The island of Cozumel is one of the top touristic destinations world wide known of the Mexican Caribbean and the Riviera Maya for its natural beauty, white sand virgin beaches, crystalline turquoise waters and coral reefs.
Cozumel, from the mayan "Cuzamil" (Island of the Swallows), is the most famous island in Mexico for having one of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world.
It is the second biggest barrier reef in the world, known as the Great Mesoamerican Reef, that extends from the Island of Contoy in the Yucatan’s peninsula to the golf of Honduras.
Cozumel is an island of unlimited passion with colorful sunsets, crystalline blue water, desert virgin beaches to enjoy an incredible vacation all year round thanks to it’s tropical warm weather.
WHAT TO DO IN COZUMEL
The island has plenty of hotels for all budgets, condos, beach clubs, golf, spas, bars, restaurants, diving shops, souvenirs, jewelry, perfume shops, handicrafts, parks, movie theater, museums and Mayan ruins.
Scuba diving and snorkeling
Cozumel’s main attraction is the scuba diving and snorkel, for its extremely transparent waters with a visibility up to 196 feet, caves and tunnels that shape the reefs.
In the amazing coral reefs of Cozumel, it’s common for beginners and advanced divers to find all kinds of parrotfish, sea horses, morays, multicolored fish and abundant marine life.
There are underground rivers and ponds known an "Cenotes" with incredible caverns and tunnels to explore. Many cenotes are considered the best diving and snorkeling spots.
Water activities and tours
Among the many aquatic activities available it is worth mentioning the swimming with dolphins, sea trek, snuba, surf, windsurf, kayak, kite board, optimist, sport fishing, passenger submarine, and sunken ships snorkeling.
There are many tours available such as horseback riding, ATV, jeep, climbing wall, canopy, harley davidson, and tequila tours.
Mayan ruins of San Gervasio
The most famous mayan ruins and in San Gervasio, the biggest archaeological site of the island of Cozumel. San Gervasio was the sanctuary of the Mayan goddess of the fertility "Ixchel" and the center of pilgrimages of the Mayas that came to worship her.
There is another mayan ruin in "El Cedral", the first settlement of the island, where the "feast day of Santa Cruz" is held every May. It’s a very small ruin next to a church with a fair and traditional dances.
San Miguel town and cruise port
Cozumel island is a very safe destination. San Miguel’s town, located by the sea, is in the heart of the island with all the typical tranquility and security of Cozumel. The seaside offers first class attractions and a port for cruises of international shipping companies.
How to get to there
To get to the island, there are nautical and aerial means of transportation. There are two kind of ships to cross to the island, the passengers one that leaves from Playa del Carmen every hour till night hours, and a vehicle-carrying ferry service between mainland Caleta and the island. The ships are spacious, equipped with air conditioning, bar, with free coffee aboard. Cozumel’s international airport has national and international flights.
