If you’re looking
for a beautiful Caribbean style vacation within Mexico, then look no
further than Cozumel, Mexico. This lovely hideaway is Mexico’s largest
island, yet remains somewhat undiscovered by Mexico’s 20 million annual
visitors. Cozumel is located 12 miles offshore of the city of Playa
del Carmen. Yet only
3 percent of its land has been developed, making it an ideal place to
explore the region in its pristine and nearly unaltered
state.
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Average High during November is 83°F
Average Low during November is 71°F |
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Cozumel’s
history is centered on its importance to the Mayan culture as one of three ceremonial
centers in the region, and this link to the past can be further explored by
paying a visit to one of 40 archeological sites still present on the island.
When the
Spanish took over the island in 1519, Cozumel became a pivotal trading center
in
salt and honey. The collapse of the Spanish Empire in the late 16th
century ushered in nearly 300 years of obscurity to this Caribbean land, yet
it has recently flourished as a popular cruise and travel destination; luring
people from across the globe to
bask in its wonderful weather, amazing diving locations, and friendly people.
Cozumel, although not nearly
as developed as its northern neighbor Cancun, still
contains all the resources necessary for the ultimate cruise destination. Shopping
is prevalent, and duty-free stores, selling everything under the tropical sun,
invite
the seasoned bargain hunter. Cozumel has been consistently rated the best spot
in the world for scuba diving and snorkeling. Restaurants on the island
are
world-class as well as affordable. Finally, its proximity to the popular excursions
of Xel-Ha Lagoons, the Mayan ruins at Tulum, and Playa del Carmen solidify its
position as one of the top cruise destinations in the Caribbean.
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Now
a bit about the island...Cozumel is Mexico's largest
island, nestled just 12 miles off the coast of the Yucatan
Peninsula. Cozumel measures 28 miles long & 10 miles
wide,and is world renown for it's dazzling white sandy
beaches and the remarkable clarity of the multi-hued
azure Caribbean ocean in which it rests. The climate
is subtropical & the people native to Cozumel are of
Mayan descent.
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The
Maya were a great culture of farmers,fisherman & warriors
who ruled from
Campeche to Guatamala for over 2000 years before the arrival
of the Spanish
Explorers in the 15th Century. They were quite an advanced
civilazation, and
the legacy of their culture survives in the vestiges of
the huge cities that they
built during their reign. One of the lesser known, but
very interesting sites is
here on the island and is called San Gervacio. Now a park
with a resoration
project to study the Mayan culture, this was once a sacred
site where Mayan
women journeyed to worship the goddess Ixchel, the goddess
of fertility. Other
facinating sites such as Chichen Itza with its massive
pyramids that rival those
at Cheops, and Tulum, the only Mayan city built overlooking
the sea, and even
Tikal in its lush jungle settings where wild monkeys still
can be seen, each are
an easy one day excursion from Cozumel.
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Cozumel itself was a sleepy little fishing community
until 1961, when a Frenchman by the name of Jacques
Cousteau declared us one of the most beautiful scuba
diving areas of the world. Since that time Cozumel has
become an underwater marine park to protect the
delicate balance of it's dazzling coral reefs & abundant
variety of tropical fish. The underwater wildlife is
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absolutely amazing here & due to the clarity of the water
( 100 - 200 ft visibility,
depending on the season ), you do not have to be a diver
to enjoy it. Simply put
on a mask & snorkle and jump in & you will feel like you
have been dropped into
a tropical fish tank !!
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In
addition to the spectacular open water diving,
the region of Cozumel and Akumal are well-known
for the underground rivers that honycomb the porous
limestone of the Yucatan which provide some of the
most beautiful cave and cavern or "cenote" diving
in the world. Many of these caves are very highly
decorated and are like floating through the finest
dry cave you have ever seen, simply filled with water
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that is as clear as air. Because they are supported and
protected by their water filled enviornment, they are
pristine and each has its own particular marine life,
unique to a cave environment.
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There
are many direct flights into Cozumel, or you can catch
a charter into Cancun
and take the island hopper plane from the Cancun airport.
And if you are feeling really adventurous, you can travel
by air conditioned bus from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
and ride the water jet over to the island.
Come visit us on the safest, friendliest and most hospitable
island in the Caribbean !!
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Ferrys
The
"Mexico Water Jets" whisk you from Playa del Carmen to
Cozumel island in
about 35 min. They are air conditioned passenger ferrys
with comfortable seating
& music videos. Cost @ $7 US. There is still some advertising
in circulation for a
ferry that once ran from Cancun to Cozumel but it is no
longer operating.
There are now buses that will take you directly to Playa
Del Carmen from the
Cancun airport. The bus can be arranged just as you leave
the airport terninal.
The trip to Playa takes about 1 hour.
Many people think that they can rent a car in Cancun &
come over on the car ferry .
This is a serious mistake. The car ferry is your worst
nightmare. Renting a car once
you arrive in Cozumel is easy & affordable. (See
Smart Rent-a-Car)
*. For the most up to date Ferry Schedule, we recommend
going to
http://www.cozumel.net/maps.htm
Along with the ferry schedule you
will find island and mainland maps and other helpful items.
Watch that last ferry!!
If you get there late you will be spending the night in
Playa del Carmen and there
may or may not be rooms available, depending on the season.
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Island
Hopper Flights - Aerocozumel
A
little more expensive, but quick & easy ! You can even
come just for the day if
you are staying in Cancun. Sometimes your travel agent
can pre-arrange your
connecting flight, saving you time at the airport. Be
aware that flight schedules
can change without notice.
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| Cancun to |
Cozumel to |
| Cozumel |
Cancun |
| 08:00 am |
07:00 am |
| 09:20 am |
08:40 am |
| 11:00 am |
10:10 am |
| 12:50 pm |
12:00 noon |
| 02:30 pm |
01:40 pm |
| 04:00 pm |
03:20 pm |
| 06:00 pm |
05:10 pm |
| 08:05 pm |
06:40 pm |
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You will never tire of diving
in Cozumel.
The large majority of divers who come will come again
many times over the
years. It is habit-forming ! Use the key below to help
to determine minimum
dive skills needed to safely enjoy our most popular dive
sites.
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| N = Novice |
I = Intermediate |
A = Advanced |
E = Expert |
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Villa Blanca Wall ( I )
Sloping wall with huge sponges and gorgonias,
big schools of jacks and angelfish (50-100')
Paradise Reef (
N )
Abundant marine life, corals, sponges,
incredible night dive ! (max 45')
Chancanab Reef
( N )
The only reef that you dive north to south,
due to the unique current flow. Another great
night dive with abundant marine life. (max 55')
Balones of Chancanab
( N )
The deep side of Chancanab Reef. A series of
baloon shaped coral heads. Abundant marine
life, lobster and crab. (60-70')
San Francisco
Reef ( I )
Shallow wall dive. Abundant marine life.
(35-50' best diving)
Yucab Reef ( N
)
Dense reef full of abundant color and marine
life, and groupers and larger fish. (max 60')
Punta Tunich (
I )
Vibrant, colorful reef but the current is so
swift it is like flying underwater. Too fast
for fish life but beautiful formations.
(80-120')
Tormentos Reef
( I )
Colorful coral heads populated by eels,
grouper & angelfish. (40-70')
Paseo de Cedral
( I )
Hard to find but worth it ! Big groupers,
HUGE moray eels, fast current.
Spectacular dive.
Santa Rosa Reef
( I )
The best known & most popular wall dive
in Cozumel. Spectacular coral overhang,
the structure is dazzling, swim-thrus from
the wall to the sand side make for a
facinating dive. (40-3000')
(The next 3 dive sites comprise the
famous "Palancar Reef Top of the
Wall Diving")
Palancar Gardens ( N )
Absolutely magnificent dive, gentle currents,
lush plant & marine life and you never run
out of reef. Perfect for beginners.
(best at 40-70')
Horseshoe (
N )
Georgous and easy dive. Massive corals
tower overhead as you explore the unique
"horseshoe" shaped structure of the reef.
(multilevel 30-60-90')
Palancar Caves
( N )
Canyons, tunnels & swimthrus. Better than
average chance of seeing turtles or eagle
rays in these southerly deeper dive sites.
Facinating dive. (best at 60-90')
Columbia Reef
( I to A )
Coral overhangs tower over an impressive
drop-off. Tends to have larger marine life,
look for turtles & rays. (best 60-100')
Punta Sur (
A )
Incredible pinnacles of coral, very dramatic
drop-off, watch for turtles, rays & sharks.
Currents can be strong & unpredictable.
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There
are many other reefs that are not listed here.Your dive
operator can
best advise you regarding their suitability for your level
of skill. They can
be extremely aggressive & demanding dives and we would not
recommend
attempting them without a knowledgeable local dive master
or insrtuctor.
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