Cozumel is one of the most outstanding locations of the Mexican Caribbean because of its natural beauties, white sandy beaches, turquoise blue waters, coral reefs, and its cultural and historical beauty.With its own international airport, but also strongly connected to Playa del Carmen through various ferry services,Cozumel has a long interrupted history of inhabitation, but it was only in 1975 when it was constituted as a municipality and when it elected its first mayor. Since then, it has kept a rising tourism development, with a “Mexican heart and a Caribbean soul” as residents say.
Cozumel is a Mayan word meaning “Land of Swallows.” It is believed that the Mayans placed Cozumel as the sanctuary of Ixchel, goddess of love and fertility.
The island became uninhabited shortly before the Spanish arrival and remained so for a long tim, serving as a haven for pirates such as Henry Morgan and Jean Lafitte.
Some 160 years ago, the island became inhabited once more, leading to the forming of a small fishing village.
Currently, it’s main town San Miguel, has 73 thousand residents. It has 90 restaurants, as well as discos and cafés. It is also surrounded by luxurious hotels and even golf courses.
Most of the island, however, is virgin territory covered in jungle or lagoons and populated by numerous birds, mammals and reptiles. It’s Southern side, Punta Sur, is an environmental reserve.
