Cozumel, Mexico has long been a popular spot with scuba divers because of the crystal clear waters and the location of the most popular dive spots just offshore. However, it is also a great location for a family vacation with sandy beaches, gentle surf, and lots to do.
History of Cozumel
Cozumel is Mayan for "Island of the Swallows", and is located just off of the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is believed that the island was settled in the 1st Century by the Mayans, who used it as a place of pilgrimage for women desiring fertility to come and worship at the temples.
The Spanish first visited the island in 1518, and Cortes destroyed many of the temples the following year. Smallpox struck the island, wiping out most of the 40,000 Mayans living there and by 1570 the population was down to 30.
The island began its rise to popularity as a diving spot when Jacques Cousteau visited in 1959 and declared Palancar Reef as one of the best places to scuba dive in the world. Although the marine life suffered damage during the 2005 hurricane season when Cozumel was struck twice by Category 4 hurricanes, the underwater world there is still a favorite destination.
Things to do in Cozumel
The most popular reason to come to Cozumel is, of course, the water activities. The scuba diving is world renowned, but the snorkeling is also fantastic as many sites are within an easy swim of the beach, often within site of the hotel. There are snorkeling tours available from many providers that go to reefs farther offshore.
Chankanaab Park
Chankanaab Park bills itself as "the most popular attraction of Cozumel Island" and it may well be right. The park is located about a 10 minute taxi ride from the cruise ship pier, guaranteeing a steady flow of visitors. While at the park, visitors can snorkel and/or scuba dive, as well as "Snuba" and Seatrek a combination of both. The beach is sandy and the water clear and clean. Visitors also have the opportunity to swim with sea lions, manatees, and dolphins. For the beginner or timid snorkeler, the lagoon at Chankanaab park is shallow and calm and the variety of tropical sea life is impressive.
Isla de Pasion
Although the name may be a bit risque, that shouldn't dissuade family travelers. This private island is covered in white sand and palm trees and is accessible by boat or personal watercraft. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available, as are hammocks. A restaurant is available as is a bar and vendors have a small market selling local crafts and souvenirs. A water trampoline is available, as are kayaks and paddleboats. Beach volleyball is popular and a masseuse offers their services for a reasonable fee.
The island is rarely crowded.
The Square at San Miguel de Cozumel
A great wrap up to a day spent on the beach or in the water is the town square in San Miguel. Join the locals and the tourists as they socialize around the square. There are restaurants, bars and coffee shops available as well as street entertainers and artists. Of course, souvenirs are abundant in shops and from individual vendors. The number of visitors increases dramatically when the cruise ships are in port, but more people just mean more excitement in the air.
Hotels in Cozumel
There are many hotels to choose from in Cozumel, located in both the city of San Miguel de Cozumel, and in the outlying areas. The hotels range from the quaint to the all inclusive, with prices and amenities ranging across the board. Almost all are suited for families, although some of the bigger resorts offer special programs for the children. Hotels to the south of town typically offer better snorkeling off of the beach than those to the north.
References
- Cozumel Parks.com, accessed 5/20/2010
- TripAdvisor.com, accessed 5/20/2010
- Travelwithkids, accessed 5/20/2010
Robert Bennett - Robert Bennett is a part time traveler, a more than full time dad, and has recently started in the exciting world of freelance writing. In ...
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