Things to Do in Isla Cozumel

Chankanaab

This park is located about 9 km south of the city. The park is open daily and it costs 10 USD to go inside. The name Chankanaab means "Little sea". This park has a beautiful lagoon, a cenote, replicas of mayan temples and of course coral reef. There is also a small pond which is connected to the ocean by underwater caves.

It became a nationalpark in 1980 to protect the unique eco systems and ocean environment. In 1996 it was completely rebuilt. Like in many other parks you can find the famous "swim with dolphins" but it's quite expencive. They also have a sea lion show, but I don't think it's included in the price. On the beach you can hire palapas to relax under, and there is a protected beacharea for the children.

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	The prettiest beach (Playa Bonita) Tip Rating:

By Quero

on November 16, 2004

There are lots of pretty beaches on Coz, and Playa Bonita is surely among them. What really recommends this beach, though, is its lack of people. It is rather remote--you need wheels to get here (don't take a cab, you may end up stranded).

Address: On the windward (east) side of the island.

Directions: Keep going northeast on the road leading past San Gervasio until you come to the end of it.

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	Mayan pyramids Tip Rating:

Updated By Quero

on November 16, 2004

The Chichen Itza temple complex is a monument to astronomy. On the afternoon of the vernal equinox and autumnal equinox each spring and fall, the setting sun casts the shadow of a rattlesnake down the steps of the Great Pyramid called El Castillo. Other buildings in the site include the Temple of the Warriors/Temple of the Jaguar with its rows of colums receeding off into the jungle, the Observatory (Caracol), presumably used for astronomical observations, and the Nunnery, which contains paintings and reliefs on the walls, the Baths, where human victims of were given ritual cleansing before being sacrificed.

Address: On the "wild" eastern/caribbean side of the island

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	San Gervasio Mayan ruins Tip Rating:

Updated By Quero

on August 17, 2007

The San Gervasio complex of ruins was once a cerimonial center for Cozumel's Mayan culture. It was here that temples to the Moon Goddess, Ixchel, were constructed. Ixchel was believed to influence questions of childbirth and fertility, so women from all over the Mayan world would make pilgrimages to seek the godess' mercy. Especially nice is the Temple of Hands where you can still see small red handprints used as decoration for the walls, and the altar to the Rainbow Goddess below a stone archway.

Address: 7 KM N/E of S. Miguel on Avenida Benito Juarez

Directions: Admission: 4 USD; road access fee: 1 USD. Hours: 8 - 5 daily, closed holidays.

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	Chankanaab Caves Tip Rating:

By Maria_75

on November 21, 2004

These caves are located at the south end of Chankanaab park and you can easily reach them from the beach. If you don't want to pay the entrance fee to the park but still want to see the caves, you can head to the Corona Beach right south of the park. You can reach the caves from here too.

Cold fresh water comes from the cenotes made in the limestone and mixes with the saltwater. There are plenty of fishes to be seen here.

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	Dzul Ha Tip Rating:

Updated By Maria_75

on November 21, 2004

Dzul Ha beach

The mayans called their God of the sea "Dzul Ha", and the beach here is named after this God. This reef is really amazing! There is also a beach club here that has a small swimmingpool on the beach, allthough I never understood the point of that... I think it costs 5 USD to use the facilities of the beach club. But why should you pay that when there are long beaches stretching both to the north and the south of the beach club?!?

Just find yourself a spot on the rocky beach, and head for the sea. Be prepared to spend many hours in the water, because the views are stunning. There is an abundance of fishes and the water is so crystalclear that you can see quite far away.

The place is located between the International Pier and the Chan Kanaab nationalpark.

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	The barrierreef Tip Rating:

By Maria_75

on November 19, 2004

The reef off the coast of Cozumel, is part of the Great Maya Barrier Reef, a system that stretches from the Northern Yucatan to Honduras and is the second largest in the world. The island's 32-km long reef system is located on the southern coast. It is an incredible eco-system, which grows very slowly. It is important to take care with these fragile things and to not destroy them.

These are the basic rules:

1. Don't touch the coral or walk on the reef.

2. Don't use sun tan lotion as the chemicals are destructive to marine life. Only use biodegradable lotion.

3. Don't fish in protected waters.

4. Don't remove anything from the seabed or reefs.

5. Don't anchor on the reef or throw anything overboard.

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	San Gervasio Tip Rating:

By Maria_75

on November 21, 2004

Ruins at San Gervasio

This is the only excavated Maya site on the island. It lies 6 km north of the road that crosses the island from west to east. Some people believe it is modelled on the site of Chichén Itzá, since it has many small temples that are connected by long white roads called saches. Between 1200 and 1650 AD this was maybe one of the most important centres of pilgrimage in Mesoamerica.

The site was dedicated to the Mayan god Ixchel, who was the god of midwifery, fertility, medicine and weaving (nice mix...;).

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	Check out Coz's ancient Maya past Tip Rating:

Updated By Quero

on November 15, 2004

Cozumel Island was considered a sacred place to the native Maya people who populated the area before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers. The small Cozumel Museum is a good place to begin if you'd like to understand more about that part of Coz. But the museum also includes displays with information about the fringing reef ecosystem. The museum is open every day, including holidays, from 9 to 5. The museum restaurant, called Del Museo, opens at 7 for breakfast, serving lunch until 2.

Directions: On the shorline road, north of the central plaza

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	Lighthouse at Punta Celerain Tip Rating:

By Quero

on November 16, 2004

The lighthouse standing at the southern tip of the island is within the Parque Punta Sur park. You can climb to the top of the lighthouse for a nice view, and you can visit the museum within the complex.

I have listed another lighthouse in the "Off the Beaten Path" section, but this one is more easily accesible and is supported by an infrastructure that includes food and facilites.