turning to dirt and eventually dead-ending.