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Isla de Pasion: The Secluded Island Paradise Off the Coast of Cozumel, Mexico
Updated: Mar 1
Also known as Passion Island in Mexico, this incredible island is approximately 1km from the island of Cozumel and can only be reached by boat.
It is said to be a ‘virgin’ space given that for the most part it is completely natural with next to no structures on the island.
The crystal-clear waters and brilliant white sands will instantly capture your heart as you enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this very special place.
Read on for our highlights, the history, how to get there, the best time to visit Passion Island and our experience rating.
Plus some special offers from our partners at Klook, and your exclusive GUIDE to visiting Mexico.
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Our Passion Island Highlights
We first heard about this little-known island when we went for an afternoon snorkel at Corona Beach and Restaurant (amazing place for free snorkelling on Cozumel Island) where we met fellow traveller Viktor from Poland.
He shared with us his adventures from the previous day and said it was a must see while here. We were very keen to check it out during our trip; with a name like Passion Island how could we not!
We were a tad apprehensive and a bit nervous as the island seemed off the beaten path and a little out of our comfort zone, especially being our first month of full-time travel and adventure.
But it seemed like a great idea and we are so glad we did it in the end as it helped us learn to trust our instincts when it comes to recommendations from ‘strangers’ / other travellers!
In absolutely every way Passion Island lived up to its billing and it became one of our top highlights during our 6 months in Mexico. We bought Viktor a drink a couple of nights later to say thank you for the experience.
One of our favourite parts of travelling is the amount of amazing people that we meet from around the world and the brilliant conversations that help to broaden all of our perspectives!
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Passion Island History: Ixchel, Goddess of Love
This island was first visited by the Mayans and was dedicated to the Mayan goddess Ixchel. Ixchel is the goddess of love and it is no surprise that this beautiful island became a pilgrim destination to honour her.
She was associated with fertility, health, water and vegetation; all properties which epitomise this magical stretch of land.
Having already encountered a temple dedicated to her on the magnificent Isla Mujeres (another must see island in Mexico) we were really excited to be here.
Legend has it from the story of Ixchel that every loving soul who dies becomes a star and that love is reflected in its brightness.
After stepping foot on this breath-taking island it felt like everything around us was doing just that; the glistening water, the sparkling sand, the calm sea breeze.
The name Isla de la Pasión really is no coincidence… we were not just enamoured by our surroundings but we felt every inch of our love beaming in the sunlight here.
It really is a romantic place where we totally felt at one with each other and indeed with nature itself!
How to Get to Isla de la Passion
Passion Island is located just off of the coast at the northern point of Cozumel and is only accessible by boat.
We made our way from a small dock called Colibrí, as shown on the map below.
Access to the dock we travelled from is via a dirt track road (which is in pretty bad condition and very secluded) that runs off of the only main road in the area.
You can only really use an ATV or bike on this road as there are some pretty big pot holes! We saw a couple of people walking too but it is a fair walk just to get to this point as you can see on the map.
We used our ATV which was provided by our Airbnb host Eric which we were very thankful for.
There were a few local people standing around the dock and we were quickly identified as tourists and ushered towards the boatman.
His English was good enough to let us know that he would drop us off and return when we were ready so we agreed on a couple of hours. In hindsight we wish we would have stayed longer!
We were a little apprehensive on our agreement as it seemed sketchy at first. We agreed on a price of 80 pesos each but he made us pay both ways upfront which is not the way we are accustomed to doing things.
However true to his word he did return, albeit a little late (which led to a few nail-biting minutes of feeling like Tom Hanks in Castaway) and he was great!
Do You Need to Book?
There are plenty of boats available running from Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Cancun, which you can find online or pretty easily from vendors in the main tourist areas.
You can also do it yourself as we did but as mentioned you will need to arrange drop off and pick up with the locals at the dock. There are no tickets or phone numbers so you will have to be trusting!
⪢ Consider Taking a Tour
One of the most popular ways to visit Isla de la Pasión is by tour.
Depart from Cozumel by catamaran and navigate through the crystal clear waters while admiring the views of Isla de la Pasión.
Enjoy a complete lunch with snacks, fresh fruits, beer, rum punch, margaritas and soft drinks while on board.
When you arrive to Isla de la Pasión, have the choice to go snorkelling or paddle boarding around the island.
Alternatively, stay on the catamaran and enjoy floating hammocks or a floating mat. Interested? Book your tickets here.
What is the Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit is between November and March. You can expect consistent temperatures of up to 35 degrees (95 Fahrenheit) so remember to bring sunscreen, even if it is cloudy.
The rainy / hurricane season runs from August to October. We visited at the end of April and the weather was beautiful.
Can You Eat There?
There is a restaurant on the island but it only serves tour and event guests. If you make your way privately as we did be sure to bring some food and drinks.
Things to Do on Isla de Pasion
There are numerous activities to do here via the tours including twister boat rides, Jeep adventures and Kayaking. These must be booked in advance as there are no vendors on the island.
Watch Our Cozumel Highlights on YouTube
In this video we are in Cozumel, Mexico exploring this major cruise port location off the Caribbean Sea.
All while showing you our all inclusive stay at the Westin Cozumel with a luxurious massage and epic views. You don't want to miss this LUXURY stay!
We also explore a more budget friendly way to spend time on the island of Cozumel and show you the hidden secret of Passion Island!
We also stay locally at an Airbnb with amazing things included. We explore the island on ATV, go to restaurant, see beautiful sunsets and beaches and we also explore the local ruins.
If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like and subscribe! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world!
Our Isla de la Pasion Experience Rating
In our view Isla de la Pasión is a MUST VISIT location if you are in Quintana Roo. It is a real adventure to get there and once you do you will be completely mesmerised by the beauty and tranquillity of the island.
It is an amazing location to really switch off from the world and we felt an electric connection with each other there. It really does have a special energy and is not just a treat for the eyes but a treat for the soul.
Feel free to let us know your thoughts on the Isla de la Pasión in the comments. Plus if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask! We are always happy to help. As always thanks for following along on our journey!
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