Bird’s Eye: Why Flying over Cozumel Should Definitely Be on your Bucket List
Written by Alex Ruelase
Cozumel is an absolute beauty. From jaw-dropping beaches and coral reefs to exhilarating tropical forests, the island can cause sensory overloads. There is just so much to see. However, gorgeous as it is, you will not get the best views from the ground. To see Cozumel in all its sheer scale and radiance, one must take off and soar several thousand feet in the air.
Fly Cozumel gives travelers that possibility. Founded by pilot and entrepreneur Leo Waltman in 2015, the company provides a new and exciting way of experiencing the island. It also aims to change the way people travel to and from Cozumel. With a fleet of Cessna planes, the company offers travelers a fresh perspective of one of the most beautiful places in the Riviera Maya and makes getting there an utter delight.
Flying to and from Cozumel
How long does it take to get to Cozumel? Well, it depends. After arriving at Cancún International Airport, one must go 60 kilometers overland to Playa del Carmen to catch a ferry, which takes about an hour to get to the island. All in, considering hectic transfers, the journey can take up to three hours. That is, of course, unless you fly there.
Private flights operated by Fly Cozumel take off from Cancún International Airport and land in Cozumel International Airport in just over 15 minutes. And the trip is spectacular. Gliding over the vast green expanses of the Riviera Maya, over the Caribbean, and onto the island is a sight that is hard to forget.
It is also possible to fly from Playa del Carmen. If you are not too fond of long boat rides, hop on a Cessna. The trip takes only 10 minutes and is much more scenic than what you will get rocking on the waves. And of course, traveling the opposite way, from Cozumel to the mainland, is also possible.
Private tours: The Riviera Maya from above
Now, it is time to see Cozumel –for real. Fly Cozumel’s private tours are customizable experiences that aim to give visitors a privileged point of view. And they are not only limited to their home turf. The company provides an opportunity to make the Riviera Maya your own and see its most stunning locations from a perspective reserved for an adventurous few. These are their most iconic routes.
Cozumel by air
Suitable for travelers of all ages, this trip was designed to give visitors another perspective of an already dazzling place. From the air, Cozumel is grand, with its coral reefs, lagoons, and forests meshed together in an awe-inspiring composition.
The flight takes about 45 minutes and puts you directly above the most impressive sites, such as the mesmerizing Passion Island. You will also see Cozumel’s wild side, where dense forests and expansive wetlands go for miles. This tour is guaranteed to deepen your appreciation for the destination. And even if you are a long-time resident, you have a chance to see your home as you have never seen it before.
Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Contoy
This tour takes off from Cozumel to show you three amazing islands. After flying over Cozumel’s beautiful lagoons, the aircraft goes north towards Isla Mujeres. Here, the colors of the ocean are incredible. Shallow tropical waters crash into the slender strip of land we call Isla Mujeres and then continue towards Isla Contoy. This tiny isle is virtually uninhabited. Its only temporary residents are scientists and staff of the Isla Contoy National Park, famous for its research on whale sharks.
The trip lasts a little over one hour and offers, without a doubt, the best views you can get of all three islands. Once you book it, you can request to leave any time during the day. However, we recommend doing it just before dusk to catch that fabulous soft light and watch the sunset as you head back towards Cozumel.
Sian Ka’an by airplane
This UNESCO World Heritage site is hailed as an ecological gem. From the air, it is easy to see why. The contrast of its various ecosystems –lagoons, mangrove forests, freshwater canals, jungles, and coral reefs– makes it hugely biodiverse and a feast for the eyes.
Taking off from Cozumel, the tour lasts about 90 minutes and shows visitors to the most iconic spots of the Biosphere Reserve, such as Vigía Chico, Punta Allen, and Boca Paila. The landscape is mesmerizing. Sian Ka’an’s enormous territory extends several kilometers in every direction, a majestic display of textures and colors that are hard to believe. Flying over it will make you feel like you are in a nature documentary, especially with that evening light. By the way, if you are a photographer, you can ask your pilot to circle over a specific area to get the perfect shot.
Aerial Photography
Photographers, if you are looking for a flight partner that does whatever it takes for you to get the shot, this one is for you. Fly Cozumel offers a special service for photography professionals where the only goal is to get the perfect image. You can design your itinerary from scratch and discuss the pre-flight plan with your pilot and spotter to make the most of your time in the air.
This service is not limited to Cozumel either. You can go virtually anywhere in Quintana Roo, from Chetumal and Banco Chinchorro in the deep south to Holbox on the north end. Further, as the company continually caters to professional photographers, they are able to get permits to fly low in certain areas for you to capture the best frame possible. And if you need to remove a window or door of the aircraft to work, the Cessna 206 will be adapted to your every need.
Chichen Itza by plane
Chichen Itza is far from the Riviera Maya. But then again, on a Cessna, not really. Fly there, and you will arrive in 35 minutes. So hop on a plane, buckle up, and you will land before you know it. Once at the archeological site, a certified bilingual tour guide will show you around the Maya city, explaining everything about this Wonder of the World. After your excursion, you will be flown safely back to Cozumel International Airport.
So no matter what you want to see, flying is a game-changer. Places that are marvelous from the ground take a different dimension when seen from high up. So, wherever you choose to go, you are sure to never forget that time you flew over the Riviera Maya, and you will have fantastic pictures to prove it.
