Secrets Aura Cozumel
Secrets Aura Cozumel sits at an interesting crossroads: it's on one of the most spectacular diving destinations on the planet, with its own pier into the waters of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, yet parts of the property show their age in ways that create a frustrating gap between the setting's potential and the actual guest experience. Travelers who come for the water almost universally love it here: Dive House runs paid scuba packages from the resort, the reef is minutes away by boat, and the snorkeling from the pier is free and easy. For everyone else, the experience is more mixed and depends heavily on when you visit and which room you draw, because renovation has rolled through the property in phases for several years, with traveler forums reporting another phase starting in July 2026.
Things to Know
- Phased renovation underway - some areas offline
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Private pier for diving and snorkeling straight into the Caribbean, with an on-site dive operator (Dive House) selling scuba packages, so getting to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef takes minutes rather than a morning
- +Shore snorkeling off the resort gives non-divers immediate access to colorful reef fish and coral without any boat ride required
- +Infinity Ocean View Pool is consistently praised as one of the most visually striking pool settings in Cozumel's all-inclusive lineup, with a separate Relax Pool for quiet afternoons
- +Eight dining venues with walk-in dining and no reservations needed: Market Cafe buffet, Bordeaux (French, newly remodeled), Windows (Mexican), Gohan (sushi and teppanyaki), Oceana (seafood), Barefoot Grill and Coco Cafe, plus La Cava for paid wine-cellar dinners
- +Adults-only (18 and over) format creates a notably calmer atmosphere than Cozumel's family properties, with travelers describing the resort as peaceful and unhurried
- +Guests can also use the Secrets Spa next door at Sunscape Sabor Cozumel, a large spa with a hydrotherapy circuit, thermal rooms and steam room, and have free-flow access to that resort's restaurants and bars
- +Small dogs are welcome, which is rare for an adults-only all-inclusive in Mexico
- +Staff warmth receives consistent praise across review years, and even guests critical of the property's condition frequently single out individual employees for exceptional service
Cons
- −The property shows its age in the blocks not yet renovated, with guests describing outdated rooms, worn furnishings, very small televisions, and a condo-complex aesthetic rather than a resort feel
- −Renovation has run in phases for years: guests through December 2025 described active construction, and traveler forums reported a further phase starting July 2026 with no published finish date, so expect noise and some areas offline
- −Some 2025 guests reported brown water from faucets, water pipe issues, and mold-smelling rooms, suggesting infrastructure maintenance has not kept pace with occupancy
- −Restaurant openings rotate through the week and several venues were reported closed on certain 2025 evenings, and Oceana is reserved for Preferred Club guests, so standard guests see fewer options than the eight-venue headline suggests
- −The spa and the fitness center are next door at Sunscape Sabor rather than on this property, and scuba diving with Dive House costs extra
- −The resort sits about 9 miles from San Miguel, so shops, restaurants, and the ferry pier all mean a taxi; there's no walkable town scene
- −The Preferred Club tier is regularly criticized for not delivering the premium experience the upgrade price implies, with crowded spaces and inconsistently enforced perks
The dining situation tells the story most clearly. On paper there are eight venues: the Market Cafe buffet, Bordeaux for French (remodeled by mid-2025), Windows for Mexican, Gohan for sushi and teppanyaki, Oceana for seafood, Barefoot Grill, Coco Cafe for coffee and late snacks, and La Cava for paid wine-cellar dinners. In practice openings rotate, Oceana is for Preferred Club guests only, and 2025 visitors reported closures on some evenings that narrowed the choice. The pools are a highlight: the Infinity Ocean View Pool, the quieter Relax Pool, the Manatees swim-up bar pool, a private Preferred Club pool with its own swim-up bar, and an outdoor hot tub. The spa and gym are next door at Sunscape Sabor Cozumel, which guests use freely along with that resort's restaurants and bars. Preferred Club rooftop suites with plunge pools receive positive reviews, while unrenovated standard rooms frequently disappoint, and staff quality is a consistent bright spot.
This resort makes the most sense for dive-focused travelers who want a pier and an on-site dive shop as the centerpiece of their trip, couples who want a calm adults-only base on the island, and travelers booking the Preferred Club with realistic expectations. It's a harder recommendation for guests prioritizing modern rooms everywhere, reliable dining across all venues, or a quiet stay during construction. Compared to other Secrets properties, Aura Cozumel is priced relatively modestly, which reflects its age: guests who've stayed at Secrets Cap Cana or Secrets Moxche tend to find Aura a step down in polish but a far better base for serious divers. Chankanaab National Marine Park is about 6 miles away and San Miguel about 9.
Common Questions
Is Secrets Aura Cozumel a good choice if diving and snorkeling are my main priorities?
How outdated are the rooms, and is the Preferred Club upgrade worth it?
What is the resort's location like relative to Cozumel town and ferry access?
Is there construction going on, and how bad is it?
Where are the spa and gym?
What activities are available for non-divers at the resort?
What's nearby
Playa Palancar10 min drive · 3.9 mi
Chankanaab Park8 min drive · 3.5 mi
Punta Sur Eco Beach Park40 min drive · 14 mi
Downtown San Miguel de Cozumel20 min drive · 8.8 mi
Museo de la Isla de Cozumel20 min drive · 9.0 mi
Faro Celarain30 min drive · 12 mi
More things to do (17)
- Playa Bonita · beach25 min drive · 14 mi
- Playa San Juan · beach25 min drive · 13 mi
- Ferry to Playa del Carmen · excursion20 min drive · 9.1 mi
- Playa San Martín · beach35 min drive · 17 mi
- Playa Paradise (Cozumel) · beach10 min walk · 0.5 mi
- Caleta Marina · marina12 min drive · 5.4 mi
- Cozumel Sign · viewpoint12 min drive · 6.2 mi
- Cozumel Planetarium Cha'an Ka'an · museum13 min drive · 6.5 mi
- Playa La Caletita · beach14 min drive · 7.4 mi
- Laguna Colombia · nature20 min drive · 7.9 mi
- Playa Casitas · beach20 min drive · 9.7 mi
- El Mirador (Km 31) · viewpoint25 min drive · 12 mi
- Playa Mezcalitos · beach35 min drive · 17 mi
- Selvas y Humedales de Cozumel Reserve · nature35 min drive · 17 mi
- Mirador Chumul · viewpoint35 min drive · 19 mi
- Punta Morena Beach · beach35 min drive · 19 mi
- San Gervasio Ruins · ruins35 min drive · 18 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Room upgrades
Seaweed & sargassum
Cozumel gets sargassum, typically worst May through August, and mostly on the east coast.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 3.8 · 3,153 reviews
“Reviews are truly subjective. However, each experience is different by individuals and even groups. Travel with the right people and everything will fall in place! Celebrating a BIG 50th bday… redirected from Jamaica to Cozumel (due to unforeseen cir...”
“Secrets Cozumel was my first experience at an all inclusive resort, and overall it really was a treat. The beachfront location is beautiful, with multiple restaurants on site offering seating that overlooks the water, which made meals feel relaxed an...”
“Lovely resort. We had an amazing two weeks here. The room was peaceful and we slept like babies. The fridge was always full of water and beer. 4 pools. But I think what makes this resort is its people the lovely staff that are attentive and friendly...”
