Facts About Cozumel

Cozumel is an island of Mexico located between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Surrounded by turquoise waters, just to the east of Cancun, this 28-mile wide and 10-mile long island's main industry is tourism.

Cozumel has typical island weather: sunny, bright and beautiful most of the time with light breezes in the evening. Take note however, that temperatures can dive into the 60s in December, with the hottest weather being May through September at 95 degrees F or hotter. Inland is hotter than the coast. The eastern side of the island is calmer than the west coast.

The Mayans lived on the island from 300 to 1200 A.D. During this time, visitors from Mesoamerica would visit the island to worship Ixchel, which is the deity of moon, fertility and childbirth. In 1519, Spanish-Mexican explorer, Hernán Cortés, sought out the island, leading the conquest of Mexico. Most Mayans were killed off; those who weren't died of disease. Overtime, the island was populated by pirates who found many great places to hide on the island. In the 1800s during the War of the Castes, 20 families fled to the island making it their own. Some of their ancestors are still reportedly living on the island. In more modern times, American's began inhabiting the island during World War II when military operations set up base there. True attention really began when Jacques Cousteau, a famous scuba diver, featured the Island and its beautiful underwater sea life on his television show. Since then, thousands of tourists visit the island every year. The current population has increased to 106,202,903 people.

The people of Cozumel take a siesta from 1 to 4 p.m. Most places are closed during that time of rest and relaxation. Primary languages spoke on the island include Spanish, many dialects of Mayan and Nahuatl. The capital of the island is Cozumel and the currency used is pesos.

Tourism is the main industry on the island of Cozumel. Over 2 million visitors come every year to admire the natural setting, get face-to-face with over 60 species in the turquoise water and celebrate the Carnival. This Mardi Gras-like event has taken place on the coast of the island for over 130 years. Jovial performers dressed in elaborate costumes dance, perform and sing for visitors. Music is played and parties last well into the evening. Tourists can get to the island by flying right into the Cozumel International Airport, or by flying into Cancun and taking the ferry over from Playa del Carmen.