Where:  Located in the Caribbean Sea off the east coast of Mexico's Yucatan Penisula, Cozumel is an island with approximately 184.54 sq mi of land area.

Population: As of a 2005 census, Cozumel has a population of 73,193 citizens, with 71,401 citizens living in the town of San Miguel.

Economy:  Nearly all of Cozumel's economy comes from tourism.  Divers, snorkelers, and fishermen make up the majority of vistors, though the island offers a variety of other activities and attractions.  Cozumel is also a popular destination for cruise ships.

Top

Chankanaab Water Park

Located South of San Miguel, Chankanaab National Marine Park is home to the world's only inland coral reef, the island's only botanical garden, and a variety of recreated Mayan ruins.  Whether snorkeling with the 60+ different species of tropical fish or trying to identify one of the parks 350 varities of plant life, Chankannab is an excellent place to connect with the plants, animals, and cultural legacy that make Cozumel such a unique and ecological important place.  You can see more photos of Cozumel's marine life in our photo gallery.

San Gervasio - Mayan Ruins

Though evidence of their culture can be found throughout the isalnd, the Mayan ruins at San Gervasio are the best perserved and most famous in Cozumel.  Dedicated to the goddess of fertility and medicine, Ix Chel, the settlement was the center of Mayan society in Cozumel, with white stone roads connecting its temples and ceremonail buildings. Located in the island's interior San Gervasio is typically far warmer and more humid than the rest of the island, characterisics that seems to suit the many iguanas that call the park home.  Check out our photo gallery of Cozumel's Mayan ruins here.

Celarain Lighthouse - Punta Sur

With white sand beaches dotted with sea turtle nests to mangrove jungles ocupied by migratory birds and corcodiles, Punta Sur Ecological Park and Nature Reserve encapsulate a wealth of ecologolical diversity, as well as a variety of structures that bare witness to Cozumel's rich past.  Located on the southern point of the island, Punta Sur is home to the Celarain Lighthouse, which served as the community center and symbol for Cozumel up until the early years of the 20th century.  Among the parks 247 acres and containing 220 different varieties of turtles, birds, and iguanas, you will aslo find the Mayan ruins of El Caracol, a cermonail building where fires were lit by the ancient Mayans to warn of approaching hurricanes.  Punta Sur is a place of unique beauty and an ecological treasure.  Take a look at our Punta Sur photo gallery to see more.

Museo de la Isla de Cozumel

Top

~ 400 AD -  Estimated arrival of the Mayan people on the island of Cozumel.  Though some evidence exists of an even older Toltec culture. The Mayan culture would flourish on the island of Cozumel for over 1,000 years.  The island's name is derived from the Mayan name Cuzam Lumil, which roughly translates to "Land of Swallows."

1518 - On May 3rd of 1518, Juan de Grijalva, a Spanish explorer, becomes the first European to visit Cozumel.  Though he promptly proclaimed Cozumel the property of Spain, his interactions with the Mayans were peaceful.

1519-1524 - In 1519, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés and his army arrive in Cozumel.  Though the Mayans and Spanish never engaged in prolonged armed conflict, Cortés and his forces overtook the island, destroying its temples and enslaving its people.  A smallpox outbreak also decimated the Mayan population of the island. 

1700s - The combined effects of the Spanish conquest and disease leave Cozumel nearly uninhabited. It is used as base by a variety of pirates including the famous Captain Henry Morgan.

1848-1860s - Cozumel is slowly re-settled by refugees fleeing the Caste War that was consuming the Yucatan peninsula.  During this time mestizos founded San Miguel on the island's west coast, while Mayan refugees settled at El Cedral near the south point.

1870-1950s - The island becomes an important shipping port allowing its population and economy to grow.  The great depression lead to serious hardship in Cozumel, but recovery came shortly after the start of World War II.  During the war an airstrip was built for Allied planes tasked with patrolling the Gulf of Mexico on the look out for Nazi submarines.

1960 - French explorer, film-maker, and underwater pioneer, Jacques Cousteau explores coral reefs around Cozumel.  His accounts began to draw scuba divers from all portions of the globe to the little known island, laying the foundation for what would become the islands most important sources of revenue, eco-tourism.

1970-2000 - Cemented in its reputation as one of the premier diving locations on the planet, a larger airport is built in the late 1970s.  The island's population during this time period more than quadrupled, peaking at around 70,000 citizens.

2005 - Cozumel was hit by two category four hurricanes, Emily in July and Wilma in October.  Though both hurricanes caused serious damage, Wilma was the more brutal, destroying many resorts, homes, and businesses, as well as damaging the island's reef and mangrove wetlands. 

Top