For the Maya, Cozumel was considered a sacred island. Pilgrimages from all over the Mesoamerica came to honor Ix Chel, goddess of fertility, childbirth, medicine, and moon. Every Maya woman was expected once in her lifetime to make the perilous journey from the mainland to the island by large dugout canoes to visit the site. Situated in the cool dense forest surrounding, these remarkable ruins are the largest existing Maya and Toltec site in Cozumel.

San Gervasio was once the island's capital and probably the ceremonial center, dedicated to the goddess Ix Chel, wife of Itzamma. He was the Maya god above all, who invented corn, cacao, writing, and reading. It was believed that priests hid behind a large pottery statue and became the voice of the goddess speaking to pilgrims and answering their petitions.

The island's museum was once the first luxury hotel for the islanders. It features info about the natural development that emerged from the Caribbean Sea with exhibits on the origins of the island, endangered species, present day topography, and the coral reef ecology. While the first floor is dedicated to the natural history, the second floor covers the history during Colonial times with displays of cannons, swords and maritime artifacts.

Punta Sur Ecological Park

Punta Sur ecological park is located at the tip of the southern end of Cozumel Island. The area is subject to ecological conservation and a state refuge for flora and fauna. It contains all the primary natural resources which must be preserved in any ecosystem to ensure its survival. The park consists of Columbia Lagoon, the Mayan ruins of Tumba del Caracol, Tombs of the Shell and the Faro de Celarain, Point Celarian Lighthouse. The area was first inhabited in the pre-hispanic era when El Caracol probably a lighthouse, once had conch shells embedded in its wall which changed sounds with the wind. In the colonial period, it was a refuge to pirates and smugglers. During the first half of this century, on the north and northeastern shores of the lagoon, agriculture, fishing and crocodile hunting were the mainstay of the resident's economy.

El Cedral

At one time this tiny village and ruins comprised the largest Maya site of Cozumel. Although El Cedral's temple is small and not enormously impressive, major ceremonies were probably held at this site. El Cedral is the oldest Maya structure and still bears a few traces of paint and stucco applied by the original Maya artist. These days, there is little archaeological evidence of El Cedral's past glory because the conquistadors tore down much of the temple. By the turn of the last century, the site was uninhabited. Then during World War II the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers destroyed the rest of the site to build the island's first airport.