Marina Solutions

Itinerary Excursions

Cozumel

The Mayan called the Island “Ah-Cuzamil-Peten” or place of the swallows, because of the annual swallow migration from Florida. The Spaniards and pirates simplified it as Cozumel.

Cozumel is Mexico’s largest inhabited island located 19 km off the coast, right across from the ocean side out of Playa del Carmen (site of the ferry terminal). The island is 64 km long and 14 wide and was pilgrimage site for the ancient Maya who made the crossing in open canoes. Shrine to the mother goddess Ixchel still exist. In the post-classic period it functioned as a way station for the Mayan merchant marine, but the Spaniards in 1519 found a permanent settlement.

The pirates of many nations used the island throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, though Spain had restored order by the early 1800s. Cozumel fished and acted as a supply post for European ships working the area.

Interesting places to visit:

The island Museum is located on the waterfront in a lovely, colonial style building. In it you’ll find explanations of the island’s flora and fauna and undersea life. You’ll also learn island history from Pre-Hispanic times to the arrival of Juan de Grijalva and Hernán Cortez in the 16th century.

San Gervasio archaeological site is located in the northern half of the island. You’ll be looking at what was once the temple of Ixchel, plus auxiliary buildings.

Chankanaab Lagoon (National Park). In Maya Chankanaab means “little sea“. The park, created and protected by the Mexican government now encompasses breath-taking beauty and discoveries on land, lagoon beach an even under the sea. The “Sacred Protector of the Ocean” statue submerged just off shore makes for a great dive and the great photograph.