Port to Port: Concluding in Cozumel with Carnival Cruise Lines

May 22, 2015Tom

We know many of you Holidaymakers have big love for Mexico, given the swathes of travellers we’ve sent to the likes of Excellence Hotels and their brethren. But beyond the classic region of the Riviera Maya is the island of Cozumel, and it’s arguably even more beautiful than the mainland. This very reason brought us to the island as part of our InFocus video adventures, for we want to give you a proper glimpse of this gorgeous island.

Cozumel is the third and final port of call on the cruise leg of our Triple Centre Cruise & Stay, and is the place where most holidaymakers settle down and begin the eponymous “stay” portion of the package’s arsenal. However, Cozumel is a common port of call on many cruise routes (just check out these bad-boys), so knowing how to make the most of the island within 24 hours is still pretty savvy. So, here’s what our live recon has revealed.

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How to make the most of Cozumel in a Day

Cozumel has been a focal point for aquatic adventures ever since the French marine enthusiast Jacques Cousteau discovered the stunning underwater realms off the it’s shores in 1961. The island rapidly rose to fame as a mecca for aquamarine merriment, and is still heralded as one of the best places for snorkelling and scuba diving. But that’s only half the story:

1. Dive and stay dry
There’s an unusual attraction in Cozumel called The Atlantis Submarine, and it’s the driest way to live the life of an intrepid diving pioneer. Cozumel is part of the Chankanaab Marine Park, so it’s packed with loads of marine life that inhabit a stellar underwater underworld. Turtles, rays, vibrant fishes, and flourishing corals are commonplace, and the Atlantis Submarine is a nautical escapade that Joules Verne himself would envy. The Atlantis XII is a fully fledged submarine that will (literally) give you a window into the aquatic paradise off the shores of Cozumel. It’s like one of those David Attenborough documentaries, but you’re inside watching it all unfold. Better than a city bus tour, right?

2. Walk the walk
An understated feature of Cozumel is the intelligent design that underpins the layout of its major city, San Miguel. A wide walkway traces the line of the seawall, periodically punctuated with in-built cement benches. Cozumel is outstandingly beautiful all over, and a promenade along the seafront is a wonderful way to breathe in some island life. There’s something wonderfully British about a seafront walk, but it morphs into something altogether more exotic against this backdrop. The local vendors in the Cinco Soles, the primary colours of the birds wheeling overhead, and the warm briny scent of the air come together to form something even greater than the sum of its parts. One final tip: if you’re planning a walk in the daylight hours take a hat and some water. Dehydration’s not good for you, kids.

3. A little history
Cozumel is thought to have been an important pilgrimage point in worship of the Maya deity Ixchel, a goddess of fertility. Cozumel’s San Gervasio Ruins are what’s left of this fascinating heritage, presenting an architectural character distinct from the ruins on the mainland. San Gervasio is home to a curious monument known as the Temple of Hands, decorated with numerous little red handprints of unknown significance. There are even opportunities for 4×4 tours of the region, taking you to ruins otherwise inaccessible. It’s a proper adventure of Indiana Jones proportions (whip optional), where much of the story still remains buried within the island’s stones.

Image Created by Ricymar Photography via Flickr

Shelving the nomad’s life

24 hours is a good amount of time to get acquainted with Cozumel, but we’re not done just yet. We’ve done our fair share of island hopping, so it’s time for us to lay down some roots for a bit. We’re about to start some full-on filming in Cozumel, so stay tuned for some backstage intel and more info on this beautiful island. The games afoot, Holidaymakers.