While in Cancun, there are a number of places you can visit if you're interested in the natural beauty of Mexico. None, however, is more beautiful than Cozumel. An island located about thirty five miles south of Cancun; Cozumel is a poplar destination for travelers. In Cozumel, you can experience both history and the modern beauty of Mexico all at once.

Cozumel's History

The history of Cozumel began before Europeans even began to consider exploring the Americas. Archaeologists estimate that the first ancient people, the Mayans, settled in Cozumel over two thousand years ago, as some of the artifacts uncovered on the island are from the Pre-Classical Mayan period. The island may or may not have been abandoned, as Mayan civilization waxed and waned in the centuries prior to Spanish exploration. Most of the ruins you see on the island today are from the Post-Classical Mayan time period.

The island of Cozumel was considered by the Mayans to be a sacred place. It was said to be a place of worship to the moon goddess Ix Chel. Many Mayan women sought refuge on the island when attempting to get pregnant, as it was believed that the moon goddess Ix Chel was directly responsibly for fertility.

Cozumel was first discovered by the Spanish in 1518, and many of the Mayans living there were killed and their temples destroyed. Around this time, more than 40,000 Mayans lived on Cozumel, but a smallpox epidemic killed almost all of them. With less than one hundred Mayans remaining, the island became instead a hideout for pirates throughout the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries.

The 20th century saw many changes for Cozumel. By this time, fighting in the rest of the country among the Europeans and Mayans had died down. Instead, people began focusing on Cozumel as a place of beauty. Jacques Cousteau began exploring the waters around the island and discovered the beautiful reefs to the south. The addition of an airport in the 1970s gave tourists a way to get to the island easily, and today it is still one of the premier diving destinations in the world.

Visiting Cozumel

The island of Cozumel is largely a tourist destination, with no other industry to better support its inhabitants. There are hundreds of restaurants and hotels on the island, mostly concentrated in the town of San Miguel on the western shore of the island. Much of the remainder of the island is covered in thick jungle, and if you visit you will be able to see a numerous plant and animal species on this island.

You can fly or take a ship to Cozumel from Cancun and other towns along the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Many larger cruise lines also make port in Cozumel for a day, so you can visit the island that way as well. No matter how you will be traveling, Cozumel is easily accessible for tourists.

Cozumel Activities

Although most people visit Cozumel exclusively for scuba diving and snorkeling available at the coral reefs, there are a number of other activities in which you can take part while on the island. When you have tired of lying on Cozumel's pristine beaches, you can look into the following activities during your stay in Cozumel:

• Parque Chankanaab: If you're interested in the history of Cozumel, this is the place for you. Located south of San Miguel, this park offers water sports and includes diving near sunken ships. You can also visit the park's botanical gardens and check out their "swim with the dolphins" programs.
  
• Isla de Pasion: This is a tiny island just off of Cozumel's northern coast. With few tourists, it is a true getaway where you can spot native wildlife right on the beach. You can also participate in hiking and fishing on this island.
  
• San Gervasio: Once a Mayan place of worship, San Gervasio is a ceremonial temple to the moon goddess Ix Chel. For about $5.00, you can drive to the ruins and take a guided tour or explore the ruins on your own. For those interested in ancient history, this is a must-see.

Although Cozumel is a tourist destination, it is still less crowded than nearby Cancun. This is a place where you can truly connect to nature and understand the beauty of Mexico's history and geography. The next time you're visiting Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, consider planning a trip to the island of Cozumel. This location totally deserves its nickname as "the most beautiful place on Earth".