Cozumel, off the coast of Mexico, is the most popular cruise port in the world and with good reason. A pocket-sized island that measures just 12 miles in length, Cozumel reverbrates with the famous Latin energy that Mexico is famous for and ,moves to a constant musical beat. Travellers embarking on the island during a cruise stopover can dive deep into crystal clear waters teeming with colourful marine life, try their hand at any number of watersports, swim with dolphins or take a horse riding adventure through mangrove swamps.
If that all sounds a little too adventurous, how about just lazing on a beautiful beach, watching the world go by or sipping a tangy margarita cocktail and nibbling on seafood at one of Cozumells many lively bars. For something a little more cultural, there are trips available to some fascinating Mayan ruins.
Visit The Beaches And Meet The Dolphins
No matter how high your expectations of Cozumel, it is highly unlikely that you will be disappointed. The islandds location off the Yucutan peninsula of Mexico means that it is blessed with the year-round warm sunny weather that Mexico is famous for, as well as being home to countless soft sandy beaches lapped by azure waters. Diving, snorkelling, swimming and watersports are all popular pursuits during a visit to Chankanab National Park, which boasts an underground tunnel linking the warm sea with a lagoon visited by dolphins. Free to come and go as they please, they often choose to swim with visitors to the lagoon. The park also features a stunning botanical garden, where visitors can admire some 800 species of colourful plantlife.
Visit Mayan Ruins
Mexicoos Mayan ruins are a key part of the countryys appeal to visitors and continue to enthrall those who visit them. During a cruise stopover at Cozumel, visitors can take an organised shore excursion by jeep or coach out to San Gervasio, where a Mayan community thrived over 1200 years ago. Your guide will explain the myths and mysteries of the Mayan culture and many tours will continue on to nearby beaches for a little swimming and tanning time before heading to the centre of Cozumel and back to the port. For those with more than a passing interest in the Mayans and their culture, however, it is worth taking an excursion that goes out to El Cedral, the oldest settlement on the island.
See The Marine Life Of The Coral Reefs
The coral reefs of Cozumel are famous the world over, as is the marine life that inhabits them. Although it is possible for qualified divers to take the plunge into the deep, even those with little or no diving experience can see the wierd and wonderful creatures of the sea during a snorkelling expedition. Great for families, these shore excursions will whisk visitors from the pier to visit several prime snorkelling locations, allowing snorkellers to dive down and marvel at the wonderful colours of the aquatic flora and fauna. A snorkelling trip to the coral reefs is a highlight of any cruise stopover in Cozumel and the boat trip itself is a wonderful way to see the beautiful coastal scenery. More active snorkelling tours may involve canoeing or kayaking out to the reefs before making the descent into the waters.
