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The Ruins on Cozumel Island |
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Yes! You CAN get a glimpse of the ancient Mayan culture without traveling to Mainland Mexico!!
 Why come to the island of Cozumel and not enjoy what it has to offer?
Cozumel island is home to numerous ruin sites both excavated and non-excavated. Among these sites are San Gervasio, Castillo Real and El Cedral. Obviously, there are glamorous, trendy, touristy parts of Cozumel but by visiting these quaint yet important ruins sites one gets a better sense of the ancient history and culture of the island. 
By understanding the history of the inhabitants of the island one can see that there is still plenty of rich Mayan culture left here on the island that needs to be preserved for the enjoyment of generations to come.
Cozumel was one of the most important ports-of-trade for the Post-Classic Putun Maya seafarers. The island was a major producer of honey and contained the most important pilgrimage destination on the Peninsula's east coast. Women from through out Mesoamerica traveled Cozumel to worship at the shrine of Ix Chel ("She of the Rainbow"), goddess of childbirth and medicine.
Twenty-four archaeological sites have been discovered on the island which was occupied from AD 0 on. The island's indigenous population grew signicantly after AD800 and reached it's peak in 1400.
Most ruins on the island are of the "oratorio" type: small square buildings, low to the ground with short doors that led early Spaniards to believe the places were once inhabited by dwarfs (a now discredited myth).
 In terms of importance in the Mayan culture, Cozumel's San Gervasio Ruins are a more significant site than Tulum. Tulum was simply a coastal "watchpost" if you will where as San Gervasio contains the temple built to honor the godess X'cel. Experience first hand the mysteries of Mayan culture here at the largest archeological site on the island.  A strategic location from both a commercial and political point of view, San Gervasio was also a sacred place for the Maya women.
Xcel is the Mayan godess of fertility and rain. In ancient times, every Mayan woman was expected, at least once in her lifetime, to make the journey to Cozumel from the mainland to make offerings to X'cel for her family's fertility and crop sustenance. Inhabited from 200AD to the Spanish conquest, San Gervasio was the sanctuary of the Goddess X'chel as well as an important commercial, political and cultural center. Engravings at the site relate to events all over the Mayan world.
| Castillo Real - Area closed due to current environmental conditions |
We also have our own coastal watchtowers around Cozumel that served the same purpose to the Mayan warriors as Tulum: keeping watch for approaching enemy tribes. Castillo Real is one coastal watchtower that has managed to survive hundreds of years despite the decline of the Mayan rule over the Yucatan peninsula. Castillo Real is located on the northeast shorline of Cozumel.
Due to the sand road access, it's best to see this site as part of a jungle jeep tour. All rental car contracts forbid going off-road or down sand roads on the island so the jeep tours offer the most practical and safe way to see this remote part of the island.
Once the hub of Maya life on Cozumel, this was the first site found by Spanish explorers in 1518, and the first mass in Mexico was reportedly celebrated here. These days, there's little evidence of its past glory. It is believed to be hundreds of years old and faint traces of the original paint and stucco are evident. El Cedral is different in shape from the typically small and low structures found on the island, suggesting it was used for major ceremonies. Nearby is a green and white cinderblock church, decorated inside with crosses shrouded in embroidered lace.
During the 1800's, El Cedral was used as a jail. Today, the area is occupied by a small farm settlement. Every May there is a fair here, with dancing, music, bullfights, and a cattle show.
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Checkout these Adventures!
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 Cozumel Jungle Horseback Riding Tour |
| Ride like the wind through Cozumel's interior jungle on horseback while exploring some local Mayan ruins.
$35/person
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| Island Sites/San Gervasio Mayan Ruins |
| An enjoyable combination of Cozumel sites and the Mayan Ruins
$103/person
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| Island Highlights Tour |
| Get the big picture overview with this guided tour around Cozumel. See jungles, beaches, ruins, shopping etc. followed up with lunch at a beautiful beach area!
$95/person
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| Dune Buggy Island Tour |
| One Cozumel's finest eco-tours is a dune buggy adventure you'll treasure forever!
$89/Adult, Children half-price or free
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| Design Your Own Island Tour! |
| Not seeing an excursion that exactly fits how you'd like to spend your day here in Cozumel?
No problem! COZUMELINSIDER can custom design an island excursion just for you and your group!
Starting at $214 for up to 4 hours
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| Design Your Very Own Custom Mainland Tour! |
| Tired of visiting the sights as part of the "herd?"
Not seeing an excursion that exactly fits how you'd like to spend your day on the mainland?
No problem! COZUMELINSIDER can custom design a mainland excursion just for you and your group!
From US$168
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| Punta Sur Ecological Reserve Tour |
| Adventure into the Ecological Reserve of Punta Sur to discover the largest variety of birds, turtles, fish and coral along with a visit to a lighthouse and museum.
$100/person
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| Cozumel Sunset Cruise |
| Enjoy a beautiful Cozumel sunset on a romantic, fun filled private charter cruise!
$550.00 private charter
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Island Highlights Tour
Design Your Very Own Custom Mainland Tour!
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We had a wonderful time and appreciated the extras you did for us. This is one of the most exciting things I have ever done! The buggies ran beautifully and were real zippy. Had plenty of food and drink too! Remember to bring sunscreen as it gets really hot. Bill Howland ~ Villanova, PA
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Outstanding adventure!!! Highly recommended. Attention to each and every detail was beyond anything I expected! We owe you one! Please keep us up to date on your adventures. Mary & Joe Vos ~ Birmingham, MI
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ust wanted to say thanks for all your help in planning the horseback riding tour we took. My granddaughters and I had a wonderful time. Looking forward to the ATV tour we are planning to on our next vacation. You always take the time to answer any questions we have. Thanks again for all your help. Robberta Dellinger ~ Burlington, North Carolina
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I felt like a kid again! So cool tooling along the beach. It was just pure heaven. We visited the most remote places. Afterwards we went to Palmar and had Happy Hour out on the most beautiful beach front and watched the sunset. We also saw some of the most beautiful sites when we visited the lagoon. Definitely, don't miss this one! The Witherspoon Family ~ Freemont, CA
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