Cozumel is Mexico’s largest Caribbean island and is located about 40 miles south of Cancun.
The island is tranquil and laid-back, with a traditional Mayan-Mexican feel about it.

Cozumel

There is only one main town on the island, San Miguel de Cozumel, and this is where cruise ships make regular stops. During the day when the cruise ships are docked the town becomes quite busy but then when the ships leave at night the town becomes much quieter.

Less than 5% of the island is developed, with most of the undeveloped land being rugged jungle with quiet, deserted beaches.

The main beaches and beach resorts are about 10 miles outside of the town on the south side of the island.

Cozumel is a diver’s paradise with around 100 dive sites that are recognized as being ‘world-class’, with some deep enough for SCUBA divers, and some shallow enough for snorkeling. If you want to spend your summer holidays diving, this is the place to be.

Cozumel reef dive

The climate in Cozumel is very much like that of Cancun, hot and humid, however because of the island breezes the island feels less humid than other places in Mexico. August through October is hurricane season here and the weather becomes more changeable and less predictable during this time. The rainy season is May through October. November through February is the high season and becomes quite hot, although evenings can be cooler.

KEY ATTRACTIONS

Beaches
There are lots of good beaches and beach clubs on Cozumel, such as Chankanaab National Park, Paradise Beach, Playa San Francisco and Playa Palancar. These beaches are located about 5-10 miles south of the main town.

The east side of the island has a more rugged coastline, with miles of quiet windswept beaches.

Diving and Snorkeling
Cozumel has some of the best waters in the world for scuba diving and snorkeling. For people who have never scuba dived before there are hundreds of dive operations offering well-priced and well-organized courses here.

Boat Cruises
To explore the waters around the island there are plenty of touring boat trips available. Some tours include stops that allow you to dive and snorkel, while others stop at beautiful remote beaches. Glass hulled boats, which cruise around the shallow reefs, are also on offer.

Sports Fishing
Cozumel is one of Mexico’s top destinations for sports fishing, especially deep sea fishing.

Chankanaab National Park
At the centre of this park there is land-locked pool (cenote) which is connected by an underground tunnel to the sea. The name Chankanaab loosely translates to mean “little sea”, named after the natural pool. Here you can snorkel in the sea, sunbathe on the beach, take a dip in the sea, stroll along the pathways surrounding the lagoon or relax at one of the parks restaurants.

Mayan Ruins

San Gervasio ruins

The San Gervasio ruins which date back to 100 BC are where Mayan women made a pilgrimage to the temple as it was thought that Ixchel, the goddess of fertility resided locally and would help them to conceive if they trotted across to visit the island from the mainland. All Mayan women tried to make at least one pilgrimage here from the mainland at some point in their life.

Nightlife
Cozumel offers a good selection of bars and clubs. Carlos’n'Charlies, Señor Frogs and Fat Tuesdays are loud and popular with tourists. The Hard Rock Cafe, Mis Charros, Tiki-Tok and Kelleys all usually have live music.