Last Updated on December 18, 2020 by Natalie
On my most recent visit to Cozumel, Mexico, I explored the East side of the island for the first time. My oh my, I’ve discovered a true gem! Obviously, I didn’t discover it. However, I do want more people to visit it while they are on Cozumel Island. Here’s why you should check out Playa Chen Rio Cozumel!
Chen Río Cozumel
Playa Chen Río or Chen Rio Beach (río is the correct spelling) is a lovely gem of a beach in Cozumel. Located on the Southeast side of the island, it’s not very well known among tourists. I assure you that locals are aware of its awesomeness. First, there’s a wide area of sand, with a protected area that’s better for children to swim and play.
Check out more things to do in Cozumel!
Disclaimer
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Posts on this site might contain affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission.
Visiting Chen Rio Cozumel beach with kids
A protected cove that’s part of Chen Rio Beach.
How to get to Playa Chen Rio
We found that the easiest way to take our family of four to the opposite side of the island was by taking a taxi. I took down the phone number the driver who picked us up at the airport, who quoted us $75 USD (or $1500 pesos) for four hours of time. He would pick us up and drop us off at the hotel. In those four hours, he’d take us anywhere we wanted to go. We chose to visit Punta Sur Eco Park and Playa Chen Río.
If you also want to visit the San Gervasio Mayan Ruins, it’s a good time to add this to the trip. However, if you want to do all three items, you’ll need at least 6 hours.
Another option is to arrange for a taxi at your hotel. You’ll need to tell your concierge how much time you’d like and during which hours. It’s better to plan a day in advance or so, but you are very likely to be able to find an accommodating driver even at the last minute. Prices will vary with the seasons.
What to Bring to the Beach
We wore our swimsuits under our clothing. Additionally, we also brought the following items:
- Swim shirts
- Towels
- Flip flips/water shoes
- Water
- Camera
- Reef safe sunscreen
We packed a backpack, which was also handy to store our purchases.
Restaurant Chen Río
Since the beach was our second stop, we were hungry! We entered the restaurant from the parking area and were seated on the beach. This was as amazing as it sounds. Additionally, the food and drinks here were amazing! Be prepared for high prices and paying in cash only (though we visited in the aftermath of worldwide lock downs and most places were struggling financially).
Along the west coast, there are several bar and restaurants at which you can stop and enjoy the view and a meal. I know the food quality at Restaurant Chen Rio was great. I also recommend their mojitos, which kicked off my new love affair with the drink!
Of course, if you’re only in Mexico for a visit, try a margarita or some top shelf tequila instead, if you’re inclined to have a midday beverage.
The beach, the ocean, and the little river
To my right is the section of the sea that’s considered the “little river.” It happened to be windy on our day for exploration.
Chen Río is a combination of Spanish and Mayan language. Chen means “little” in Mayan and río means “river” in Spanish. The beach was given this name because of the protected area that is flat, similar to a river. The sea on the East and Southeastern side of the island is typically much choppier than the flat, calm seas on the West side.
We happened to visit on a windy day. Even with the seas rough, I was happy to let my children play in the surf of Chen Río. We were rewarded for our effort to make it to the other side of the island by getting to watch the rough surf and turquoise seas. The beauty of this side of the island is unbelievable.
Cozumel’s East side beaches deserve love, too
I recommend getting off the beaten tourist path a little bit and checking out some of the nature that Cozumel has to offer. Even just taking a road trip around the far side of the island and stopping to take advantage of the scenic photo stops will be awesome additions to your social media feeds, if you’re into that. I also loved watching the waves crash into the rocks, while still being in a protected little cove that had much calmer surf.
Do you have feedback about Playa Chen Rio Cozumel? My readers offer the best responses! Please leave a comment with your thoughts. Thank you!
