Why Is Cozumel Mexico So Under-Rated?


10 Reasons Cozumel Is Mexico's Best-Kept Secret

Cozumel is Mexico's best-kept secret. While many people know about Cancun and other tourist destinations in Mexico, Cozumel often gets overlooked. This island off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula has a lot to offer tourists, including beautiful beaches, interesting history, and delicious food! Here are 10 reasons why Cozumel is Mexico's best-kept secret.

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The first thing to know about Cozumel is that it’s an island off the coast of Mexico in the Caribbean Sea. The next thing you may want to know about this place? That it has over 300 Mayan ruins, some dating back more than 2000 years ago! The third factoid may surprise even those who are familiar with Mexico: most locals speak English well enough for tourists from abroad (such as myself) not only communicate comfortably but also learn some Spanish while they’re here too - see our list of 10 things below on why we think Cozumel should be your next travel destination!

  • mayan ruins
  • english speaking locals
  • spanish language learning opportunities
  • safe place to visit
  • affordable prices
  • perfect weather year round.
  • friendly locals
  • delicious food
  • many things to do on and off the island
  • beautiful beaches

Cozumel is a beautiful island with stunning beaches. The water is crystal clear and the sand is white and soft. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy, such as swimming, snorkeling, diving, and kayaking.

The history of Cozumel is fascinating. The island was once a Mayan city called Itzamnaaj. After the Spanish conquest of Mexico, the island was renamed Cozumel in honor of the Spanish conquistador Juan de Grijalva. Today, there are many ruins and archaeological sites to explore on the island. Some of the most popular sites include San Gervasio, Castillo Real de Chichen Itza, and Punta Sur Eco Park.

San Gervasio is an ancient mayan temple that was built around AD 700. It's one of the largest and best-preserved temples on the island. Castillo Real de Chichen Itza is a restored Mayan ruin that was built in the 13th century. Punta Sur Eco Park is a nature reserve that has mangrove forests, lagoons, and coral reefs.

The island also has many other activities to do besides exploring mayan ruins. You can visit El Mirador, which is a cliffside lookout point with panoramic views of the ocean and neighboring islands. There's also the Palancar Reef, which offers excellent snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities due to its clear waters and diverse marine life population (including turtles). The best way to get around Cozumel is by renting bicycles or mopeds because car rentals are expensive on this small island.

The food in Cozumel is delicious! You can find all kinds of Mexican dishes as well as international cuisine. There are also plenty of local restaurants and street vendors to try.

cozumel sandy beach and ocean

Cozumel was a significant business stage where food and spices were highly appreciated by its own inhabitants, which explains why it has rich regional cuisine which adapts delicious fish to it. You will find over 90 restaurants and restaurants across the island offering a vast array of dishes, such as Mexican, Mediterranean, Caribbean and Italian cuisine with fish. The tiger fish does not have any natural predators in the Caribbean, and along with the it feeds corals, so the occupants have opted to cook it to fight it and also help restore the equilibrium of this ecosystem.

Holiday in Cozumel

Cozumel is Mexico's best kept secret when it comes to diving and snorkeling! It has beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters filled with colorful fish. The diving is great - there are many different dive sites along the coast that offer something for everyone from beginner to expert level divers.

If you're looking for an amazing way to explore underwater caves or get up close with sea turtles on your next vacation, then look no further than Cozumel Diving Center."

Snorkeling in el cielo cozumel

For those who want to experience diving without having any previous experience at all (or just want something less challenging), we recommend taking our introductory course. This class covers everything from basic buoyancy control techniques through advanced diving skills such.

Off Cozumel's southwestern shore lies the planet's second-longest coral reef program (just Australia's Great Barrier Reef is larger). The Mesoamerican Reef System crosses roughly 175 miles in the Gulf of Mexico into the shore of Honduras. The exceptionally clear waters set Cozumel high on several divers' bucket lists. The sea floor can be amazingly varied here, together with ledges and waterfalls creating striking underwater vistas. Personal tours and group trips are accessible from personal company in the island's most important city -- San Miguel -- or out of virtually every resort and hotel on the island.

Cozumel Weather

is really fantastic year-round, even though there's a rainy season. This usually means that you will find far more months to select from as soon as you can expect clear weather. December through May are usually the driest months, even though you will find more precipitation at the ends of the range.

The wettest months of this year are normally October and November, so even seeing in the summertime (when hotel prices are reduced) means you are very likely to find more sunny days than not. July and August are usually the driest of the primary summertime in Cozumel. On the other hand, the island is not completely without danger of hurricanes in this period of the year and in the early autumn.

Temperatures remain quite warm throughout the day, year-round. Obviously, Cozumel is most popular during the summer (and exceptionally humid), using dryer warm temperatures from January through March. Remember that sargassum seaweed blossoms are an issue across the Caribbean (such as Cozumel), and also have a tendency to spike during summertime, affecting shore usability.

Is Cozumel Safe?

Cozumel is a safe place to visit. The island has a low crime rate and is very friendly and welcoming to tourists.
And while no location on earth is 100 percent secure for many visitors all of the time, Cozumel has reduced crime rates which should relieve any fears you have. The drug-related offense in Mexico which makes the headlines is more focused close to Mexico's northern boundaries, and also the gang fights which has sometimes erupted around Cancun seldom affects tourists. To this end, violent crime on Cozumel is infrequent, though the U.S. State Department does sometimes issue warnings.

Remember that a Level 2 threat-level standing in the U.S State Department -- that covers the state of Quintana Roo (in which Cozumel is situated ) -- is exactly the same as France, Italy, and also the U.K. Obviously, you still ought to take appropriate security precautions. As an instance, drifting on a beach alone at night is not a wise idea, and always lock your valuables inside your own safe. To alleviate concerns about petty offense, take as little cash as possible, and divide up your money and cards in various pockets and a money belt.

Cozumel is a stop on several cruise ships -- on any given day you will find around eight cruise ships docking here and also the island hosts more than 3 million cruise passengers each year.

Cozumel is also a favorite day trip for travelers staying on the mainland at the Riviera Maya. But do not worry. Exotic passengers normally do not venture much further than the sanctuary areas, or just partake in cruise-offered shore trips, so if you are mindful of if the boats dock, the tourist crowd is simple enough to escape. That is particularly true when you remain in the southern and eastern areas of the island.
cozumel-beach-sunset

Where's The Best Cozumel Beaches

Conveniently white sandy beaches are everywhere in Cozumel -- although the finest Cozumel beaches are around the island's west side. Where there are lots of Instagram-worthy white-sand stretches, it is well worth thinking about the type of beach you desire. Pretty? That includes all of these. Beyond this, if you are following the sandiest shores, then you will want to post up in the west and west areas of Cozumel. Best beaches in Cozumel? you should look for Playa Palancar and Dzul Ha if you are following white sand and blue water.

Beaches across the eastern side of Cozumel are rugged and the water can be demanding, but they are beautiful and feel a great deal more undiscovered than many others. Cozumel isn't a surf destination; however intermediate and beginner boarders frequently sign on using a surf school for a single day.

Northern shore beaches, north west of San Miguel, are inclined to be popular with families with children, because the water is shallow and calm.

Limestone"iron beach" shores are top places to go snorkeling -- just be certain that you wear shoes. Each one the beaches on Cozumel are general public, but it does not mean they are liberated. Technically, the usage of the real beach is totally free, but a lot of shore clubs inflict cover fees that apply on your pub or shore club meals tab.

Is Cozumel Water Safe To Drink?

Unless your hotel purifies their very own tap water method and requires assurances to allow its guests understand this simple fact, exercise care. Tap water in Mexico is usually not drinkable for vacationers and is often a culprit in awkward gastro-intestinal disorders while travelers are here on holiday. Stick with bottled water (the natives often drink it) and attempt to keep your mouth shut in the shower, also.

You must have a passport to go to Cozumel, but probably do not require a visa.If you are thinking about seeing Cozumel for a couple of days, you're going to need a passport (because you'd seeing another destination in Mexico). The sole exception is for all those traveling on closed-loop cruises, which begin and finish in the exact same U.S. port. But in the event, you overlook your embarkation time out of Cozumel or some emergencies arise which make you detract from the cruise ship itinerary, you will have a much tougher time getting out.

Best Cozumel Accommodations and Hotels

If you're looking for a place to stay on Cozumel, I highly recommend staying at La Casa de Mojo. It's a great little bed and breakfast right on the beach, and the owners are incredibly friendly and welcoming. Plus, they offer free diving lessons for their guests! So be sure to check them out if you're looking for a place to stay in Cozumel
There are loads of other Cozumel all-inclusive hotels, which makes it a substitute for southern Riviera Maya.

While Cozumel has significantly fewer comprehensive resorts compared to southern Riviera Maya, you will still find virtually all the large hotel brands here. Including all around hotels such as Iberostar Cozumel and Melia Cozumel, in addition to amorous adults-only selections like Keys Aura Cozumel.

Cozumel hotels are frequently a little less costly than those you will find on the mainland, in part because these resorts are attempting to lure guests that think of this island as little over a day excursion.

But you will find far fewer upscale and luxury choices available on Cozumel. Actually aside, the vibe is nearly always much calmer than what's available in Cancun and Tulum. Nevertheless, the island features a great assortment of smaller boutique resorts too, in the event the comprehensive alternative is not for you.

During high season (roughly early December during Easter). it's simple to grab a ferry out of Playa de Carmen. It is about a 45-minute ride, plus they operate frequently.

Like many tourist destinations in Mexico, you can anticipate almost everything to become tourist friendly. This ethos goes to the way you dress and what language you will talk. Most retailers cater to tourists in Cozumel will take U.S. dollars -- such as resorts and restaurants -- but will contribute to pesos. Furthermore, credit cards are widely accepted, but you need to remember that smaller sellers, market vendors, and road food outposts will probably only take money. Obviously, understanding a couple of phrases in Spanish will go a very long way.

mexicican lady children in costume
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Things to do in Cozumel

are numerous, ranging from daring to relaxing. Given its attraction for everybody from couples to families and couples, it is not a surprise that there is a broad variety of items to do in Cozumel. Nevertheless, there are lots of casual pubs in San Miguel, in addition to shore clubs which are just energetic enough all day. Jeep tours really are a wonderful way to tour the island's landscape, a lot of which will be untouched by evolution -- the island especially rampant on the southwest and south sides. That is other-worldly. Feel like putting off on your own and becoming lost amid character?

Rent a moped and visit El Mirador, in which the seascape stone formations are image perfect, or into the lighthouse in Punta Sur (that is also an ecological park that is home to animals like crocodiles). The Occidental Grand Cozumel is a comprehensive hotel with a wonderful place in the southern end of Cozumel, surrounded by a gorgeous nature preserve.

The white-sand beaches are magnificent, and the unbelievable offshore reefs make for unforgettable diving and snorkeling experiences.

Where To Eat In Cozumel

There are six restaurants and four bars, in addition to lots of activities for kids and families. The hotel also has three major pools, a spa, tennis courts, gym, spa, and kids' club. Evening entertainment features a nightclub with dance. Villas Las Anclas is the perfect mid-range choice for sailors and families ("anclas" means anchors in Spanish) who desire the conveniences of home, a one-block walk into the store, along with a calm, secluded ambiance. This location has a great deal of design character, particularly in comparison to the frequently dowdy hotels and hotels on Cozumel.

We love the vivid colors and boho layout details. Additionally, it is an excellent choice for couples, families, or even solo travelers. Seven, manicured villas comprise kitchenettes and built-in couches. A little swimming pool and a stand where divers can dry and wash their wetsuits can also be located onsite. The place is excellent for dining on local food since there are quite a few choices all around.

Flights to the Cozumel International Airport arrive from airlines in the USA, Canada, Mexico and Spain; also, as mild airplanes or helicopters that serve the Playa del Carmen Aerodrome. The most common way of transport for Cozumel is from the ferry which connects the island with Playa del Carmen. These passenger ships run continuously on the hour with a total trip time of about 35 minutes. Also available is a vehicle ferry which departs from Calica situated ten minutes from Playa Del Carmen

Conclusion

Cozumel is a beautiful island located off the coast of Mexico. It's known for its lush jungles, stunning beaches, and fascinating Mayan ruins. The history of the island is fascinating, and there are many things to do and see here. You can visit ancient Mayan temples, explore restored Mayan ruins, go snorkeling or diving on the Palencar Reef, or just relax on the beach. Car rentals are expensive on this small island, so I recommend renting bicycles or mopeds to get around.

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