Cozumel Dive into Mexico’s Caribbean Paradise with Mayan Heritage and Pristine Waters
A piece of Mexico projected into the Caribbean—this is how Cozumel could be summed up—an island that is truly Caribbean with a Mayan heart beating. We are in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, in the far southeast of the country.
The world began to notice Cozumel as a tourist destination only in the 1960s, mainly thanks to a documentary by Jacques Cousteau that described its natural underwater beauty, but also following the great development of Cancun and the Riviera Maya.
The characteristic that has made Cozumel famous among many is the exceptional transparency and visibility of the waters, even at depths of less than 30 meters. Playa del Carmen, a stretch of sea that connects the mainland to the port of San Miguel on Cozumel’s western coast, is about 20 km from the island.
The island is internationally recognized as a paradise for snorkeling and diving. The best reef is located in the southwestern part of Cozumel, right in front of the many beaches that dot its perimeter.
Natural Beauty and Mayan History
The center of the island is partly covered by vegetation and marshy areas, such as those that make up the Parque Nacional Chankanaab and the Reserva Ecológica Parque Punta Sur. We are in the extreme south of Cozumel; here is Punta Celarain, with its historic lighthouse, and the Laguna Colombia, where many endemic species live.
Beginning in 300 AD, the Maya inhabited Cozumel and transformed it into an important ceremonial center and place of trade. Mayan women from all over the Yucatán Peninsula made pilgrimages here to pay homage to the fertility goddess Ixchel, to whom a temple was dedicated.
The arrival of the Spanish conquistadors completely changed local life: the barbarism and diseases brought by the Europeans in the 16th century exterminated almost all of the population, leaving the island practically deserted for almost two centuries. Only in the 19th century did Cozumel begin to be populated again, before the economic and demographic boom of the 20th century due to the chicle (natural chewing gum) trade and the subsequent arrival of tourists.
San Miguel: The Island’s Heart
The only town on the island is San Miguel; it is obviously the logistics center for transportation and services, but it is also a pleasant place to stroll among its colorful houses and the restaurants and bars that fill its streets.
Here you will also find the Museo de la Isla, which tells the story of the island and its local ecosystem, and the Casa de la Cultura Ixchel, where shows and courses are held.
Archaeological Sites and Beaches
The San Gervasio archaeological site, home to the Ixchel Temple and other important Mayan structures like the Temple of Chichán Nah, as well as buildings like El Álamo, El Palacio, Los Murales, El Osario, and Las Pilastras, forms one of the island’s most significant architectural complexes. El Cedral, another archaeological site in the southern part of Cozumel, is also within the Reserva Ecológica Parque Punta Sur.
However, it is the beaches and especially the underwater world that attract tourists from all over the world. Seawater feeds the Chankanaab Lagoon, an internal basin, through natural conduits. The result is a fantastic setting, in which the green jungle surrounds transparent waters without currents, making it ideal for those who want to dive into this natural pool of coral with an incredible variety of fish.
Outside the national park, there are many other beautiful beaches to visit. Among these is Playa Palancar, known for the coral reef off its shore. Ask for boat transport to reach the reef—it’s worth it. Playa Corona, Playa del Sol, and Playa Mia are also excellent for those looking for a bit of fun and lightheartedness.
The eastern beaches are ideal for relaxation and nature lovers because they have an oceanic look and large waves that surfers love. The most popular places are Playa Oriente and Punta Morena, both famous for their restaurants, but also Playa Chen Rio, Playa San Martin, and El Mirador Beach, where you can climb up the rocks to enjoy a beautiful view.
The northern tip of the island of Cozumel, which is difficult to reach via a dirt road, is where Playa Bonita and Playa Hanan meet before reaching Punta Molas. El Castillo Real and Aguada Grande are nearby Mayan ruins.
Diving in Cozumel
The best diving is inside the Parque Nacional Marino Arrecifes de Cozumel, protected since 1996. In general, however, the best-known sites in the coral reef (arrecife in Spanish) are those with names like Arrecife Barracuda, Arrecife San Juan, Arrecife Cantarel (Raya Águila), Villa Blanca, Arrecife Las Palmas, Canonero Felipe Xicoténcatl C-53 (the name says it all: the United States Navy operated here during World War II), Arrecife Tormentos, Arrecife San Clemente, Arrecife Yucab, Arrecife Colombia, and Arrecife Punta Sur, but these are just some of the many in the sea that surrounds the island.
Best Time to Visit Cozumel
In Cozumel, you can dive all year round, but the summer months offer the best conditions and visibility.
The best time for a vacation in Cozumel is between December and May, when the island’s climate is characterized by dry trade winds from the northeast. The winds maintain ideal temperatures, between 27°C and 30°C at their highest. During this part of the year, it rarely rains, and the sky is mostly clear. The hurricane season runs from July to November, while the rainy season runs from May to October. November to April is considered the dry season.
How to Get to Cozumel
The Cozumel International Airport is just 3 km from the center of San Miguel. Direct flights from the United States land here, but not from Europe, which generally stop in Cancun or Mexico City.
Ferries to Cozumel leave every hour from Playa del Carmen, and the crossing takes about 45 minutes, costing approximately $10 (subject to change). From the airport to San Miguel de Cozumel, taxis and shared vans transport tourists in a few minutes. Once on the island, you can rent a car or scooter to enjoy your vacation freely, but be mindful of road conditions and respect local regulations (helmets are mandatory).
