A Different Kind of Theme Park Just Opened on the Island of Cozumel
Just south of San Miguel, along Cozumel’s busy western shoreline, a new beachfront park has opened with a clear purpose: give visitors a place to spend an entire day on land without leaving the coast. The project is called KUZÁ Beach & Adventure Park, and it represents one of the most ambitious single tourism developments the island has introduced in recent years.
Set directly on the water, KUZÁ is designed as an all-in-one destination that brings together beach access, water attractions, adventure activities and cultural programming in a single, contained space. For an island best known for reef diving and snorkeling, the park adds a new dimension to the visitor experience — especially for travelers looking to balance time on the water with something different on shore, particularly for cruise passengers.
A New Way to Spend the Day in Cozumel
Cozumel visitors have traditionally pieced together their time on land. A beach club in the afternoon, a boat excursion in the morning, a stop in town for dinner. KUZÁ is built to change that rhythm by consolidating multiple experiences into one location.
The park stretches across a large section of coastline and is anchored by a wide, sandy beach with calm, swimmable water. Loungers, shaded areas and cabanas are integrated throughout the beachfront, allowing guests to settle in without committing to a single activity. From the shore, pathways lead inland to water attractions, adventure zones and cultural spaces, all connected without the need for additional transportation.
Beachfront at the Core
Unlike traditional theme parks where the beach is secondary or decorative, KUZÁ places the shoreline at the center of the experience. The water along this stretch of coast is protected and shallow, making it suitable for swimming and extended time in the sea. Full-service areas support longer stays, with food, beverage and seating distributed across the beach rather than concentrated in one zone.
An adults-only beachfront section offers a quieter alternative, separated from the more active family areas. This segmentation allows the park to cater to different travel styles at once — cruise passengers on a short visit, families spending the day together, and adults looking for a calmer setting by the water.
Water Attractions and Lagoon Areas
Moving inland from the beach, KUZÁ’s water attractions form one of the park’s main draws. A large lagoon area includes water slides, a lazy river and splash zones, providing an active option for visitors who want more than a traditional beach day. The layout allows guests to move easily between water features and shaded relaxation areas, keeping the experience flexible rather than prescriptive.
Private cabanas and group areas are positioned around the lagoon, supporting longer stays and multi-generational visits. The emphasis is on capacity and flow, accommodating high volumes without creating the bottlenecks common in smaller attractions.
Adventure Beyond the Shore
One of KUZÁ’s most distinctive elements for Cozumel is its inland adventure component. Zip lines run above the canopy, offering views back toward the sea, while eco-trails and elevated walkways wind through preserved vegetation. These features introduce a land-based adventure element that has historically played a smaller role in Cozumel’s tourism mix.
The adventure zone is designed to complement — not compete with — the island’s signature diving and snorkeling. It provides an alternative for non-divers, families with mixed interests and repeat visitors who have already spent time on the reef.
Cultural Programming and Local Context
KUZÁ also incorporates a Mayan-inspired cultural area designed as a village-style space rather than a standalone attraction. Artisan stalls, performance areas and educational programming are woven into the park’s layout, encouraging visitors to engage with local culture as part of the day rather than as a separate excursion.
This approach positions culture alongside recreation, placing it between beach and adventure zones so it becomes part of the natural flow of the visit. Wellness and nature areas further slow the pace, offering quieter spaces that draw on local ecology and traditional influences.
Sustainability and Community Focus
Environmental considerations play a visible role in the park’s design and operations. Landscaping emphasizes native vegetation, while sustainability initiatives focus on recycling, local sourcing and community engagement. The goal is to balance scale with stewardship, particularly important on an island where natural resources are central to the visitor economy.
Local participation is also built into the project, with opportunities for artisans, performers and suppliers to be part of the experience. This integration helps ground the park in Cozumel’s identity rather than presenting it as a detached attraction.
Why It Matters for Cozumel
Cozumel continues to see strong cruise traffic alongside steady demand from longer-stay travelers drawn by its reefs. KUZÁ is designed to work for both audiences. Cruise passengers gain a single, bookable experience that fills an entire shore day, while resort guests have a new option that adds variety to multi-day stays.
It’s a major new way for the island to expand its tourism offering. Rather than relying solely on natural assets offshore, Cozumel is investing in purpose-built attractions that extend time on land and diversify how visitors spend their days.
That means more choice without sacrificing proximity to the water. For the destination, it means a more resilient mix of experiences that can serve different segments of the market at once.
How to Visit
Cozumel is accessible by frequent flights and ferry service from the mainland, with the majority of visitor activity centered around San Miguel and the western coast. KUZÁ’s location south of town places it within easy reach of cruise terminals and hotels, making it a practical addition to a day’s itinerary.
Caitlin Sullivan began her career with Caribbean Journal as Arts and Culture editor before shifting to travel full time. She writes frequently on the Caribbean cruise industry, flight networks and broader travel news. Her most frequent Caribbean destination? Nassau.