Dive Palancar Reef
Thanks to conservation efforts, marine life in the waters around Cozumel has bounced back after decades of overfishing. Nowadays, the onus is on observing fish in their natural habitat rather than catching them. The island is now extremely popular as a destination for snorkelers and scuba divers, who are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing which lovely reef to explore.
One of the best spots to dive is the Palancar Reef, rising from depths of up to 80 meters to shallows just beneath the surface of the sea at the southwest end of the island. A popular dive includes a large bronze figure of Christ placed some 17 meters underwater.
Other good diving spots are on the San Francisco, Paraíso, Columbia, and Maracaibo reefs, as well as the Santa Rosa Wall. And pretty much wherever you dive, you're certain to see such exotic species as angelfish, nurse sharks, sunfish, and sea turtles.
One of the best ways to explore the reefs is by joining a Cozumel Snorkeling Tour of Palancar, Columbia, and Cielo reefs. This fun, half-day, guided adventure includes travel aboard a glass-bottom boat to the National Marine Park and snorkeling at El Cielo, famous for its sandy bottom and countless sea stars, as well as Palancar Reef with colorful coral. Included with your three-reef trip are complimentary beverages, plus a choice of morning or afternoon departures.
Bask on Cozumel's Beaches
Cozumel has some very lovely beaches, fluffy with magnificent powdery white sand, a by-product of the numerous coral reefs surrounding the island. Among the most popular and attractive of Cozumel's beaches are Playa San Juan and Playa Santa Pilar in the northwest corner of the island, and Playa San Francisco, Playa Santa Rosa, and Playa Palancar to the southwest.
Of note on the east side, which opens to the Caribbean Sea, are Playa Encantada, Playa Hanan, Punta Morena, Playa Chen Río, and Playa Chiqueros.
Also worth a visit is Playa Mia Grand Beach Park, a popular spot for snorkeling due to its easy access to the coral reefs at El Cielo.
Explore San Miguel de Cozumel
On the northwest side of Cozumel, San Miguel de Cozumel is the island's capital and offers many interesting distractions.
In addition to being a tourist hub, it's also a busy port. Many ferries depart regularly to the mainland-particularly to Cancún and Playa del Carmen, and the port also hosts cruise ships as they ply the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea (be sure to check out the interesting Coral Reefs Monument located near here). The town also boasts a major international airport.
Another highlight is the interesting Island Museum (Museo de la Isla) with its many exhibits dealing with local geography, history, and the abundant marine life. It's also a fun city to simply stroll around, boasting great dining, as well as a chance to get in some shopping, whether for souvenirs, local crafts, or luxury items such as jewelry.
Get Lost in Laguna Chankanaab & the National Marine Park
One of the most interesting natural attractions on Cozumel is Laguna Chankanaab, a small freshwater lake just six kilometers south of San Miguel de Cozumel in the National Marine Park.
Cut off from the sea (apart from a number of underground channels), it's a popular place to visit thanks to its crystal-clear water and numerous colorful tropical fish, and is an enchanting place to swim, snorkel, and scuba dive.
The lagoon is now part of an adventure park surrounding it, called Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park, where guests can enjoy activities including a sea lion show, a dolphin swim experience, and a crocodile exhibition. Other fun things to do include ziplining and treetop climbing, as well as a visit to an authentic Mayan home to sample traditional foods.
Immerse Yourself in Cozumel's Mayan Heritage at San Gervasio
More than 30 Mayan sites have been found on Cozumel, some of them in beautiful locations such as dense jungle or perched above pristine beaches. By far the most important is that of San Gervasio, built in 800 CE and located 16 kilometers from San Miguel de Cozumel.
Highlights of a visit include seeing the Temple of Ix-chel — the focal point of the island's religious life for centuries and a place of pilgrimage from across the Mayan empire.
Also of interest are the nearby ruins at Santa Rita, while a little farther away are the ruins of Santa Pilar and Castillo Real. The latter boasts Cozumel's largest Mayan structure. There are also Mayan remains in the southeast corner of the island at Buenavista and in the south at El Caracol.