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Cozumel
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Land of the Swallows...
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To the ancient Mayans, the serene and remote island of Cozumel was a sacred
place, one worthy of long-distance pilgrimage by foot or canoe. Even today Cozumel, the largest island in Mexico,
is a place apart, seemingly a million rather than a mere 50 miles from
action-packed Cancun. With its stunning beaches and exotic,
quiet surroundings, it's an ideal honeymoon destination—a place where you'll
marvel over breathtaking sunsets, enjoy moonlit walks on secluded beaches,
swim in clear blue waters, and murmur little nothings over candlelight
dinners.
Also See: Mexico Index
| Acapulco |
Cancun |
Cozumel |
Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo
| Los Cabos |
Yucatan Peninsula
Cozumel Island measures 30
miles from north to south and 10 miles from east to west. It’s bordered on
both sides by white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. Adding further to
this unique beauty, the beaches are surrounded by dense tropical vegetation.
The mostly undeveloped interior is composed of jungle and swampy
lagoons, home to tiny mammals and birds.
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The island's only town is
San Miguel de Cozumel. It contains a large Zócalo
surrounded by big fig and palm trees, loads of impressive statuary, and a
somewhat odd central fountain.
Restaurants and
shops line the nearby streets. The
town has a relaxed feel as long as cruise ships aren't
docked; if they are, make tracks for quieter parts of the island and return in
the evening to walk along the waterfront seawall and soak in the atmosphere.
Scooters are easily available for rental in town, and are a good way to
explore the island. San Miguel does have a night life, including many
excellent restaurants, bars, and even a disco or two.
A good way to
start your visit is with a trip to the
Museo de la Isla de Cozumel (Island Museum). Housed in a gracious
Colonial-era building on San Miguel's waterfront, it's an entertaining way to
get an historic and geographic overview of Cozumel. A handy, large-scale island model
will help you understand the lay
of the land. You'll also learn about the ancient Mayans and their way of life
(a reconstructed and furnished Mayan house is in the courtyard), as well as
about coral formation and the delicate ecosystem involving offshore reefs.
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Diving is
excellent here, thanks in part to Jacques Cousteau, who extolled the region's
waters. The island's inland lagoon connects to the sea by
narrow canals riddled with underwater caves that are a joy to explore. The sea
itself bursts with 20+ miles of deep reefs, walls, and bright-colored tropical fish
and hundreds of resident marine species—and in waters where visibility extends up to 200 feet,
everything is easy to see. Palancar Reef is the most famous of all Cozumel's
dive spots; a mile offshore, it's 3.5 miles long, with most areas safe for
beginning divers and exciting for those with more experience. Santa Rosa Wall
is covered with sponges and a hangout spot for giant groupers and other large
dwellers of the deep. You can reach Paradise Reef by swimming from shore. Many
more dive spots, each with unique wonders, await. No wonder divers ‘round the
world call Cozumel the "Plunger’s Paradise."
You’ll find plenty of other water sports: snorkeling, sailing, and
kayaking, for example. And there's plenty to do when you're not in the water,
too. Horseback riding in the jungle and along the shore is an outstanding
activity here.
The deep-sea fishing—including billfish, marlin and sailfish—is excellent,
with most catches made within a quarter-mile of shore. And the region's
golfing is notable.
»»More about golfing in Cozumel and
other regions of Mexico
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Chankanaab National Park, which edges a lagoon on the island's
southeastern shore, features the world’s only inland coral reef formation (the
area is connected to the sea by an underground tunnel); unfortunately, the
coral—though beautiful—is dead, victim to problems affecting coral worldwide. You can swim and snorkel in the Park’s lagoon, home to more
than 60 species of tropical fish, corals, and crustaceans. The island’s only
botanical garden holds more than 2000 species of tropical plants such as
orchids, bamboo, and palms. Fun activities include
swimming with dolphins; the Sea Lion Show; and
the Maya Zone, a
modern-day reproduction of an ancient Mayan village.
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Or try the 247-acare
ecological park and nature reserve,
Punta Sur,
on the southern coast. It offers a breathtaking environment of mangrove
jungles, dunes, marshes, white sand beaches, and reef formations. You can
watch freshwater and yellow crocodiles from a safe lookout tower or observe
220 species of birds, iguanas, and—when they come ashore between June and
August to lay eggs—giant turtles. The old lighthouse and navigation museum
display the evolution of seamanship and navigation from the time of Mayan
navigators, through 17th Century buccaneers, and into today.
And for honeymooners seeking
an even more private setting, the quaint beaches of La
Pasión, just north of Cozumel, await. The only sounds you’ll encounter
here are the soothing crash of waves and the calls of exotic birds.
