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CRUISING TO THE CARIBBEAN:
COZUMEL page 1 |
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OVERVIEW
Cozumel is the most popular cruise destination in the Western Caribbean. It has developed into a tourist playground with beaches, diving, theme parks, restaurants, hotels, and shopping. It also has Mayan ruins and is convenient to the Mayan centers on the mainland such as Chichen Itza.
Located about 12 miles off the coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel is the largest of Mexico's Caribbean islands. It is 28 miles long and ten miles wide. The island is relatively flat with the highest natural point being only about 50 feet above sea level. In ancient times, the Olmec people lived on Cozumel. They were followed by the Maya who believed that the island was sacred to Chel, their moon goddess. There are remains of Mayan temples and other buildings scattered around the island. In 1518 Juan de Grijalva visited the island from Spain. He was followed a few years later by the conquistador Hernán Cortés who smashed some of the Mayan idols and replaced them with a statue of the Virgin. Despite this hostile act the Maya supplied the Spanish with provisions for their onward journey. Unfortunately, the explorers left behind European diseases for which the Maya had no immunity. Consequently, the population fell from about 10,000 to approximately 400 by 1570. Cozumel also became a target of pirates and most of the remaining islanders were evacuated to the mainland during the 17th century. Because of war in Yucatan, refugees settled in Cozumel in 1848. This led to the founding of the town of San Miguel. More than a century later, an event occurred that would change Cozumel radically. On the western side of the island is a coral reef. In a documentary film, the explorer Jacques Cousteau praised Cozumel as one of the most beautiful places for diving in the world. This led to a flood of divers followed by other tourists. Now, more than 3 million tourists visit Cozumel each year. San Miguel, now Cozumel's largest town, reflects the island's tourist boom. Most of the island's 300 restaurants are in San Miguel as are hotels and numerous shops with international brands that cater to the tourist trade. The island's economy is based on tourism. This does not mean that there are no undeveloped places on Cozumel. There are still small towns on the eastern side of the island. In addition, there is a national park where the land is still in its natural state. Inasmuch as Cozumel is part of Mexico, the official currency is the Mexican peso and the language is Spanish. However, especially in San Miguel and other tourist areas, the U.S. dollar is widely accepted and many people understand English. The peak cruise season in Cozumel runs from November to April, which roughly coincides with the dry season, which is February to April. |
Above: The busy town of San Miguel.
Below: The town square in San Miguel has a dancing fountain and a carousel. 
Above: A pedestrianized street in San Miguel.
Below: A beach on the southwest part of the island. 
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Cruise destination - Cozumel - Overview