Vacation in Cozumel, Mexico
Enjoy a Warm Winter Escape to a Beautiful Caribbean Island
January is a perfect time to escape the snow and cold for a warm Caribbean vacation in picturesque Cozumel, Mexico where the water temperature averages 80 degrees.
Cozumel is a small tropical island off the coast of Mexico near Cancun in the Caribbean Sea. In ancient times (600 to 1200 A.D.), it was home to a thriving Mayan Indian culture and their magnificent stone pyramids, the ruins of which can still be found on the island.
Today, Cozumel is a modern port city and a popular tourist destination for sun worshipers, particularly for snorkelers and scuba divers exploring the beautiful coral reefs that practically surround the island.
January is a perfect time to escape cold U.S. winters and enjoy Cozumel’s balmy temperatures and beautiful turquoise waters. Both the water and the air average 80 degrees year round.
The ocean on the western side of the isle facing the mainland coast is calm and perfect for casual swimming and glass-bottom boat excursions, as well as parasailing and jet skiing. Snorkelers can enjoy underwater sightseeing featuring a rainbow of tropical fish making their living on the coral reefs.
Cozumel has been a popular scuba destination since Jacques Cousteau discovered the remarkable coral reefs there in 1954. The reefs with all their remarkable sea life are part of one of the largest reef formations in the world, the Great Mayan Barrier, second only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
On the eastern side facing the Atlantic, the sparkling blue-green surf breaks gently on postcard-perfect white sand beaches stretching for miles. You can practically have an entire beach to yourself, or stop closer to the many bar and restaurant facilities that dot this side of the island.
Getting around the island is pretty easy. Plentiful taxis will ferry you from your hotel to shopping or dining destinations around the main city of San Miguel for about $5 per trip. If you plan to make quite a few excursions around the island in one day, you can always rent a small car, jeep, or open-top dune buggy. Parking in the city is difficult, though, so a taxi is best for local trips.
For the adventurous, renting a scooter is another way to enjoy the warm sun and air while sightseeing around the island. The main highway circles the island’s western and southern coasts and half the eastern coast before cutting back across the center of the island. For much of the trip, the old highway and a new highway parallel each other, with the old highway being a popular low-speed alternative for scooter riders.
Along the way back across the center of the island, you’ll encounter the Mayan ruins of San Gervasio. Partially restored by anthropologists, the site is well maintained by the Mexican government. You can almost see and hear the ancient Mayans as they lived and worked in this formerly bustling and ancient religious city.
January is the perfect time to visit Cozumel also because it’s between the low season and the high season, making accommodations much more affordable.
The majority of Cozumel’s visitors arrive by cruise ship for the day, taking advantage of many pre-arranged tours and water-oriented activities. Sadly, this is not the best way to experience all that Cozumel has to offer.
Making the trip to Cozumel for a five-day or longer vacation is truly the best, but it can require a little effort to get there if you want to go on a budget. Although the island boasts an international airport, better airfares are available flying into Cancun.
From Cancun, a thirty-minute taxi ride to the coastal city of Playa del Carmen takes you to the ferry terminal, where a short trip across the picturesque water takes you to Cozumel in half an hour.
The island is rife with superior hotels and golf resorts ringing the western coast. And if you’re a fan of authentic Mexican food, you’ll be in heaven the entire trip.
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