Playa El Cielo
Playa El Cielo
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
This beach is known for its beautiful white sand and crystal-clear waters filled with stingrays, starfishes, and other marine life. Catamaran and snorkeling tours are popular here—the boats usually anchor in the waters so you can snorkel and snap some photos with the wildlife. Pair that with yummy food and boozy drinks on board, and you're in for a good time. The sandbar, in particular, is a great habitat and place to spot the starfish, with shallower waters only reaching up to waist height. Most tours depart from Cozumel, with some even including hotel pick-up service from Playa del Carmen or Riveria Maya. The tours sell out quickly though, so remember to book early. – Tripadvisor
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best?
This award is our highest recognition and is presented annually to those businesses that are the Best of the Best on Tripadvisor, those that earn excellent reviews from travellers and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide.
Top ways to experience Playa El Cielo
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
5 within 5 kms
Attractions
16 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
651 reviews
Excellent
529
Very good
66
Average
37
Poor
10
Terrible
9
Sergio c
1 contribution
May 2022
This site is basically a scam. All they do is contact you with a local company and they charge you 40% more for the same tour you could've gotten locally.
On top of that they lie about the services provided, like glass bottom boats. family ran business and exclusive access to marine parks (there's ton of companies that can go here).
After reserving through el cielo cozumel I got to my meeting point to find out the local company dind't even know I had a reservation for that day. They ended up picking me up about 20 minutes late. The tour was supposed to start at 9:30 am, but we had to wait till 11:45. Since they didn't know about us they had only scheudled a tour leaving at 11:30 and they had to wait for that group.
Just get your tour with a local company and avoid the over charges and lies from companies like this that all they do is snatch business through alluring sites
On top of that they lie about the services provided, like glass bottom boats. family ran business and exclusive access to marine parks (there's ton of companies that can go here).
After reserving through el cielo cozumel I got to my meeting point to find out the local company dind't even know I had a reservation for that day. They ended up picking me up about 20 minutes late. The tour was supposed to start at 9:30 am, but we had to wait till 11:45. Since they didn't know about us they had only scheudled a tour leaving at 11:30 and they had to wait for that group.
Just get your tour with a local company and avoid the over charges and lies from companies like this that all they do is snatch business through alluring sites
Written 16 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tomuchtravel
Houston, TX309 contributions
Mar 2022
Yes the water is crystal clear and a beautiful Caribbean blue.THis was a stop on our snorkel tour. OK there were about 10 starfish and a manta ray but bunches of folks partying for sure! one catamaran - about 20 people jumped off and were eating guac out of a giant bowl (double dipping) -no masks to speak of. all of these beach areas if you go via the road, you have to pay an entrance fee.
Water waist deep
Water waist deep
Written 15 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PK
Naples, FL105 contributions
Dec 2021
sandy area that's supposed to have lots of sea stars. We saw maybe 10 spread out, certainly not the sea star garden they promise. If you've seen sea stars before this will be a disappointment.
Written 3 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
caromelle
Los Angeles, CA41 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
I can't believe I have to write this but they messed with the wrong women. Their site offers As part of our Premium Service our Boats are all Glass-Bottomed with ample shade and plenty of comfortable seating...So if you can’t swim (or simply don’t want to get wet) you will still enjoy the glorious sights in the crystal clear tropical waters below the boat from the comfort of your seat, shaded from the sun, with a cold drink at your elbow.
And it was NOT A GLASS BOTTOM BOAT. DONT BE FOOLED AND THEN INSULT TO INJURY, THE OWNER RADIOS TO THE BOAT CAPTAIN AND SAYS IN SPANISH TO KICK ME OFF THE BOAT WITH MY FRIEND (I WAS ON CHAT ASKING HIM ABOUT THE BOAT). AND THEY KICK US OFF AT A MARINA, AND THEN LEFT US. We are two women now stuck at a marina from God knows where and trying to find a taxi to just get back to the pier and go back to hotel in playa del Carmen as we only had a half day to do a tour. What a waste of time and money. Appalling that this vendor exists and hope they go out of business soon. You cant make this stuff up.
Terrible to deal with and vacation almost ruined (almost bc I won't ever let people like him get to me). Want to save others from risking similar ordeals. Thankfully I had local friends to salvage rest of my day but still in shock they would kick us off with other tourists. Poor service and deserves no more business. See screenshot. I only got smart with him after he stated I was complaining from the start, which if by pointing out that you put us on a dingy vs a glass bottom boat, then sure. I'll complain all effen day.
And it was NOT A GLASS BOTTOM BOAT. DONT BE FOOLED AND THEN INSULT TO INJURY, THE OWNER RADIOS TO THE BOAT CAPTAIN AND SAYS IN SPANISH TO KICK ME OFF THE BOAT WITH MY FRIEND (I WAS ON CHAT ASKING HIM ABOUT THE BOAT). AND THEY KICK US OFF AT A MARINA, AND THEN LEFT US. We are two women now stuck at a marina from God knows where and trying to find a taxi to just get back to the pier and go back to hotel in playa del Carmen as we only had a half day to do a tour. What a waste of time and money. Appalling that this vendor exists and hope they go out of business soon. You cant make this stuff up.
Terrible to deal with and vacation almost ruined (almost bc I won't ever let people like him get to me). Want to save others from risking similar ordeals. Thankfully I had local friends to salvage rest of my day but still in shock they would kick us off with other tourists. Poor service and deserves no more business. See screenshot. I only got smart with him after he stated I was complaining from the start, which if by pointing out that you put us on a dingy vs a glass bottom boat, then sure. I'll complain all effen day.
Written 5 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valsjourneys
Fukuoka, Japan120 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
We were walking around Playa del Carmen and a lady stopped us by giving information about a tour that consisted in snorkelling in :Palancar Reef, Colombia Reef and el Cielito and without doing any research we just booked it.
We basically booked it, paid and waited to see what it was going to be like until we were there and wow!!!! Sharks, barracudas, colourful reefs and massive sea turtles! We went to el Cielito last and my jaw just dropped of the beauty of that beach! It was one of the best beaches i've ever been too! Amazing clear wear full of star fish and stingrays!
We basically booked it, paid and waited to see what it was going to be like until we were there and wow!!!! Sharks, barracudas, colourful reefs and massive sea turtles! We went to el Cielito last and my jaw just dropped of the beauty of that beach! It was one of the best beaches i've ever been too! Amazing clear wear full of star fish and stingrays!
Written 13 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert R
Wilmington, CA31 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
I must say that when I first visited this place it was beautiful to see what nature can do. Now the place is tragedy due to thoughtless that did not respect the beauty of this place. The diving tourist touched the countless Starfish that lived on this beach.so they could have that what I call "the I was there picture". Once touched and brought to the surface the starfish dies
Written 1 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
annaisa1
Gulf Breeze, FL49 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
what a wonderful beach clear crystal turquoise water only accessible by boat several option to get there you can be part of a group of 10 to 20 and pay less stay there for an hour and half or rent your own private boat and crew including lunch average of 4 hours knowing Cozumel by boat is a must
Written 29 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adventurebooklet
Florida118 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Visited el cielo starfish beach. There are hundreds of large starfish simply lying on the shallow sea bed, really cool to see. The el cielo sandbar is by far one of the most beautiful bodies of water I have ever seen, equivalent to the exumas in the Bahamas. This sandbar is only accessible by boat. Stingrays frequently visit this sandbar as well so you get an experience like stingray city in the caymans. Heaven on earth for sure.
Written 13 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robby_Cristian
Calgary, Canada2,181 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
Wonderful azure site at the South tip of the Cozumel Island. Crystal clear turquoise sea with multitudes of starfish and friendly stingrays. The water is shallow over a sandbar, which constitutes a great habitat for the stingrays. This is a must visit place, while in Cozumel.
Written 17 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eric W
Canby, OR52 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
It was awesome. In a nutshell, it was simply awesome. The water and the aquatic life were really amazing. We went last year and are headed down there again this year, so a trip to El Cielo is going to happen again. The sting rays leisurely swimming around are amazing and won't harm you as long as you don't provoke them. A whole lot of other fish and starfish as well. Bring a good quality underwater camera to remember the experience with!
Last year we used Tiger's and, although it was a good time, too much time was spent at El Cielo wading around drinking tequila. I was really looking for more time snorkeling and this service wasn't it. Can anyone recommend a better service offering better time snorkeling and less time partying at El Cielo?
Last year we used Tiger's and, although it was a good time, too much time was spent at El Cielo wading around drinking tequila. I was really looking for more time snorkeling and this service wasn't it. Can anyone recommend a better service offering better time snorkeling and less time partying at El Cielo?
Written 12 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alineacayaba
Sao Paulo, SP
Olá, gostaria de saber qual a agência de viagens que faz o passeio saindo de Cozumel? Vale a pena com crianças?
Written 11 April 2023
We just want to get a boat ride to el cielo beach to sunbathe and swim for a while. Have already done snorkel tours of columbia, palancar and el cielo sandbar
Do you offer a boat ride only to and from playa el cielo?
Written 24 March 2023
Can you go to el cielo playa without taking a tour or snorkeling? Want to hangout the beach and there and eat food
Written 3 April 2021
El Cielo reef is only accesible by boat. You can book a private boat if you don’t want to Snorkel and just want to be at Cielo. We book through Cozumel tours and Excursions, they have private little boats at reasonable prices and excellent service.
Written 25 May 2021
I’m taking a carnival cruise to Cozumel next May. I want to book this excursion but am hesitant because it isn’t through carnival. How reliable are they about making sure you get back to your ship? And is it worth it?
Written 30 July 2020
Hi! We wanna go Playa del Cielo but everywhere I read, people always write you can only get there by boat. Is there any other way at all that we could get there?
Thanks in advance!
Written 26 January 2020
buenas! se puede ir al cielo por libre sin contratar ningún tour? o es obligatorio contratarlo con alguien?
si es obligatorio, me recomiendan alguna empresa seria que hablen Español y trabajen con grupos pequeños?
Written 20 January 2020
Como contactar o barco "El Magnifico" do Carlos?
Written 12 December 2019
It is my understanding the goverment has closed off this area to give the reefs a break until early 2020.
You would need to take car or bus to Playa Del Carmen, then ferry over to Cozumel. Then taxi to a tour operator that goes there.
Written 10 October 2019
Hola,
He visto que han cerrado el acceso de “el Cielo” qué otras alternativas existen para bucear y snorklear?
Gracias por su ayuda.
Claudina
Written 2 October 2019
Despues del cielo esta. Columbia, Palancar y paraiso. Saludos.
Written 5 December 2019
…
Showing results 1-10 of 97
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing