Excursions Cozumel

Daily tours exploring archaeological temples on the Yucatan Peninsula from Cozumel are quite popular and are available through local travel agencies. Normally these tours include transportation. See ferry schedule.

Chichen Itza: Found inland on the Peninsula. Featuring Mayan pyramids, temples, castles (including the notorious El Castillo dedicated to the sun and storms); structures and carvings dating as far back as the 7th and 8th centuries.

Tulum: On the coast, 36 miles ( 60 km .) south of Playa del Carmen and 78 miles ( 126 km .) south of Cancun. Several Mayan temples and government buildings are featured.

Xel-Ha: A beautiful lagoon, once sacred to the Maya, is now a National Underwater Park featuring an aquarium; sunning, swimming, snorkeling and dining amenities.

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve: A National treasure. The site lies on a limestone flat on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, just south of Tulum. The 1.3 million-acre ( 526 hectares ) reserve is home to more than 1,000 species of plants, 350 types of birds and 70 species of mammals, including many endangered creatures such as manatees, crocodiles, jaguars and turtles. Additionally, more than 1,000 Mayans live within the reserve.

Cobá: On the eastern half of the peninsula, features Yucatan’s largest pyramid together with carved ceremonial columns and temples.

Xcaret: A 250-acre ( 101 hectares ) eco-archeological park featuring a vast area for swimming, snorkeling, horseback riding and water sports. The Park, designed by developer Miguel Quintana-Pali, lies on a coastline strait that goes around an inlet close to Cozumel.