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Cozumel Attractions

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Cozumel Attractions

Maya Ruins -- When it comes to Cozumel's Maya ruins, getting there is most of the fun -- do it for the mystique and for the trip, not for the size or scale of the ruins. The buildings, though preserved, are crudely made and would not be much of a tourist attraction if they were not the island's principal ruins. One of the most popular island excursions is to San Gervasio (100 B.C.-A.D. 1600). Follow the paved transversal road. You'll see the well-marked turnoff about halfway between town and the eastern coast. More significant than beautiful, this site was once an important ceremonial center where the Maya gathered, coming even from the mainland. The important deity was Ixchel, the goddess of weaving, women, childbirth, pilgrims, the moon, and medicine. Although you won't see any representations of Ixchel at San Gervasio today.
A History Museum -- The Museo de la Isla de Cozumel, Avenida Rafael Melgar between calles 4 and 6 Norte, is more than just a nice place to spend a rainy hour. On the first floor an exhibit illustrates endangered species, the origin of the island, and its present-day topography and plant and animal life, including an explanation of coral formation. The second-floor galleries feature the history of the town, artifacts from the island's pre-Hispanic sites, and colonial-era cannons, swords, and ship paraphernalia.
Carnaval -- Carnaval (similar to Mardi Gras) is Cozumel's most colorful fiesta. It begins the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, with daytime street dancing and nighttime parades on Thursday, Saturday, and Monday.

Cozumel Activities

Cozumel is a divers paradise, is the number-one dive destination in the Western Hemisphere. Dive shops will rent you scuba gear, but won't take you out on a boat until you show some documentation, so if you plan on diving don't forget your dive card and dive log If you have a medical condition, bring a letter signed by a doctor stating that you've been cleared to dive.
Cozumel has a lot of dive locations. To mention but a few: the famous Palancar Reef, with its caves and canyons, plentiful fish, and a wide variety of sea coral; the monstrous Santa Rosa Wall, famous for its depth, sea life, coral, and sponges; the San Francisco Reef, which has a shallower drop-off wall and fascinating sea life; and the Yucab Reef, with its beautiful coral.