Karl WP Beyer Cozumel is an island in the Caribbean Sea that belongs to the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The name Cozumel comes from the Mayan language and means "place of the swallows".
Cozumel's history
Cozumel's history dates back to the "classic period" of the Maya. During that period - between 400 and 900 AD - the island was an important religious site and not only that: Cozumel was also a trading center for the Maya. Today, the island is famous for its archaeological sites, such as the ruins of San Gervasio.
Cozumel - San Gervasio - El Altar
Cozumel was discovered in 1518 by the Spanish explorer Juan de Grijalva and a year later by the Spanish conqueror Hernán Cortés. During the Spanish colonial period, most of the natives died as a result of the infectious diseases brought by the conquerors. The island was largely uninhabited during the Spanish occupation. In the 19th century, Cozumel was repopulated after Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821. In the following years, Cozumel slowly developed into a center for agriculture and fishing.
Cozumel – Facts and figures
The island is located about 20 kilometers east of the Yucatán Peninsula and is about 48 kilometers long and 16 kilometers wide. The area is given as 478 square kilometers. Cozumel is the third largest island in Mexico. The island's capital is San Miguel de Cozumel, located on the western coast. According to the 2020 census, the city had almost 84.500 inhabitants.
Cozumel - island capital San Miguel
Cozumel became famous when the French marine researcher Jacques Cousteau discovered the Palancar Reef in the southwest of the island in 1960. He rated it as one of the best diving areas in the world.
Culture
The culture on Cozumel is strongly influenced by the original Mayan tradition. This is reflected in the many fiestas and traditional dances that are celebrated on the island. An important cultural event is the Carnival of Cozumel. It is considered one of the oldest and most colorful carnival events in Mexico. Cozumel's cuisine is diverse and includes both traditional Mayan dishes and a variety of seafood fresh from the sea.
Cozumel - Musicians and Dancers
Economic concerns
At present, the island's economy is based mainly on tourism. Every year, the island welcomes several million visitors. The main attraction is water sports. The outstanding diving and snorkeling options make Cozumel a popular travel destination. The island's underwater world is an outstanding destination for divers. It is part of the second largest coral reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Reef. In addition to tourism, agriculture, especially the cultivation of chicle (natural latex as the basis of chewing gum) and fishing, play a major role in the local economy.
Cozumel - Diving school - Preparation for the snorkeling course
Tourism
The island's tourism depends on water sports, especially the first-class diving and snorkeling areas. The clear, warm waters and the diverse marine fauna make the island a popular destination. The most famous diving spots include the Palancar Reef and the Santa Rosa Wall for beginners. In addition to diving, Cozumel also offers a variety of other leisure activities such as golf, deep-sea fishing and tours of the archaeological sites.
Within Mexico, Cozumel competes with other popular tourism destinations in the Riviera Maya and the Mexican Caribbean, such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Cancun is known for its large resorts and intense nightlife, while Playa del Carmen offers a mix of luxury and a bohemian atmosphere. Tulum attracts tourists with its well-preserved Mayan ruins and beautiful beaches.
Cozumel as a destination for cruise ships
The island of Cozumel is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean. The destination of the cruise ships is San Miguel de Cozumel. The city offers cruise ships several berths at a total of three terminals. In 2022, according to the German statistics portal "statista", 2,1 million cruise passengers were counted on Cozumel. The portal Cozumel4You states the number of cruise ship passengers in the first quarter of 2024 as 1,46 million. A total of 1,6 million visitors were counted on Cozumel during the same period.
Cozumel - Cruise Ships
What to do on Cozumel? Passengers mostly go on day trips. These often include diving and snorkeling tours, visits to the beach and visits to cultural and historical sites. We preferred a rental car. The infrastructure of the island's capital is well tailored to the needs of cruise passengers with numerous shops, restaurants and tour operators. We describe what makes Cozumel so worth seeing and experiencing for "cruisers" and tourists under Cozumel attractions.
Updated Aug 2024