Cozumel
Cozumel
Cozumel, a Caribbean island located 19 km west of the coast of Quintana Roo, is Mexico's largest, covering an area of 647.33 km2, an average annual temperature of 26 ° C, and a warm humid climate with abundant rainfall summer.
This island is covered by jungle vegetation, surrounded by rocky coasts interrupted by ivory-colored beaches, lagoons and mangrove swamps, where depths can be seen with the naked eye an important set of barrier reefs belonging to the Maya Reef, the second of the reef system world, which have been established nature reserves of great ecological value as the Park of Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park and Natural Chankanaab marine biodiversity-rich areas that have attracted the attention of researchers and scientists like Jacques Cousteau and where can practice activities such as scuba diving and ecotourism.
Its only town is San Miguel de Cozumel, which has a relaxing Caribbean touch and has the largest cruise ship pier in Mexico international, with tourists who seek the haven of peace and tranquility offered by the hotel areas of the island, the real monuments those who find comfort in golf courses, spas, restaurants equipped with the best variety of dishes based on fish and seafood, worthy representatives of the local cuisine and the Yucatan peninsula, and, of course, the best variety in nightlife, ready in their cutting-edge bars where you can enjoy drinks and exotic in the company of friends under the moonlight.
ARCHEOLOGY
Cozumel has architectural beauty worthy of visit, most notably his little-known archaeological site, which was part of an ancient Mayan ceremonial center.
Tourist Parador de San Gervasio. It is located 17 km east of San Miguel. It is a Mayan archaeological site of origin made up of various architectural that were built in different eras and engaged in various activities, such as housing, religion and politics. Currently only three of their groups of buildings are open to the public: Manita, Central Plaza and Bats. Open daily from 7:00 to 17:00 hrs.
Parque Punta Sur Ecological Reserve. It is located on the south coast of the island, 30 km from the town of San Miguel. It has pristine beaches ideal for enjoying the wonderful landscapes that identify the Mayan jungle: wetlands, mangroves and dunes. Here you can see the archaeological ruins of El Caracol, an ancient Mayan worship and a building that probably functioned as an observatory from which the ancient inhabitants of the island could predict the arrival of storms or hurricanes.
COZUMEL
ARTS AND CRAFTS
The crafts which are on this island are the same as those found in the entire area of the Mayan world. Native artisans of the state produced a large number of parts as huipiles hand embroidery, wood carvings and woven hats, as well as various ornaments made from shells and imitations of pre-Hispanic figures carved in stone, which can get in the Municipal Market town of San Miguel or in the various shops located along the Malecon.
FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS
Among the most important festivals of Cozumel is the Carnival which is held in February and has become a tradition since the last century, it has great roots in the community and participate virtually all inhabitants, making the streets and squares, Boards of fun. The "Festival of the Cathedral" or "Santa Cruz" is another of the prominent events that took place early May in the town of El Cedral; during this festival takes place an agricultural fair, which converge Many residents of the Yucatan peninsula, and which is also running a series of regional dances such as "The Head of Cochin" and "The Tape." Other major celebrations in Cozumel are the "Feast of San Pedro and San Pablo," which takes place in June and is celebrated with many expressions dance, and "Fiesta de San Miguel," which is performed in honor of the patron saint of the people in the month of September.
MUSEUMS
Cozumel has interesting museums where you can learn the history and cultural development of the island and the southeast region of the country.
Museo de la Isla de Cozumel. It is located at Av. Rafael Melgar and Calle 6 North, on the Malecon. It is an interactive museum that has four rooms in which they are made known historical and ecological aspects on the flora and fauna of the region, the development of Mayan culture and traditions of today. Open daily from 9:00 am to 17:00 pm.
Museum of Musical Instruments. It is located on North Street 2 s / n. Houses a large collection of musical instruments and pre-Hispanic mestizos, as well as some from different parts of the world. Its facilities include a sound library and a bibliographic on the same subject. Open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 hrs.
Museum of Diving. It is located in Chankanaab Nature Park, 9 km from San Miguel. It displays an interesting photo of the underwater beauties of the island, among other objects related to diving as well as a collection of shells of different shapes and sizes. Open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 hrs.
BEACHES
Around the coast of the island you'll find white sand beaches and turquoise sea of great beauty. In the hotel areas north and south, where the warm waters they hold the second largest network of reefs in the world, you'll find them ideal for outstanding practice variety of water activities.
Playa San Francisco. It was located on the south coast, 14 km. the town of San Miguel. Here you can enjoy a classic Caribbean beach of fine white sand and calm surf. It is the point of scale for the glass-bottomed boats that line the coast, from which you will appreciate the large banks of coral.
Playa de San Juan. It is located in the north hotel zone, 5 km. from the center of the island. White sand and calm surf, this beach is ideal for activities on land, you'll make horseback riding, hiking and tennis practice.
Playa Encantada. Located at the southern tip of the island, near Punta Celarain, with its lighthouse that dominates the whole place with an indescribable view of Playa Encantada. A 4 km from here lies the archaeological site of El Caracol, probably a Mayan observatory, from where ancient Mayans could predict the arrival of storms or hurricanes.
Playa Santa Maria. It is located south of Chankanaab Lagoon, 25 Km. the town of San Miguel. It is a large piece of land shaded by palm trees, which will surely enjoy a calm day of relaxation, because the place is far from the bustle.
Playa Bonita. It is located on the premises of Rancho Ixpalbarco, near the Laguna de Colombia, on the east coast of the island. This exclusive private beach access is difficult and its dedicated cache lonely invited to spend a pleasant day in perfect peace and away from the populated area.
Hernan Beach. It is located near the Tourist Parador de San Gervasio. This beach is protected by two tiny islets and The Royal Castle, the largest pre-Hispanic construction of the island.
Isle of Passion. It is located north of San Miguel. It is a small and peaceful island with beautiful beaches where birds abound and the continually arriving turtles and crocodiles to seek refuge in their estuaries. It is affordable for small boats, although you can also get there by land, across from the beach opposite the island.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
The nature of Cozumel jungle you can make all kinds of outdoor activities, from cross on foot or by bicycle and divides its mountains, its archaeological remains to explore and beaches of soft sand, while enjoying a romantic stroll on horseback. You might also consider walking slowly by the people and admired the modernity and luxury resorts and tourist complexes with the look of a traditional village with a Caribbean flavor.
Chankanaab National Park. Here you can live the experience of swimming with dolphins, which some experts consider as a therapy to combat stress.
Parque Punta Sur Ecological Reserve. Here you can climb the lighthouse at Punta Celarain to have an excellent panoramic view of the sea and mangrove forests that make up the gap. It also has transport bus tour of scenic and environmental interpretation by the lagoon in a boat catamaran type.
DIVING
cozumel is cataloged, for decades, as an ideal place to practice diving, thanks to its large marine biodiversity that ranges from countless schools of angel fish and parakeet, up sponges and Manta living in the Great Mayan Reef, considered the second largest in the world, and that spans from Isla Mujeres to Costa Rica. Here you'll find 25 National Marine Park reefs where you can practice in diving, some of them highly recommended for novice divers by the tranquility of its waters.
Palancar. Located at the Reefs National Marine Park of Cozumel, 13 miles south of San Miguel and 2 km from the coast. It is one of the most popular reefs of the island, with depths ranging from 6 m. at 37 m. where you can dive. You can also practice espeleobuceo, which has made spectacular caves and cliffs that are a challenge to the imagination and your resistance.
San Francisco. Located at the Reefs National Marine Park of Cozumel, on the south side of the island, 11 km from downtown and about 2 km from the coast. The first part of this place is a vertical wall with inlays of coral and large yellow tube sponges that hang into the abyss. The depth advisable to admire the best view is from 18 m. at 37 m. The wall continues with a gentle slope almost like grass green and bright, where he sometimes can see big Manta. The third section is like a mountain range that is 21 m crossed with tunnels leading to a platform of sand only 12 m.
Santa Rosa. Located at the Reefs National Marine Park of Cozumel, 9 km from San Miguel and about 2 km from the coast. There are levels of depth ranging from 15 ma to 24 m, where the average decline in diving, because the reef drops below a large abyss. By fall, some cut into the depths of the wall provide shelter against the pulling of the current. Along the wall you will find caves with soft gorgonian fans and large sponges.
Under paradise. Located at the Reefs National Marine Park of Cozumel, 3 km from San Miguel and about 2 km from the coast. The coral reef starts getting out of the lagoon inlet to the north and runs parallel to the coast almost to reach the dock of the Maritime Terminal of the Southeast. It gives you a depth of 20 to 30 m wide and 1.6 km long, with a height that does not exceed 2 m and where it is common to find a whole family of parrot fish. Small caves and tunnels form the structure of the reef, which houses a varied and abundant marine life.
Paradise North. Located at the Reefs National Marine Park of Cozumel, 2 km from San Miguel and about 2 km from the coast. This place gives you a maximum depth of 14 m and is ideal for beginners. Here are elongated reefs and parallel to the coast, with coral, sponges up to 2 meters in diameter and schools of bright blue fish.
Paradise South. Located at the Reefs National Marine Park of Cozumel, just 5 miles from San Miguel and about 2 km from the coast. This consists of two barrier reefs, about 500 m long each, which inhabit a large population of fish and Candiles angel, giant cucumbers or sea cucumbers. It offers a maximum depth of 14 m, ideal for beginners.
Balls of Chankanaab. Located at the Reefs National Marine Park of Cozumel, about 9 km from the center and 2 km from the coast. The reef, more than 14 m deep, is named for the many heads of coral spherical shape that live there. Here you will find big rocks from 4 to 10 m high, with abundant cavities filled with fish-bearing lobsters, moray eels and Manta to a maximum depth of between 18 and 21 m.
Chankanaab National Park. In this place you'll find numerous coral reefs and underwater statue of the Virgin. As part of its services the park offers classes in scuba instructors authorized, and the possibility of practicing snorkeling, allowing you to explore, in depth, their gardens submarines. Open daily from 7:00 to 17:00 hrs.
Parque Punta Sur Ecological Reserve. In its coral reefs may find the storm, very simple and frequented by brown, and which has a depth of 10 m to 18 m. Here you will find the famous Devil Gorge, a cave located 15 m deep, which also leads to an incredible gap of 40 m. Open from 9:00 am to 17:00 pm.

Cozumel Classifieds
Hotels hostels and more accomodation in Cozumel.
The Beach House Cozumel is mixed in a warm, traditional Mexican style with European quality and a few personal touches.
You can also enjoy our private swimming pool and the beautiful garden.
Hotel Palma Dorada Inn
Adolfo Rosado Salas #44 X Rafael E Melgar
& 5th Av
Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico 77600
Experience the beautiful island of Cozumel, with a very special Hotel of unsurpassed quality, service and value. Excellent lodging, private & secluded, but not expensive, casual and comfortable. WITH A MINIMUM STAY OF 2 NIGHTS, RECEIVE 1 DAY SCOOTER
A new concept of lodging, the ideal place to relax and feel like at home. Villas “El Encanto” is a family business, personally attended by the owners. Inspired by the Mexican minimalist Architecture, surrounded by tropical gardens and jungle.
ECOTOURISM AT COZUMEL
Cozumel will find sites where you can practice ecotourism, as nature reserves with endemic flora and fauna, natural aquarium surrounded by vegetation representative of the place and coral reefs along the coast.
Chankanaab National Park. It is located in Chankanaab Lagoon, on the southwest coast of the island, 9 km. the town of San Miguel. It is a natural protected area formed by a body of water connected by an underground tunnel to the sea. Here you can visit his special Botanical Garden, with different species of tropical plants like orchids, bamboo and 60 different types of palms. In addition, you can enjoy a show with sea lions and exotic birds, which will allow you to enjoy a day photographic safari will never forget.
Parque Punta Sur Ecological Reserve. It is located on the south coast of the island, 30 km. the town of San Miguel. It has pristine beaches ideal for enjoying the wonderful landscapes that identify the Mayan jungle: wetlands, mangroves and dunes. This site is a mosaic of environments and ecosystems that are home to a large diversity of flora and fauna. It is home to some 50 species of waterfowl residents, stationary and migratory, the vast majority coming from colder climates and year after year, from November to March, remain in their warm waters. It is also the habitat of sea turtles and crocodiles from river or yellow, which may frequently seen in the Caracol. Here you can take workshops for people who are interested in knowledge of nature.
NIGHT LIFE
Despite being an island, Cozumel has the infrastructure necessary for you to enjoy an excellent nightlife. The fun lasted until the early hours of dawn, as there are bars and discos wonderful atmosphere as Neptune, considered the most avant-garde center of nightlife on the island, which will offer a night filled with music and entertainment; Carlos & Charlie ' s, which offers an extensive menu of exotic drinks, snacks, pop music and much of the art environment.
You can also visit Guido's, Las Palmeras, or Fat Tuesday which is a concept disco-bar for young people 18 to 25 years where I could enjoy excellent drinks Frappé. Within this same concept, we suggest you visit the bars of tradition on the island, such as Viva Mexico, or 1.5 Lounge, where you can enjoy typical Mexican drinks while looking at the landscape of the Caribbean blue, illuminated by moonlight .