Cozumel Hotels, Attractions, and Information

The Land of the Swallows

Written by Julie Greiner

Combine the color of the Maya Culture, the beaches of the Caribbean, the resorts of the Riviera and bundle them all up on an island with cool breezes, surrounded by coral reefs that wash clear turquoise water up on white white sand... and the heavens give you Cozumel.

History and Climate Report on the Island of Cozumel

Mexico's largest island is located 12 miles off the coast of the Ucatan Peninsula. Cozumel measures 28 miles long by 10 miles wide, is sub-tropical and the natives are of Mayan descent. The Mayans pre-dated the Spanish explorers of the 15th century. They were highly skilled fishermen, farmers and warriors. San Gervacio, which is now a park, was once a sacred site where Mayan women worshiped the goddess of fertility, Lxchel. Up until 1961, Cozumel was an obscure fishing community - when a Frenchman named Jacques Couseau Ancient Church on The Island of Cozumel

discovered Cozumel's underwater wonderland for scuba diving and snorkeling. Cozumel had to become an underwater marine park to protect the delicate balance of its coral reefs and variety of tropical fish. The amazingly clear waters that surround Cozumel have a visibility of some 100 to 200 feet. Combine that with coral reefs, underwater caves, hundreds of species of tropical fish - and you have a divers heaven. Being in the Caribbean, Cozumel sports lush tropical forests and a mean temperature which averages around 82 degrees F year round. Water temperatures range from 77 degrees to 82 degrees F throughout the year.

Transportation to and on Cozumel

You can take one of many direct flights to Cancun and take an island hopper on to Cozumel. There is also an air conditioned bus from Cancun to Playa del Carmen and then ride the water jet. The water jets are air conditioned passenger ferrys. The trip to Playa takes about one hour.

Places of Interest in Cozumel

Chankanaab Park's main attraction is the lagoon. This is surrounded by botanical gardens and replicas of carved stone monuments. The Island Museum is now housed in what was the very first luxurious hotel on the island that opened in 1936. The Cozumel Country Club opened its golf course designed by the Nicklaus Design Group just in 2001. An 18-hole world class championship course with par of 72, approximately 6900 yards, hybrid bermuda turf and a practice rand and practice green. And there are some seventeen Sailing Off The Island of Cozumel

diving reefs and underground caves for diving and snorkeling.

Dining and Accommodations on the Island of Cozumel

There are more than 90 restaurants, cafes and lounges on the island of Cozumel - specializing in Mexican, International, Mediterranean, Italian, Caribbean and Tex Mex cuisine, along with U.S. fast food chain establishments. Live Mariachi music is prevalent. The hotel accommodations are numerous and vary up to the luxury expectations of the most discriminating in taste.