Why travel to Cozumel? Well, it’s a bucket list-worthy island with a chill personality all its own that’s a 45-minute ferry ride from Playa del Carmen. Since it’s just a coconut’s throw away, you can’t not go there.
1. Diver’s and Snorkeler’s Paradise. The number of places to see crazy colorful fish and outta sight coral reefs won’t fit into this tiny paragraph. However, a few of our fav places are Cozumel Reefs National Park, Chankanaab National Park and Columbia Reef. You’ll be wowed in a way that defies articulation. Take the plunge and see.
(Cozumel Reef, Mexico, photo by: instagram.com/kezfod.)
2. American Money Welcome. So, in terms of moolah, you might be wondering: Are US dollars accepted in Cozumel Mexico? While the official currency is the Mexican peso, the American dollar is accepted most everywhere. Many prices you’ll see will be shown in pesos, but in restaurants you’ll see both. Top line is: green American cashola is welcome.
3. Jaw-Dropping Beaches. Talk about Beach Eden, you can find it here. Here are the specifics. The eastern coast is rocky and unprotected and there’s only one road that leads to the beaches. You’ll really feel like you’re really getting away from it all. Playa Chen Rio is shallow and surrounded by lush flora, so it’s perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Playa Bonita has sugar-white sand and azure waters. Gentle waves make this a good place to steal away for some privacy and history buffs should check out the small Mayan ruin at this beach. On the west coast, there are two sandy stretches of note. Playa Corona, a well-known dive spot, boasts spectacular underwater scenery and has beach huts for chillaxing. Playa Uva Sur is more fancy schmancy and has spots on the sand where you can lounge on cushy sunbeds and rent clear-bottom kayaks. Allegro Cozumel has a stunning beach, as Palancar Reef on the southwest side of the island (where you can also enjoy epic diving) is just a seashell’s toss away. Swoon.
(Allegro Cozumel beach, Cozumel, Mexico, photo by: krystallee_diver.)
4. No Visa Needed. One of the main questions we hear is: do you need a visa to travel to Cozumel? Answer. No. All you need is your passport. Better still, there’s an online immigration form that you can take care of before you land in Mexico. No more scrambling for a pen to fill out those confusing forms while you’re about to land.
(Iberostar Cozumel beach, Mexico, photo by: instagram.com/osim_85.)
5. Artsy Boho Vibe. It’s not only known for peace and quiet, but also has an eclectic, artistic feel that is very charming. There is a wide variety of creative arts: Everything from paintings to sculptures to murals and more. Stop by Hotel Flamingo to see the stunning watercolors by Cozumel artist, Galo Ramirez. Pangea Seed Foundation created a group of Sea Wall murals that help educate and raise awareness within the local and tourist communities about the plight of the ocean and the life that calls it home. Don’t miss these. Cozumel Murals, an art cooperative, created a wall painting of an underwater scene at Las Ventanas condos that feature 10 different species of turtles, barracudas and lobsters. There are also beautiful murals and paintings in a variety of places in Cozumel, not to mention some breathtaking and thought-provoking sculptures, in parks, streets and buildings everywhere. Finally, Mario Mizrahi and Pavel Llompart are two artists in particular that are well worth checking out.
6. Mystical Mayan ruins. The main place to explore is the San Gervasio Mayan Archaeological Site, which is located 7 kilometers east of San Miguel de Cozumel. While it’s no Chichen Itza, it’s worth the visit. It was built as a sanctuary to the Goddess Ixchel, the goddess of fertility and healing. It was popular for Mayans to visit once in their lifetime on a type of pilgrimage. Not sure if you can get the same vibes from these edifices these days, but it’s fun to wander around amidst the jungle and take Insta-worthy pics.
So whose up for a jaunt to Cozumel? Just call our Beachologists at 1-800-915-3162 and they’ll set you up in no time on an unforgettable all-inclusive vacation package to Cozumel. If you want to see the other dream spots in the Caribbean and Mexico we can take you to, go here. Life is short. Time to beach.
