Cozumel Teardrop-shaped Cozumel has seen some hard times - Spanish invasion, death by smallpox and a flailing economy - but these days it is a calm, charming island with a prime diving reputation. Known as Ah-Cuzamil-Peten (Island of Swallows) by its earliest inhabitants, it is Mexico's largest and most populated island. Thanks to a Jacques Cousteau documentary on its world-class reefs it has been a favorite international diving destination since 1961. It is literally swimming with diving sites - about 100 have been identified around Cozumel, and at least a dozen of them are shallow enough for snorkeling. Area: 301 sq km Orientation Isla Cozumel, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, measures 53km (33mi) by 14km (9mi) and sits 71km (44mi) south of Cancun. It's 19km (12mi) off of the Yucatán Peninsula's east coast. The island's only town, San Miguel de Cozumel, is easily traversed by foot. Its waterfront boulevard is Avenida Rafael Melgar; along Melgar south of the main ferry dock (the 'Muelle Fiscal') is a narrow sand beach. The main plaza, Plaza del Sol, is just opposite the dock. Ancient Mayan ruins worth visiting lie in the north and south parts of the island. The nicest beaches, Playas San Francisco and Palancar, start 14km (9mi) south of San Miguel, while the world-famous coral reefs are off the island's southern shores. Much of the east and northeast region of the island is 4WD territory - and provides great opportunity for peaceful escape. The airport is a mere 2km (1mi) north of town; there is a minibus that will take you into town. Unfortunately, no minibus service runs the other way, so from town you'll have to take a taxi to return to the airport.
Facts for the Traveler Time Zone: GMT/UTC -6 (Central Standard Time)
The busy winter tourism season, when prices reach their peak, overtakes the island from Mid-December to April it a great time among all months of the year, because it's winter in North America and Europe (and you can make friends back home jealous with your souvenir tan). Summer tourists start pouring in during July and August, which are hot, with temps in the high-80°F to low-90°F (30-33°C), and not overwhelmingly rainy. September and October are less rainy and a lot less crowded. The ideal time to arrive, however, is probably November through to early December, when it is even drier and quieter. Events Like much of the world, Cozumel celebrates Carnival come late February or early March. Costumed revelers, fantastic floats on parade, and music and dancing galore make up the festivities. Things also get busy in the land of the Maya during Semana Santa (Holy Week); it culminates with Easter Sunday, an official holiday. Cinco de Mayo (5 May) commemorates the 1862 end of Mexico's occupation by French forces and is also an official holiday. The country comes alive with patriotism again on 16 September for Día de la Independencia, which sees Cozumel hopping with parties, food and fireworks. On 2 November, Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a time to pay tribute to the departed - every cemetery comes alive with festive visitors. Around 12 December is the Día de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, or Day of Our Lady of Gauadalupe, which honors Mexico's national patron. It is celebrated in Cozumel with a race around the island followed by a party into the wee hours.
Attractions Arrecife Palancar The reefs are where it's at for prime scuba diving off this island. One of the best is the kilometers-long Arrecife Palancar (Palancar Reef), where stunning coral formations and a 'horseshoe' of coral heads offer some of the world's finest down-under - all at an amazing 70m (230ft) visibility. Underwater photographers should come ready to shoot like mad. The water around the reef is about 24m (80ft) deep, providing pros opportunities for fantastic deep-water diving. The north end of the reef, called Palancar Gardens, is shallower but just as gorgeous. There are caverns and plenty of brightly colored sea creatures. The Palancar Reef areas are popular, so their much-lauded coral is always vulnerable to attack. Be careful to leave the area no less pristine than it was before your arrival. To get to this reef, which is over a kilometer (not quite a mile) off shore, you can sign up for a day cruise or charter a boat from a tour agency. El Cedral This Mayan ruin, which functioned as a jail in the 19th century, is the oldest on the island, dating way, way back to AD800. It's not a very obviously alluring attraction, but is the most accessible of Cozumel's ruins; it's 3.5km (2mi) down a paved road that heads off to the left a kilometer or two south of Playa San Francisco's access road. The ancient structure is only the size of a small house, so keep your eyes peeled for it. El Cedral is thought to have been an important ceremonial site, and today there is a small stucco church sitting next to the ruin.
Chankanaab National Marine Park  This park provides world class snorkeling and scuba diving in the ocean, swimming in a pool or in the sea with dolphins, great food, exotic drinks and so much more. It is located at 9 km south on Cozumel Island. This is Cozumel’s largest monument to nature designated as a national park in 1980 to shelter, refuge and protect flora and marine fauna. The lagoon at Chankanaab Park has ancient history in that it was at one time occupied by Mayan settlements and was possibly a pirate refuge. The word Chankanaab comes from the Mayan words, Han (small) Kanaab (sea or ocean).
Visitor services include: parking, customer service desk, sand wheelchairs, handicap accessible restrooms, showers, lockers, volleyball beach court, hammocks and lounge chairs for relaxation, children’s playground and covered beach areas to enjoy the sand and pristine ocean, free snorkel guided tour every hour trough our concessionaries, free tour guide trough our prehispanic zone every hour, Dolphin observatory. Additional services with a fee: Snorkel Gear and dive rental, Towel rental, Snuba, Seatreak, Restaurants and Bars, swim with dolphins and more... Price per person $ 19.00 usd adults, Children (3 to 11 years old) $ 10.00 usd. Park Operation hours 8:00 am trough 4:00 p.m. Monday trough Sunday Playa San Francisco A 14km (9mi) jaunt from San Miguel on Cozumel's west coast, Playa San Francisco is one nice sandy spread. And with white sands running for more than 3km (2mi) it's a popular spot, where locals and daytrippers from the cruise ships go to snorkel, relax and play beach games like volleyball. It's a great spot to picnic, or alternatively, pricey food is available at one of several restaurants within reach. If dive shops get your heart pumping, you'll find plenty to keep you occupied here. A little more isolated in nature, Playa Palancar, a few kilometers south, has calm jet-ski-less waters to its credit. It is a beautiful place for a swim. San Miguel de Cozumel Isla Cozumel's only town is San Miguel de Cozumel, and it is where you'll find many restaurants, bars, hotels, tour agencies, banks and other amenities. It is well-equipped to deal with the global influx - you can chow down on food ranging from vegetarian to Mediterranean to local mesquite-grilled chicken. The waterfront Avenida Rafael Melgar is generally bustling with cruise-ship tourists; wander off the track a little for a dose of the vibrant local scene. But before leaving Avenida Rafael Melgar, check out the fine Museo de la Isla de Cozumel, which presents a clear and detailed picture of the island's flora, fauna, geography, geology and ancient Mayan history. Well-scripted signs in both English and Spanish accompany the exhibits. Get your lesson on Coral 101 here before heading out to the reefs. Plaza Del Sol, the town's main square, is a popular spot for strolling, hanging out and people-watching, especially on Sunday evenings when all of the locals seem to be out, soaking up the atmosphere. Cozumel Island Museum Conceived as an instrument of ecological information and education, the Museum informs people, young and old, on the preservation of equilibrium and its fragile ecosystems. It offers a geographic view of the history of Cozumel in four exhibit rooms: Room 1 has an original scale model of the island, which allows the identification of the most relevant sites by the push of a button and a display of the important aspects of flora and fauna of the island. Room 2 presents a display of the underwater environment where it shows the development of the fragile ecosystems, including the popular coral formations that have developed around the reefs.
Room 4, “La Casita Maya” (The Small Mayan House), is a representation of the way of the ancient customs with Mayan guides offering a brief explanation of their customs. Services include: Bilingual guides, bookstore, library, restaurant with an ocean view (open 9am-5pm) internet, restrooms and permanent and temporary exhibits of local and international artists. The Museum is open from 9am-5pm, 365 days a year on the Costal main road Rafael E. Melgar Avenue. General Admission $ 3.00 usd , kids under 11 years old Free.
Off the Beaten Track El Castillo Real About 17km (11mi) from the Carretera Transversal, down the same intimidating road that leads to Punta Molas, are the large Mayan ruins known as El Castillo Real. The archaeological site, as well as the hike-in ruins a few kilometers away called Aguada Grande, are both quite far gone, their significance having blown off into the breeze some time ago. Still, half the fun is in getting there, right? Other ruins of interest include the temple at San Gervasio, which was erected by the Mayans as a tribute to Ixchel, the moon goddess of fertility. Female pilgrims came here from all over the region to pay tribute. San Gervasio sits between San Miguel and the east coast, northeast of the Carretera Transversal. Faro Celarain Ecological Reserve Located 27 km on the south Costal Road, this destination is an ecological reserve which contains a variety of natural wonders. Approximately 1,113 hectares provide conservation and preservation of its 5 ecosystems. Originally Faro Celarain was the lighthouse keeper’s home. Currently, it is a museum dedicated to navigation with five exhibit rooms depicting Maya navigators, buccaneers, marine navigational signs and a display on how lighthouse keepers lived in the 1930’s. The highlights of this park include: beautiful beaches that serve as a sanctuary for sea turtles, as well as for relaxing in lounge chairs or hammocks, Colombia Sur lagoon for the observation of birds and mangroves, internal transportation to access Cozumel history, crocodile observation towers. Services include: Access into the lighthouse where you can climb up to the top and enjoy scenic views of the area, transportation along the ecological reserve, 40 minute catamaran ride within our flora and fauna system (subject to weather conditions), bilingual guides and restrooms. Additional fees for: Snack bar and Restaurant, craftworks, Snorkel equipment rental and Kayak tours Price $ 10.00 usd adults, Children (3 to 11 years old) $ 5.00 usd, and Operation hours from 9:00 am trough 4 pm. Monday to Sunday. San Gervasio Archaeological Mayan Site You can witness the Mayan culture and its mysteries at the most important Mayan site on Cozumel Island. San Gervasio, originally a sacred Mayan sanctuary to Ixchel Goddess of Fertility and Love, was an obligatory site for Mayan women to visit once in their lifetime. During the post-classic period (1200-1500) it became the biggest and most important site on the Island for commerce and politics in the area. The original name is believed to have been “Tan Tun” (Over Rock) found in a specific note in the Chilam Balm of Chumayel. It takes its present name from the agricultural and cattle ranch “San Gervasio” founded by Mr. Gervasio Novelo on September 14th 1858. At the central square, you will find the most important temples, nine buildings that form an enclosed patio with roads communicating with other squares. The area covers approximately 1.2 square miles and includes: Manitas structure and annexed temple “Chichan Nah”, Central Plaza, Murcielagos structure, El Ramonal (no public access). Services include: bilingual guides, snack bar, bookstore, handicraft stores, parking and restrooms. Located on the transversal highway at km 7.5. General Admission $ 3.00 usd kids under 8 years old Free. INHA not included ( $ 41.00 pesos). Operation Hours 8:00 am trough 4:00 pm Monday trough Sunday
Punta Molas Head northeast, fellow traveler, and you'll find yourself at the deserted lighthouse of Punta Molas. But head out in a 4WD, as this point isn't the easiest to reach. If you decide to tackle this trip, fill up that gas tank and be aware of the risk. Once in the vicinity, you'll find some fairly good beaches and some minor ruins. The best camping spot along the road is at the lovely Playa Bonita. The East Coast For beautiful seascapes, head over to the eastern shoreline - it's as wild west as it gets on this here island. Punta Chiqueros, Playa Chen Río and Punta Morena are peaceful alternatives to the island's more crowded west-coast niches. Unfortunately, at many of the east-coast beaches the riptides and undertows can make swimming a precarious venture. Activities The 100 or so high-quality diving sites include Palancar Reef, Santa Rosa and Punta Sur. The most idyllic places to don your snorkeling apparatus are reached by boat. Half-day tours cost a pretty penny but are worth it, though you can save the fare by walking into the gentle surf at Playa La Ceiba, Bahía Chankanaab, Playa San Francisco and elsewhere. To get a little higher, you might want to give parasailing a go. Getting There & Away There's always something happening at Cozumel's international airport, which sees many direct flights from other parts of Mexico and the USA. Flights from Europe and other continents are usually less direct, routed through Mexico City or the USA. You may flight from Cancun to Cozumel and viceversa trough Mayan Air. Check schedules at https://www.mayair.com.mx/ Another option is to arrive via the sea. Passenger ferries run from Playa del Carmen, and car ferries run from Puerto Morelos.
Getting Around Aside from the minibus from the airport into town, there is no bus service on the island. Taxis are available, however. For a look-see at the sights, you could probably haggle with a taxi driver to give you a tour of the island, drop you at a beach, and come back and pick you up, and still pay out less than you might for a rental car. But for more freedom, a rental car is definitely the go; there are agencies aplenty around the main plaza. Bicycles are the most inexpensive way to get about. Restaurants to visit in Cozumel Downtown, Mexican cuisine
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