Things To Do in Cozumel
Cozumel Attractions
Carnaval (similar to Mardi Gras) is Cozumel's most colorful fiesta. It begins the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, with daytime street dancing and nighttime parades on Thursday, Saturday, and Monday (the best). For attractions available year-round, take a look at our listings.
- Natural Attraction
Chankanaab National Park
The pride of many islanders. Chankanaab, the Maya word for “little sea,” refers to a beautiful land-locked pool connected to the sea through an underwater tunnel. Admission to the park includes a dolphin presentation and sea lion show, manatee exhibition, beach with facilities, and… - Historic Neighborhood/Park
El Cedral
This is the island’s oldest community; it existed before the Spaniards arrived in 1518. The town is a traditional agricultural center with a small church facing a central plaza and a few souvenir stands lining the road. Dirt roads lead away from the plaza to small ranches and homes,…Around the island
- Museum
Museo de la Isla de Cozumel
I always enjoy touring the small Cozumel Island Museum, housed in a pink building that served as the island’s first hotel. A replica of a Maya dugout canoe carved from a single tree sits by the front steps. On the first floor, my favorite exhibit covers the topography and plant and… - Natural Attraction
Punta Sur Eco Park
This gorgeous ecological reserve includes the Columbia Lagoon. A number of crocodiles make the lagoon their home, so swimming is not only a bad idea, it’s not allowed. The only practical way of going out to the lighthouse and beaches, about 8km (5 miles) from the entrance, is to rent… - Historic Site
San Gervasio
Though it’s nowhere near as impressive as the large archaeological sites on the mainland, this small Maya site (100 b.c.–a.d. 1600) was once an important ceremonial center, especially for women who paddled dugout canoes from the mainland to pay homage Ixchel, the goddess of women,…
Cozumel Shopping
If you're looking for silver jewelry or other souvenirs, go no farther than the town's coastal avenue, Rafael Melgar. Along this road, you'll find one store after another selling jewelry, Mexican handicrafts, and other souvenirs and duty-free merchandise. The most impressive of these is Los Cinco Soles (tel. 987/872-0132; www.loscincosoles.com), on the waterfront at 8 Norte, adjacent to Pancho's Backyard restaurant. There are also some import/export stores in the Punta Langosta Shopping Center in the southern part of town in front of the cruise-ship pier. Prices for serapes, T-shirts, and the like are lower on the side streets off Avenida Melgar.
Cozumel Nightlife
Most of the music and dance venues are along Avenida Melgar. Carlos n’ Charlie’s (tel. 987/869-1648), which is in the Punta Langosta shopping center, is practically next to Señor Frog’s (tel. 987/869-1650). Punta Langosta lies just south of Calle 7 Sur.
In town, there are a few Latin music clubs. These open and close with every high season, prospering when people have cash in their pockets, but closing down when the flow of tourism stops bringing in money. Calle 1 Sur between avenidas 5 Sur and 10 Sur is a pedestrian street housing a number of local bars, some with live music. Wet Wendy’s, at 53 Av. 5 Norte between Calle 2 and Juarez (tel. 987/872-4970), is a spirited open-air bar with a fun crowd toasting margaritas and other tequila cocktails. La Rumba, Av. 10 # 121 between Salas and Calle 1 S (tel. 987/872-4970), is the best spot for live Cuban and Latin music. Dubai Cozumel Calle 11 Sur at Av. Melgar (tel. 987/119-9691) is the latest dance club at this corner, where some sort of disco has existed for decades. It’s the classiest dance club in town, and is open until 5am.
San Miguel’s movie theater is Cinépolis, the modern multicinema in the Chedraui Plaza Shopping Center at the south end of town. It mainly shows Hollywood movies. Most of these are in English with Spanish subtitles (película subtitulada); before buying your tickets, make sure the movie hasn’t been dubbed (doblada).
