What is Cozumel Better Known For?

Cozumel, which in Mayan means “Land of the Swallows”, is a paradise-like island located in the Caribbean Sea, east of Quintana Roo, Mexico. It´s an island rich in history, natural beauty, traditions and plenty of things to do.

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Cozumel is better known for:

• Beautiful white sandy beaches with pleasant year-round tropical weather.
• Being the second busiest cruise port in the world (hosting more than 4.2 million people each year).
• A fantastic 15 km long Coral Reef, which makes it one of the best places in the world for snorkeling and diving.
• Archeological sites from the Mayan Civilization.
• Fine dining and shopping.
• A vast number of outdoor activities such as golfing, cycling, fishing, birdwatching, trekking, etc.
• Hosting world-class events such as the Ironman 70.3, the Cozumel Carnival, Day Of the Dead Parade, etc.
• Being a safe family-friendly place.

In this article, I will talk a little more in-depth about each of these subjects.

Cozumel´s Beaches

Both to the east and to the west of the island, Cozumel has stunning white sandy beaches and turquoise color seawater.

Almost all of Cozumel’s beaches offer amenities such as umbrellas and palapas for rent, ice-cold beverages, and great food.

The top 7 rated, free access beaches in Cozumel, according to Trip Advisor are:

1. Playa San Martín
2. Playa El Mirador
3. Playa Chen Río
4. Playa Palancar
5. Punta Morena
6. Playa Mezcalitos
7. Playa Punta Chiqueros

There are also many beach clubs in Cozumel that offer many great services and amenities such as ATV tours and wave runners. Many of these clubs offer All-Inclusive packages, that can include: all you can eat and drink, massages, private cabanas, etc.

Cozumel, The Second Busiest Cruise Port in the World

Cozumel won the Cruise Critic Cruisers Choice 2019 Top-Rated Western Caribbean & Riviera Maya Destinations Award.

Cozumel is booming in the cruise industry. It received more than 4.2 million cruise passengers in 2018 and that number will be even higher in 2019.

Official Cruise Ship and Passenger Arrivals to Cozumel in 2018

Month	Ship Arrivals	Passengers
January	148	437,471
February	139	407,383
March	148	484,778
April	94	316,026
May	83	291,719
June	85	307,156
July	81	297,767
August	87	318,937
September	78	255,048
October	91	296,397
November	119	397,190
December	143	455,653
Total	1,296	4,265,525

Source: Mexican Port Authority in Cozumel

There are three ports to which cruise ships arrive in Cozumel:

• Punta Langosta
• International Pier
• Puerta Maya

All the Cozumel ports have shops, bars, and restaurants nearby, as well as local taxis (which are safe to ride).

Cozumel’s Coral Reef, One of the Best Places in the World for Snorkeling and Diving

Jacques Cousteau, the world-famous explorer, researcher, scientist, diver, and marine conservationist, once declared Cozumel as “the most spectacular diving site in the world”.

Well, Cousteau wasn’t wrong, Cozumel’s 15-kilometer long coral reef is nothing less than spectacular. Divers and adventurers from all over the world come to Cozumel year after year to experience this natural beauty.

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“Cozumel is the most spectacular diving site in the world.”

Jacques Cousteau

Reefs for Diving in Cozumel:

• Paraíso (Paradise)
  • Honoring its name, Paraíso is a tranquil place, where the visibility is excellent. Located right in front of the cruise ports, its accessibility is the best of all. It’s ideal for night diving and novices.
• Chankanaab
  • Chankanaab in Mayan means “little sea”. its also a very tranquil reef, with a vast colony of colorful fish species and some sunken boats. If you can dive deeper than 10 meters, you will discover the Christ of Chankanaab.
• Yucab
  • Yucab is probably one of the largest reefs in the continent, its 1,500 meters long and 20 meters wide. It’s not very deep (20 meters max), but its underwater gardens house a huge variety of marine species.
• San Francisco
  • The deeper you go, the better this reef gets! At around 25 to 30 meters, you can find beautiful exotic yellow sponges and large size species like catsharks and manta rays.
• Santa Rosa
  • North of Palancar, the coral reef of Santa Rosa is truly special. At 18 meters below, you can wonder with the deep blues you’ll find, and at around 25 to 30 meters, you will find the most vivid colors of abundant marine life. To top this all, you might also encounter Hawksbill turtles!
• Palancar
  • Palancar is known as one of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world! It’s around 2 kilometers from the south part of the island. Its got fascinating grouts that wonder adventurers from all over the world. Palancar probably is the most famous of all Cozumel’s reefs.
• Maracaibo
  • Maracaibo is around 1 kilometer in length, and probably the least visited reef of them all. Not because it lacks beauty, but because you have to be a more skilled diver to enjoy it.

Cozumel’s Archeological Sites From the Maya Civilization

The archeological sites found in Cozumel are of the utmost importance for those who study the Maya Culture and Civilization.

Cozumel was a sacred place for the Maya, as well as a strategic site for commerce and politics. It was a sanctuary for the Goddess Ixchel, mainly known as the Goddess of the moon, but also related to love, fertility, and medicine. She is often depicted with a rabbit. The Maya were obligated to visit Cozumel at least once in their lifetime.

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The most relevant archeological sites to visit in Cozumel are:

• San Gervasio (Saint Gervasius)
  • San Gervasio was given its name in the twentieth century, its the name of the patron saint of the owner of the land where it was discovered.
  • Archeological findings show that this Maya settlement was founded around the year 300 A.D.
  • It’s the largest and most important archeological site in Cozumel.
  • It became one of the greatest Maya cities around the year 1,200 A.D.
  • It’s seven kilometers from Cozumel’s downtown and its easily accessible through a well-paved highway.
• El Cedral (The Cedar Woods)
  • A major part of El Cedral was destroyed by Spanish conquerors.
  • It’s the oldest Maya construction in Cozumel.
  • You can still find original paint on its walls.
• Castillo Real (Royal Castle)
  • Castillo Real is composed of a watching tower supported on top of a pyramidal structure.
  • Its got two chambers and a false arc.
  • It’s an excellent place to snorkel and it counts with several wreckages of old ships.
• El Caracol (The Snail)
  • El Caracol was built between 1,200 and 1,500 A.D.
  • It’s located inside the major ecological reserve in Cozumel.
  • It’s got three main structures that are composed of two temples and an altar.
• Calica
  • Within the Calica site, you will find spectacular cenotes, one of salt and the other of sweet water.
  • There’s a temple called The Columns Temple, and inside it, you can find a sanctuary called La Casa Azul (The Blue House), where you can find a mural from those days.

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Cozumel’s Shopping Opportunities

Shopping in Cozumel is a delightful experience! Store employees are kind and helpful, always willing to go the extra mile to satisfy their clients.

There are plenty of shopping opportunities in Cozumel, from the shops in the cruise ports to the stores downtown. Prices decrease the farther you get from the Malecon (pier).

Another advantage of shopping in Cozumel is that many items are Duty-Free for cruise passengers.

The kinds of items you are most likely to find when shopping in Cozumel are:

• Jewelry
  • Silver: Mexico is the number one producer of silver in the world! So you are likely to find great silver handicrafts and jewelry at amazing prices.
  • Although silver is the main thing you will find in Cozumel’s jewelry shops, you will also find great items made of gold, onyx, amber, and coral.
• Mexican Handicrafts
  • Mexico is world-known for its beautiful and well detailed handmade handicrafts. You will find things from figurines to whole dinner sets. There are lots of decorative items to choose from.
• Clothing and several different textiles
  • From the world-famous Guayaberas (beautifully crafted shirts) to chales (shawls), and even blankets and even table mats, there’s a great variety of things you can purchase in the textiles category.
• Leather goods
  • From purses to footwear, to luggage, you name it! Mexican leatherwork is of the highest quality you will find.
• High-quality Tequila
  • As we all know, tequila is one of the drinks Mexico is most known for.
  • Tequila has been produced since around 1,500 A.D. in the region of the same name: Tequila, Jalisco.
  • Tequila drinking has been booming worldwide for several decades now, and what better place to buy a high-quality one than in its country of birth, Mexico. All that, with the added advantage that cruise passengers will also find it Duty-Free, so it will be less expensive for them.
• Chocolate
  • Chocolate also has its origins in Mexico! It’s made from a plant called Cacao, and it dates from more than 4,000 years ago.
  • Chocolate was even used as currency by the Maya.
  • There isn’t a region on the planet where you can’t find chocolate nowadays.
  • Cozumel even has a chocolate factory that you can visit and see firsthand, how this product is made.
• Cigars
  • Cozumel is a great place to find the best quality cigars. If you are a cigar aficionado, you will find Cozumel’s Habano shops a dream come true.

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Some recommended places to shop in Cozumel are:

• Mercado Municipal
• Los Cinco Soles
• Black Coral Shop
• Puerta Maya Shopping Mall
• Deja Vu Leather and Jewelry
• Chocolateria Isla Bella
• Nudo Marineri
• Sergio’s Silver from Taxco

Where and What to Eat in Cozumel

Cozumel has some great eating possibilities, from a simple street taco to experiencing fine dining in sophisticated places run by Michelin Star chefs.

For obvious reasons, seafood is one of Cozumel’s specialties almost in every restaurant.

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A few great Restaurants in Cozumel are:

• Casa Denis
  • Informal place, half a block from Cozumel’s Zocalo (main plaza, downtown). You can have the famous Cochinita Pibil Tacos.
• La Conchita del Caribe
  • Another informal place, where you can have great economic seafood in well-served dishes.
• Azul Madera
  • According to Trip Advisor, this is the best restaurant in Cozumel.
• Guido’s
  • Spectacular place, in the mid-range price-wise.
• Pepe’s
  • Right in the Malecon (pier), Pepe’s is a more formal place, where you will have a great dinner.

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Outdoor Activities you can do in Cozumel

There are so many outdoor activities you can do in Cozumel, that will require a whole different article on the subject, but here is a list of some of the things you can do when you visit Cozumel:

• Golfing
• Birdwatching
• Fishing
• The High Experience (brunch, lunch, drinks or dinner on a table elevated to 35 meters high)
• Trekking
• Snorkeling
• Diving
• Cycling
• Running
• Flyboarding
• Jeep Tours
• Minisubmarine tour
• Swim with Dolphins
• Swin with Mantarays
• Kayaking
• Kiteboarding
• Freeing Turtles into the sea
• Riding Motorcycles
• Horseback riding
• Yachting
• Dune Buggies
• Snuba & Sea Treck
• Segway Riding
• Paddleboarding
• Windsurfing
• Zip-Lining
• Windsailing

World-class Events Carried Out in Cozumel

Cozumel hosts several world-class events that are worth enjoying on the island.

Again, these events will be addressed along with a calendar in a future article, but some of the events that take place year after year in Cozumel are:

Cozumel Carnival

Sacred Mayan Journey

Ironman Triathlon

Birdwatching Festival

Day of the Dead Parade

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Is Cozumel a safe place to travel to?

In short: Yes! Cozumel is a safe place.

Although Cozumel is a part of Mexico, and the country has had difficult times with violence and narcos in recent years, Cozumel (and tourist destinations in Mexico in general) has remained a safe place to visit or live in.

Cozumel is a family-friendly place to visit, its people are courteous and sincere, and there is a sense of relaxing and laid backness in all the island.

According to the U.S. State Department, Cozumel is not any more dangerous to travel to than Italy, the U.K. or France (they are all categorized as threat-level 2).

“There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Quintana Roo state, which include tourist areas in: Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the Riviera Maya.” U.S. State Department

As in any other country or place, you should always exercise common sense and be alert of your surroundings, but there are no special indications or behaviors you should be aware of when being on this paradise-like island called Cozumel.

These were in nutshell, the things and activities Cozumel is better known for. I hope this article is useful for you and you enjoy what you read here.

Have a great Cozumel Day!