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| Cozumel. |
Mexico Facts & Information
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| Location
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Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea
and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the US and bordering
the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the US |
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| Climate
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Varies from tropical to desert |
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| Terrain
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High rugged mountains, low coastal plains,
high plateaus, and desert |
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| Population
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106,202,903 |
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| Nationality
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Mexican |
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| Ethnic groups
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Mestizo 60%, Amerindian 30%, white 9%, other
1% |
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| Religions
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Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%, other 5% |
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| Languages
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Spanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other
regional indigenous languages |
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| Government Type
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Federal Republic |
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| Capital
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Mexico City |
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| Currency
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Mexican Peso (MXN) |
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| Description of Flag
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Three equal vertical bands of green (hoist
side), white, and red; the coat of arms (an eagle perched on
a cactus with a snake in its beak) is centered in the white
band |
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| Mexico Flag
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More Information
 www.cia.gov
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Cozumel Culture
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The people of Cozumel blend the
tradition of Mexico with the soul of the Caribbean. The people
are friendly and aim to make visitors feel welcome. One major
cultural factor is their relaxed nature. Not much importance
is placed on time as most appointments tend to start a half-hour
later than the agreed upon time. When visiting, be sure to observe
siesta (a time to rest between 1 and 4pm daily) so that you
can extend your bed time and enjoy a later supper and |
dance well into the early morning.
Cozumel has always been a center for trade and navigation, but
ancient Mayans regarded the island as a very sacred place. You will
see many Mayan remains all over the island depicting Ixchel, the
deity of the moon, pregnancy and childbirth. During 600 –
1200 A.D. female Mayans from the mainland would make the dangerous
pilgrimage to Cozumel via canoes to worship Ixchel at least once
in their life.
Cozumel natives are still tied to their past and partake in traditional
ceremonial dance and festivities. One such festival, Baile de las
Cabezas de Cochino (Dance of the Pig’s Head), is over a century
old and takes place every year from April – May 3. Dressed
in traditional, brightly colored, hand-embroidered clothing, natives
provide a pig as a sacrificial offering to God. The Mayan’s
believe that God helped them win the War of the Castes in the 19th
century and have been thanking him ever since.
There are many other popular festivals throughout the year that
really combine the rich character and traditions of the Cozumel
people with Catholic rituals. Two good examples are Carnival, the
religious rites of Easter week and San Miguel in September.
More Information:
www.state.gov
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Cozumel Shopping
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Most of Cozumel’s souvenir
shops are along the coastal Avenida Rafael E. Melgar in San
Miguel. Be aware that the malls at the cruise ship piers will
be over-run by cruise ship passengers letting loose for the
day. You will also find a collection of shops at Plaza del
Sol and Vista del Mar, also along Avenida Rafael E. Melgar.
Serious divers will find the largest range of shops
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catering to their underwater needs just below San Miguel as the
Southwestern coast offer the island’s best coral reefs.
Unique souvenirs to bring home include a Yucatecan hammock, regarded
to be the finest in the world, and honey made by bees only found
in this region. Mexico is also known for its vanilla and amber in
this area. While you will find the best deals on hammocks from street
vendors and municipal markets, be sure to purchase amber from actual
shops—vendors have been known to try to pass off plastic versions
of the gem.
Cozumel also has good prices on Mexican silver and turquoise jewelry.
To ensure that you are buying sterling silver, look for a "925"
stamp on the item.
And avoid bringing home any items made of black coral. Not only
an endangered species, but you may be barred from bringing it back
to the United States and other countries.
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| Cozumel Restaurants |
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Read reviews for some of the best
restaurants in Cozumel. You'll find the perfect restaurant for your
vacation here. Choose a restaurant by cuisine type or visitor rating. |
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Cozumel Travel Guides
Frommer's Cozumel
Lonely Planet Cozumel
Let's Go Cozumel
Fodors Cozumel
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