Cozumel's two claims to fame are a colorful Mayan heritage and an ecological/oceanographic location that attracts divers like fish to coral. As Mexico's largest island, Cozumel sits off the Yucatan coast in Caribbean waters teeming with 230 species of exotic fish, rainbow colored coral and sunken ships amongst the multi-hued azure Caribbean ocean in which it rests. More than 90% of the island, untouched by development, is covered in low-lying jungle, marshes, lagoons and small hills.   The island of Cozumel lies twelve miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula across from Playa del Carmen, the mainland terminal of the cross channel ferry. There are scuba diving trips to the world famous Palancar Reef.

The climate is subtropical & the people native to Cozumel, are of Mayan descent. The Maya were a great culture of farmers, fisherman & warriors who ruled from Campeche to Guatemala for over 2000 years before the arrival of the Spanish Explorers in the 15th Century. They were quite an advanced civilization, and the legacy of their culture survives in the vestiges of the huge cities that they built during their reign. One of the lesser known, but very interesting sites is here on the island and is called San Gervacio. Now a park with a restoration project to study the Mayan culture, this was once a sacred site where Mayan women journeyed to worship the goddess Ixchel, the goddess of fertility. Other fascinating sites such as Chichen Itza with its massive pyramids that rival those at Cheops, and Tulum, the only Mayan city built overlooking the sea, and even Tikal in its lush jungle settings where wild monkeys still can be seen, each are an easy one day excursion from Cozumel.

Cozumel itself was a sleepy little fishing community until 1961, when a Frenchman by the name of Jacques Cousteau declared us one of the most beautiful scuba diving areas of the world. Since that time Cozumel has become an underwater marine park to protect the delicate balance of its’ dazzling coral reefs & abundant variety of tropical fish. The underwater wildlife is absolutely amazing here & due to the clarity of the water (100 - 200 ft visibility, depending on the season), you do not have to be a diver to enjoy it. Simply put on a mask & snorkel and jump in & you will feel like you have been dropped into a tropical fish tank!!

In addition to the spectacular open water diving, the region of Cozumel and Akumal are well-known for the underground rivers that honeycomb the porous limestone of the Yucatan which provide some of the most beautiful cave and cavern or "cenote" diving in the world. Many of these caves are very highly decorated and are like floating through the finest dry cave you have ever seen, simply filled with water that is as clear as air. Because they are supported and protected by their water filled environment, they are pristine and each has its own particular marine life, unique to a water filled cave environment.

Whether your dining style is white damask elegance, hunkering down at the neighborhood cantina, you'll find eating in Cozumel to be a rich and varied experience. For one thing, basic ingredients-particularly seafood and produce--tend to be fresh, plentiful and high in quality.		The Yucatan is the indisputable home of one of the greatest cuisines in the world.