Cozumel is Mexico’s largest island (30 miles long, 10 miles
wide) in the Caribbean Sea, off the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and
opposite Playa del Carmen. It was first
settled by the Maya during the first millennium AD, and remained untouched by
the European world until the arrival of Hernan Cortes in 1519.
After docking, David and I boarded the ferry for the
45minute trip across to Playa del Carmen and our excursion to X-Caret. It is an ecological/archeological theme park has an underground river, a replica of a Mayan
village, cultural shows, animals and authentic Mexican restaurants.
Restaurant on the pier at Cozumel
Playa del Carmen beach
According to Mayan
legend, Cozumel was home to the gods.
Appropriately so, with its stunning white-sand beaches, crystalling blue
waters teeming with tropical fish, rugged jungle wildlife and ruined Mayan
temples.
However, the gods
haven’t been the only ones attracted to this Caribbean paradise. Over the years, Cozumel has been home to
pirates, buccaneers and freebooters, including Sir Henry Morgan and Jean
Lafitte. More recently, it has become a
tranquil getaway for tourists, particularly those searching for unbeatable
diving and snorkelling.
One of the day’s highlights was watching the ‘Voldores’
(flying men) who performed a traditional ritual praying/thanking the gods for
the changing seasons. We also enjoyed
the scenery, the aquatic animals, coral displays, land animals and birds. (Shame it included the 45minute ferry ride
each way, as we missed out on being able to shop at the pier!)
'Voldores' - flying men
Xcaret - view from our table at lunch
Scarlet Macaws - David & 'the birds'...
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