Cozumel, is one of the more undeveloped Mexican islands, it’s a popular cruise ship port of call and probably best known for it’s diving spots, I believe it was what got it going in the first place as a tourist spot. At Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, you can dive around the Mesoamerican Reef and the Museo Subacuático de Arte’s submerged sculptures. There is also an eco park called Chankanaab with a lagoon and underwater caverns, that are home to dolphins, manatees and sea turtles.
Neither of us have dive certificates so we didn’t get to experience what the area was famed for but there was still lots to do in Cozumel. We got over on the ferry from playa del carmen. It’s a 45 minute journey and costs roughly £35 return.
When you get to the ferry port there is a statue of three bronze swallows, this comes from the islands name Cozumel, which was derived from the Mayan "Cuzamil" or "Ah Cuzamil Peten", which means the island of swallows.
The plaque reads: "Gobierno del estado libre y soberano de Quintana Roo - Terminal maritima san Miguel de cozumel" or in English "Government of the Free and Sovereign State of Quintana Roo - Maritime Terminal of San Miguel de Cozumel"
My favourite cafe/ bar is also situated right by the ferry, aqui y ahora.
You can see my full post on it here: @ultravioletmag/aqui-and-ahori-cozumel-island-mexico
and a video tour;
The town has a beautiful little quaint feel. It is based around a central square, which looks almost identical to the one in playa del carmen. It has a distinctly terracotta and rustic feel in its buildings and restaurants. A lot of the shops are also in playa, there are definitely a lot of similarities but Cozumel is much quieter without the busy playa strip of Loud bars and drunk tourists. If I had stayed longer it would definitely have been worth trying diving, since it’s what the island is most famous for, although I am a bit afraid of it honestly.
Here is night time walk around:
