|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE ISLAND approx. 17 Km wide and 48 Km long is the largest in Mexico. Teetering on the shelf of a 1000 Meter drop off. Located 19 Km off the mainland town of Playa del Carmen, 48 Km South of Cancun. It's name comes form the Maya "Ah Cuzamil-Peten" means the Island of Swallows. Due to it's geographical position and year round warm Tropical climate, Cozumel is a home of a wide variety or rare plant and animal species. Such as the Cozumel Splendid Toadfish which you may with some l luck encounter while SNUBA dive with us. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TODAY although the island is still 90% dense jungle it has all the modern amenities of a tourist resort. Since Jacques Cousteau brought Cozumel's reefs to fame in 1961, it has become one of the world's top dive destinations, Scuba divers from many different countries come to enjoy Palancar reef's brilliantly colored fish, huge live coral heads and incredible underwater visibility. There are over 13Km of reefs lying in the peaceful Caribbean's deep blue waters, most of which are now protected Marine Reserve. The town and the hotels are all found on the Western side of the island while the East side is nearly deserted with a few rustic restaurants on the long white sandy beach. |
|
|
|
|
|
THE HISTORY of the island reads like a novel. Mayans settled here about 300 A.D. It has become a commercial and ceremonial center They believed that it was the home of Ixchel the godess of fertility. The Spanish first set foot here in 1518 but the trouble begun a year later when Cortés arrived with guns and destroyed most of the shrines. The Mayans however were not conquered by guns but by Smallpox. Cozumel remained almost deserted till the late 17th century, providing safe hideaway for pirates such as Lafitte and Morgan. Around 1848 people began to return who were mainly mesticios (of mixed blood). Cozumel flourished again thanks to the Chewing Gum which came from the Chicle tree that grows here in abundance In the 50's synthetic replaced natural gum and the island one again went into decline till 1961.This time Tourism saved the island's economy. There are about 70.000 people live here permanently and the population is very cosmopolitan. It's hard to forcast the future of any place but if we take care of this paradise it will continue to prosper, bringing beauty and fun into our vacation time for years to come. |
|
|
|
Snuba Sea Trek F.A.Q. Home Email
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Blue Chromis design 2001 |
|