Cozumel – Part 1 – Cozumel And Its Culture

We have been diving in Cozumel for at least 15 years. We dive all over the world, and hands down, in our humble opinions, Cozumel has the best diving in the world (that we’ve done). Why? Well, most of the island is a protected marine park, so there is lots and lots of large marine life to see and the underwater topography is amazing. And the reefs are very healthy and full of life. Where else can you do so many swim throughs in under water canyons and see so much marine life?

Cozumel is famous for its crystal-clear, warm turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and world-class snorkeling and diving at the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef system in the world, second to the Great Barrier Reef in Northern Australia (we’ve dived there too). Diving is one of the main attractions for visitors and diving was the main reason we were headed back to Cozumel yet again too. And diving for my birthday, well that’s just the icing on the cake. And dive we did. We we sure had some amazing dives too. 🙂

The Caleta is the marina where all the smaller fishing and dive boats are. It is on the southern part of the island. It is always our home away from home when in Cozumel. There is another marina up on the northern part of the island for larger boats.

We had one dive up on the northern part of the island, up at Cantrell, where we had an amazing eagle ray show, with 19 eagle rays showing up and just hanging out with us for about 5 minutes. We were elated to say the least. The current was very strong, and we didn’t want to miss a thing, so we found some big, strong rocks to cling to and just watched the show. I am trying to figure out how to show you the videos, but for now, you will just have to live with photos I take off the internet.

This is EXACTLY what we saw, only there were even more of the rays. It was definitely a sight to behold. I have 428 dives, and this was by far one of, if not THE BEST, dive ever.

Mexico, as a whole, has a rich and diverse culture, with many influences, though predominantly Spanish, Mayan and Aztec, depending on where you go. But Cozumel is most definitely influenced by the Mayan culture.

Cozumel, like so much of the Mexican Riviera and the Yucatan Peninsula, is very proud of their Mayan culture. It is evident in everything from their art, to their architecture, to their food. There is even a Mayan ruin site on the island, San Gervasio. We have been a few times in the past, but we did not go this time. San Gervasio is one of the only Mayan sites dedicated to the goddess, and all things feminine. There are Mayan replicas all over the island.

In the mornings, we would dive, and after diving, and showering and changing, we would do a wide variety of different activities. One of the places we visited was the Museo de la Isla de Cozumel. By going to the museum, we discovered new things to do as well on other days.

Cozumel is an island and municipality in the Caribbean Sea off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, opposite Playa del Carmen. Cozumel, a mostly undeveloped Mexican island in the Caribbean Sea. Most of the island is still covered in thick jungle territory, and is therefore still wild and untamed. The name Cozumel, roughly translates to the swallow’s nest. There are swallow references all over the island too.

This is the iconic statue right by the ferry terminal.

Swallows are even imprinted into the cement on the sidewalks and walkways.

This is just a brief overview of our home away from home. Get ready. I have so much more to share with you. 🙂

Have a great day and make everyday great. Stay safe and stay well. ‘Til next time.