Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Port of Call Spotlight: Cozumel, Mexico

Cozumel, the island that the Mayans considered their Eden from where they believed they came to populate the continent, like bees from a hive, is located near Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. It's tiny, approximately 10 miles wide and 30 miles long-but like the Eden it was for the ancient Mayans, it is a paradise for today's travelers and cruise passengers.

According to Mayan legend, the goddess of love and fertility, Ixchel, resided in Cozumel and the island was a pilgrimage site. When residents built temples in her honor, the goddess sent them, the legend goes, her favorite bird, the swallow, and the Mayans named the island Cozumel, which in their language meant "the land of the swallows."

There are a number of archeological ruins on Cozumel including an archeological park in the north of the island, the sanctuary of Ixchel in San Gervasio, and El Cedral in the south--the latter the oldest Mayan structure on the island dating from the year 800. Other points of interest include the town of San Miguel, with its pretty main plaza; the Benito Juarez Park, that is ideal for strolling, buying souvenirs, and enjoying music on Sundays; the Museum of the Island of Cozumel with exhibits about the island including its reefs; Discover Mexico Park, with scale models of Mexico's pyramids, monuments and modern structures; and the lighthouse Faro Celerain that offers panoramic views of Cozumel and has an ecological reserve where visitors can see mangroves and other examples of the native flora as well as fauna.

Posted via web from Cancun Mexico News

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