Cozumel Travel and Things to Do Guide

Mexico's third-largest island, Cozumel, is located off of the Yucatan peninsula's Caribbean coast, in the state of Quintana Roo. The island has gained international popularity, due to its splendid diving conditions in turquoise blue waters and colorful reefs that surround its shores. However, the island's history is far from young; Mayan ruins can be found on Cozumel and researchers have traced its first inhabitants back to 200 B.C. Located on a beautiful island that is rich with wildlife, history and culture, venues in Cozumel include world-class hotels and a state-of-the-art convention center. Cozumel is quite accessible: The Cozumel International Airport has service to and from 3 Canadian and 11 U.S. destinations. It is accessible from the mainland by way of a ferry, which leaves several times daily from Playa del Carmen, an hour's drive or bus ride from Cancun's international airport. Cozumel is also a major destination for cruise ships, and the island boasts 3 piers. Hotel venues in Cozumel account for 3,489 rooms and suites in 21 properties. The island also contains a convention center, which hosts events of up to 600 people in three convention rooms. The Cozumel Convention Center has a combined event space of 17,114 square feet. Alternatively, the all-inclusive 251-room El Cozumeleno Beach Resort has pools, a theater, a gym, two restaurants and five bars on a luxury beach property north. The resort's event facilities can host up to 750 people in three conference rooms measuring 5,263 square feet. The facility's total exhibition spaces measure 2,260 square feet. Although the island is famous for spectacular diving, it also offers a broad range of activities to satisfy a variety of tastes for pre and post event activities. A trip to Chankanaab Park gives visitors a chance to visit the island's biggest lagoon, swim with dolphins, dive among beautiful reefs and check out the botanical garden. Just south of the park is Punta Cela, which has a lighthouse with a great view, as well as an old Mayan temple. Other water activities include group catamaran tours, fishing trips and sea kayaking trips. For those looking for some action on land, canopy tours, as well as ATV and horseback riding excursions are available. The Cozumel Country Club offers visitors an 18-Hole Nicklaus Design Group signature golf course.