Diving Cozumel
Cozumel has over 16 abundant diving reefs and is known as one of the best dive spots in the Caribbean. Many varieties of fish, mammoth caves, tunnels, overhangs, pinnacles, and sheer drop-offs, Cozumel has a little bit of everything. It has a unique topography, along with superb marine life. With current speeds as fast as 1.5 knots, drift diving is the most popular form of diving in Cozumel whereby divers make use of the constant ocean currents to make their way through the reefs. Cozumel boasts some of the biggest and most spectacular sponge formations in the world. Fed by a continuous current bringing a steady supply of food to the reefs, some sponges, such as the Elephant Ear sponge, can grow as large as 12 feet across. Other sponges, like the Barrel sponge, gain considerable size as well.
One of the most unique diving activities in this part of Mexico is to dive the jungle cenotes on the mainland. Cenotes are sinkholes. The whole Yucatan peninsula consists of limestone. During the ice age, the water level sank and the rainwater permeated the porous stone, forming caves, passageways, and huge domes. These cenotes are actually underground rivers and form the largest interconnected cave and cavern system in the world. The attraction of diving the cenotes is the waters are crystal clear and around 75°F (24°C) all year round.
Best time to dive
Year-round offers great diving. September and October are the rainy months, which can reduce visibility.
Visibility
Visibility is often 50 to 100 feet.
Water temperatures
Water temperatures are typically around 77 to 82 °F
Weather and climate
Cozumel and the whole Yucatan peninsula are home to one of the world’s most sunny climates. Occasionally there are strong winds and rain during the months of September, October, and November. The average annual temperature is 78 degrees F (25.5 degrees C), with fluctuations of 5 to 7 degrees. From November to April, there are usually blue skies and a cool northern wind. Cozumel has an average of more than 200 sunny days a year and has less annual rainfall than the Virgin Islands or the Bahamas. Usually a light breeze blows across the island, keeping things cool.
Language
Spanish and Mayan
Passport/Visa requirements
U.S. and Canadian visitors can enter Mexico with a valid passport or with a birth certificate accompanied by photo ID. Travelers from other countries may need a visa and should check with their country before departure.
Currency
Peso – Get exchange rates at http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Electrical current
110 volts is supplied in most places. It is recommended to use surge protectors with sensitive equipment.
Capital
Mexico City
General information
Cozumel lies 11 miles east of the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Only the mainland side of the 32 mile-long and 9 mile-wide island is settled. To the north and south are the resort hotels. Life on the Island is very relaxed. The little town of San Miguel offers a variety of gift shops, bars, restaurants and interesting niches to explore. There is a world-class museum on the beach road and just south of town is an archaeological park with models of Mayan, Olmec, and Toltec ancient sculptures. Nightlife is always available, including a number of funky island bars and folkloric dancing entertainment. The Town Market located at the corner of A. Rosado Salas and 25 Ave. is an interesting, non-touristy place to shop with everything from meat, fish, and produce to sandals and native clothing. Cozumel ruins dot the island with many small, though interesting remnants of Mayan culture. A major excavation is at San Gervasio, which covers about 10 acres, situated in jungle surroundings.
Map
Get a map of Mexico from WorldAtlas.com.
