Eco-Tours in Cozumel: Exploring the Island’s Natural Wonders with Low Ecological Impact
Are you planning a trip to Cozumel and looking for ways to enjoy this beautiful island without hurting the environment? Now more than ever, visitors are looking for eco-friendly tours, choosing to put their money where their heart is and support companies that conserve the natural environment and well-being of locals.
My name is Adrienne, I am a dive instructor and have lived on Cozumel for 11 years and I am happy to share with you some of the best eco-tours on the island!
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Cozumel’s Best Eco-Tours
With so many visitors seeking out eco-friendly tours, it seems that everyone is labeling their tours ‘eco-friendly,’ whether they actually are or not. As a visitor, it can be hard to find tours that are truly working hard to conserve the natural environment around them versus marketing savvy operators who just use the term.
We searched all over the island to find great tours that are fun, educational, and actually are eco-friendly and in this post I will share my favorite ones.
We love to support local companies that look after their natural resources in their home this is why in recommending them we are not making any profits. We just love to do our part and promote their small business.
1. Go Bird Watching
Cozumel is known for its amazing marine life, but if you want to do something a little different book a birding tour.
Cozumel has 3 endemic bird species and 16 sub-species for you to try to spot including the beautiful Cozumel emerald hummingbird and Cozumel wren! Book a tour with Elvis Jimenez at Gala Naturaleza.
He is a certified nature guide and conservationist photographer who has years of experience leading birding hikes in Cozumel. He will take you to different habitats and help you spot different bird species.
This is an especially great tour for wilderness photographers, and Elvis is known for working with small or private groups so you have a great experience.
2. Volunteer with Sea Turtle Program
When you volunteer with the sea turtle rescue program, not only will have so much fun but also will learn something new, and help the environment . Every year sea turtles come to the shores of Cozumel to lay their eggs.
Unfortunately, all 8 of the world’s sea turtle species are considered endangered. The four species of turtle that come to the Yucatan Penninsula to nest- hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley, green, and loggerhead face environmental and human threats.
Turtles have long been captured for their shells, and people would steal their eggs to eat. While these practices are declining, environmental factors such as beach erosion and construction projects have affected their breeding areas.
The local government is trying to protect turtles who come to Cozumel’s shores and you can be a part of the project!
Turtles begin arriving in Cozumel in May and government officials monitor the beaches and mark turtle nests. Officials sometimes decide to move vulnerable eggs to safer areas, and once the eggs start to hatch they help direct the turtles to the sea (without touching them) and scare off birds who are looking for an easy meal.
If you want to sign up for the turtle rescue you need to contact the Ecology Department on 65th avenue.
They charge a small fee for participating in the program that is used for the turtle rescue efforts.
Unfortunately some tour operators are trying to profit off of this volunteer opportunity and charging extra fees. Only pay government offices directly if you sign up for this opportunity.
3. Rent a Bicycle
A great way to explore Cozumel is to rent a bike and head out! You can either rent a bike and explore on your own, check out different beaches and areas of town, or sign up for a bike tour.
With a tour you will have a guide who will show you around and many tours also include a visit to a local restaurant where you can try different tacos or local food!
You can rent a traditional pedal bike, or if you want a little extra help, there are e-bike rentals available too!
4. Go Paddle Boarding
Cozumel has amazing crystal clear water, and no visit to the island is complete without spending some time in the sea. Paddle boarding is a fun and eco-friendly activity to check out on your next vacation.
De Lille sports is located just north of downtown Cozumel and there you can rent paddle boards, take classes, or sign up for a tour.
They also have paddle boarding excursions that take you up into the protected northern mangroves where you can paddle around and have the chance to see birds and different wildlife!
5. Vist Punta Sur Eco-Park
Spend the day at Punta Sur Eco-Park is on of the best things to do in Cozumel for sure. It is Cozumel’s largest protected area. The park has several lookout towers you can climb up to enjoy views of the lagoon and ocean.
You can also go up the lighthouse! Some of the best beaches on the island are located in the park. From the beach you can make a short swim out to the shallow reef where you will see different corals, sponges, and lots of marine life including rays, tropical fish, and turtles!
The park is home to a large section of lagoon and you can take a boat ride where your guide will teach you about the importance of conserving mangroves and you have the chance to see the resident crocodiles!
There are also restaurants in the park, so you can kick back and relax with some food and a drink.
6. Visit the Cozumel Pearl Farm
Located in the north of the island, the pearl farm is one of Cozumel’s best kept secrets. The farm is the only active pearl farm in the Caribbean and owned and operated by a local family.
Your tour will take you to the farm where you will get to see the oysters that produce the pearls and go for a snorkel to see beautiful coral formations.
The family that runs the project works with the National Comission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) to eradice an invasive pine species that is preventing native plants from growing in the northern part of the island.
During the tour they will teach you all the different methods they are implementing to make their farm sustainable, including collecting rainwater to use for all their projects.
Apart from fishermen, few people venture to this area of the island, and the tour is a fascinating, educational experience you do not want to miss!
7. Try Different Restaurants
Most scientists agree that eating a plant-based diet is good for the environment. Whether you are a vegetarian or someone who has embraced eating more plants in your diet, Cozumel has several great vegetarian and vegan restaurants.
These places serve a variety of food from vegan sushi to plates featuring traditional Mexican flavors but without the meat.
Check out Nutty Treesome, Sol de Maple, and Restaurante Coral for delicious food options!
Also read about the best restaurants in Cozumel
Embrace eco-friendly practices
No matter what you choose to do on vacation, there are always small things that we can do that make a difference.
💧 Bring your own water bottle
Bring a water bottle and try to refill it from places that have filtered water or large garrafones. Or you can get a water-to-go filter bottle that will allow you to drink any kind of water (not salted), even the not potable tap water in Mexico. The filter will do its magic and the water will be good to drink.
WATER-TO-GO FILTER BOTTLE
✔ kills 99.99% of bacteria of all sorts, illness-causing contaminants, including those as small as a virus, pesticides and nitrates, heavy metals…
✔ available in different shapes sizes and colors
✔ easy to use
✔ three month shelf life in total
✔ Better protection for you and the planet. The filter replaces 400 plastic bottles, and the bottle is made from sugarcane.
🌿Avoid changing towels and linen often
Most hotels have signs that tell you to pick up your towel to show you do not need a freshly washed towel everyday. If we hang the towel somewhere after use, it will dry off and we can reuse it again multiple times
🌮🌮 Don’t fill up your plate at the buffet if you are not sure that you can finish it
Most hotels have delicious and inviting buffet and we are tempted to have it all and we fill up our dishes without realizing that we won’t be able to finish all that. What remains goes into the trash.
👣🐾 Leave only footprints
I know it should go without saying but sometimes we do stuff without thinking. Please avoid leaving rubbish on the beach or anywhere you go and if there are no trash bins bring it back with you. Even organic trash doesn’t belong on the road or on the beach.
🚤 Be mindful when you book a tour
Not all tours are completely eco-friendly, especially if the tour requires the use of a boat or a jeep. But there are many companies that are better than other, even the way they treat their employee or they educate the guests about the ocean conservation, for example are sign of an environmentally conscious company.
Is Insurance necessary?
The short answer is: yes! Although we all hope that nothing bad will ever happen to you, you never know.
I always prefer to be safe than sorry and a small investment today can save you tons of dollars tomorrow.
Hyperbaric chambers if you are a diver and hospitalization, in general, are outrageously expensive in Mexico
Dive Assure is one of the top insurance companies for diving and travel in general and we cannot recommend them enough. I am sure you have heard of them as they are one of the most popular.
🔽 Get a free Dive Assure quote here 🔽
Wrapping it up: The Best Eco-Tours in Cozumel
Whether they advertise as eco-friendly or not, there are many tour operators who are making the effort to protect the environment, and it is great when visitors reward their efforts with their business! As you can see, protecting Cozumel’s fragile natural environment is important to many locals and visitors. There are plenty of fun activities you can do that support sustainable tourism.
Traveling to Cozumel Soon?
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- The 19 Best Cozumel Beach Clubs
- The Top 11 Sites to Go Snorkeling in Cozumel
- The 14 Best All Inclusive Resorts in Cozumel
