We flew into Cozumel and spent half a week there and half in Tulum. We were looking for peace and quiet and got it in both places, but for some of you wanting to know the pros and cons of each here you go. Cozumel feels like it is on island time, is at a slower pace, offers more for families including some amazing snorkeling/sailing/diving. Tulum is a bit more rustic, vibrant and is more for singles or couples. Tulum in general is smaller but, imo, their centro feels more on the go with all the local people walking, biking and scooting everywhere. Also, its off the major highway that goes to PDC or Cancun. No highways in Cozumel. The irony is the cruise ships stop off in Cozumel so there are more tourists walking around the centro, but if you don't spend time there you won't see much of them on the rest of the island. Most places you will want to stay at either place are away from the centro but Hacienda Coco in Tulum was quite nice.
If your hotel doesn't have beach front, they are probably associated with a beach club. Intercontinental, Cozumel, had a great beach front and fortunately had no seaweed issue. Cozumel also offers Playa Mia a free beach which is in between the two major beach clubs there. We visited the Fiesta Americana/Explorean and Iberostar properties, Cozumel, during the day. We did not notice seaweed issue at Americana but it is a snorkeling spot not a beach front like Iberostar. The Mrs. hates crowds so requested the Intercontinental again and nixed the Iberostar, but its nots all-inclusive. We snorkeled Columbia, Palancar and El Cielo. It was a bucket list item for me. Damn, what an experience. We used Pink Tours and it was adults only, but Fury seemed the way to go if youre a family. Bring biodegradable sunscreen or they may ask you not to get in the water as we witnessed as someone tried to spray some on last minute.
We stayed at Mi Amor in Tulum. View was spectacular. Its on the Eco side of the drive and is guarded after 8pm. The ruins/eco park was excellent. I'm a reader so didn't use a guide as many people suggested. Mis Tios street tacos were of note. Ziggy's and La Zebra served good drinks and made for good date nights. Tulum has many more hotels with beach front and if your hotel doesn't have one they are associated with other beach clubs but that can be used after a consumption fee, usually minimum of $50+ per. Tulum has tons of Cenotes if you don't want the beach. It is apparent Tulum beaches are battling the seaweed.
I have always rented cars and being Mexico is no exception for me. I'm comfortable driving there but with that said I do not get a car the rest of the tourists are getting. I don't get a jeep or mustang. I get the cheap white car that looks like every other car the locals drive as to not draw attention to myself. Driving Cozumel was easy. All around the centro, went to the grocery store Chedraui to get wine and then a Farmacia. If you get the liability/damage waivers, there should be minimum hesitation in doing so. Heading to Tulum includes driving a highway but if you're from any city in the U.S. it's no problem. Now, the pro tip for transporting a car from PDC to the island is to buy your vehicle ferry reservation on Transcaribe in advance. It assures you get a spot and you go to the front of the line. Ultramar on the way to PDC we had to buy in person, a few blocks from the port, site was down. The arrival port on the PDC side for both is Punta Venado. Most of the schedules online for the ferries are for people only and not for those transporting a car. There are only 2 or 3 crossing each way in car. Block out 2.5 hours to cross each way.