| The island COZUMEL
The island of the swallows, place of worship of the ancient Mayas, world-famous because of its crystal clear inshore
waters, the tropical climate and the easy going way of life.
Due to the international airport, the island is easily reachable for visitors from all parts of the world. Divers as
well as people who are interested in the culture of the Mayas will feel comfortable at this fantastic place.
With a length of 64 km and a width of 16 km Cozumel is the biggest of Mexico’s islands. It is located in the Caribbean,
close to the Yucatan peninsula, 18 km away from Playa del Carmen and 70 km away from Cancun. You can land there on the
island’s own airport or come with the ferry from Playa del Carmen (duration 45 minutes). The capital San Miguel with
its 75.000 inhabitants is the only city of the island.
About 1000 years AD, during the post classical Maya period, Cozumel was an important religious and economic Centre. The
island is located at the mesoamerican seaway.
With their large seaworthy canoes the Putún-Maya came to Cozumel to bring feathers and jade from Honduras as well as honey,
cotton and salt from Tulúm on the island. The Maya made pilgrimages to the temple of Ix Chel, the goddess of moon and
fertility. This centre of ceremonies, called San Gervasio, is the best preserved one of the formerly about 30 Maya places
of worship of the island.
In 1565 Cozumel had less than 300 inhabitants: Maya and Spanish. Until the end of the 17th century it remained nearly
totally deserted. During this time the island became the base and the hiding-place of infamous pirates like Jean Lafitte
and Henry Morgan. They violently destroyed the last of the remaining inhabitants. Due to the occurrence of chicle the
island has been populated again since the beginning of the 20th century. The resin-like juice of the chicozapote tree
was the basis for the booming chewing gum production.
During the Second world war the Americans built up an air-force base on Cozumel from which the economy of the island raised
rapidly. But this military base was only temporary so that the economy collapsed after the Americans left and only a few
fishermen remained on the island.
1954 Jacques Yves Cousteau explored the reefs and the secrets of the underwater world of Cozumel. Within a short period
of time the island developed to a popular centre for tourism and diving, which magically attracts divers from all parts
of the world.
The temperature of the crystal clear water ranges during the year between 27 °C (81 °F) and 31 °C (88 °F). The visibility
is usually arround 50 meter (160 feet).
Beside the endemic toad fish (sanopus splendidus), which has only been seen on the reefs of Cozumel, the marine fauna is
full with fishes and crustaceans, e.g.: grouper, barracudas, butterfly-fishes, parrot-fishes, stingrays, eagle rays,
moray eels, ink-fishes, crabs and giant lobsters. On nearly every dive you will see sea turtles.
The paradise for divers!
The crystal clear water, the beauty of the reefs and the variety of the marine life make Cozumel to a paradise for
divers. But also for the non-diving tourists, the island offers many interesting sites like the Mayan ruins, beautiful
beaches, forests and lagoons. Due to its central location Cozumel is also the ideal starting point for one or more day
excursions to the mainland.
TULUM AND COBA: 1 day
Tulúm is the only Maya-town located directly on the coast. From the main temple and the highest point you have a fantastic
view on to the Caribbean Sea with its beautiful white beaches. You simply follow the Mex 307 southwards, beside the coast
with beautiful lonely beaches. 45 km eastwards from Tulúm the archaeological site Cobá is located hidden in the jungle.
On lonely paths you can enjoy the silence and the magnificence of the Maya buildings.
CANCUN: 1 day
This more than 30 years ago artificially created seaside resort offers everything for the entertainment seeking traveller:
golf courses, shopping centres, shops for luxury goods, restaurants, nightclubs etc…
CHICHEN ITZA-UXMAL-KABAH-LABNA-SAYIL: 2 days
No visitor can escape the breathtaking atmosphere of these five Maya sites. They are the highlights of every journey on
Yucatán. During a stop in Merida, the capital of Yucatán, you can dive into the busy every day life of a Mexican city.
TIKAL IN GUATEMALA: 3 days
This is the most famous and best preserved Mayan site in Guatemala. Journey with the airplane from Cozumel airport towards
Flores and continue of the journey by bus to Sta. Elena. Shortly before you have to change the bus towards Tikal.
| Practical Informations for Your Stay
Currency: Regional currency is the Peso. The rate of exchange is variable, but as a guideline 10 Pesos are roundabout one
US-Dollar. The dollar is accepted everywhere as a means of payment even in the form of traveller checks. For the tourist however
it is advisable to have small change in Peso and Dollars because here they don’t like to give back the change, particularly the
taxi drivers. There are many bureaus de change in the centre of the city. It is worthwhile to compare! Discuss the exchange rate
if you want to change a larger amount of money. It is not recommendable to change money in hotels because their rates are normally
worse than those of the bureaus de change.
Tips: In this country it is usual that the tip is not included in the total amount of a bill. Don’t mix it up with the 10
percent tax (IVA) appearing on your bill. A gift between 10% and 15% is adequate.
You should give tips in cafés and restaurants, also to the room-service. Please don’t forget the boat-crew, the instructors and
the person who keeps an eye on your equipment every day. On the last day you can give the tip to the instructor, captain or leave
it in the diving centre. It will be divided fairly between the persons involved. In the name of the staff we thank you in advance
for this sign of your appreciation.
Airport-taxes: have to be paid at the airport when you are leaving Mexico, if they are not included in the price of your
ticket (often the case for charters). The so called TUA comes to 17 USD, payable in Peso or Dollar.
Time difference: The time difference between Mexico and England (MEZ) is minus 7 hours (north-west Mexico –8 hours, Baja
California Norte –9 hours). From the beginning of April until the end of October the Mexican summertime is valid, so that the time
differences will always be the same.
The climate: A tropical climate with temperatures between 25 °C (77 °F)and 35 °C (95 °F) is predominant. The temperature of
the water varies between 25 °C (77 °F) and 31 °C (88 °F).
Voltage: The voltage in Mexico is 110 V, the connections to the electricity mains correspond to the US-norm. In the
diving centre we have 220 V and European connections. There you can recharge your batteries, lamps etc.. Hand the equipment, which
has to be recharged, over to the guide and it will be returned charged at the next day. Don´ t forget to hand over also the charger
and to get it back before leaving.
Health: Never drink water from the tap! And please don ‘t use tapwater for cleaning your teeth, use „agua purificada“, which
is available everywhere. Only in the hotel Fiesta Americana it is possible to drink the tapwater. Don´t eat raw vegetables and please
buy only peelable fruits.
Medical service: In case of a health problem you can contact the doctors of the hyperbaric chamber of the „Buceo Medico
Mexicano clinic“ in calle 5, tel.: 8721430. If needed you will be accompanied by a member of Aquamarinas.
There are also English speaking doctors.
Pharmacies: There are many pharmacies in the city. One of the best is DORI in the Rosada Street, near the market.
We will be pleased to help you if there are questions concerning the following matters:
- Restaurants corresponding to your preference and budget.
- Organisation of nightdives and diving in the cenotes.
- Organisation of excursions on the island or to the mainland.
- Questions concerning Cozumel and Mexiko
- Professional underwater videos.
It doesn’t matter which question or which problem you have, ask us. It is a pleasure for us to help you.
The team of Aquamarinas wishes you a peaceful time and wonderful dives.
Arrival: You can come with the aeroplane to the international Airport of Cozumel or you can land in Cancun and then travel
on to Playa del Carmen, where you must take the ferry (duration ca. 40 minutes). The capital San Miguel with 75.000 inhabitants is
the only city of the island.
Banks: In contrast to the bureaus de change which are opened from 09:00am to 09:00 p.m. the banks are opened from 09.00 to
17.00. On Sundays and holidays they are closed.
Credit cards: Master Card und Visa Card are accepted everywhere (8% to 10% commission), whereas American Express Cards are
not always accepted. In the bank foyers there is normally a cash dispenser which is available round-the-clock. With your credit
card and the PIN number you can get cash there. Aquamarinas doesn’t accept cashless means of payment!
Fax and telephone: Connections to Europe are very expensive. This service is overexpensive in the hotels. It would be the
best if you phone or send a fax from one of the many calling stations (you find them on the city maps).
In these shops the connection is made by an office-worker whom you have to tell the required calling number with all necessary
To be connected by yourself you have to dial „00“ and then the area code of the country (44 = Great Brittan, 49 = Germany, 33 = France,
41 = Switzerland, 32 = Belgium, 34 = Spain, etc....). Following you have to dial dialling code (without the “0”) and the required number.
To USA and Canada dial 00 + dialling code + number.
For domestic long-distance-calls dial 01 + dialling code (987 = Cozumel) + telephone number.
The international operator has the dialling code 09, also for collect-calls.
Language: Spanish is spoken but the most Mexicans working in the tourism business also speak English.
Taxis: The collective taxis at the airport have the monopole for the transportation of tourists from the airport to the
hotels. The local taxis are white with a red streak at the side.
There are no taximeter in the taxis, but there are fixed prices which you can ask for. The best is you agree on a price before
The told prices are always meant to refer to the transportation of two persons. For every further person it has to be paid extra,
also for the luggage. You find the taxis in every street and near every hotel.
The taxi organisation prohibit private persons the transportation of tourists. The carrying out of this rule is strictly followed
and the contravention is severely punished. This is the reason for it not being possible to hitch hike on the island and that
Aquamarinas can’t transport you in their own car.
The telephone numbers for taxis are: 8720041, 8720236, 8725770.
Usefull phone numbers: ambulance 8720639, Red Cross 8721058, police 8720092, fire brigade 8720800, medical round-the-clock
service 8720912, clinic Buceo Medico Mexicano 8721430.