The name Cozumel comes from the Mayan language and means place of swallows. Cozumel was already an economic and religious center of the region at the time of the Maya, around the year 1000 AD.

The island was sacred to the Maya and dedicated to the goddess Ixchel, who was the patron of the water, the rainbow and the pregnant women. The temples of Cozumel were often visited by women who wanted children. Legends say that the goddess sent her favorite bird, the swallow, to the island from which the name of the island derives.

At the time of the Spanish conquest, about 40,000 Maya lived on the island. They have been almost completely eradicated by the smallpox introduced by the occupiers.

Several ruins on the island still bear witness to their presence. Unfortunately, the largest buildings were blown up and levelled during the Second World War to build a runway for aircrafts. The ruins of San Gervasio and their cenote in the center of the island are the greatest surviving witnesses of those days.

Since Jacques Cousteau made the island famous with his reports about diving in the coral reefs in the 1960s, Cozumel has become a popular travel destination. Cozumel borders the second largest coral reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef with about 1000 km in length. The reef is largely a UNESCO World Heritage Site and strictly protected.

Cozumel is also the home of the Nelson nose bear or Cozumel nose bear, a species that only exists here. This species has developed much smaller than its mainland relatives due to the isolation on the island.

A large variety of birds such as frigate birds, pelicans and cormorants are living on the island, and attentive observers will also discover tree frogs, crocodiles and iguanas in the dense vegetation.

Most restaurants on Cozumel reflect the relaxed lifestyle of the island – open locations with a very pleasant ambience and warm-hearted service, casual clothing is usually suitable and reservations are rarely necessary. The typical dishes of fish and seafood are probably unmatched in their freshness.

Some restaurants offer very creative cuisine, but many are more traditional Mexican-oriented. If you are looking for restaurants with reasonable prices, it is worth visiting the small family restaurants in the silent corners of San Miguel de Cozumel.

The taxi drivers in Cozumel are specialists in restaurant recommendations… their tips can be worth gold, but keep in mind, however, that they usually receive commission for towed guests from the restaurants. Not all restaurants accept credit cards, so don’t forget to take cash with you!

Of course, the nightlife in Cozumel is not as vibrant as in Cancun or Playa del Carmen, but it still won’t be boring. Since there are not so many locations on Cozumel, there is always something going on in the trendy bars.

However, the start of the evening is a nice walk by the sea including breathtaking sunsets. Many shops are still open and you can stroll in peace. Cozumel island is small and safe enough to take a walk even in the dark.

Since many visitors to Cozumel do sports during the day, the evening starts in the late afternoon in the cafés and restaurants with live music, good food and delicious drinks. When these locations close, you just move along to the bars in the center, where you can celebrate all night long.