Cozumel, Mexico
An underwater paradise and Island Oasis

Cozumel (co-zoo-MEL), Mexico's largest inhabited island, is also one of the country's biggest paradoxes. Serene, laid-back and somewhat undiscovered by Mexico's 20 million annual visitors, Cozumel rivals many Caribbean island destinations when it comes to visitor facilities, activities, and stunning beauty. (But it's not the same as it was ten years ago...there are more people.)

Yet until recently, the island has been best known as a cruise ship port-of-call and mecca for hard-core scuba divers. Cozumel is now shedding some of its 'divers only' reputation and making strides in attracting more mainstream international guests. The majority of the island's visitors are now families, ecotourists, honeymooners, and Yucatan-bound visitors that find nearby Cancún a bit overwhelming.  

Cozumel's appeal lies with its combination of the best of Mexico (friendly people, affordable prices, great dining/shopping, interesting cultural sightseeing) with the allure of vacationing on a Caribbean island. This mix makes Cozumel one of Mexico's most unique destinations, offering a hard-to-find vacation duality.

Cozumel has more than 30 reefs stretching off the coast and hosting the world s second largest reef.   With the multitude of reefs, divers will have to return again and again to explore even a small portion of what is offered.  The famous Palancar Reef , with visibility of up to 86 meters, offers about 40 dive spots, each providing a different adventure.  One can select from novice dives to challenging dives recommended for experienced divers only. 

Visitors should take care and help preserve the coral reefs.  Divers and snorkelers should keep a safe 3 -5 feet distance from coral to prevent from kicking and breaking coral and hold back the impulse to touch or remove anything from the marine environment.  Simply touching coral will kill it.  With some corals even touching it can be a painful experience.

Cozumel isn't just for experienced divers but also for beginners and snorkelers.  Snorkeling is the second most popular sport on the island. For novice snorklers, there is no need to swim far distances or take a boat trip to take advantage of the reefs.  Great snorkeling opportunities await even at hotel beaches.   Fish feeding is a common activity at some beaches.  Also, 100 meters off of La Ceiba pier is a sunken 40-passenger plane serving as a reef to all sorts of colourful marine life, with a visibility of 30 meters.

The warm, calm waters with easy access to exciting marine life makes Cozumel an ideal place for families with children. Cozumel offers an underwater paradise, access to all the necessary safe diving equipment and safety programs for divers and swimmers alike.  And when you need a break from water sports, there are endless sights to see and activities to do just by taking the ferry across to the Yucatan Peninsula.  There is no doubt why Cozumel is one of the world's favorite diving and sun destinations.