About Cozumel Visit
Cozumel (Mayan: Island of the Swallows) is an island in the
Caribbean Sea off the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatán
Peninsula, opposite Playa del Carmen. It is one of the eight
municipalities (municipios) of the state of Quintana Roo.
Cozumel is a popular tourist destination renowned for its
scuba diving. The main town on the island is San Miguel de
Cozumel.
The island is about 48 km (30 miles) north-south and 16 km
(10 miles) east-west, and is the largest Atlantic island of
Mexico. It is about 20 km (12 miles) from the mainland, and
some 60 km (36 miles) south of Cancún. The vast majority
of the population of Cozumel lives in the town of San Miguel
(pop. 71,401 in 2005), which is on the western shore. The
rest of the island is low, flat, and densely vegetated.
Source: Wikipedia
Travel
Regions
* SCUBA diving — Cozumel is one of the premier scuba
diving destinations in the Western Hemisphere. The island
abounds with dive shops, most willing to give you a pseudo-resort
certification and take you out, but for an added price. A
certified boat dive (two tanks) will set you back around $70,
plus any equipment rental fees. Most dive locations are located
well south of the city proper, as are a number of dive shops
if you want a short boat ride. Most diving in Cozumel is drift
diving, where you are dropped off by the boat at the beginning
of the dive, are carried along the reef by the current, and
picked up at the end of your dive by the boat. There is some
shore diving, but it is limited.
* Aldora Divers — training, certification and
fast 6 person boats with high capacity steel tanks and long
surface intervals, usually at Palancar Beach Club. Rental
equipment. Night Dives. Nitrox available. Villa Aldora room
and suite rentals.
* Aqua Safari — training, certification and two
types of daily dive trips (fast or slow boat). Good company
but they tend to pack more people on a dive trip (up to 16
on a slow boat).
* Blue XT~Sea Diving — training, certification,
equipment rental, and nitrox are available from this dive
op. Personalized service, max 6 divers per fast boat. They'll
keep and clean your dive gear (except wetsuit) if you wish
and have it on the boat the next morning. Night and Afternoon
dives based on demand, and hotel packages with decent savings
are offered.
* Deep Blue — training, certification, nitrox,
technical and known for fast boats. At most 8 divers with
2 divemaster or as few as 4 divers with 1 dive master. Rental
equipment. Night Dives. Hotel and dive package is available
through numerous hotels. Dive shop is located in town across
the street from La Choza. Divers are usually called the day
before diving to arrange dive location and possible divemaster.
* Dive Paradise — training, certification and
two types of daily dive trips (fast or slow boat). Night dives.
Numerous dive / hotel packages. Several dive shops. Rental
equipment. In Cozumel since 1984.
* Living Underwater — small, personalized service
offering steel 120s (super-long dives). Best for advanced
divers.
* Swimming with Dolphins — The turquoise waters
of the sea at Chankanaab Natural Park in Cozumel are the great
scenery to enjoy the swimming with dolphins in the [Mexican
Caribbean]. During your program, these great marine mammals
will show you their intelligence through a series of behaviors
that every one will enjoy. Swimming with dolphins has become
one of the favorite activities for those who visit Cozumel.
* Beach lounging — most of the calm western side of
Cozumel has rough rocky beaches not suitable for swimming
or sun bathing. The areas that are suitable have been turned
into small parks. Some charge entrance fees which includes
a beach chair and umbrella as well as access to the washroom
and shower facilities; others are free to use, and offer many
of the same amenities, while relying on visitors to purchase
food or drinks. Playa San Francisco is located 20 minutes
by taxi south of town and has a restaurant on site.
* Glass Bottom Boat Tour — a twist to snorkeling.
You visit about two or three reefs, which are small parts
of the second largest coral reef in the world. It costs at
the most about $40 a couple but you can get it a little cheaper
depending on where you buy your tickets. While heading to
the snorkeling sites you have the privilege of looking through
the glass bottom of the boat to see all the sea-life you pass
on your way. Very fun to do as a couple or a family.
* Snorkeling — logically enough, the second most popular
activity after diving. Many beach-side dive shops rent equipment
for $7-10. Even though all beaches in Mexico are public some
require fees to enter and use the facilities. Beaches with
a rocky limestone shoreline on the west coast are the best
for snorkeling or shore dives since less sand is disturbed
so visibility and coral growth are better.
* The "Other Side" — the beaches on the
east (windward) side of the island. Sandy surf and large waves
alternating with rocky limestone coastlines on the east side
of the island are beautiful but can be dangerous for swimmers.
The roaring surf creates strong breakers and undertows in
many areas. Never enter the water alone. There are now many
areas where flags are displayed showing the level of safety
for a particular area. Despite the potentially dangerous swimming
conditions, these beaches are stunning and serene for enjoying
sunbathing, long walks or playing in the water very close
to shore. These beaches are popular with surfers and kite
surfers, and with locals on the weekends.
Source: Wikitravel
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