Cozumel (Mexico)

Almost entirely given over to tourism, holidays on Cozumel Island offer the best of the Mexican Mayan Riviera, surrounded entirely by shell sand beach and warm blue sea. Within, you'll find world-class resorts, lively bars and top-flight dive centres. Cozumel's steamy interior is a world away from the resorts at the coast, as its rich in virgin rainforest and silent lagoons, home colourful birds and exotic blooms.

Beaches

Cozumel's beaches are truly something special. From the private island paradise of Passion Island (you can take a boat trip here for a blissfully peaceful day's sunbathing) to the fun and frolics of Playa Mia beach resort, with a thrilling selection of water-rides alongside the sands. More traditional stretches of sand are found around the coast, with plenty of opportunities for snorkelling, kayaking and hi-octane thrills.

Eating Out

Spicy Yucatan cuisine can be found around the island, and it's definitely worth tasting: rice is flavoured with cumin, garlic and cloves and makes a tasty side dish to chicken, seafood and marinated pork dishes. However, there's far more to sample than the local recipe books have to offer. Cozumel is a truly international resort, so you can expect a wider variety of Mexican meals (from tacos to enchiladas) freshly grilled or baked seafish, Italian restaurants and hearty American steaks. The capital, San Miguel, is the place to head for the best choice.

Shopping

Cozumel's main draw is its closeness to some of the excellent reefs and subterranean cliffs surrounding the island, so, as you'd imagine, there's more diving gear shops per square mile than, say, Prada. That said, the main souvenir-shopping area, Avenida Rafael E. Melgar, Plaza del Sol (east side of the main plaza) and Vista del Mar do a brisk trade in Caribbean Emeralds, fine wines, cigars, watches and Ralph Lauren-type casual gear. The malls are not cheap, so you might prefer the craft stalls and roadside markets selling more authentic Mexican souvenirs. And, of course, a gold-label bottle of Tequila. Steer clear of coral based souvenirs.

Nightlife

All along the coast (at least, the developed sections of it) there are beach bars, discos and peaceful cocktail joints. However, don't think the party lasts all night, because, usually, it doesn't. This is very much a daytime island. That said, there are places where you can dance under the stars, should you not have an early morning dive to prepare for.

Attractions and Activities

Cozumel's a sporty island, make no mistake about it. But, away from the golf courses, the off-road safaris and the water-based pursuits, there is much to discover. The Chankanaab National Park and the Punta Sur Ecological Reserve are shelters for many of the island's endemic species, as well as other endangered forms of life, such as marine turtles. Isla Cozumel's Reefs National Marine Park features the only inland coral reef formation in the world. At Dolphin Discovery, you can swim with the dolphins while the new Discover Mexico theme park offers a brisk tour of Mexico's most important archaeological sites, but for the real thing, it's worth a visit to San Gervasio, mythical Mayan ruins surrounded by the jungle at the north side of the island.