The island of Cozumel, in the Mexican Caribbean, is a marine paradise of crystalline waters and coral reefs where the Mayan civilization left its legacy. A natural oasis of 9heavenly beaches and other green treasures (jungle, mangroves, lagoons and natural parks) that you will enjoy with these 4 fantastic plans.
Dive into corals
Cozumel is one of the favorite destinations for lovers of diving and submerging for its marine biodiversity and the quality of its waters, transparent and calm. The island has the second most important coral reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia: the Mesoamerican Reef.
Meet the Yucab, one of the largest reefs in The Americas. Swim with the turtles on the Santa Rosa Reef. Let yourself be surprised by Palancar, Maracaibo and Barracudas, only suitable for experienced divers due to their strong currents and more complicated accesses.
If you prefer free diving, don’t miss the Chankanaab Lagoon. There, among sunken ships, you will find the Christ of Cozumel, a wooden sculpture submerged in the sea that attracts large shoals of fish.
Explore the ruins of Cozumel
Popular tradition says that in Cozumel lived the Ixchel, the goddess of love and fertility. The Mayas built temples in her honor and as a token of gratitude, she sent a swallow, her favorite bird. It is this animal that gives its name to the island of Cozumel, from the Mayan “Cuzamil”, which means “land of swallows.”
Among the places you must visit in Cozumel are the Mayan ruins of San Gervasio of those sanctuaries. In addition to sacred space, was a strategic point for trade in the region. These ruins are formed by several architectural ensembles joined by white paths called sacbés.
Also visit the ones of El Cedral, the first settlement on the island where in May is celebrated the “Feast of the Holy Cross. The most interesting of these archaeological remains is the combination between the Toltec ruins and a modern church.
Visit the fishing village of San Miguel
San Miguel de Cozumel is the largest and main city on the island. Founded in the mid-nineteenth century, keeps all the charm of the Mexican Caribbean. In this seafaring city you will be able to enjoy its typical dishes and its excellent seafood and, at sunset, its vibrant nightlife.
In addition to shops and restaurants, it’s possible to find also the best luxury hotels in Cozumel where you can stay and enjoy beauty treatments and the most exclusive services.
From the port of San Miguel some ferries connect the island with Playa del Carmen, in the south of Cancun. A perfect means of transportation for those who want to make an excursion and explore the Yucatan Peninsula during their stay in Cozumel.
Enjoy Punta Sur Ecological Park
With more than a thousand hectares of coastal wetlands and mangrove forests, Punta del Sur Ecological Park is the perfect place for lovers of flora and fauna. In this natural reserve, in addition to birds and marine animals, you will be able to see crocodilians in their habitat in a safe way thank to an observation tower.
There are also fine white sandy beaches, intense turquoise blue waters and a lighthouse. Get to know the Mayan ruins of the “Tomb of the Snail”, which functioned as a warning of high winds, and visit “The Celarain Lighthouse”.
In the old lighthouse keeper’s house is the Museum of Navigation, which tells the history of navigation from the Mayas to the present day. Inside, there are pieces from pre-Hispanic times to the 20th century that allow us to imagine what the sailors who sailed the waters of the Mexican Caribbean were like.
The building itself is also of interest. Built during Porfirio Díaz’s mandate, it is an intelligent and ecological house that had a rainwater collection system. The orientation of its roofs and windows also served to maintain a stable temperature inside.
For many tourists the all inclusive resorts found in Mexico’s best-known areas like Playa del Carmen, Cozumel or Cancun are yet another tourist attraction.
