Cozumel — Diver's Paradise★★
Cozumel is Mexico's diving mecca. The country's largest island (48×16 km) lies 19 km off Playa del Carmen and is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef — the world's second-largest coral reef after the Great Barrier Reef.
Diving & Snorkeling
Jacques Cousteau made Cozumel world-famous in the 1960s. The visibility (30–45 m!) and biodiversity are sensational:
- Palancar Reef: The star among dive sites. Coral towers, canyons, and swim-throughs. Turtles, eagle rays, moray eels.
- Santa Rosa Wall: Wall diving with strong currents — for advanced divers. Gigantic sponges and gorgonians.
- Columbia Reef: Deep (25–35 m), spectacular coral formations.
- El Cielo: Shallow sandbank with hundreds of starfish. Perfect for snorkeling!
Prices: 2-tank diving from 1,500 MXN (80€), snorkeling tour from 800 MXN (43€). Dozens of dive schools in the town of San Miguel.
Above Water
- San Miguel: The only town on the island. Malecón, souvenir shops, restaurants. Crowded on cruise ship days.
- East Coast: Wild and rocky. No hotels, few people. Playa Chen Río has a natural pool for swimming.
- Punta Sur Eco Park: Lighthouse, crocodiles, lagoons, snorkeling beach. 18 USD entry.
💡 Tipp
Avoid Cozumel when cruise ships dock (3–5 per day in high season) — then San Miguel turns into a souvenir bazaar. cruisemapper.com shows the calendar. On ship-free days, the island is wonderfully quiet.
