Cozumel Travel Guide: In Travel-Cozumel.com you will find tourist and travel
information: Cozumel maps, restaurants, bars, night life, night clubs, discos,
fun and water sports activities. Also is a great source to find Cozumel cheap
hotels, bed and breakfast hotels, all inclusive hotels, flight and hotel
packages and grand tourism hotels for Cozumel Island. Plus Cozumel scuba diving
services and dive centers list. Cozumel Real Estate: properties for sale or
rent. Complete tourist and travel Guide for Cozumel, Mexico. Welcome to Cozumel!
Cozumel, gem of the Mexican
Caribbean, is located twelve miles off the southern coast of the
Yucatan, just across from Playa del Carmen and nearby Akumal.
Cozumel is a
destination for people seeking a relaxing, laid back vacation that includes the
island's world renowned diving or snorkeling its fabled coral reefs. Cozumel's
limestone shore is surrounded by temperate, crystal clear waters which range
from stunning turquoise to deep indigo.
Cozumel Island is the largest
island in the Republic of Mexico and is one the world's top diving destinations.
The island is about 53 km long and 15 km wide with a land mass of 490 square km.
A 3,000 foot deep channel and 19 km separates the island from the Yucatan
Peninsula.
COZUMEL HOTELS
ON LINE RESERVATIONS
ON LINE AVAILABILITY
Click on the hotel name
for more information.
From:
Phone:
USA & CANADA
1 800 851 8713
MEXICO
01 800 272 2304
WORLDWIDE
0052 998 287 36 17
PROMOTION CODE:
RES
5
With only 3% of the island
developed, the rest of the island is inhabited by numerous birds,
iguanas and other wildlife. National parks occupy much of the land and
shore. The interior is covered by marshy lagoons, scrub, and dense
jungle where Maya ruins hide.
On the windward or eastern side
of the island, development is nonexistent with the exception of a couple of
small restaurants or bars scattered along the beach. The east shore has both
rocky areas and long stretches of sand great for surfing and swimming. The
leeward or west side faces the mainland and is where development is
concentrated. The water is calm, ideal for snorkeling or scuba diving at one of
the many reefs just off the coast.
Cozumel's
west coast is where you'll find the majority of the island's
development. The town of San Miguel, the airport, and the hotels are all
located on the western side of the island.
Fortunately, massive resort development is paralyzed by a lack of potable
water and a desire to protect the island's delicate ecosystem. This
helps keep island life simple, and is hands-down the favorite for people
seeking a serene Caribbean island vacation.
Flora
and Fauna With majority of the island undeveloped and covered
primarily with scrub and dense jungle, Cozumel Island has a diverse
population of tropical birds, lizards, coati, deer and other
wildlife. Bird watchers will not be disappointed with the flocks of
multicolored parrots, blue warblers , white egrets and macas.
Climate
The climate on Cozumel
Island is typical of the Caribbean. The average annual temperature is 27
degrees Celsius. From November to May, temperatures are slightly lower
at about 25 degree Celsius. The weather is breezy with low humidity.
Daily activities should not be hindered except during during heavy
rains.
History
This island was first
inhabited by the Mayas (explore the Mayas from Indigenous Peoples'
Literature compiled by Glen Walker) . There is also a theory that the
Maya were not the first inhabitants of Cozumel Island but distant
cousins of the Maya who inhabited the continent of "Atlantis". The
Mayans were responsible for the conversion of the island into a major
trade center. During pre Hispanic times, Mesoamerican women
traveled across the channel to the island to honor the goddess of
fertility, Ix Chel. Folk tales claim every Mayan woman was
required to make this trip.
In 1517, the arrival of
Spanish slave trader Juan De Grijalva was followed by Spaniard Hermán
Cortés who used Cozumel Island as a base to attack the mainland. Not too
long after, two missionaries arrived to convert the indigenous
population. By 1570, the Spaniards were still not able to colonize the
island but those who were not massacred were decimated by disease.
Thereafter, the island was
occupied by a small native and Spaniard population. During the
17th and 18th century, pirates used the island as a base and to hide
their treasure. By 1843, the island was completely abandoned.
With the turn of the 20th
century, the chewing gum industry turned their attention to the large
supply of zapote trees on the island which led to the uncovering of Maya
ruins. Then during the 1950's, wealthy Mexicans used Cozumel
island as a resort destination. By the 1960's, explorer Jacques Cousteau
opened the island to divers around the world and today, Cozumel Island
is one of the world's top diving and sun destinations.
Money
Matters & Exchange Rates
It's a good idea to
exchange money at the airport when you arrive for the airport transport
and tips. There is a money exchange booth at the airport but if you plan
to arrive very early or late, it might be a good idea to exchange some
money before you arrive. Most hotels also offer exchange but their rates
are usually not as good as if you exchanged money at a bank or one of
the many exchange houses downtown.
Most restaurants and shops
accept credit cards and traveler's checks. For restaurants, buying
goods, & taxi fares it is usually better to pay in pesos
(Mexican currency). You will receive a better rate this way. Most of the
tours and scuba diving fees are charged in US dollars.
Investment opportunities and real estate properties
for sale or rent in Cozumel and the Riviera Maya,
Mexico. Residential real estate in the city or on the
Caribbean Sea shore. Villas condominiums,
apartments, beachfront houses, lots and more.
Click Here!
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