Cozumel is an incredible island paradise that you just can’t miss. And we aren’t the only ones that think so.
According to Riviera Maya News in the first 90 days of the year Cozumel has already welcomed an incredible 1.6 million tourists.
These figures are particularly impressive for an island that is just 29 miles (46km) long by 9 miles (14km) wide.
So why are so many people heading to this paradise island right now?
A Diver’s Paradise
Cozumel is one of the world’s best diving and snorkeling locations.
You’ll be spoilt for choice with exceptional spots because the Mesoamerican reef system here is the second-largest reef in the world.
The visibility in this reef system is exceptional year-round and the good news is that there are diving and snorkeling opportunities for all ability-levels here.
From beginner’s discovery dives to advanced drift dives, Cozumel is a great spot to start or continue your diving career.
Columbia Reef and Chankanaab Reef are considered 2 of the best spots for beginners. They are relatively swallow reefs with mild currents while still boasting an abundance of sea life and colorful corals.
For more advanced divers look to Punta Tunich which is considered one of the best drift dives around the island.
Incredible Natural Attractions
Not everyone visits Mexico to stay on the beach and if you’d like to discover more of the country’s diverse natural attractions then the nature preserve at Punta Sur should be considered a must-visit spot.
You’ll find this at the southern point of the island, and you can either rent a car to visit alone or book a tour. While tour options tend to be more expensive, the tour guides are packed with interesting insider information that you won’t get when exploring solo.
As well as some of the most beautiful beaches on the island at Punta Sur you can explore incredible mangroves and jungle vistas.
Take a boat ride through the marshlands, and you might even spot a crocodile or two.
Cozumel’s lighthouse, the Celarain Lighthouse, is also located in the Punta Sur eco beach park.
Visitors can climb to the top of this beautiful structure and enjoy incredible 360 views of the island.
Reduced Sargassum
Anyone visiting Mexico during the spring and summer months knows that sargassum can be a real problem on its usually pristine, white-sand beaches.
This smelly seaweed can pile up and act as a deterrent to lazy beach days.
While Cozumel does experience some sargassum on its shores, the east coast of the island acts as a natural barrier.
This means that the beaches on the west coast of the island, where the majority of the hotels and resorts are located, remain relatively sargassum sea.
If you’re visiting Mexico because you want to explore its beautiful beaches then this makes Cozumel one of the most attractive destinations to choose.
An Island Escape
Because the resort area in Cozumel is much smaller than the resort area in Cancun, it tends to be much less commercial.
This is an attractive proposition for tourists looking for an island escape without the hustle and bustle of a huge resort area.
Despite the huge visitor numbers Cozumel is considered a laidback and quiet location. But you’ll still find plenty of restaurants, bars, and nightlife here too.
Tourists who are prepared to travel a little further to the more remote island location will be rewarded with a generally more relaxing vacation on Cozumel.
Safety First
Cozumel has a very low crime rate, and it is considered safer than many other destinations in Mexico. Statistically, this includes the most popular beach resort of Cancun.
This is because the isolated and protected island nature of Cozumel can act as a deterrent to crime.
Of course, most visits to Mexico are trouble-free no matter where you choose to visit.
But with reports of crime in the Mexican Caribbean hitting the mainstream media and an increased military presence on the beaches as a result, some tourists are wary of visiting right now.
That’s why so many people looking for a hit of Mexican sun, sea, and sand are choosing to visit the island of Cozumel instead.
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