Cozumel

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. 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.

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 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 !!

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 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 waterfilled cave environment.

Cozumel also offers a wide choice of [places to stay]. Cozumel Mexico All Inclusive Hotels are a fantastic option. Prices for hotels in Cozumel vary greatly so you should be able to find something that works for you and your family. If you want to have an All Inclusive that is away from it all, try the Occidental Hotel. You can see a map of Cozumel Hotels [HERE] to get an idea where everything is located.