Cozumel is a 189-square-mile island just east of mainland Mexico. Surrounded by vast coral reefs and the turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea, Cozumel draws two million visitors per year.

Jacques Cousteau first put Cozumel on the map in the late 1960s after featuring the island’s scattered coral reefs collectively known as the Maya Reef on his TV show. Since then, snorkelers and divers world-wide have flocked to Cozumel to explore its underwater treasures.

A more recent tourism driver for the island is its inclusion in cruise line itineraries. As many as 6 large cruise ships dock daily at

San Miguel, Cozumel’s only town and one that has retained the feel of a true Mexican village. Travelers staying in one of Cozumel’s hotels should plan their trip into San Miguel accordingly to beat the crowds of day-trippers who take over the streets and shops of San Miguel mid-day.

While Cancun, nestled on mainland Mexico, attracts spring breakers the world over and serious sunbathers, Cozumel stands out as a more relaxed destination. Although its main draw is the natural beauty just waiting to be discovered underwater, Cozumel remains an inexpensive destination for visitors looking for a relaxing Caribbean get-away. Throw in horseback riding along the beach, watching traditional dancing and searching for Mayan remains, Cozumel offers up visitors a very authentic Mexican experience.

Cozumel Travel Guides
 Frommer's Cozumel
 Lonely Planet Cozumel
 Let's Go Cozumel
 Fodors Cozumel