5 Can’t-Miss Eco-Adventures in Cozumel

The island of Cozumel, located just off the Yucatan Peninsula in southeastern Mexico, is a destination like no other. Home to the all-inclusive Occidental Cozumel, a visit here offers the chance to experience one-of-a-kind eco-adventures.

Discover A World Beneath The Waves

Cozumel is a scuba diving paradise for all levels of experience. The waters of the Palancar Reef are crystal clear, with visibility up to 200 feet, perfect for scuba divers to mingle with sea turtles, eagle rays, and shimmering schools of tropical fish. Even more – the 67,133-acre Cozumel Reef National Park is home to one of the largest, most biologically diverse coral reefs in the world. It’s a diving and snorkeling paradise, bringing underwater adventurers into close contact with an amazing array of marine life.

Good to know: Occidental Cozumel’s Ultimate Dive Experience includes one diver’s tank per day, an Ultimate Dive Experience exclusive ID wristband, accommodation within an exclusive section of the resort, near the beach diving shop, a special hanger to dry your diving suit in your room, plus many more amenities.

Stay Dry – But Still Get An Underwater Experience

Not quite ready for the full Scuba experience? No worries. A glass-bottom boat tour of the Palancar Reef and the surrounding waters will get you up-close to an incredible undersea eco-system – without getting wet. But just in case you do want to get in the water, several outfitters bring along snorkeling gear so that you can dive in for a closer look. Whatever you decide, you’ll encounter gorgeous and colorful reef formations and an abundance of dazzling marine life.

Explore A Natural Treasure

As its name suggests, Parque Punta Sur is located on Cozumel’s southern point – and it’s one of the treasures of the island’s natural landscape. The park is home to an astonishingly diverse array of flora and fauna, wide beaches with fine white sand, and turquoise waters with beautiful coral reefs. Punta Sur is also home to two splendid lighthouses: Templo de Caracol (“seashell temple”), which dates back to the pre-Hispanic era, and the more recently constructed El Faro Celarain, which also houses a revealing nautical museum, filled with tales of explorers, pirates and more.

Journey Through The Past

One of the most important archaeological sites in all of Mexico, San Gervasio is a truly amazing trip back in time to the Mayan era. The area was a place of great spiritual importance for the Mayans, with thousands of women undertaking regular pilgrimages to pay tribute to Ixchel, the goddess of love and fertility. Today, you can wander the evocative ruins, which include several well-preserved temples and the fascinating “Manitas” structure, which was the home of the Mayan ruler of Cozumel. Its name comes from the amazing impressions of human hands that adorn the walls. While you explore, keep an eye out for the iguanas who call the ruins home.

Chankanaab National Park

Declared a national park in 1980, Chankanaab is packed with only-in-Cozumel eco-adventures. One can’t-miss experience here is the sparkling natural lagoon, from which the park takes its name. The lagoon was an important resource for the Mayan people back in pre-Hispanic days, and later served as a hiding place for the pirates of the Caribbean. The park is also home to a fragrant botanical garden, with more than 350 species of tropical plants, not to mention a detailed re-creation of a traditional Mayan village. Best of all is the lovely white-sand beach, with dozens of hammocks swinging gently between towering palm trees. Climb in and relax, Cozumel-style.