Essentials
- City
- San Miguel de Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Population
- Approx. 100,000
- Internet Speed
- Starlink and fiber optic widely available, averaging 50-150 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Mexican Peso (MXN). 1 USD ≈ 17.00 MXN. ATMs mostly dispense Pesos.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water or 20L 'garrafones' (approx. $45 MXN)
- Power
- 127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Telcel (best coverage) or AT&T. Prepaid 3GB SIM approx. $200 MXN
- Banking for Expats
- Santander and BBVA are reliable; Revolut and Wise cards widely accepted
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, VRBO, and local Facebook groups like 'Cozumel Rentals'
- Cashless Friendly
- Partial; big stores take cards, but 'Peso is King' for small shops and taxis
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com; studio apartments from $800 USD/month
- Budget Accommodation
- Bed Cozumel (approx. $25 USD/night) or many local boutique hostels
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Centro (San Miguel) for walking access to piers and shopping
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Corpus Christi or Andres Quintana Roo (quieter, better fiber internet availability)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Workation Cozumel (Calle 7 Sur); day pass approx. $350 MXN
- Best Cafe for Work
- Maple Bakehouse (Calle 6 Norte); excellent Wi-Fi and pastries
- Networking Events
- Cozumel Digital Nomads Facebook Group meetups at different beachfront bars
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly 'Expat Trivia' nights at Kelly’s Sports Bar
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt (blocked by union). Use WhatsApp-based 'Radio Taxi' service
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Rentadora Isis (Calle 3 Sur); scooters approx. $25 USD/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Palancar (South end) for white sand and turquoise water
- Top Regional Airline
- Aerus (flights to Cancun) or Volaris
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines, United, and WestJet to COZ airport
- Highway Access
- The Transverse Road connects San Miguel to the 'Wild Side' (East coast)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Ultramar/Winjet Ferry Pier for boats to Playa del Carmen
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes; 'Colectivos' (vans) cost approx. $10-$20 MXN per ride
- Regional Travel
- Passenger ferry to Playa del Carmen (approx. $500 MXN round trip)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Centro Médico de Cozumel (CMC) or International Hospital
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Cozumel Yoga (Calle 5 Sur); classes approx. $250 MXN
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Powerhouse Gym Cozumel (Av 30); monthly membership approx. $800 MXN
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia El Sol; approx. $15 MXN per kilo for wash/dry/fold
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PlayNow or localized vendors on WhatsApp
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cochinita Pibil or Lionfish Ceviche
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Guido's (Italian) or Nutritivo (Health food/salads on Av 10)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Chocolateria Isla Bella (Calle 3 Sur) for handmade local chocolates
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mega Soriana or Chedraui supermarkets
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon Mexico (delivery to island via Estafeta/DHL takes 3-5 days)
- Grocery Delivery
- Chedraui online or local 'mandaditos' (delivery runners)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Waterfront Malecón/Rafael Melgar street and Av 5
- Local Brewery
- Cerveceria Punta Sur (Microbrewery on Av 10); try the IPA
- Wine Bars
- The Money Bar (Beachfront sunset wine and cocktails)
- Street Food Stalls
- Mercado Municipal (Av 25) for affordable tacos and empanadas
- Popular International Cuisine
- K'ooben Laab (Italian sourdough and pasta on Calle 1)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- San Gervasio Mayan Ruins ($11 USD entry)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo de la Isla de Cozumel (Av Rafael Melgar)
- Historical Sites
- El Cedral (The oldest settlement on the island)
- Religious Sites
- Iglesia de San Miguel (Main church in Centro)
- Annual Events
- El Carnaval de Cozumel (February - one of Mexico's oldest)
- Cultural Districts
- San Miguel Centro
- Theater Venues
- Auditorio de la Isla
- Local Markets
- Mercado Municipal (Av 25) for fresh produce and local crafts
- Music Scene
- Live rock and salsa at Woody's Bar and Grill
- Street Art
- Murals from the 'SEA Walls' project located throughout downtown
- Cooking Classes
- Josefina’s Kitchen (Authentic Mexican cooking classes)
- Art Galleries
- Galeria Azul (Hand-blown glass art)
- Historic Buildings
- Old customs house (now the Island Museum)
- Local Heritage
- Ixchel (Mayan goddess of fertility) is the island's patron deity
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Punta Sur Eco Beach Park; entry approx. $20 USD
- National Parks Nearby
- Arrecifes de Cozumel National Marine Park (World-class diving)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Ciclovía (Bicycle path) running 20km along the South/East coast
- Scenic Viewpoints
- El Mirador (Rocky formations on the East coast)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Cozumel Country Club trails or Punta Sur
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Chen Rio (East side); check local seasonal permits
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Express (Calle 11) or Estafeta
- Tech Repair Services
- Hospital de Celulares (Av 30) for screen and laptop fixes
- Table Tennis Spots
- Unidad Deportiva (Local sports complex)
- Language Classes
- Spanish Experience Center (Calle 5 Sur)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Publica Municipal (Av 30)
- Community Centers
- Planetario de Cozumel (Science and community events)
- Gaming Lounges
- No dedicated lounges; local internet cafes in the San Miguel suburbs
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Cozumel (Av Rafael Melgar)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $128,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $84,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $180,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,900 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $114,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $224,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,750 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $140,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Federal Income Tax)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents and non-residents
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
- VAT
- 16% (IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, 'REFIPRE' rules apply to foreign investments
- Property Tax
- Predial; very low, usually around 0.1% of property value annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- ISAI (Acquisition Tax) approx. 2-3% plus Notary fees
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Mexico offers a 12-month Temporary Resident Visa (can be extended to 4 years) but no specific 0% DN tax