The Conquistadors first saw Mexico from the shores of Cozumel while searching for gold. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. Today, visitors to the island continue to seek out gold and silver jewelry in the shops of San Miguel. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. Plus, the waters around Cozumel's shelter coral reefs make this one of the best snorkeling areas in the world. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises.
With clear sapphire-colored water and an abundance of coral reefs and exotic tropical fish, it's a snorkeler's dream, and therefore, one of the world's premier snorkeling destinations. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. It's simply the perfect place to see what's under the sea whether you're a novice or an expert. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises.
Cozumel isn’t as flashy as its neighbor Cancun. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. And that’s part of its charm. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. Mexico’s largest island (33 mi/53 km long and 8 mi/13 km wide) offers a pleasant mix of activities. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. You can shop and dine in San Miguel, a traditional Mexican town built around a large plaza. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. You can head for the beach to lounge and swim, while the more adventurous can explore Maya ruins or dive around the reefs. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises.
Most cruise-ship passengers don’t venture far outside San Miguel, the island’s only city, which has about 60,000 people. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. The town’s plaza, Plaza del Sol, is surrounded by dozens of shops and sidewalk cafes. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. You could easily spend a few hours browsing through the stores, sipping a cold drink beneath the bright orange blooms of the poinciana trees and people watching. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. The side streets off the plaza are closed to auto traffic and packed with more shops and eateries. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. To see a bit of the waterfront, stroll along San Miguel’s main street (Avenida Melgar, also known as the malecon), which runs north and south for 14 blocks. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. You can walk it in half an hour. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises.
If you are interested in learning some local history, visit the Museo de la Isla de Cozumel, which has exhibits detailing the island’s natural environment, the history of the Maya and the arrival of the Spaniards. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. (Open daily 10 am-5 pm; admission about US$3—around US$7 during high season; on the malecon between Calle 4 and Calle 6. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. )
At the Parque Arqueologica, an archeological park a few blocks inland from the cruise-ship piers south of town, you can take a walk-through tour of the history of Mexico. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. Each region of the country is represented, with artifacts de picting the Aztec, Toltec and Maya civilizations. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. Weavers and potters demonstrate the crafts of ancient times under thatched-roof palapas. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. (Open Monday-Saturday 8 am-5 pm; admission about US$3. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. )
Outside of San Miguel, there’s almost no development but plenty of opportunities to experience solitude. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. Cozumel’s one highway is a narrow paved road that runs south from San Miguel and circles the southern tip of the island before turning north along the eastern shore. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. At a point opposite San Miguel, the road turns west and crosses the island back into San Miguel. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises.
Maya Ruins—Cozumel’s ruins aren’t much to look at compared with those at Tulum, Coba and Chichen Itza on the mainland. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. But if archaeology is your interest or if you’re just up for a jungle adventure, you may want to see them anyway. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. The best-preserved ruins are at San Gervasio, which is about 7 mi/11 km northeast of San Miguel in the midst of dense jungle. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. You can reach this small grouping of temples by taking an unpaved side road o ff Carretera Transversal. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. Knowledgeable guides wait at the entrance and charge about US$12 an hour for a tour. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. (Open daily 9 am-5 pm; admission US$4. Cozumel, Mexico Gay Cruises. )
