What's on in Cozumel, Mexico through the year

Busy — Cruise ship season, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Cruise ship season (1 Nov – 30 Apr)

Peak crowds — Carnaval de Cozumel, Cruise ship season

• Festival

  Carnaval de Cozumel

  13–17 FebCarnivalCrowded

  One of the oldest carnivals in Mexico, run by the island's own comparsas rather than for visitors, with parades along the malecón on the weekend before Lent and again on Shrove Tuesday. Source ↗

Still on: Cruise ship season (1 Nov – 30 Apr)

Busy — Cruise ship season, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Carnaval de Cozumel (13–17 Feb), Cruise ship season (1 Nov – 30 Apr)

Peak crowds — Fiesta de El Cedral, Cruise ship season

• Festival

  Fiesta de El Cedral

  20 Apr – 15 May · usuallyMajor festivalCrowded

  The island's oldest festival, held in the inland village of El Cedral around the Fiestas de Santa Cruz in late April or early May: bullfights, rodeo, dancing and the only time the interior gets busy. Source ↗

Still on: Cruise ship season (1 Nov – 30 Apr)

Busy — Fiesta de El Cedral

• Nature

  Sea turtle nesting

  15 May – 31 Oct

  Loggerheads and greens nest along the wild eastern beaches from May, with hatchings from July into October. The east-coast road has lighting and access rules through the season and volunteers patrol at night.

Still on: Fiesta de El Cedral (20 Apr – 15 May (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

• Hazard

  Atlantic hurricane season

  1 Jun – 30 Nov

  June to November on paper, with the real risk from mid-August to early October, when the island also has its cheapest rooms and its emptiest dive boats. Ferries to Playa stop first when weather closes in. Source ↗

Still on: Sea turtle nesting (15 May – 31 Oct)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Sea turtle nesting (15 May – 31 Oct), Atlantic hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Sea turtle nesting (15 May – 31 Oct), Atlantic hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)

Quiet — travelers describe it as quiet, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Sea turtle nesting (15 May – 31 Oct), Atlantic hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)

Quiet — one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Sea turtle nesting (15 May – 31 Oct), Atlantic hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)

Peak crowds — Cruise ship season, Ironman Cozumel

• Season

  Cruise ship season

  1 Nov – 30 AprCruise seasonCrowded

  Cozumel is the busiest cruise port in the Caribbean and from November to April several ships a day dock at once. San Miguel's waterfront belongs to them until late afternoon; the far side of the island does not.

• Festival

  Ironman Cozumel

  22 NovMajor festivalCrowdedClosuresBook early

  A full-distance race in late November with a current-assisted sea swim that draws athletes chasing a fast time. The coastal road closes for most of the day and island accommodation books out well ahead. Source ↗

Still on: Atlantic hurricane season (1 Jun – 30 Nov)

Busy — Cruise ship season, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Cruise ship season (1 Nov – 30 Apr)