Written by Alex Ruelas

Snorkeling in Cozumel Reefs National Park: Palancar, Colombia and El Cielo

This coastal and marine national park is the island’s main attraction. Established in 1996, it encompasses just under 12,000 hectares of precious ocean ecosystems, including a sizeable chunk of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world’s second-largest. 

Here you’ll find some of Cozumel’s must-see spots, including the Palancar and Colombia Reefs. And they are spectacular. The reef’s biodiversity is astounding. Visitors will routinely spot creatures such as turtles, nurse sharks, rays, crabs, sponges, and a wide variety of colorful fish and corals.

The other place you cannot miss within the National Park is El Cielo. Located some 800m off the south coast of the island, this underwater sand back takes its name from the sheer number of starfish that cover the ocean floor. Calm crystalline waters and these fascinating creatures create a starry underwater sky that could not be any more photogenic.

Snorkeling tours will typically take you to all three spots. Travelers will hop on a boat and spend half a day –either morning or afternoon– exploring these marvelous seascapes. Snorkeling gear is, of course, included, as are food and drink on most tours.

Diving

Although you can, of course, dive in some of the same locations as you can go snorkeling –the Colombia Reef is extraordinary from every angle– there is a wide and varied catalog of diving sites for those wishing to plunge underwater with an aqualung.

Besides Colombia, beginner divers can explore the shallows of Chankanaab and Paradise reefs, where angelfish, barracudas, lobsters, octopi, and vibrant tropical fish are abundant. 

More experienced divers might want to go deeper. You can ride the drift currents to discover the stunning coral overhangs of places like Punta Tunich, the Colombia Wall, and the Santa Rosa Wall. Tunnels and caverns are also part of these breathtaking places, so if you want to take it to the next level or are looking to shoot some sick underwater footage, this is the place to go.

Paradise Beach Club

If you are looking for a place where you can chill by the sea, have drinks at the pool, and eat as much as you can, look no further. Paradise Beach Club has everything you need for a relaxing family beach day, from sunbeds and paddleboards to taco food trucks. There’s even a heated pool where you hang with your mojito.

The beach club is perhaps most famous for its floating water park, a collection of inflatable climbing structures, slides, and trampolines bobbing on the turquoise water. To spend the day, you can get the All-Inclusive Pass or the Fun Pass, which gives you access to all the exciting bits and bobs, except for food and drink. Paradise Beach Club is located about 20 minutes south of Cozumel town center.

Cozumel Airplane Tour

You will not get a better view of the island. Get on board a Cessna and fly above a landscape of unbelievable texture, from the electric blue ocean and green jungle to the hues of lagoons and mangrove wetlands. Operated by Fly Cozumel, this 35-minute tour will put you above the island's most iconic spots, offering you an unbeatable perspective.

The tour is available all year round and is suitable for passengers of all ages. Further, if you are a photographer and want to get some epic shots from the air, let your pilot know. They will put you in the best position to capture amazing images.

Discover El Cedral 

This small village on the south of the island offers a window to Cozumel’s past. Although sparsely inhabited today, it is a very ancient settlement and has the first structure ever built on the island, a small Maya building constructed around 800 a.D. 

The village became famous for its colorful festival. Each year at the end of April, people come from many places in the Maya region to commemorate the first re-settlers of Cozumel, who came seeking refuge from the Castas War. This colorful celebration includes folklore dance and music, regional food, and a collection of games and shows. So, if you want to enjoy this lovely party, you know when the right time is to come.

Explore the Jade Caverns

Not all the fun is by the coast. Located close to el Cedral, the Jade Caverns are an underground spectacle. This cave system combines cenotes with clear emerald waters and sites where visitors can observe native wildlife, such as fruit-eater bats.

Getting there requires some off-road driving. And although you can get there with a sturdy enough vehicle –please do not bring the rental sedan– most people get there on a tour that gets them behind the wheel in a proper off-road adventure. 

Off-Road Adventure

Yes, Cozumel is the perfect place for off-road journeys. Renting a golf cart might suffice if you just want to get around the island and go to the most popular beaches. But if you’re up for an adrenaline boost, why not hop on a 4x4, buggy, or ATV to explore further.

Most off-road tours have similar itineraries, stopping in both El Cedral and the Jade Caverns. And although they all offer different degrees of muddiness, the roads are so much fun that you are guaranteed a great time behind the wheel. So go out there, get dirty, and see the inland wonders of this beautiful island.

San Gervasio and the Castillo Real

Cozumel also has a fascinating history. When Chichén Itzá was at its apex, around the year 1000 A.D., Cozumel became an important political and economic center. The main settlement was San Gervasio, where visitors can still get a fascinating glimpse into its former glory.  

The ancient city is located 7 km east of the city center and is easily accessible via the road that crosses the island through the middle. Official guided tours are easy to find on-site, as are taxis that can take you there. 

Close to the island’s northern tip, you will find the Castillo Real –the Royal Castle. Although not so rich in history, this pre-Hispanic structure looks great in photos. Presumed to be a watch post, it is next to the ocean on a rather rocky coast. So, if you want to capture sunrise images by the sea with an extra bit of local identity, this is your spot.