Your vacation will certainly be unforgettable on Cozumel. The island has an abundance of attractions available, from the village of San Miguel, featuring a coastal avenue full of restaurants, shops and cafes with excellent service and a friendly, laid back atmosphere, to exploring the unique Island Museum. For diving enthusiasts, Cozumel is home to the second largest reef in the world.
Description
Cozumel, the largest island in the Mexican Caribbean, is approximately 10 miles wide and 30 miles long. Cozumel's only town, San Miguel, stands on the western side of the island, and is home to most of the hotels. Visitors can choose from full-service hotels, all-inclusive resorts, rustic oceanfront villas, to beachside bungalows.
Cozumel, a haven for lovers of nature, romantics and water sports enthusiasts, was considered by ancient Mayans to be the home of Ixchel, the goddess of love and fertility. Your vacation on Cozumel can include a combination of the best Mexico has to offer (friendly people, affordable prices, great dining/shopping, and cultural sightseeing) with the allure of vacationing on a tropical Caribbean island.
Cozumel's Beaches and Beyond
Nestled beneath Cozumel's warm, clear turquoise waters, lies the world's second-largest reef network. Filled with limestone caves, tunnels, and rare black coral, its amazing variety of marine life attracts scuba divers from around the world. The Cozumel Reef National Park, a protected 30,000-acre national area on the southern section of Cozumel, is home to 85 percent of the island's dive sites.
Snorkeling is the second most popular activity on the island. For novices, there is no need to swim far or take a boat trip to take advantage of the reef. Great snorkeling opportunities await just meters from the beach.
Whilst on your vacation you can enjoy swimming, fishing, windsurfing, and parasailing. The west coast of Cozumel boasts long stretches of white-sand beaches lapped by the calm waters of the Caribbean Sea. Popular spots include Playa San Francisco, Chankanaab Lagoon, and Playa San Juan. Cozumel is not just about the beaches, there is also horseback riding, tennis and hiking available.
Downtown Cozumel
San Miguel de Cozumel, the capital of the island, is a peaceful old village, with all the charm of the Mexican Caribbean. The quality of its cuisine, based on excellent seafood, is legendary throughout the region. Its provincial air does not make it any less comfortable or modern. Its days are sunny and full of unforgettable experiences, while its nights are ideal for those who enjoy nightclubs and bars. A wide range of accommodations are available, from deluxe hotels, to small inexpensive hostels.
A duty-free zone, Cozumel is well-stocked with jewelry fabricated in sterling silver and gold with precious and semi-precious stones. Village shops and hotel boutiques carry clothing, perfume, Mexican crafts, and souvenirs. And you may want to take home some authentic Mexican tequila as a memento of your visit.