Believe it or not, traveling during the pandemic turned out to be my best idea… or maybe my guardian angel is just the coolest.
Let me tell you about one of them 😊.
I went to Mexico, not because I wanted to, but because a planned trip fell through. It might have even saved my life, but that's another story I won't tell you. And we told ourselves, "Let's go diving in Mexico." Of course, I proudly declared, "I've been there, I know everything," but it turns out things aren't quite what I thought. That's the difference between an organized trip – all-inclusive resorts – and going to mingle with the locals.
How to get from Cancun to Cozumel Island?
After about a 15-20 hour journey, depending on your route, departing from Sofia, you land in Cancun, catch an inexpensive one-hour bus to the Riviera Maya (excellent in my opinion), and from there take a one-and-a-half-hour ferry... and arrive in Cozumel or „Island of the Swallows“ according to the Mayans.
While Riviera Maya and Cancun are symbols of civilization and Americanization, Cozumel is a different „haven.“.
A decent-sized island, but with only one settlement... why do you ask? Because the larger part of it is a protected national park. I've been to one like it south of the Riviera Maya before, and they are so unique that they don't even have mobile service.
But back to Cozumel:
A True Culinary Adventure: Ceviche, Mezcal, and Mayan Honey
You are a gourmet explorer.
Oh my god, how delicious!
Ceviche made from whatever you like, but mainly fish and seafood, and all of them were moving in the water this morning, but surrendered to the lemon this evening. / For readers, a little explanation, by the editor: Ceviche is a Latin American dish. It consists of raw fish or seafood – FRESH!, marinated in citrus juice and spices/
Margaritaaaaa – please. It's very good with mezcal (smoked tequila) and cocktails. There's an expression on the Riviera Maya: “Don't be a wuss, drink tequila.”.
Well, we drank, no memories 😊.
And the non-alcoholic drinks are magical, from coconut water (from the tree in the garden), horchata (rice water), tea (something like spinach sweetened with honey) and many others.
I'll focus on the honey, which was super important for the Mayans and now for the locals. It's made by stingless bees, which unfortunately only produce a few kilograms per year.
Also, this is a relative of chocolate (along with Ecuador). Here, you make your own chocolate. I made mine myself – the cocoa grows right next to you, you harvest it, roast it, grind it on a stone, mix it with honey and whatever your heart desires (from hot peppers to alcohol), and you eat it… and as we say… you eat and cry.
Diving in Mexico: Cozumel Reefs National Park and the Mysterious Cenotes
You are a diver.
If you are – There's no need to explain to you.
The vast majority of dive sites around Cozumel are within the Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park and a smaller portion of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.
There's drift diving, which is the lazy kind – you get in the water, the current carries you, and you do nothing, it's super fast, and you get out wherever the current takes you.
And the usual wandering underwater - meaning where you can or the instructor allows. However, there are also xenotes (holes in the land with fresh or brackish water with historical and religious roots, where diving can be dangerous, besides being very cold).
On the shore, you will also see one of the few monuments to divers in the world.
White beaches and car rental tips for the island
You are a beach bum.
This is paradise for you: on most beaches, you'll find bars offering the famous foods and drinks described above.
Beaches galore: they are long, they are white, they are diverse, and you might even be alone on the beach 😊.
Make a note that you need a rental car.
The island is big. And don't forget to ask some locals, otherwise you'll miss the best spots.
There are unique beach clubs.
In the Footsteps of the Maya: History, Pirates, and Underwater Sculptures
Are you a historian or interested in historical monuments?.
You, man, are special and I take my hat off to you. This craving for me is the driving force behind everything else.
Cozumel was first settled by the Maya in the 1st millennium CE. The island was believed to be sacred to the Maya Moon Goddess, and many temples dedicated to her have been found here.
The Spaniards arrived in Cozumel in the 16th century and wiped out the local Maya population, bringing smallpox with them.
In Cozumel, there is a park that recreates Mayan culture.
During the pandemic, it was just us there, but the entire park worked solely for us. I learned not only cultural and religious traditions, but also some recipes.
Pirates!
But of course, as much as you want, or you are a feminist 😊.
Near Cozumel, you can visit „The Island of Women“ and hear stories of pirate voyages and treasures.
Actually, under the water there is underwater sculptures created by artist Jason de Caires Taylor. The statues are submerged at various depths throughout the national park and are clearly visible both from the surface and when diving.
Safety, prices, and accommodation in Cozumel
Cozumel is safe.
Cozumel has low crime rates.
However, Kozumel has 3 prices, for locals, for Mexicans, and for foreigners.
For example, to get home, I took a PSR test, for which I paid $200 USD, and a consumer would pay around $90 USD, but in principle, the prices there are cheap for us. For example, we (2 adults) rented an apartment in a house with a pool, with breakfast, for $450 USD – 7 days.
You're just a curious person like me. There's no reason for you not to be there.
Have a nice trip!
See more Author Theodor Botev here
