Cozumel Map
Just 12 miles from the mainland of the Yucatan peninsula, lies a small gem. This is an island that forms a mere speck in the Gulf of Mexico yet it is regularly listed among one of the top five destinations for keen divers and lovers of water sports. Welcome to Cozumel! Geography Cozumel is a small island- barely 28 miles long by 11 miles wide. It is easily visible as a tree covered speck on the horizon from Playa del Carmen on the mainland. But, what a difference there is between the two! Cozumel is a slow paced, mellow relaxed little island that offers wonderful beaches, swimming, diving and snorkeling. For the tourist who loves water sport, Cozumel offers a getaway that can rarely be matched. The south west of the island has a number of tall reefs. Couple this with a flat smooth sea between the island and the mainland and you have a divers’ paradise – fun to explore and safe to swim in. The East is open to the Atlantic, which has deposited soft white sand to produce miles of soft silky beaches. However, don’t get complacent looking at the beaches – the open Atlantic can create very strong currents – especially as the tide goes out. So take care if you are on the eastern coast. A safe place to swim on the east coast is Playa Chen Rio somewhere in the center of the coastline. This beach has a natural rock formation ahead of it that cuts the undercurrent. How to Get There You get to Cozumel via a ferry from the mainland of the Yucatan. The ferry leaves from Playa Del Carmen right opposite the island and takes just about a half an hour. The sea is flat as the island shields it and you have a very pleasant ride in. All ferries stop at San Miguel, which is the only town at Cozumel. The waterfront at San Miguel is a riot of color and offers a delightful visual treat to visitors. Beware! First time visitors can get quite overwhelmed with the souvenir and jewelry shops that jostle for space on the waterfront. Food & Beverages This is something that you just