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Home / Beaches / Playa Palancar

Playa Palancar

Пляж Паланкар
Mexico · Beach · Cozumel
crystal
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for couples, families and snorkelling enthusiasts. Suitable for quiet relaxation and exploring reefs. Not suitable for party lovers.

Best month

January

Water
+27.0°C
Length
300 m
Playa Palancar is a popular beach with white sand and excellent snorkelling. It features calm water and scenic views, popular for swimming, diving and beach relaxation. A restaurant and equipment rental are available.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Playa Palancar is a popular beach with white sand and excellent snorkelling. It features calm water and scenic views, popular for swimming, diving and beach relaxation. A restaurant and equipment rental are available.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Powdery white sand
  • Crystal-clear turquoise water
  • Beach club with restaurant
  • Excellent snorkelling
  • Close to Palancar and Colombia reefs
  • Sun loungers and umbrellas
  • Calm atmosphere

Cons

  • Paid entry ($23)
  • Can be crowded in high season
  • Limited natural shade
  • Expensive food at the beach club
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for couples, families and snorkelling enthusiasts. Suitable for quiet relaxation and exploring reefs. Not suitable for party lovers.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Playa Palancar is located just 5 minutes from the Palancar and Colombia reefs — some of the best diving spots in the world. The beach club offers both an entry fee ($23) and a VIP all-inclusive package with unlimited food and drinks.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
white
Sand Texture
Grain size
powdery
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
20 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
300 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
crystal
Average Water Temp
+27.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+29.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.2 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
December January February March April May
Season end
May
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
low
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
minimal
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
15.0 km
Dangerous creatures
sea urchins
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
Yes
First Aid
Yes
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
1 pcs
Best restaurants

Playa Palancar Beach Club Restaurant

Mexican and Seafood

Beach club restaurant with fresh seafood and Mexican cuisine.

Nearby cuisines

Mexican

Traditional Mexican cuisine

Must try: Tacos, quesadillas, guacamole

Seafood

Fresh seafood from the Caribbean Sea

Must try: Ceviche, prawns, grilled fish
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
moderate
Silence Level
moderate
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
moderate
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
Yes
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Cash Snorkel mask
Best Time to Swim
Best time is weekday mornings when there are fewer people. Book your sun lounger in advance. The beach club is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Local Rules
Swimming in permitted areas. Do not touch corals. Follow beach club rules. Littering is prohibited.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Palancar Reef

One of the best diving reefs in the world.

El Cielo

Sandbar with starfish.

Cozumel Downtown

Town with restaurants, shops and markets.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Playa Palancar: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity crystal, average temperature +27.0°C, warms up to +29.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Playa Palancar: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.2 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Playa Palancar: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 20 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Playa Palancar: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — white. Texture — powdery. Beach length — 300 metres.
Playa Palancar: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in December, January, February, March, April, May. It ends in May. The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Playa Palancar: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. Rip currents are unlikely. Jellyfish risk — low. Shark risk — minimal. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Playa Palancar: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: sea urchins. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Playa Palancar: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Playa Palancar: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
Lifeguards are on duty on the beach — an important safety factor. A first aid station is available.
Playa Palancar: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Playa Palancar Beach Club Restaurant. Cuisines available: Mexican, Seafood. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Playa Palancar: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Cash, Snorkel mask.
Playa Palancar: when is the best time to swim?
Best time is weekday mornings when there are fewer people. Book your sun lounger in advance. The beach club is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Playa Palancar: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Swimming in permitted areas. Do not touch corals. Follow beach club rules. Littering is prohibited.
Playa Palancar: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, diving, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Playa Palancar: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for couples, families and snorkelling enthusiasts. Suitable for quiet relaxation and exploring reefs. Not suitable for party lovers.
Playa Palancar: what makes this beach unique?
Playa Palancar is located just 5 minutes from the Palancar and Colombia reefs — some of the best diving spots in the world. The beach club offers both an entry fee ($23) and a VIP all-inclusive package with unlimited food and drinks.
Playa Palancar: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Powdery white sand, Crystal-clear turquoise water, Beach club with restaurant, Excellent snorkelling, Close to Palancar and Colombia reefs, Sun loungers and umbrellas, Calm atmosphere. Cons: Paid entry ($23), Can be crowded in high season, Limited natural shade, Expensive food at the beach club.
Playa Palancar: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Palancar Reef, El Cielo, Cozumel Downtown. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Playa Palancar: how do I get to the city of Cozumel?
The beach is located near the city of Cozumel. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Cozumel.

City

Cozumel

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.

Best month

January

Useful information

Country: Mexico
Type: Beach
Coordinates: 20.366700, -87.033300

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