We Love Our Island
80°F (27°C) all year long, beaches everywhere, isolated on a paradisiac island, can you ask for more?!? Our island looks beautiful as it is, but local population has a lot to do too with the fun vibe and joy we have down here.
We have a perfect mix of different cultures, letting us the pleasure to taste different kind of food like Indian, Asian, Mayan, Mexican, Greek, Italian, Argentinian, Brazilian, Peruvian, Venezuelan, French, American, Philippine, etc.
Local and foreign artists, conservationist, sportsmen and women, writers, students, NGO’s, NPO’s, private and public foundations contribute every day, with commitment and hard work, to make a better Cozumel for its inhabitants and visitors. Find below a list of remarkable examples of such work.
Artistic Graffiti-walls
In 2016, the local government invited some international professional graffiti artists from the Pangea Seed group. In total, they painted 36 big walls around the island to promote art and ocean awareness.
A local group, Colectivo La Quinta, did participate. You can take a look at their wall on the Avenida 30, between Rodolfo Salas and Calle 3.
Turtle Conservation
A lot of social programs and committees are in place in the state of Quintana Roo to support the rehabilitation of the turtle. Everyone can get involved (even tourists), from the nesting season to the egg hatching! Monitoring, taking statistics, be there at night to identify (with a red stick) where there is a nest, or helping the baby turtles to make their way to the sea.
Each year, the Protection and Conservation Committee shows that more and more turtles come to lay their eggs on the beaches of Cozumel, making all the efforts a big success.
Reef Conservation
We have the second biggest reef in the world and we are very proud of it. We have a lot of ecological organizations like the Cozumel Museums and Parks Foundation (FPMC), the Environmental Education and Conservation Management (CAE) and the Project Aware among others which direct the efforts of divers, students, industry, and volunteers to help with the reef and beach cleaning.
Since 1996, according to the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) the Marine Park is protecting all the south coast (sea and coastline) until the Celeraín lighthouse next to the Laguna Colombia (30 000 acres/12 000 hectares). Protecting more than 100 different types of coral and 260 species of fish. Help us to preserve one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world when diving or snorkeling inside and even outside the boundaries of the Marine Park.
Culture
During El Día de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead, you will understand the special relationship that families and friends have with their loved dead ones, with in-house preys and a mass in the cemeteries. The best of all is the family reunion and the Mayan usage of sharing a HUGE tamale-like dish called Pibipollo which is certainly delicious! According to the tradition, on the first and second of November, the souls of the dead come back to depart with the family and friends.
The Cozumel carnival has a tradition of close to 150 years, many people invest their time, money and effort to create the costumes, carts, and above all, the training to dance for hours. Since mid-November, some of the “krewes” start practicing their choreography, usually from 10 pm to 1 am! Not all Mexicans love to dance, but we know how to have fun and that’s another nice thing about our culture. Kids at school or older people take dancing lessons all year long and help to keep and share our heritage alive.
Another nice thing to do in Cozumel is visiting some typical Mayan village replicas like the one at the museum. The museum itself is worth the visit. Besides the regular exposition, many activities are held within its walls. Plastic artists use to present their art in any of the many Galas along the year. beyond, on a weekly basis singing and dancing events are held too.
There is all kind of Mayan ruins and vestiges scattered around the island, if you have the chance to visit one of those in the middle of the jungle with the help of a professional local guide, you will definitely have a blast!
The periodic concerts offered by the Children and Youth Symphonic Band of Cozumel have been well received by the people of Cozumel as well as visitors, they always interpret a mix of classical music, international pop, and vernacular music.
Cozumel, as a part of Mexico, has a rich and varied palette of flavors. We have so much to offer, we have all kind of meals as pozole, tamales, mole, ceviche, huevos rancheros, and much more. Desserts such as the yummy Pastel de 3 leches (3 milk cake), Arroz con leche (rice pudding), Churros, Flan Napolitano, and an endless list. Salsas (sauces) of all kind with exotic condiments such as Pico de gallo, Verde, Macha, just to name a few, show off their spiciest hot peppers like jalapeño, habanero, serrano or de árbol. A wide range of beverages, concoctions, and spirits such as Jamaica, Horchata, Mezcal, and an infinite list of beers are just some examples. So, it is NOT all about tacos and Tequila. Ask and try, with the money conversion everything looks cheap, so no excuse!
Beach is, of course, an important outing for islanders, especially during the low season, in the summertime, when most of the stores are closed on Sundays because there is no cruise ship activity. It is the moment for local people to relax and do family activities and see friends, beach time!