Travel Diary | Paradise Beach Cozumel Guide
Paradise Beach, Cozumel – Sunshine, serenity & unexpected digital detox
Discovering Beach Clubs in Cozumel
Remember that sweet girl we met on the plane? One of the best tips she gave us: beach clubs! At first, I thought it was a total rip-off—“$50-$70 just to have a chair?!” But it’s so much more than that.
At Paradise Beach Club for around $64 per person, you get:
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A comfy beach chair, small table, and umbrella (shade for Daniel’s burn-prone skin ☀️)
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Unlimited food and drinks – smoothies, tacos, burgers, coconut shrimp, and virgin mojitos kept us fueled all day (alcohol is included too, but we don’t drink so I can’t tell if how they are)
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Access to swimming pools, showers, and even a water playground IN THE OCEAN
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Snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and kayaks (for an additional fee)
So yes, we were absolutely down for that!
Why Cozumel Over Playa del Carmen?
This time of year (late July – Late August) Playa del Carmen’s beaches are overrun with seaweed (sargassum), leaving the waters brown and murky. ☹️
So, we hopped the ferry to Cozumel—just a 15-minute walk from our rental on 5th Ave and about $25/person one way with Ultra Mar. (There are 2 other ferry companies that leave from the same place, but UltraMar was the best price)
The second we docked, my heart literally beamed with sunshine. That water was clear and turquoise, exactly what you picture in the Caribbean. Daniel joked he wished I had a little battery icon over my head so he could watch it fill as soon as I hit the water… and honestly, he’s not wrong!
A Perfect Day at Paradise Beach
The day was slow and golden. I found a quiet palm grove where it felt like my own private beach. We snorkeled (spotted a stingray, a massive starfish, and schools of fish!), swam, lounged…definitely got my best tan of the trip here.
They even had cabana beds, and I couldn’t help but think how perfect they’d be with the kids…space for naps, snacks, and sandy cuddles.
An Unexpected Digital Detox
And then… my phone met its salty doom. Turns out my “waterproof” case had a hole, and ocean water is basically kryptonite for electronics. Just like that and five more days in Mexico without a phone.
At first, I panicked. What if the kids’ sitters needed me? What about work? What about that client I just left a voicemail for?! But then I realized… maybe this is what I needed. A little forced disconnect to truly connect.
I’d like to say I was “zen” and all things were serene and I was grateful….well I got to that point eventually. But that evening I just cried. And on top of that, I realized I left my smart watch at the club too! (Or so I thought….I found it in my a hidden pocket the next morning).
Travel Notes – Paradise Beach Cozumel
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Cost: $64 per person (all-inclusive food & drinks). Extra $16 for water park, snorkel gear, kayaks, or paddleboards.
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Taxi: $400 pesos ($20 USD) from the ferry – don’t pay more! It’s a set rate.
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Ferry: Ultra Mar was the most affordable (~$20 one way). Sit on top deck if you can, so relaxing!
- Cleanliness: Very clean. Not any seaweed in site.
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*Tip: Paddleboard/kayak rentals close at 4 PM. Don’t let them trick you into waiting past that! Food service ends at 5:00 PM but you can stay at the club longer.
- KId friendly?: Absolutely! Many of the guests were families. Some clubs along the beach are more for the “party/adult” crowd. We liked the calmer family vibe.
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