The largest island in the Mexican Caribbean—and third-largest in the country—Isla Cozumel sits off the tip of the peninsula, near Playa del Carmen.
Measuring about 30 miles long and 9 miles wide, Isla Cozumel, whose Mayan name translates to “Island of the Swallows”—a nod to its indigenous bird population—has become a cruise ship favorite, as well as a hotspot for divers, since it’s one of the best dive sites in the world, with reef walls plunging to incredible depths.
While scuba diving is one of the main draws to Cozumel, visitors can soak up the local culture in plenty of other ways. Head deep into the jungle to visit the once-sacred Mayan site of San Gervasio, or taste your way through the melting pot of Mayan cuisine, sampling food along the main street, Rafael Melgar Avenue.
Be sure to try the Lionfish! The coral reefs of Cozumel are home to this species and local restaurants often serve it on their menu.
