As Delta celebrates its 20th anniversary of service to this Caribbean gem we take a look at what makes Cozumel a must-visit destination and why Delta remains the airline of choice for travelers seeking sun Delta Air Lines has been a gateway to paradise connecting travelers to the breathtaking island of Cozumel located off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula Here are some reasons why Cozumel should be on every traveler’s bucket list: Cozumel is home to the second-largest coral reef system in the world Jacques Cousteau famously called Cozumel one of the best diving spots on the planet making it a haven for underwater enthusiasts Whether you're a seasoned diver or a beginner the island offers countless opportunities to explore vibrant marine life and stunning coral formations. History buffs can explore the island’s Mayan past at the San Gervasio ruins a sacred site dedicated to the goddess Ixchel Cozumel was an important pilgrimage destination for the ancient Maya visitors can walk among these historical treasures to get a glimpse into the island’s past From the white sands of Playa Palancar to the secluded shores of Punta Sur Eco Beach Park Cozumel offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean Whether you're looking to unwind with a cocktail in hand or engage in thrilling water sports or climb the Celarain Lighthouse for panoramic ocean views and traditional Yucatán dishes such as cochinita pibil Local markets and beachfront restaurants offer a true taste of the island’s culinary delights. “Cozumel is more than just a destination; it’s a place where adventure meets relaxation we’ve had the privilege of connecting travelers to this incredible island As Delta is also celebrating 100 years of bringing people and cultures together We’re excited to continue delivering exceptional service and unforgettable travel experiences making memories with every journey for years to come.” – Luciano Macagno Through the Joint Cooperation Agreement (JCA) offering customers more travel options and a superior experience Delta provides service to key Mexican destinations while Aeromexico expands access with additional routes across the country including Pennsylvania (PHL) to Mexico City (MEX) and Atlanta (ATL) to San Luis Potosi (SLP). Delta and Aeromexico connect 21 destinations across the United States and Mexico with 73 routes Delta offers seven weekly nonstop flights between its Atlanta hub and Cozumel the airline also operates three weekly flights from Minneapolis to Cozumel Delta and Aeromexico operate more than 100 peak-day flights and ensuring smooth connections through key cities such as Mexico City This partnership enhances both business and leisure travel making it easier than ever to explore and connect across both countries. To book flights or learn more, visit delta.com. Delta resumed service to Cozumel in 2023 after a temporary pause from 2020 to 2023* Photos: The Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ) Fascinating for its dual personality, Cozumel offers an odd mix – quietly authentic neighborhoods existing alongside tourist-friendly playgrounds. Leaving the tourist area behind, you'll find garages that still have shrines to the Virgin and a spirited Caribbean energy in the air. And, of course, there are epic experiences to be had, such as diving at some of the best reefs in the world. Isla Cozumel Back to topAttractionsMust-see attractionsEl Cielo El Cielo's shallow turquoise waters are ideal for snorkeling and swimming among starfish El Cedral It’s the size of a small house and has no ornamentation San Gervasio Ruins This overpriced Maya complex is Cozumel’s only preserved ruin It's thought to have been the location of the sanctuary of Ixchel Parque Punta Sur Playa Palancar Palancar is a great beach to visit during the week when the crowds thin out It has a beach club renting snorkel gear (US… El Castillo Real Down the same intimidating road that leads to Punta Molas are the large Maya ruins known as El Castillo Real (The Royal Castle) Sea Walls Local and international artists backed by the PangeaSeed foundation created 36 large-scale public murals in 2015 to raise awareness about ocean… Punta Molas To reach the far northeast of the island you're best off heading out on an off-road tour to avoid getting stranded on the remote dirt road View more attractionsPlan with a localExperience the real Mexico Get startedBuild a memorable collectionGet to the heart of Isla Cozumel with one of our in-depth Visit in ShopCancun Visit in ShopPocket Cancun & the Riviera Maya $13.99 Go to checkout (0 items)For Explorers Everywhere No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission Cozumel saw more than 4.6 million cruise ship passengers in 2024 The island off the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula is particularly known for white sand beaches and reefs that open up snorkelers and divers to a stunning diversity of marine life. Cruise ship giants like Royal Caribbean (RCL) and Carnival (CCL) will work with local operators to arrange tours specifically for guests who go back to the ship at the end of the day Don't miss the move: SIGN UP for TheStreet’s FREE Daily newsletter With the busy spring break travel period set to start in the coming weeks, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a new warning for Americans who will be coming to all the different cities in Mexico in March and April While Cozumel's isolated nature as an island and tourist mecca generally makes it an extremely safe destination [that] can occur anywhere in Mexico." the Quintana Roo state is rated at the second-lowest "exercise increased precautions" advisory by the U.S State Department (the nearby Yucatán is at the lowest "take normal precautions.) The agency's recent travel advisories for Mexico have focused on border states like Michoacan and Sinaloa due to the high rates of drug trafficking; both are under the "do not travel" rating Cozumel is a very safe and popular destination that is specifically tailored to tourists Image source: Dan Kline/Come Cruise With Me While port towns are among the safest parts of the country for tourists to visit the latest advisory focuses specifically on spring break travelers who may let their guard down around pickpockets and alcohol or engage in partying behaviors that may be tolerated at home but can result in criminal charges in Mexico is illegal in Mexico and may result in a lengthy jail sentence," the advisory continues "[...] Unregulated alcohol may be contaminated citizens have reported losing consciousness or becoming injured after consuming tainted alcohol." Statistics from the Mexican government show that 10.04 million tourists came to Cancún in March and April last year, a 27% percent increase from 2019. While Cozumel is more of a general destination for cruisers rather than a spring break one for which many opt for resorts some college students and tourists traveling by group also book cruises that stop in the port during the time they have off from their college studies Other popular Mexican destinations traditionally popular during Spring Break include Playa del Carmen in the southeast and Cabo San Lucas (another cruise port) in the western Baja California peninsula Other major cruise ports in the country include Costa Maya Puerto Vallarta and Port of Progreso in the Yucatán The latter ones are more popular with smaller luxury cruise tours operators working with more intimate groups and smaller ships (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472. By Veronika BondarenkoVeronika Bondarenko leads travel and airline coverage for TheStreet Sign up today for the the latest cruising news, tips, and guidance from cruise aficionado and expert, Dan Kline Sign up today for our free newsletter and you'll receive an exclusive report explaining hedge fund guru Doug Kass' winning investment style ShareSaveCommentLifestyle TravelScuba Diving In Cozumel: What You Need To KnowByJudy Koutsky Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights 09:00am EDTShareSaveCommentHawksbill turtle and school of grunts over a coral reef in Cozumel Scuba divers always talk to each other about their favorite dive sites but one of the fan favorites is closer to home: Cozumel Even the world-famous Jacques Cousteau listed Cozumel as one of the top 10 dive spots in the world In addition to its easy access to the U.S. Cozumel is popular for a number of reasons: warm water year-round; great visibility; and of course stingrays and sergeant majors are just a few things you might be able to check off your list it’s the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere and has dramatic walls Cozumel is known for its marine life and colorful coral Cozumel has a large number of repeat divers because there’s so much to see depending on what time of year you dive It’s also good for both beginners and season divers because of the diversity of dive sites Diving with the whale sharks is a big draw from June through September There is no wrong time for diving in Cozumel Water temperatures remain constant year-round (about 80 degrees) with a slight temperature drop in the winter months September-December Diving in Cozumel is famous for easy drifts (it’s considered the drift dive capital of the world) but currents can be strong during the seasonal transition - best suited to advanced divers Divers choosing to plunge below the surface at this time are rewarded with more sharks and eagle rays Sailfish can be seen December through March A nurse shark in a colorful cave in Cozumel While there are plenty of scuba dive companies in Cozumel it’s important to pick a reputable place with a history of safe diving Pro Dive International has been around for 20 years and is considered a PADI Five Star operation They have four different dive centers in Cozumel and offer specialty dive options the whale sharks and sailfish during their respective months in the area Scuba diving in Cozumel brings chance encounters with a variety of marine life The Pro Dive pick-up spot at each dive center is a short boat ride to the actual dive site (under 15 minutes) This is ideal because in certain regions of the world you can be on the boat for over an hour getting to the dive site Pro Dive has numerous instructors per boat The dive masters are highly trained with advanced certification which is what you want when you go scuba diving In 2022, advocates for Cozumel reefs celebrated a victory when plans to expand a cruise ship port in Cozumel were halted Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) has greenlit the project clearing the way for construction over Villa Blanca Reef This biodiverse marine ecosystem has undergone two decades of coral restoration efforts designed to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships threatens to erase years of conservation progress while disrupting local businesses and the island’s delicate ecological balance Villa Blanca Reef, a critical habitat for marine life and a popular site for divers and snorkelers sits directly in the path of the planned expansion Scientists warn that the construction will smother coral formations and degrade water quality through increased sedimentation and pollution The reef’s destruction would nullify 20 years of restoration work leaving Cozumel’s underwater ecosystem permanently scarred Beyond environmental damage, the project carries significant economic repercussions. For example, long-standing dive operators and scuba training centers will lose access to the reef effectively shutting down their operations in the area Snorkeling guides who rely on Villa Blanca for tours face an uncertain future and emergency responders warn that the pier will obstruct Coast Guard routes delaying rescue missions in southern waters legal efforts to halt the pier’s construction have stalled Local advocates and lawyers have alleged that the approval process was influenced by political and corporate interests bypassing proper environmental assessments With judicial avenues seemingly compromised activists are shifting their strategy toward mobilizing public awareness and international pressure Cozumel’s struggle is not an isolated incident. Across the Caribbean, port expansions and unchecked cruise tourism have led to reef destruction, overcrowding, excess waste While proponents argue that such projects boost local economies critics counter that the environmental costs outweigh short-term gains where reefs drive much of the tourism revenue the pier’s construction risks undermining the very attraction that draws visitors to the island and local business owners are rallying to amplify their message and appeals to international conservation organizations aim to draw global attention to the issue The hope is that heightened scrutiny could force a reevaluation of the project before irreversible damage occurs the fate of Villa Blanca Reef hangs in the balance As dredging equipment looms on the horizon the question remains: Will Cozumel’s natural heritage be preserved or will it become another casualty of unchecked development The cruise industry is a cornerstone of Cozumel’s economy driving tourism and generating significant revenue for the island As one of the busiest cruise ports in the Caribbean Cozumel welcomes millions of passengers annually with over 1,200 ship calls recorded in recent years These visitors contribute substantially to local businesses accounting for a large portion of the island’s tourism income Employment opportunities further amplify the economic impact as the industry supports thousands of jobs directly and indirectly Cozumel’s strategic location near the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and its reputation for world-class diving and cultural attractions make it a premier destination for cruise lines and Norwegian include Cozumel as a staple port of call reinforcing its status as a key hub in Western Caribbean itineraries including the Puerta Maya and International piers has been continually upgraded to accommodate larger vessels ensuring Cozumel remains competitive in the global cruise market the industry also fosters international visibility encouraging repeat visitors who later return for longer stays further benefiting the island’s broader tourism sector Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer and translation degrees from universities in Mexico Mexico’s new ambassador to Canada has started off his tenure with a strong message to mining countries operating on his home turf The 14 offenders who were caught driving vehicles on a stretch of Progreso’s beach a year ago have been fined 3 million pesos for putting sea turtles and their nesting areas at risk A “Camino del Mayab” will allow hikers and bikers to explore a 100-kilometer walking circuit that runs through 13 localities in Yucatan The project is being created by the eco-tourism group EcoGuerreros (Eco Warriors) Yucatán and is expected to be completed in December 2020 In addition to enjoying the attractions of the municipalities The milpa — a farming system that has been used for more than 3,000 years — can be key to coping with climate change bringing the tideline far from its normal point roused the curiosity and even fear among the public The Yucatán Peninsula is experiencing a brutal heat wave that’s drawing attention to the region’s vulnerability to a changing climate Advertise With Us Miami, FL – Following its inaugural year, the Chefs Making Waves (CMW) food and wine festival at sea – presented by Sixthman and EBG – is back with an unparalleled lineup for the 2025 voyage known for curating unforgettable experiences on land and sea since 2001 with festivals such as The Rock Boat has carefully curated a generous serving of culinary endeavors for this four-night all-inclusive culinary cruise featuring the top celebrity chefs Setting sail from the Port of Miami on Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) to Cozumel Chefs Making Waves promises a one-of-a-kind voyage for foodies of all kinds “We are thrilled to be partnering with A21 and EBG once again to bring our second Chefs Making Waves food cruise to life,” said Jeff Cuellar blowing foodies away with a stellar lineup of talent and programming that we actually broke the record for the fastest-selling themed cruise in our portfolio Our goal for 2025 is to continue to elevate the sailing experience and take the cruise to the next level The biggest additions we’ve made would have to be the introduction of the restaurant takeovers that provide more flexibility for the guests and overall engagement from the chefs as well as the buffet spotlights to provide a more immersive experience.” This intimate culinary expedition is the ultimate getaway for those with an appetite for unique opportunities to taste and learn from some of the industry’s most acclaimed culinary talents Chefs Making Waves will welcome aboard many of the world’s best chefs and spirit producers to offer passengers a premier gastronomic celebration at sea Passengers eager to enhance their skills in the kitchen can grab a seat at one of the live culinary demos on board and watch as celebrity chefs dish out their secrets and tricks Recipes shared during demos will be available following the demonstration so that guests can tackle them in their own kitchens Post-dinner events include interactive culinary games for the entire group including Robert Irvine Live: Culinary Chaos where guests can throw their name in the Culinary Chaos lottery and be chosen to join Robert on stage The ship will also host late-night takeover events with live entertainment a Silent Disco presented by San Bernardo and more guests can look forward to restaurant takeovers at any of the ship’s four restaurants and two dining rooms onboard – La Cucina Each restaurant will be paired with a celebrity chef (or chefs) and have its own specially curated menus with various course options All restaurant takeovers are included with the purchase of each boarding pass a 965-foot-long award-winning Jewel class vessel with just over 1,000 cabins making it one of the most exclusive ships on the sea This ocean liner provides guests with concierge service Chefs Making Waves guests will have the chance to enjoy an unforgettable shore excursion in Cozumel and diving opportunities and for exploring historic Mayan ruins Please note: Shore excursions will not be available until 4-6 weeks before sailing Cruisers can book an excursion upon receipt of their official booking number guests will also have the opportunity to plan culinary shore excursions visit www.chefsmakingwaves.com and stay up to date all year long by following along with @ChefsMakingWaves on Instagram This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. the largest island in the Mexican Caribbean will have a historic start to the year in terms of tourist arrivals with close to 120,000 cruise ship passengers arriving in the first week of 2025 according to estimates by Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama Lezama said that 34 cruise ships are expected to arrive on the island between Dec These record figures follow an announcement by Mexico’s lawmakers made early in December, postponing the application of a new US $42 fee for every cruise ship passenger docking at Mexico’s ports. The fee, originally scheduled to go into effect this month, will now be implemented in July. Cozumel’s Puerta Maya port expected over 28,000 tourists from six cruise ships on Jan the number of arrivals is expected to drop to 9,470 people Sunday will see 4,980 passengers aboard a single cruise ship docking at Punta Langosta pier “This achievement is the result of a joint effort between the Government of Quintana Roo, the municipality, and local service providers, reaffirming our Swallow Island as a leading destination in the Caribbean,” Lezama wrote on her official X account. Cozumel (Kuzamil) means “island of the swallows.” the Puerta Maya terminal in the southern part of the island and operated by Carnival Cruise Line will see the highest number of tourists totaling 47,389 This figure represents 39.51% of the overall total which is expected to receive 34,744 visitors while SSA México pier will accommodate 37,805 passengers In addition to the number of cruise ship tourists arriving in the island 28 saw record numbers of air operations at the state’s four international airports Quintana Roo is the only state in Mexico with four international airports: Cancún Cancún International Airport came in first Next was Tulum International Airport with 56 flights setting a record for the number of operations in a single day since its inauguration in December 2023 With reports from La Jornada ADVERTISE WITH MND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Subscription FAQ's Privacy Policy Mexico News Daily - Property of Tavana LLC The vibrant village of El Cedral in Cozumel is preparing for its most anticipated event of the year the Fiesta de la Santa Cruz y Feria del Cedral Legend has it that he promised to celebrate the Holy Cross annually and this year's celebrations will run from Monday The 2025 festivities will feature a rich program including traditional rodeos Mayor José Luis Chacón emphasized the significance of the festival "El Cedral was the first settlement repopulated on our island symbolizing resistance and rebirth after the Caste War The celebrations are open every year to locals and visitors alike be ready for the dust from thousands of hooves and dancing revellers' feet For more information on Cozumel's events and public holidays, visit our Tourist Information section Photos courtesy of the Cozumel Municipal Government Explore El Cedral year-round with our exclusive tours: Cozumel Taxi Tour Cozumel ATV Tour Xrail Jungle Buggy Madness Award-Winning Things To Do in Cozumel! © Site content copyright 2005-2025 Sign-up for offers and news from the Local Experts for Cozumel A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible A "lost" flyer for Edmond Bradley Solomon III of Charleston distributed by Mexican authorities Solomon has been missing in Cozumel since April 3 for Charleston native Brad Solomon weeks after he was reported missing Brad Solomon of Mount Pleasant was last seen April 3 after disembarking from a cruise ship in Mexico His family is planning a memorial service in Charleston A year has passed since a Charleston man diagnosed with a severe form of dementia was last seen walking the streets of Cozumel The disappearance of Edmond Bradley “Brad” Solomon III made international headlines after he went missing during a port of call stop while on a Royal Caribbean cruise His daughter Savannah Miller said Solomon would have turned 67 this week April also was his wedding anniversary to his wife "April is a tough month now," Miller noted in a brief message The family is still planning to hold a celebration of life service locally The Post and Courier reached out to numerous officials in Mexico for any updates on Solomon's case His missing person flyer still appears on the state government website He and his wife were on a seven-day vacation Solomon had been diagnosed in 2022 with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia The trip was to celebrate his birthday and to take one final vacation as his condition worsened He and his wife stopped to use restrooms at a shopping area near Cozumel’s cruise terminal. When his wife came out, Solomon was nowhere to be found Security cameras captured images of Solomon walking down various streets Undated street video of Edmond Bradley "Brad" Solomon III with family members on the trip joined by friends Other family members flew to the island to help After a couple of weeks, the family returned home. The search, however, continued — though it eventually changed from rescue to recovery including Civil Protection officers and firefighters jungles and water-filled sinkholes known as cenotes is that he is lost in the jungle,” Rafael Tenorio Pizano the Citizen Protection director in Cozumel Solomon worked as a critical-care nurse at the Ralph H He is remembered by family and friends for being hardworking and for his generosity you knew it," a former colleague told The Post and Courier last year Alan Hovorka and Valerie Nava contributed to this report News tips/online questions: newstips@postandcourier.com Delivery/subscription questions: subserve@postandcourier.com Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: is expecting tens of thousands of cruise ship passengers during the first week of spring break according to a statement from the state government The Quintana Roo Comprehensive Port Authority (Apiqroo) reported that 21 cruise ships carrying some 80,459 tourists would be arriving at the island this week through Sunday Officials expected nearly 14,000 tourists on Wednesday and over 18,000 on Thursday which is expected to be the busiest day of the season Estimates suggest that over 16,000 travelers will arrive on Friday followed by roughly 6,000 a day on Saturday and Sunday While final figures have not been released authorities estimated that a total of 19,765 cruise passengers were going to stop in Cozumel on Monday and Tuesday Meanwhile, Governor of Quintana Roo Mara Lezama revealed on her official X account that from April 5 to 11 the state welcomed more than 450,000 tourists 36 cruise ships and over 4,000 air operations resulting in a hotel occupancy rate of 74.5% said these statistics reflect a trend that will likely lead the island to end the year with at least 5 million visitors marking a record figure for the sunny destination Cozumel welcomed 4,623,000 tourists; the goal is to reach 5 million,” Chacón said in a press conference adding that cruising companies have expressed their confidence in Cozumel as a leading destination “with a huge range of natural beauty.” Cozumel is the largest island in the Mexican Caribbean. It is popular for its pristine turquoise waters and white sand beaches. In the Maya language Gov. Lezama has said that beyond numbers and records Quintana Roo’s government wants to leverage its tourism leadership to improve health and working conditions for tourism industry workers Some of her recent actions to boost tourism include a working trip to Miami where Lezama met with executives from the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and CEOs of major shipping companies She also participated in Seatrade Cruise Global a leading trade fair for the cruise industry worldwide intending to continue to position Cozumel and Mahahual as top cruise tourism destinations in Latin America these companies confirmed that they see Quintana Roo as a strategic location for growth and investment citing its expanding infrastructure and reliability and expressing strong interest in showcasing the region’s potential and attractions to a global audience I’ve done a few temazcal — traditional Mexican sweat cleansing ceremonies — in different locations in Mexico but the one I attended in Cozumel was by far the best I was invited to take part in a special ceremony to enjoy a temazcal with Ixchel When you travel through southern Mexico and the Yucatán you will encounter the beautiful Mayan culture all around you Vibrant street murals depict Mayan warriors Smiling locals wear t-shirts adorned with Mayan deities The islands of Isla Mujeres and Cozumel are both tied to Ixchel I connected with the goddess in a temazcal My friend and I joined Mexican and Mayan women at Pueblo del Maiz It was a special temazcal honoring the goddess Ixchel A small stone structure where people place hot rocks in a pit in the middle Herbed water is then splashed onto the rocks to produce steam Mesoamerican people have been using Temazcals since pre-Hispanic times The ceremonies are an integral part of Mexico’s history and tradition These temazcal ceremonies are used for holistic health powerful conch call sent shivers down my spine making the hair on my arms and neck stand up It’s exactly how I imagined it would feel to be in the presence of a deity he led us through lush gardens to a statue of Ixchel we make offerings and cleanse ourselves in the hearty smoke of copal incense placed my offering — some white maize kernels — into a bowl on the altar I cupped my hands and wafted the smoke over my face and head purifying and cleansing my energy before the temazcal ceremony began and a huge statue of Ixchel stood before us holding a wooden staff adorned with a sea turtle skull and a flaming torch each woman stepped forward and told the group why she was there and what she hoped to gain from the temazcal A chorus of “Bienvenidos abuelita” or “welcome grandmother” greeted every stone entering.” It was an ancestral connection to the earth Things started to warm up and I felt the first prickles of sweat It was as black as midnight on a moonless night Ground cacao beans mixed with honey were passed around It was hard to resist licking it off before the honey and chocolate could do their detoxification work Using the last of the herbal tea to wash the honey and chocolate off at the end The best beauty treatment of my life from sitting in a sweaty temazcal a large container of cold water was dumped over us it was nice to wash away the sweat and stickiness of honey That completes the Baño de Ixchel temazcal and it’s hands down the best I’ve done so far Mexico Correspondent for International Living photographer and videographer with 500+ articles published both in print and across digital platforms Living in the Mexican Caribbean for over 7 years now she’s in love with Mexico and has no plans to go anywhere anytime soon Cozumel's airport terminal will be getting bigger, with a $12 million investment (250 million pesos), ASUR, the operator of Cozumel airport, confirmed, this week. Adolfo Castro, spokesperson for ASUR, told This is Cozumel that the new plans include a larger check-in area with more airline desks, and a waiting area with twice the capacity of the existing one. The expansion plans follow an in-depth analysis of future demand and the airport operator hopes to have the larger terminal ready by 2027 or 2028. According to the most recent data from ASUR, the number of passengers that used the airport increased 5.2% to 712,958 in 2024, compared with 677,503 in 2023. Find out more about Cozumel flights and airlines, or if you have your flight already you can book Cozumel airport transfers for peace of mind who you land Be one of the first to try our new activity feed 2023 Ironman 70.3 Cozumel champ and pro triathlete Hannah Berry shares insider details on this tropical race—everything from race prep to gear to strategy—so you can have your best race-day experience in Quintana Roo will help you prepare to race or train in this beautiful destination After the warm and clear 1.2-mile swim in the Cozumel Channel athletes ride a flat 56 miles around the perimeter of the island before running a flat and hot half marathon along the waterfront and through downtown San Miguel de Cozumel The tropical climate and strong winds combined with its spot on the race calendar in late September make it an ideal race for athletes preparing to race the Ironman World Championship in Kona it serves as a beautiful beach destination for those looking to wrap up the season with a race-cation first raced 70.3 Cozumel last year for both reasons: the beautiful locale and for some heat acclimation training leading up to her first Kona race “I had heard that it’s a beautiful place,” she says we were looking for places to go that were hot for me to train and even maybe race in before I raced in Kona Berry ended up winning the 70.3 and staying on the island for about 10 days to prep for Kona She finished 11th in the Ironman World Championship last year and her acclimation in Cozumel was a key part of her prep Cozumel is Mexico’s largest inhabited island located off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula It’s part of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo and the 11-mile-wide Cozumel Channel separates it from the mainland You can expect the island’s tropical climate to deliver hot The average air temperature this time of year is in the 80s Fahrenheit and it only cools down to the 70s at night The humidity this time of year is also very high September can also see that humidity turn into precipitation with short bursts of rainfall so be sure to pack some lightweight waterproof layers just in case The water temperature isn’t much of a relief from the warm and humid air—the water averages around 84 degrees Fahrenheit so you will not be wearing a wetsuit for this swim Cozumel has a reputation for windy conditions on the bike as well Keeping your core body temperature down is an important element of this race Berry warns of doing too intense of a dryland warm-up before the swim—the water is so warm that you don’t want to be overheated before you even start the swim “it was talked up a lot more than what I experienced,” she says Experienced cyclists shouldn’t have many issues riding with the crosswinds but newer cyclists might want to spend some extra time in training or arrive to the island early to get some experienced riding in windy conditions “That’s when you start to notice the heat in the race really,” she says Be sure to bring sun protection and focus on cooling at each aid station Ironman 70.3 Cozumel Course Map The 1.2-mile ocean swim takes place on the west side of the island in the Cozumel Channel a protected stretch of water between the island of Cozumel and the Yucatan Peninsula And it lives up to its reputation for being one of the prettiest swims in Ironman racing and the highlight of this course tropical kind of water that you would picture if you were going to picture perfect water.” The average 84-degree water temperatures will make neoprene wetsuits prohibited on this swim which means athletes will self-seed on race morning into groups based on their projected 1.2-mile swim time While it might be tempting to jump into a faster group it’ll benefit you the most to swim with athletes who swim your same speed—there’s a lower chance of faster athletes swimming over you and you’ll have a better opportunity to draft off of someone’s feet If you arrive in town before race day and want to get a feel for the water you can go to one of multiple beaches along the west side of the island The race also puts on a practice swim on the course the morning before the race so you can get a feel for the water temperature and conditions There is no opportunity to swim in the water on race morning so the practice swim will be your best opportunity to get a feel for the swim course because of the sheltered location in the channel but she did notice a very strong current in the swim She recommends taking advantage of that race-organized practice swim to determine what the current is doing on race weekend—some parts will be fast and some will be slower because of that current so it will affect your pacing strategy on race day do a short warm-up—get the arms and legs moving a bit Then self-seed and wait in transition until your group is called to the staging area The swim course is a long rectangle shape starting and finishing in front of the dolphin platform at Chankanaab Park The race will begin with a deep-water start facing northeast then athletes will swim in a counter-clockwise direction around the rectangle The course will be marked with small round buoys every 100 meters then large triangle buoys at each of the three left turns The water visibility is excellent the entire course You’ll be missing the buoyancy of a neoprene wetsuit on this course but Berry noted that the water is especially salty “so it is quite floaty.” You can get away with clear goggles for this course as well since you won’t be sighting directly into the sun at any point “You might be feeling quite hot when you get out of the water,” she says “You just have to take care about cooling yourself down when you get out of the water.” She recommends having some cold water ready for you when you get to your bike or grabbing water from the first aid station to cool down If you partook in the practice swim the day before it’ll also help you mentally prepare for the race by knowing which parts will be slower and faster and where you should or shouldn’t conserve energy The 56-mile bike course follows the shoreline on the southern half of the island starting from T1 at Chankanaab Park and ending at T2 next to Cozumel’s City Hall in the heart of downtown It makes a large diamond shape for 1.3 laps as it follows the main highway that circles the island in a counter-clockwise direction and it’s completely closed to vehicular traffic so the biggest challenges come from body temperature control and the winds on the east side of the island Berry considers it a very safe and straightforward you’ll cross an old highway before turning right on the main highway and heading south toward Punta Sur and you can ease your way into the bike,” Berry says build into your pace and stay on top of your nutrition You’ll pass the first of six aid stations at Punta Sur the highway will curve left to start heading northeast along the eastern coast of the island You’ll follow it all the way to the Mezcalitos area until you turn left on Avenida Juarez This is the toughest section of the course because of the wind Berry didn’t experience as intense of winds as she’d been warned about but you should prepare for them nonetheless This is the most remote section of the ride so “you can just put your head down and ride,” Berry says The highway provides a smooth road surface it’s very flat and there are no technical turns so the wind is really all you’re contending with Use the views of the turquoise Caribbean Sea on your right to motivate you you’ll turn left to head northwest and cut straight across the island toward downtown There are a few turns within town before you head southeast again toward the swim start This is when the crowd support picks back up and when the road surfaces get a little more worn down “Whenever you go through a town in any race you expect that the road are going to be a little more technical,” she says After a few turns in town and riding past City Hall You’ll be riding past Chankanaab and then doubling back over the first section of the bike course on a divided highway with ample room in both directions You’ll turn around in front of the Iberostar Hotel and finish the bike at T2 next to City Hall in downtown You’ll get a boost from the crowds again as you get back into town but the road surfaces do get “a little bit gnarly,” Berry says and you’ll go through a couple of roundabouts The sun also becomes more of a factor with little shade and the sun high in the sky so continue to stay on top of your hydration and cooling as you finish out the bike athletes can’t use disc wheels on the bike—it causes a safety issue in strong crosswinds it’s a great chance to test out your wheel setup Also make sure you wear clothes and sun protection to keep you cool on the more exposed sections of the course—toward the latter part of the bike course the sun will be more overhead and could start to affect your race “It’s worth taking note of the weather before race day and just seeing if there’s some wind forecast and in what direction,” Berry says you can be quite exposed in some parts.” The wind could be a crosswind or headwind and while she didn’t experience it too intensely the one year she raced in Cozumel it’s been reported to make for a challenging ride some years She also recommends not overdoing it early in the ride “and then suffering later on the bike,” as it will keep getting hotter as the bike goes on when you might be thinking you feel really good being smart about pacing will be worthwhile,” she says two-lap run course gives you a scenic tour of the downtown area’s signature sites downtown San Miguel de Cozumel’s main plaza and some historic neighborhoods The half marathon starts with a right turn out of T2 and heads straight north along the waterfront on Rafael Melgar Avenue The course follows the waterfront as it heads straight north to the first turnaround with views of the water along the way It’s a very simple course with no hills and no confusing turns so hydration is the name of the game on his 13.1-mile fully paved course There are aid stations about every mile that offer Gatorade then head back south along the waterfront on the same road until just before T2 so it’s a good chance to keep your mind quiet as you focus on your run “and you’ll be lucky to get a little bit of shade here and there it’s pretty exposed.” Make sure you wear sun protection which you can reapply at the aid stations as well especially when it goes over white concrete you’ll pass the turnaround point and turn left onto South 13th Street That will take you straight to the finish line in a park in the heart of Cozumel smile and thank the volunteers as you celebrate your finish “it’s worth really making use of the aid stations,” she says She recommends grabbing cold water and ice at every aid station And to focus on hydration and getting in your sodium “because you’ll be sweating so much in the air and humidity.” And try to pace the run as evenly as you can without overheating so it’s really about just finding a pace that’s comfortable to maintain in the heat.” Cozumel is a tri-friendly locale if you arrive early or extend your trip and need to get in some training Enjoy the beautiful beaches for an open-water swim—some hotels have their own beach access or you can go to a public beach like Playa las Rocas north of town there is plenty of pool space—try Independence Sport Venue (Unidad Deportiva Independencia) in downtown and pay a few dollars for hourly pool access you can run along the coast where the race course is there’s a separate bike path that’s off the road and a safe place to run or ride The logistics are simple because it’s really only one main road around the island and the local taxi company will be offering fixed rates for Ironman athletes and spectators to their accommodations They’ll also be prepared to transport your bikes to wherever you’re going This Ironman race offers multiple host hotels to meet different budgets and each has discounted rates and special triathlon accommodations They also each offer shuttles to the start line on race morning which is helpful because there is no parking allowed near the start Whether you stay in a host hotel or a local vacation rental make sure you secure transportation for race morning—the only two options are hotel shuttles or taxis since there is no parking at the start Make sure you arrive in plenty of time to fill up your water bottles double-check your tire pressure and warm up before the start Berry recommends arriving about 90 minutes before the start of the race Cozumel has plenty of options for dining and activities It’s much more than any person can do in a single weekend try to fit in some time to experience this tropical locale Ix-Kool is one of the top restaurants in town, serving up homemade tortillas and authentic Mayan cuisine. For some fine dining, try the ceviche and steak at the waterfront Bajau Steakhouse and Seafood Grill “definitely snorkeling” should be on your list “It was amazing.” The 14 miles of coral reefs are part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System and are home to hundreds of species of fish plus sea turtles Chankanaab National Park is a must-see Cozumel destination—you can swim with manatees or dolphins At the protected Punta Sur Ecological Reserve which serves as a shelter for some of the island’s endemic species you can visit the historic Celarain Lighthouse and explore the nature trails We take a quick flyby video tour of the 2024 Ironman World Championship Kona course Glitz and glamour are the highlight of February throughout the Riviera Maya region this month Don’t be surprised if you find feathers and sequins in the streets as the festivities begin on Feb building up to the big parades beginning at the end of the month and early March Cozumel has the region’s oldest Carnaval tradition but you’ll find festivities and dancing in the streets in Mérida Also this February you’ll find fantastic fun activities like singles nights Kicking off the 2025 Carnival fun is the Great Carnaval Ball. Announcing the candidates for King and Queen of Carnival 2025 and the farewell of last year’s Carnival monarchs. Six days of music, dance and creative competition at the end of the month are led up to by weeks of preparations starting with candidate nominations on Feb Although the King and Queen are chosen earlier throughout the rest of the month and Diversity and Youth monarch titles are up for grabs with the long-awaited float rides on the boardwalk on March 1 each week there is a fun free event to see With Splinters Axe House Cozumel officially has its first axe-throwing venue To welcome the ladies they’re starting Ladies Night with a free cocktail and first half hour of axe throwing for free each Wednesday it’s easier than you think and quite therapeutic Bust a move and go crazy on the dance floor at this singles’ night event dance to rad music of the 1990s and 2000s and don’t forget to dress to impress: you might win Best Dressed beverages and a chance to show off your best dance moves The perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day, Cancún Sunset Cruise always fills up fast for Feb With Sailing options around Cancún and the Riviera Maya cruise the stunning crystal clear waters while enjoying a fully stocked open bar and a variety of gourmet appetizers A relaxing deckside ambiance adds to the romance of a Caribbean sunset Score a 30% discount booking seven days in advance World music artist Ajeet weaves inspiration from traditional folk to produce mystical and meditative soundscapes Many experience Ajeet’s music as healing This night is set to be the night of the season Enjoy a leisurely tour of the studios of Mérida’s best artists through the Mérida English Library national and international artists who live in and call Mérida home it’s in its 12th year and for three days only these artists throw open their doors for you to visit their studios A sneak peek into the hidden world otherwise only seen in galleries and museums around the globe don’t worry: you’ll learn over the seven days of this event’s run rooftop dances and top DJs from around the world A night of laughter and side-splitting fun, starting with headliner Cedric Newman of “Traitors” and “Amazing Race Canada” fame Last year’s event was so much fun they’re doing it again Book your table ahead to enjoy a meal with your giggle fits Bel Woodhouse photographer and videographer with more than 500 articles published both in print and across digital platforms Having lived in the Mexican Caribbean for over seven years now she’s in love with Mexico and has no plans to go anywhere anytime soon We send all our best festive wishes from a merry Cozumel with many hotels full and over 30 cruise ships in port Islanders have been enjoying yuletide family entertainment children dancing and Santa arriving on a scooter If you're visiting soon make sure you book your tours and activities now You'll find the island magically decorated islanders are celebrating with 9 nights of songs while children recite their own carols and carry decorated branches in a similar custom known as cantando la rama we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Cozumel will trend as one of the hottest "detour" destinations in 2025 They said Cozumel's proximity to Cancun, makes it an ideal day trip while also being attractive as a principal destination. According to the group's Unpack study "detour" destinations are less crowded and less well-known and 63% of consumers say they are likely to visit one on their next trip It’s easy to see why Cozumel is popular on a detour Perfectly blending laid-back vibes with plenty of adventure where marine life is as vibrant as the island’s culture the island's popularity as a cruise destination has opened it up to a broader audience giving visitors a taste of its unique charm The authors pointed out those looking to stay longer can chose from boutique hotels and all-inclusive resorts and a range of other accommodations Expedia said they analyzed first-party travel data in the study and "the latest industry innovations" to predict the travel trends for 2025 For more Cozumel travel information see our Transport section for Cozumel flights and airlines or Cozumel airport transfers. Last week we previewed T100 world champion Marten Van Riel’s first go at the full-distance and the Belgian star’s performance turned out to be the big news from the race The day provided more than a few interesting stories – here are a few that caught our eye: The race in Cozumel wasn’t part of the IRONMAN Pro Series so there was no live coverage of the event For those who were tracking the race via the athlete tracker things got wacky towards the end of the bike After leading out of the water and then for roughly the first two-thirds of the bike Van Riel was joined at the front by a group that included (among others) his countryman Bart Aernouts Here’s the official statement from IRONMAN: We are aware of an accident at IRONMAN Cozumel in which professional triathlete and colliding with a young spectator who was watching the race from the sidelines Van Riel waited with the spectator until emergency services could arrive and attend to them both After following required local law enforcement protocols Van Riel was able to continue with his race. We are thankful to learn that neither the spectator nor Van Riel sustained any serious injuries and we extend our gratitude to the medical personnel who treated both the athlete and spectator promptly Van Riel provided more details in a post on Instagram “After 175km on the bike I lost control of my bike (on a cateye or hole in the road) and swerved into the side where a little girl was supporting the race,” he wrote “Unfortunately I hit her at 50 km/h and crashed very hard Luckily the girl had her family there and she looked relatively ok except for a cut in her finger The ambulance was quickly there and provided first aid to both of us later the police also came to take a report.” Van Riel ended up seeing the girl again when he went to the hospital in Cozumel for stitches “After the race I got brought to the hospital to get my elbows stitched and do some x-rays,” he continued “Cozumel has only one hospital so the girl was also there and I was able to talk with her and give her my finisher medal and a shirt Her mom told me that every year she watches the race and I really hope this won’t change that!” Van Riel would run the day’s fastest marathon (2:39:38) and ended up seventh There were five qualifying spots for next year’s men’s IRONMAN World Championship in Nice It will be interesting to see if he ends up trying to qualify sometime next year One would imagine Van Riel will be looking to defend his T100 world title so fitting two IRONMAN races into that mix might be a challenge Germany’s Anne Reischmann had a horrible high-speed crash on a descent at the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice in September when a water bottle slipped through her rear cage and momentarily got caught between her frame and rear wheel. She described the crash in detail on her social media channels and my friend and former colleague Frank Wechsel was right behind her when she went down The German bounced back in style to take second at Challenge Peguera Mallorca in October then returned to the site of her IRONMAN debut in 2022 (She finished fourth that year in 8:56:56.) This year Reischmann improved her time dramatically and much of the drop can be attributed to her 16-minute improvement in the marathon (3:18:44 in 2022 to 3:02:03 this year.) The last time Bart Aernouts won an Ironman race was in 2018 when he won IRONMAN Hamburg (pictured above) Later that year he would take second in Kona While he’s won at least one race every year since except in 2022 those races have all been over the half-distance After a fifth at IRONMAN South Africa and ninth at IRONMAN Lake Placid the 40-year-old finally dialled in a winning performance in Cozumel one who’s always willing to take the time for an interview I got to announce him coming across the line to win IRONMAN Lanzarote in 2017 and then was on hand a few months later to watch him take the win at Challenge Roth After his runner-up finish in Kona in 2018 I got to spend some time with him at the Laguna Phuket Triathlon where he was inundated with interview request and appearance requirements for the race organization He never batted an eye and was good natured through it all and managed to round out his impressive season with a runner-up finish Looks like the Belgian will be off to Nice next year – he finished second at IRONMAN Nice last year so he’s no stranger to success on that course Austria’s Lisa Perterer added her name to the long list of short-course athletes who have used IRONMAN Cozumel as a first long-distance race Perterer had done three 70.3 races before she went all-in on the long-distance front after competing in Paris She took sixth in her home-country event at IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See then won IRONMAN 70.3 Cozumel and took another sixth at IRONMAN 70.3 Portugal Now the 33-year-old has nailed down a slot for Kona After dropping out of the world championship in Kona American Chris Leiferman bounced back with a repeat runner-up finish in Cozumel – he was second last year That goes along with his third-place finish on the Mexican island in 2016 the year he won on debut at IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant Leiferman has quietly racked up a number of IRONMAN and full-distance wins (six) All-told he’s finished on the podium at 20 IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 races along with a couple of third-place finishes at the Wildflower Triathlon Now he’s dialled in another chance to compete at the worlds next year The former Kona bike course record holder (pictured above at this year’s race in Kona – photo by Eric Wynn) splits his professional career between triathlon and pro bike racing as part of the INEOS Grenadiers Wurf routinely rides his way through the field in any triathlon he’s competing in so he doesn’t spend much time having to worry about getting too close to the wheel ahead “In a nutshell, I received buy first career drafting penalty,” Wurf wrote on Instagram it happened just as we’d finally got to the front of the race In the blink of an eye there is was standing in the bright yellow Sin Bin Tent for 5 eternal minutes.” Once back on the bike Wurf says he struggled to find his legs “Thanks to my new found delusional belief in my running legs I started the run at my NY marathon pace,” Wurf wrote it didn’t take long for reality to hit hard and I imploded yet again.” Wurf would eventually run 2:51:42 and finish eighth Most impressive is with wurf top 10 finish in kona Seriously why did Wurf go run that marathon Is there some protocol that builds in big gains from running 3 marathons in 8 weeks He said he saw his kid and couldn’t stomach DNFing just because But for sure after a while it is not sustainable we had a bit of a play by play of the race in this thread suppose other than Marten doing his 1st full there wasnt all that much interesting going on with this late season race… And of course those of us that did turn up occasionally to see his progress got robbed(as he did) by a crash and then a hold back that cost him the win and a qualifying spot to Nice… hmm guess the article title a bit misleading since it was a focus on one athlete and not the race thought the fan boys would set up a race day watch thread I did not realize that Van Riel bounced from Dubai all the way to Cozumel (like 11 time zones) to do his first IM…and Bart Aernouts pulling one from yesteryear Any idea why the swim was so much slower than past years This year was about 45 and it’s typically a 40 min swim for the top pros The strong positive current there isn’t given This year was about 45 and it’s typically a 40 min swim for the top pros @ironmandad will deliver We merged the thread @synthesis @Ajax_Bay © Slowtwitch - Built with Federated Computer we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site and show (non-) personalized ads may adversely affect certain features and functions Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen welcomed over 4.6 million cruise passengers in 2024 making it one of the most popular ports of call in the Western Caribbean Itineraries vary from short 4-night getaways to weeklong cruises that call at other ports in the Western Caribbean like Costa Maya and Roatán There are tons of ways to spend your day in Cozumel It doesn't matter if you want to find a comfortable beach lounger and spend the day relaxing or do something that requires a little more activity Here are the best things to do on your next cruise to Cozumel to help you plan the ultimate day ashore. Read more: Best Caribbean shore excursions Visiting Mayan ruins is one of the most popular things to do while docked in Mexico require you to board a ferry to Playa del Carmen and this ride can often be rough and choppy you must sit on a bus for at least another hour. There are some Mayan ruins on the island of Cozumel if you do not want to spend most of your port day in transit While the San Gervasio Mayan Archaeological Site is not as popular and famous as those in Tulum or Chichén Itzá it highlights the Maya beliefs of love and fertility The entrance fee is only $14.50 per person with children three and under getting in for free you can get a private guide to lead you around Of course, this will not replace a trip to the infamous Tulum ruins or Chichén Itzá. The best way to experience these sites is to book an excursion through your cruise line, as you will want to ensure that you have proper transportation; you do not want to miss your cruise ship! Carnival offers an excursion to Tulum for $120 per adult and $100 per child The tour lasts about 7 hours and includes a guided tour of the ruins as well as 1.5 hours of free time to explore on your own Chichén Itzá is further, so tours are not always offered. It depends on how long your ship is docked in Cozumel. If you are there long enough, you can opt to take Norwegian Cruise Line's 9-hour "Chichén Itzá Mayan Ruins" tour for $259 per adult and $199 per child. Read more: 11 common cruise shore excursion mistakes to avoid Cozumel is known for its scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities. Here, you will find around 500 species of fish, 60 species of coral, 350 mollusks and marine mammals, algae, and seagrasses. If you are an inexperienced diver, you can book a snuba excursion that allows you to dive below the surface of the ocean without heavy scuba equipment or lengthy lessons. Carnival offers one for $89.99 per person with a minimum participant age of eight years old. you might be taken to as many as three different reef locations around the island Some even include some time to relax on a beach or an open bar for you to sip on beverages on your way back. Do not limit yourself to what your cruise ship offers There are numerous third-party operators in Cozumel that you can choose from that are cheaper than cruise line excursions. Read more: How to plan your own shore excursion Even though Cozumel is best known for its beautiful beaches and diving foodies may want to consider using their time in port to try some delicious Mexican food. Cruise lines will offer food tours; however, to get the most authentic experience, you are better off doing research ahead of time and going on a self-guided tour or booking via a third party you will have to venture outside of the main tourist areas you will want to make sure that you have pesos If you forget to go to your bank and get local currency before your trip you will find several ATMs in downtown Cozumel that deposit pesos This is the best way to ensure that you are getting the best rate Read more: I found the ultimate foodie destination in the Caribbean: The most delicious Cozumel food tour Many cruisers want to lounge on the beach while in Cozumel and sip on a piña colada or some other tropical beverage I recommend avoiding cruise line beach excursions They are often overpriced and you can experience the same thing for less if you go on your own you will not be reliant on a shuttle back to the ship meaning that you can spend as long (or as little) on the beach as you would like to—just be sure you do not miss the ship because it will not wait for you! If you are looking for an all-inclusive beach day, two of the most popular options are Mr. Sanchos Beach Club and Paradise Beach Club Sanchos start at $40.00 for children ages 4 to 11 Cruise passengers going to Paradise Beach Club can expect similar pricing: $41 for children between the ages of 5 and 11 For those wanting to experience fewer crowds you can venture to beaches on the other side of the island Read more: 10 tips for getting the best cruise shore excursion values Located a short boat ride away from Cozumel is Isla de la Pasion Many cruise lines offer all-inclusive passes to the island that include food Isla de la Pasion is often less crowded than other beaches so you will truly be able to relax island-style all day without a worry in the world Carnival Cruise Line offers an excursion here for $84.99 per adult and $74.99 per child. If you're interested in exploring the Eastern shores of the island the best way to do so is on an ATV or dune buggy tour the Eastern side of the island is virtually uninhabited You will get to view some of the most beautiful landscapes on the island as well as sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea. If you are sailing on Carnival, you can opt to book the "ATV Jungle Adventure & Beach" excursion directly through the cruise line for $99.99 per person that there is a minimum age of sixteen years old a cenote that is only accessible via off-road vehicles You can swim in the clear water and look up to admire the stalactites hanging above you! If you have younger children, a Jeep or dune buggy tour might be more suitable. Norwegian Cruise Line offers a dune buggy tour that includes a snorkel stop and free time at Explora Beach This costs $139 per adult and child. When docked in Cozumel, you are only a single forty-five-minute ferry ride away from Rio Secreto Natural Reserve, a series of ancient caverns connected by crystal-clear underground rivers, in Playa del Carmen. This ferry, however, has a reputation for inducing sea sickness; therefore, you will want to make sure that you pack Bonine or Dramamine in your day bag Since you will have to travel off the island this can be one of the more expensive excursions offered and you will probably want to book it through your cruise line to eliminate any worries about making it back to Cozumel on time. Through Carnival Cruise Line, you can expect to pay around $115 per adult and $100 per child for their "Amazing Secret River" tour. Not only do you receive transportation to and from the natural reserve but you also get a buffet lunch complete with non-alcoholic beverages and free time in downtown Playa del Carmen depending on ferry departure times If you can't decide how you want to spend your day in Cozumel as you will get to see and experience the island according to your interests you will be visit multiple different attractions in a single day without dealing with a large tour group. You can start by visiting the San Gervasio Mayan Archaeological Site followed by a tour of the Eastern side of the island in the afternoon and some shopping in downtown Cozumel before returning to the pier. If you have fewer guests, it might make more sense to book via an independent vendor. Cozumel Private Tours charges $75 per person for a 5-hour private tour there will even be drivers available near the cruise port to hire when you arrive Just make sure they are from a reputable company Read more: 12 cruise ship shore excursions you should skip you should know that temperatures remain fairly constant throughout the year the daytime highs are in the 80s (peaking closer to the 90s in the middle of the summer) while the nighttime lows will range from the high 60s to mid-70s which usually takes place in December and January. If you want the most temperate and comfortable temperatures you should plan on cruising between November and March The rest of the year is subject to higher temperatures and humidity temperatures as well as a higher chance for rainfall from June through October due to hurricane season. Mexico has three main cruise docks: the Langosta Pier The latter is the oldest pier in Cozumel and is located three miles south of downtown while the Langosta Pier is located in the heart of downtown It costs about $8 for a cab for up to four guests to get from the International Cruise Terminal or Puerta Maya to downtown The International Cruise Terminal is mainly used by Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean with all other cruise lines docking at the Langosta Pier. Puerta Maya is reserved just for Carnival's Cruise Line and is located just south of the International Cruise Terminal It can accommodate up to three ships per day! Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising After such a smashing success in its first year is gearing up once again for an unforgettable summer permeated with Yiddishkeit in every aspect Yeshivas Kayitz Cozumel is gearing up once again to inspire and uplift Bochurim igniting them with the fire of Yiddishkeit in every aspect YKC is an oasis where Bochurim feel comfortable expressing their individuality while discovering the depth and passion of Yiddishkeit Recognizing the need for an alternative to mainstream Yeshivas Kayitz programs YKC was founded to provide Bochurim with a meaningful and authentic experience We cater to those searching for meaning and an authentic relationship with Yiddishkeit fostering an environment of growth and inspiration and uncovering the deeper meaning of Yiddishkeit with a chayus We provide a space where Bochurim feel at home expressing themselves and building long-lasting relationships that extend well beyond the summer every Bochur will walk away from this summer with a deeper appreciation of what it truly means to live a life of Torah and Mitzvos With over a decade of experience developing youth programs—from Chabad house initiatives to yeshiva and summer camp programs—Rabbi Feldman brings strong leadership and passion to YKC alongside a dynamic team of staff founder of Riviera Kosher and a successful entrepreneur will oversee all logistical operations as Menahel Gashmi Meals will be catered by his 5-star restaurant Each day will feature a variety of exciting activities visit www.ykcozumel.com or contact Rabbi Shlomo Feldman: Phone: +1 424-499-9595Email: [email protected] Why are you posting pictures with the bochrim wearing shorts Tznius for boys begins at age 9 when no more shorts should be worn See Sicha from Sichas in English – Shabbos Parshas Terumah what do u mean are boys suposed to wear pants while swming maybe they shudnt have psted that pic but it sounds fun i highly recomend It’s fine to wear only bathing suits while swimming of course but you don’t have to post the pics Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Cozumel’s airport is upgrading its main runway and terminal to accommodate larger aircraft capable of long-haul flights from Europe The island’s airport was originally not much more than a simple landing strip used by the military — but little by little domestic charter airlines began to fly in from major Mexican cities like Monterrey and Mexico City. By the early 2010s, Cozumel’s airport had begun to receive flights from American cities, including Miami, Houston, and Chicago. In the following decade, flights from Toronto and Montreal started to operate several flights a week with multiple carriers such as WestJet and Air Canada After the upgrades to the airport’s main runway are complete Cozumel International will be capable of accommodating aircraft as large as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Also getting upgrades are the airport’s operational infrastructure Aviation Weekly said the first European route to fly directly to Cozumel would likely depart from Rome as the island has long been a favorite destination among Italian travelers. the airport’s second runway will remain active for smaller domestic aircraft and charters from the United States and Canada. According to official data from 2023, Cozumel International ranks as Mexico’s 32nd-busiest airport—which in such a large country is nothing to sneeze at if the airport is to compete with Cancún International and the recently inaugurated Tulum International But direct competition with Cancún or Tulum may not be what Cozumel’s airport authority is going for. “People don’t come to Cozumel for the same reasons as Cancún or Tulum and our Island paradise is poised for success,” said Cozumel’s airport director Pablo Esteban Arjona The official schedule calls for completing the main runway this year and immediately starting work on the second it is unlikely that air travel will overtake Cozumel’s enormous cruise ship sector Cozumel welcomed over 1,200 cruise ships with 4.6 million passengers aboard The island’s popularity shows no signs of slowing down with more and more cruise lines choosing to include it in their itineraries unlike cruise passengers who often only stay a day on the island travelers arriving by air tend to spend much more time and money Cozumel offers a diverse range of attractions that cater to various interests. Some of the most popular include its coral reefs for snorkeling, Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park, and Mayan archaeological sites like San Gervasio. Cozumel also has the advantage of being just a 30-minute ferry ride from Playa del Carmen from which visitors can explore the whole of the Yucatán Peninsula. Progreso’s City Council in learning how problematic it is to erect a statue representing Greek mythology in the land of the Maya. And now Progreso’s Poseidon statue has been “closed” to the public Progreso authorities have spent years spiffing up the coastline with benches Campeche is a state with much to offer beach lovers though it draws far fewer visitors than its neighbors Yucatán and Quintana Roo But being less visited by international tourists is not without advantages as much of its 404 kilometers (251 miles) of coastline is typically uncrowded there is a clear-cut difference between a drift boat on a trout river and a tarpon boat in the mangroves… the tiny town of Xocén made headlines after a 100-foot-tall ceiba tree collapsed under its massive weight into a sinkhole it soon became apparent that this was not simply a sinkhole but a previously undiscovered cenote. Speleologists are just now beginning to explore the secrets of Xocén’s cenote… The sky over Tahmek was alight with color as the Globo Maya Festival began marking the start of a magical celebration in the heart of Yucatan each one a testament to the creativity and skill of artisans from Yucatán Hit the road and enjoy some of these fun day trips from Mérida and see more of beautiful Yucatán The music and dancing has started and Carnival dazzle has descended on Cozumel again with warm up events well under way and the official opening on February 26 the biggest celebrations and parades are on the nights of Saturday Thought to be the oldest in the Yucatan Peninsula and possibly the whole of Mexico the annual event is famous for its live music and loud technicolor parades along Cozumel's downtown seafront dancing with the performers and catching gifts that are launched into the crowds after the oceanfront extravaganza the music keeps playing and parties continue well into the night Costumed revellers battle in dancing competitions and bands play live music around the city For more information and the full 2025 program see our Cozumel Carnival page. Photos courtesy of Cozumel Municipal Government You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience Hardy family photo at the Ironman race in Cozumel Andrell Hardy in a wetsuit after the 2.4-mile open water swim of the Ironman race in Cozumel The Hardys pose for a photo with Susan Haag Andrell Hardy rides in the bicycle portion of the Ironman race in Cozumel Alexa Hardy poses for a photo with Anne Reischmann 1st place pro triathlete in the Ironman race in Cozumel Conor and Alexa Hardy and Wanda Markin shop at Waldo's grocery in Cozumel for food to feed families in need.(Submitted) The Ironman is a true test of endurance and willpower that involves a 2.4-mile open water swim and finishes with a 26.2-mile run on a flat paved course along the waterfront walk husband of Neifa Hardy and father of Conor and Alexa Hardy said running the triathlon is a “humbling experience.” “I don’t like to think about where I finished,” he said are still in school at Adams County Christian but take their school work along for the trip and incorporate some of that experience into the assignments They walked a nature trail and made observations of the local vegetation and wildlife Alexa and Conor said they liked seeing iguanas and coatis — akin to a raccoon but with an elongated snout Conor and Alexa also interacted with friends Spanish-speaking children their age The family also spends a part of their two weeks in Cozumel helping needy families as their way of thanking the city for its hospitality to them “We know that we are fortunate and we’re blessed and we want to be able to show this to our children And just like we do things here in our own community where I’m on the Stewpot Board and the kids (volunteer) at Stewpot with me and we support an Angel Tree family we still like to be able to provide to a community,” Neifa said Because Cozumel is a big tourism community Neifa said natural disasters that impact the island take away families’ main source of income They connected with Wanda Markin of “Casa de oportunidad,” House of Opportunities in English They purchased a variety of foods with a long shelf life such as rice some cleaning supplies and toys and splurges of snacks like chips and cookies for families with children They used these items to fill 20 to 25 bags to give out to people in need It only takes about $20 to fill one bag with a month’s worth of supplies for one family called “Panties Y Pijamas,” raises funds for a community outreach that helps families with disabilities Alexa was the first youth female to make it across the finish line and Conor was the first youth male to finish in Panties Y Pijamas “It was fun for them to hear it come across the loudspeaker and they had a good time with that.” which Andrell Hardy runs with the support of his family on the sidelines “You have two bags you bring to your transition points one with all your biking gear in it and one with your running gear … They bus us down to the swim starting point and it’s basically a 2.4-mile open water swim from straight lines along the coast in around 40 feet of water You jump off a manmade pier and you swim 2.4 miles to the end It’s actually a sea life wildlife park that we finish up at … then we get our bikes and do a 112-mile bike ride around the island it’s basically three laps around the island with 112 miles total anywhere from 18 to 24 miles per hour.” Andrell said his first triathlon ever was part of a bet he made with his Army friends at Fort Lewis Each of them bragged about who would finish first just because you’re in the army don’t mean you’re in that good of shape,” he said The family didn’t race in 2020 because of COVID-19 but still returned to Cozumel to do their mission work buying food and passing it out in the community Andrell said it may take six to eight months of training for an athlete to prepare for an Ironman at least 200 yards without stopping,” he said Alexa and Conor said they look forward to starting the children’s version of the triathlon in Cozumel with shorter running They also run a race in Gulf Shores each Spring Last year she finished 7th out of 17 competitors in the girls’ age 6 to 10 division of her first official race “I would like to become an Ironman when I get older,” she said baseball and soccer and will officially start cross country in the sixth grade Andrell said something he and his children learned about the race is Regular people with dad bods and soccer moms who have a level of mental fortitude for enduring amounts of pain for hours on end can be the best competitors,” he said the first ever woman to do 130 Ironman races is a white-haired woman who “looks like she may be someone’s mom or grandmother,” he said “You cannot base your race on sizing up the competition,” he said Neifa said the whole experience teaches her children Monday’s SWAC college basketball lineup has lots in store Among those contests is the Southern Jaguars squaring off… Ranked squads are on the Monday college basketball schedule in two games including the Wake Forest Demon Deacons… Monday’s college basketball schedule has several interesting games including the matchup between the McNeese Cowboys and the Stephen… which includes the Tampa Bay Lightning taking on the Florida Panthers Top-25 teams will take the court across two games on Monday’s college basketball slate What would be your dream store to join Hobby Lobby at the new Trace Town Shopping Center View Results Passengers on a catamaran were surprised by a dolphin in Cozumel when it leapt out of the water and almost landed on top of them Crew member Itzel Nuñez and passenger Elaine Bregman both managed to record the amazing moment They spoke to This is Cozumel in exclusive interviews and gave permission to show their videos here The events unfolded as the group were returning from a catamaran trip to El Cielo in the Marine Park in the south of the island Itzel said she spotted a group of wild dolphins a few hundred yards off to the side of the boat and the captain slowed the boat down to a couple of knots so as not to disturb them and to allow passengers onboard to get a good look As she moved to the front of the boat another group of wild dolphins appeared in the water ahead "They were jumping and very happy and had lots of energy" but nothing prepared her for what happened next One of the dolphins exploded out of the water right in front of the boat jumping higher than Itzel had ever seen before As the catamaran continued on slowly in the same direction the dolphin landed partly on the prow before flipping itself back into the water again originally from California but now living in Cozumel told us she was worried the dolphin might knock one of the other passengers into the water "Only after I rewatched the video at home did I realize how close the dolphin came to landing on my cousin Eric A. Ramos an expert in Mexican dolphins at Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida identified the animal in the videos as a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and told This is Cozumel "it was bow riding and interacting with the vessel The leaping associated with it is also quite common The catamaran hulls are a favorite of dolphins to swim with because they get a boost by swimming alongside" The crew and passengers were all concerned the dolphin had been hurt in its escapades and circled the boat round slowly to check but they could only see dolphins still playing merrily and none that looked injured or in distress "we can't know if the dolphin hurt itself because we would need to actually inspect the animal and its behavior" but "dolphins are pretty tough and have to deal with fights and other injuries" The video shows the same jump by the dolphin from two different angles Videos and photos courtesy of Itzel Nuñez and Elaine Bregman It’s been a tumultuous year for Belgian triathlon superstar Marten Van Riel but even he did not imagine it would end quite like this The brilliant 31-year-old went from the misery of a disappointing Paris 2024 Olympics to the highs of being crowned the first ever men’s T100 World Champion with some fantastic performances over middle distances On the back of that he decided to end his season by making his full-distance debut at IRONMAN Cozumel – a race he described as “a lucky shot” in a bid to claim a slot for the 2025 IRONMAN World Championship in Nice The early stages of the race appeared to be going to plan for Marten – he produced a lightning 39:48 swim (assisted by that famous Cozumel current) Then he led alone for most of the 111km bike leg Van Riel explained in a post on his Instagram account how he lost control of his bike and swerved into the side of the road where he hit a little girl who was watching the race At this stage Marten’s hopes of victory become very much secondary with the health of both the little fan and the athlete himself paramount as police arrived at the scene to take a report closing the day with a 2:39:48 marathon for seventh place before heading to hospital for X-rays and stitches to his injured elbows and shared pictures of the pair in that Instagram post He wrote: “Not how I expected my first Ironman to plan out 🥹 To bring everyone up to date and have the real story; “After 175km on the bike I lost control of my bike (on a cateye or hole in the road) and swerved into the side where a little girl was supporting the race Unfortunately I hit her at 50 km/h and crashed very hard later the police also came to take a report “After the race I got brought to the hospital to get my elbows stitched and do some x-rays Cozumel has only one hospital so the girl was also there and I was able to talk with her and give her my finisher medal and a shirt “On the brighter side @bartaernouts winning the race and coming to the hospital to support me afterwards was great to see 😊” A statement from IRONMAN read: “We are aware of an accident at IRONMAN Cozumel in which professional triathlete Van Riel was able to continue with his race “We are thankful to learn that neither the spectator nor Van Riel sustained any serious injuries and we extend our gratitude to the medical personnel who treated both the athlete and spectator promptly.” We send our best wishes to both Marten and the little fan for a speedy recovery from their injuries Follow the madness of the 'Race that eats its young' on RUN247 Cozumel has been celebrating diversity and LGBT Pride colorful costumes and partying took over the streets all forming part of international pride events to commemorate the contributions of lesbian and transgender (LGBT) culture and community DJs Hyaena and Ferxxa banged out the rhythms after the fun run on June 28 and the Carnival King and Queen of Diversity You'd have been forgiven for thinking it was Carnival all over again as islanders of diverse backgrounds joined in the fun together and a party atmosphere embraced the island Cozumel held its 17th Pride March along the oceanfront in what is now a long established island tradition organizer of this year's march said the event was designed to break taboos and promote inclusivity After the technicolor Caribbean parade there were shows and more dancing outside City Hall and the parties continued into the night at LGBT venue, the Pose Bar Nestled in a wide bay off the northern end of Cozumel Island is the Caribbean’s only operational pearl farm, the Cozumel Pearl Farm crystal-clear Mexican Caribbean water meets a pristine The ideal place for cultivating the delicate Atlantic Pearl Oyster Previously at risk of extinction in the region the Cozumel Pearl Farm’s conservation efforts are bringing it back from the brink these rare oysters are producing some of the rarest pearls in the world the pearl farm is in its infancy by industry standards This makes the beautiful Cozumel pearl exceptional A rare treasure of the ocean found nowhere else on Earth Each pearl is hand-crafted into an exquisite piece of jewelry you can buy a pearl on its own or have it made into a one-of-a-kind creation by a very talented Mexican artisan Cozumel Pearl Farm believes in supporting Mexican entrepreneurs and artisans. Building a strong partnership, each piece is unique so they sell out fast. If you are interested in purchasing a pearl, or piece of jewelry, contact the farm to check availability Conservation efforts and sustainability are top priorities of Cozumel Pearl Farm Alongside working with nature to establish almost zero environmental impact The Pearl Farm’s core ethos is working in harmony with nature the farm actively educates people on how to reduce environmental impact and damage Each structure is built on stilts made from recycled telephone poles where you enjoy a beach barbeque lunch when visiting is made from sustainably sourced local materials All water needed for the operation of the farm is collected in rainwater tanks Conservation efforts involve work on both land and sea the farm has been working with the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) to restore the balance of plant growth They are also working to eradicate an invasive pine species on Cozumel island itself the oysters have another protector as well A serene sunken statue of the Holy Virgin Guadalupe watches over the pearls She protects them and the pearl farm from natural disasters After Hurricane Wilma’s devastation in 2005 the owners — the Camaño family — learned their lesson the clever Francisco Camaño (Pancho) invented an ingenious new anchoring system Offering greater support for the oyster’s growing towers Which reduces the impact of Caribbean hurricanes Guadalupe’s protection and this anchoring system kept the pearls safe Strong tropical storms and unpredictable weather wreak havoc each year from July to November It also helps nearby coral from the bleaching effects of climate change Another conservation effort is an artificial reef for coral gardening With the added benefit of providing local economic benefits A diverse range of beautiful marine biodiversity is drawn to this location making it a popular attraction for divers and snorkelers I went on a tour of the Cozumel Pearl Farm and can honestly say it was one the best day trips of my life I found learning all about pearls very fascinating Information included how they are graded and the difference between a good pearl and a great one size and color were all factors in grading quality pearls we’d had burgers at a beach barbecue for lunch Peaceful and the perfect way to see the aquatic part of the pearl farm They pull you behind the boat at a slow pace You float above the pearls serenely sitting undisturbed on the ocean floor and you don’t have to be a strong swimmer It’s full of colorful tropical fish and teeming with marine life I made sure to blow her a kiss of thanks for looking after the pearls before I continued my snorkel Every color of the rainbow of fish was there The best was hanging out with a stunning Queen Angelfish for a while Swaying sea fans and anemones gently danced Lobsters peeked out from under coral ledges None of the wildlife seemed to be in a hurry or scared of humans knowing they are safe in this protected area A sweet little spotted yellow ray glided along the bottom It displayed a true island vibe and seemed to be in no hurry Because the Cozumel Pearl Farm is the only pearl farm that uses the Atlantic Pearl Oyster they may just be the rarest pearl in the world Mexico Correspondent for International Living, Bel is an experienced writer CDT advisory Wednesday that Helene is currently located about 85 miles north-northeast of Cozumel Mexico with maximum sustained winds near 80 mph A turn toward the north-northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected later Wednesday through Thursday bringing the center of the storm across the eastern Gulf of Mexico and to the Florida Big Bend coast by Thursday evening Helene is expected to slow down and turn toward the northwest over the southeastern United States Friday and Saturday and Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches the Florida Big Bend coast Thursday evening and although weakening is expected after landfall the storm's fast forward speed is expected to bring "strong to penetrate well inland across the southeastern United States including over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians." Live weather updates: Tropical Storm Helene to become major hurricane before landfall in Florida there is a Hurricane Warning in effect for Cabo Catoche to Tulum there is a Tropical Storm Warning in effect for Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche the center of Helene is expected to pass near the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula Wednesday morning and move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico later Wednesday and Thursday Helene is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches over western Cuba the Cayman Islands and the northeast Yucatan Peninsula bringing a "risk of considerable flooding," according to the NHC are expected in the hurricane warning area in Mexico during the next several hours with tropical storm conditions already ongoing," the NHC said in an advisory Wednesday morning Swells generated by Helene will affect the southern coast of Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico during the next couple of days before spreading northward toward the west coast of Florida and the northeastern Gulf Coast later Wednesday and into Thursday The swells are expected to cause "life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," the NHC said Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com. Volume 8 - 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.632777 This article is part of the Research TopicStony Coral Tissue Loss Disease in the CaribbeanView all 50 articles disease outbreaks have emerged as significant drivers of coral mortality Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) is a novel white plague-type disease that was first reported off the Florida coast in 2014 This disease affects >20 coral species and is spreading rapidly throughout the Caribbean one of the healthiest reef systems in the Caribbean we integrate data from multiple survey protocols conducted between July 2018 and April 2020 to track the progression of the outbreak in SW Cozumel and to quantify the impacts of SCTLD on coral communities and the benthic composition of reefs Given that the SCTLD outbreak coincided with a period of prolonged thermal stress that concluded in widespread coral bleaching in autumn 2019 we also investigated whether this event further exacerbated coral mortality Our findings show that SCTLD spread throughout SW Cozumel in only 2 months and reached a peak after only 5 months most of the afflicted corals were already dead and Montastraeidae showed 33–95% mortality The widespread coral die-off caused an overall loss of 46% in coral cover followed by a rapid increase of algae cover across all surveyed reefs that persisted until at least April 2020 more than 15% of surveyed coral colonies were bleached we did not find that bleaching further increased coral mortality at either the colony or the community level which suggests that the coral communities were able to recover from this event despite still being affected by the disease SCTLD is radically changing the ecology of coral reefs by decimating the populations of several key reef-builders and reconfiguring the benthic assemblages The actions needed to restore coral populations have to be accompanied by stringent controls related to the effects of climate change and wastewater treatment to improve coral conditions and ecosystem resilience which has contributed to important shifts in assemblage composition and to long-term phase-shifts in some coral reefs suggesting that the impacts from bleaching events and diseases are not necessarily synergistic SCTLD spread very rapidly across the 20 km of SW Cozumel during the winter The disease outbreak remained throughout 2019 affecting coral communities and coinciding with a severe thermal stress event that peaked in autumn 2019 we first set out to describe the timing of the spread of SCTLD and its impacts on the coral communities within the reefs of the Cozumel MPA we assessed the consequences of coral die-off on the composition of the benthic community by quantifying changes in the cover of corals and algae we evaluated whether coral mortality was further exacerbated by thermal stress Figure 1. Progression of the Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) in southwestern (SW) Cozumel from January to March 2019. (A) Cozumel maps with the locations of the various surveyed reefs. The colors represent SCTLD prevalence for highly susceptible species. The triangles represent the reefs found in eastern Cozumel, which presented SCTLD as of September 2018 (Alvarez-Filip et al., 2019) The white circles represent the reefs studied from July 2018 to April 2020 (B) Different coral colonies of highly susceptible species with SCTLD found in Paraiso in January 2019 (C) Colonies with recent mortality: two bare (white coral skeleton) of Pseudodiploria strigosa (left) and one colony of Diploria labyrinthiformis covered by a thin layer of filamentous algae (right) All colonies were found in Paso del Cedral reef in April 2019 (D) Standing dead coral (old mortality) colonies of Montastraea cavernosa with overgrowth of cyanobacterial and filamentous algal mats found in Colombia reef in November 2019 These reefs have been protected since 1980 when the western coast of Cozumel was declared a refuge zone for the Protection of Marine Flora and Fauna this system was upgraded to a national park (total area of11,987.87 ha expanding to the southeast and southwest of the island) under the administration of the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) we used three complementary approximations to assess the spread and impacts of the SCTLD outbreak to track the spread of the disease across the MPA we conducted prospective surveys during February and March 2019 in collaboration with Park Authorities and local dive shops to assess the impacts of SCTLD and bleaching we surveyed the coral communities of six reef sites during seven different periods in addition to four reef sites over a single period to estimate changes in the cover of corals we conducted four benthic surveys between July 2018 and April 2020 one diver trained in coral disease identification (i.e. R-G) joined commercial diving trips (that consisted of drift dives) to survey 10 sites that dive shops use for recreational activities the diver swam in a straight line at an average depth of 18 m during the first dive and 10 m during the second dive All coral colonies that were found within 4 m across the field of vision of the diver were registered and the following data were recorded: species identity and the percentage of recent mortality for each diseased colony The diver estimated the percentage of recent mortality geographical coordinates were captured at the entry and exit of each dive Different methodologies were utilized because of logistic and time restrictions; however the information is largely comparable as both methods provide detailed colony data The main difference between these two methods is that the bar drop method allows for large areas to be surveyed although it is not possible to estimate the total surveyed area Belt transects were haphazardly placed within the reef structure and all corals (≥4 cm) found within the 1-m band were registered and measured (fragments were registered but not measured) an average of 5.1 (4–6) belt transects (10 × 1 m) were surveyed in each reef the effort increased considerably with an average of 9 (4–13) belt transects Given the low number of transects conducted in July 2018 it is probable that some uncommon or rare species were underrepresented although this would only make our findings more conservative for those species Given that bleaching was also observed during some surveys we also identified four possible causes associated with recent mortality: bleaching (the colony only presented signs of bleaching) bleaching and SCTLD (the colony presented both signs of SCTLD and bleaching) SCTLD (the colony had only signs of SCTLD) which was used for completely dead colonies (i.e. we carefully observed if the colony presented live tissue SCTLD kills the living tissue of the colony leaves a band of exposed skeleton (recent mortality) When a colony presented signs of bleaching the remaining tissue had a pale or transparent color that was still visible To provide a clearer picture of the magnitude of the outbreak in Cozumel we focused on exploring geographical and temporal trends for the most highly susceptible species which were considered to be those with more than 10% prevalence (considering diseased and dead colonies) The highly susceptible species were identified using data obtained in July and August of 2019 as this was when the disease was most evident across all reefs sites and more data was available (10 reef sites Although Orbicella franksi did not meet this criterion it was considered to be a highly susceptible species because it is a species that has been highly affected in the rest of the Mexican Caribbean due to SCTLD We also calculated the percentage of bleached colonies for each period and the percentage of colonies with recent mortality We compared the percentage cover of corals and algae between July 2018 (before the outbreak) and July 2019 for each reef and for Cozumel as a whole by pooling the data from the six reefs a univariate comparison of coral and algae cover for all the periods and sites was performed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) or non-parametric equivalents (Mann-Whitney U test) based on an assessment of normality and homogeneity of variance using the Shapiro-Wilk test In addition to testing for significant differences between these two periods We also tested for possible changes in dominance between coral and macroalgae cover between July 2018 and April 2020 we estimated the ratio between the percentage cover of coral and algae always using the lowest value of these two coverages as the denominator and the highest value as the numerator we could always yield the proportion in relation to the dominant group and dead colonies of highly susceptible species from July 2018 to April 2020 and the percentage that represents the colonies of highly susceptible species is shown in brackets the survey was only focused on highly susceptible species (C) Colony of Dendrogyra cylindrus affected by SCTLD at Colombia reef at 7 m depth This colony measured 6 m in diameter (longest axis) and nearly 4 m in height Benthic cover changes for six reefs in southwestern (SW) Cozumel (A) Coral cover and (B) algae cover in July 2018 and 2019 The dotted lines represent the mean cover for all reefs (C) The rate of change of coral and macroalgae cover between July 2018 and 2019 for each site and the mean (D) Dominant states of algae and corals for July 2018 Each dot represents a transect for each site and the bars are the pooled data for Cozumel the error bands correspond to the standard error of the mean This suggests that the increase of bleached colonies observed in October and November 2019 did not further decline coral cover Bleaching and temperature trends for the reefs in southwestern (SW) Cozumel (A) Thirty-day average of underwater sea temperature in dark blue Thirty-day average of the daily night-time sea surface temperature in light blue Yellow (1–4°C-weeks) and orange (4–8°C-weeks) boxes indicate periods of prolonged accumulated thermal stress represented by the degree heating weeks (B) Percentage of bleached colonies for the months of July 2018 and April 2020 and the overall average (±SE) coral cover for all species only the coral community surveys were conducted (see details in section “Materials and Methods”) (C) Percentage of colonies for each recent mortality category (D) Diploria labyrinthiformis with lesions due to SCTLD (center of the colony) recent mortality covered by thin layer of filamentous algae (E) Colony of Orbicella faveolata with lesions of SCTLD and 100% bleaching (BL) faveolata that presented 90% bleaching but not mortality or signs of the disease In (C) BL = new mortality only associated with bleaching SCTLD-BL = mortality associated with BL and SCTLD [depicted in (D) and (F)] SCTLD = mortality only associated with SCTLD and unconfirmed indicates that it was not possible to associate mortality to either BL or SCTLD (e.g. coral mortality (including total colony mortality) decreased significantly and only a small percentage of colonies showed signs of SCTLD or recent mortality our study indicates that the severe thermal stress of autumn 2019 did not enhance coral mortality nor did the number of diseased colonies increase Regardless of whether the disease was rapidly transported by divers and/or currents it is possible that the abundant and diverse coral reef communities that were present in most sites also aided in rapid within-site transmission we also observed that some of the most susceptible species disappeared from long-term monitoring sites (e.g. a priority for future research must be to assess the plausibility of conducting these kinds of interventions over periods of months to years as they are labor intensive and expensive it is necessary to evaluate whether treated corals are able to recover and/or sustain basic biological and physiological processes it is necessary to evaluate the consequences of widespread application of antibiotics in coral reef systems Given the short-temporal scale of our study we cannot conclude that the drastic changes observed in the ecological communities will lock Cozumel reefs into low-carbonate production and high algae dominated states This is because reef dynamics are driven by a complex network of processes and interactions such as coral recovery or competition for space among other benthic organisms with rapid rates of colonization a management and research priority for the near future is to continue conducting surveys in these reefs and in many others afflicted by SCTLD in the Caribbean to explore the long-term ecological implications of coral mortality resulting from SCTLD although there is no clear evidence of a relationship between thermal stress and SCTLD it is likely that the predicted increase in thermal stress in Caribbean reefs may reduce the capacity of populations of highly susceptible species to recover from SCTLD and may even further exacerbate coral mortality Our findings suggest that in addition to thermal stress it is necessary to analyze the role of other chronic sources of stress (e.g. decreasing seawater quality) to better understand the response of scleractinian corals to increasingly variable environmental conditions These actions later became a program that stipulates rotating temporal closures across all dive sites in the MPA In Cozumel, as well as in many other areas afflicted by SCTLD, a growing interest in engaging in proactive activities, such as treating colonies with antibiotics, rescuing colonies of susceptible species, and collecting and conserving genetic material, has emerged (Neely et al., 2020) We believe a robust scientific framework should support all of these activities; however it is also fundamental that a better understanding is cultivated concerning the putative infectious agents and environmental conditions that favored the rapid appearance and dispersion of SCTLD it is important to be aware that the palliative measures used to ameliorate the damage caused by SCTLD will only succeed if the chronic threats to reefs Joint efforts to develop better management actions may help to improve the environmental conditions for coral regrowth while enhancing the recovery and resilience of these ecosystems All datasets generated for this study are included in the article/Supplementary Material further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author/s NE-S and LA-F conceived and wrote the initial draft All authors read and approved the content of the submitted version This study was supported by the Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas of Mexico (PROREST/CER/56/2019) and the Mexican Council of Science and Technology (CONACyT The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest We want to thank the different tourism service providers for their support during the field trips of February and March 2019 Hernández-Palacios for greatly assisting with data collection and logistics The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.632777/full#supplementary-material Pathogenesis of a tissue loss disease affecting multiple species of corals along the Florida Reef tract Ballast water as a vector of coral pathogens in the Gulf of Mexico: the case of the cayo arcas coral reef Alcérreca-Huerta Energy yield assessment from ocean currents in the insular shelf of Cozumel Island Manual de Métodos Para el Programa de Monitoreo Sinóptico del SAM Belice: Coastal Resources Multi-complex Building Google Scholar A rapid spread of the stony coral tissue loss disease outbreak in the mexican caribbean a rapid spread of the stony coral tissue loss disease outbreak in the Mexican Caribbean Running the gauntlet: inhibitory effects of algal turfs on the processes of coral recruitment CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar growth and reproduction in scleractinian corals following bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Evidence for multiple stressor interactions and effects on coral reefs Effects of algal turfs and sediment on coral settlement The dynamics of architectural complexity on coral reefs under climate change Coral recruitment is impacted by the presence of a sponge community Thermal stress and coral cover as drivers of coral disease outbreaks Taxonomic classification of the reef coral family Mussidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Scleractinia) CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Cerdeira-Estrada Sistema de Información y Análisis Marino-Costero (SIMAR) Google Scholar Subinertial flows and transports in Cozumel Channel CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar CONANP (2019). Cozumel Protege y Conserva sus Arrecifes de Coral Para el Futuro. Available online at: https://www.gob.mx/conanp/prensa/cozumel-protege-y-conserva-sus-arrecifes-de-coral-para-el-futuro-222281 Google Scholar CONANP-GIZ (2017) Valoración de los Servicios Ecosistémicos del Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Cozumel y Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Isla Cozumel Google Scholar A review of citizen science and community-based environmental monitoring: issues and opportunities CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Contreras-Silva A meta-analysis to assess long-term spatiotemporal changes of benthic coral and macroalgae cover in the Mexican caribbean Changes in Caribbean coral disease prevalence after the 2005 bleaching event Combined effects of two stressors on Kenyan coral reefs are additive or antagonistic CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Report on the potential origin of the SCTLD in the Florida Reef Tract FL: Florida Department of Environmental Protection Google Scholar Caribbean corals in crisis: record thermal stress Elías-Ilosvay Coral reef recovery in the Mexican Caribbean after 2005 mass coral mortality—potential drivers Estrada-Saldívar Reef-scale impacts of the stony coral tissue loss disease outbreak Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Case Definition Google Scholar Google Scholar Regional coral disease outbreak overwhelms impacts from local dredge project White-band disease in Acropora palmata: implications for the structure and growth of shallow reefs Google Scholar González-Barrios Recovery disparity between coral cover and the physical functionality of reefs with impaired coral assemblage environmental drivers and the balance between corals and microbial associates Methods for Ecological Monitoring Of Coral Reefs TSV: Australian Institute of Marine Science CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar coral bleaching and the future of the world’s coral reefs CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Global warming transforms coral reef assemblages Scleractinian corals as facilitators for other invertebrates on a Caribbean reef CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Exploring the stony coral tissue loss disease bacterial pathobiome Google Scholar “Status and trends of caribbean coral reefs: 1970–2012,” in Glob Google Scholar Comparison of methods used to estimate coral cover in the Hawaiian Islands Jordán-Dahlgren Google Scholar “Global concerns of ship’s ballast water mediated translocation of bacteria,” in Marine Pollution and Microbial Remediation Thresholds and multiple stable states in coral reef community dynamics PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Map of Coral Cover of Susceptible Coral Species to SCTLD Google Scholar Lang, J. C., Marks, K. W., Kramer, P. R., and Kramer, P. A. (2012). Protocolos AGRRA 5.5. 1–44. Available online at: http://www.healthyreefs.org/cms/wpcontent/uploads/2013/07/Protoc.-AGRRA-V5.5-FINAL-Espanol.pdf (accessed September 10 Google Scholar Reefscale thermal stress monitoring of coral ecosystems: new 5-km global products from NOAA coral reef watch CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Long-term change in coral cover and the effectiveness of marine protected areas in the Philippines?: a meta-analysis CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Coral growth with thermal stress and ocean acidification: lessons from the eastern tropical Pacific CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Rapid recent warming of coral reefs in the Florida keys PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Martínez-Rendis A spatio-temporal long-term assessment on the ecological response of reef communities in a Caribbean marine protected area Projections of climate conditions that increase coral disease susceptibility and pathogen abundance and virulence McField, M., Kramer, P., Giró-Petersen, A., Soto, M., Drysdale, I., Craig, N., et al. (2020). Available online at: https://www.agrra.org/wpcontent/uploads/2020/04/2020_Report_Card_MAR-HRI.pdf Mesoamerican Reef Report Card (accessed September 10 Google Scholar Microbial community shifts associated with the ongoing stony coral tissue loss disease outbreak on the Florida Reef Tract Detecting sedimentation impacts to coral reefs resulting from dredging the Port of Miami Molina-Hernández Two decades of carbonate budget change on shifted coral reef assemblages: are these reefs being locked into low net budget states?: Caribbean reefs carbonate budget trends CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Spatial epidemiology of the stony-coral-tissue-loss disease in Florida CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Field and simulation analyses of visual methods for sampling coral cover CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Surveying the Florida Keys Southern Coral Disease Boundary Google Scholar Effectiveness of topical antibiotics in treating corals affected by stony coral tissue loss disease CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Rapid population decline of the pillar coral dendrogyra cylindrus along the florida reef tract CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Google Scholar Longer and more frequent marine heatwaves over the past century Development of Probiotics and Alternative Treatments for Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Google Scholar Changing geo-ecological functions of coral reefs in the Anthropocene CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Whole transcriptome analysis reveals changes in expression of immune-related genes during and after bleaching in a reef-building coral The timing and causality of ecological shifts on Caribbean reefs Unprecedented disease-related coral mortality in Southeastern Florida Some coral diseases track climate oscillations in the Caribbean CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Coral immunology and resistance to disease Differential disease incidence and mortality of inner and outer reef corals of the upper Florida Keys in association with a white syndrome outbreak Vulnerability of coral reef fisheries to a loss of structural complexity Extensive coral mortality in the US Virgin Islands in 2005/2006: a review of the evidence for synergy among thermal stress Rhodobacterales and Rhizobiales are associated with stony coral tissue loss disease and its suspected sources of transmission Google Scholar Belize Coral Bleaching Response and Management Plan 2008-2013: An Overview of the Response Google Scholar Trade-offs in disease and bleaching susceptibility among two color morphs of the Hawaiian reef coral Effects of a changing climate on the dynamics of coral infectious disease: a review of the evidence Algal turf sediments on coral reefs: what’s known and what’s next and directional selection in the Florida reef tract CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar multi-species coral disease outbreak in Southeast Florida CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar “Coral reef diseases in the wider Caribbean,” in Coral Health and Disease CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Spread of the new coral disease “SCTLD” into the Caribbean?: implications for Puerto Rico Google Scholar Ecological assessments of the coral reef communities in the Eastern Caribbean and the effects of herbivory in influencing coral juvenile density and algal cover Rivera-Garibay OO and Alvarez-Filip L (2021) Effects of the Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Outbreak on Coral Communities and the Benthic Composition of Cozumel Reefs Copyright © 2021 Estrada-Saldívar, Quiroga-García, Pérez-Cervantes, Rivera-Garibay and Alvarez-Filip. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited in accordance with accepted academic practice distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms *Correspondence: Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip, bG9yZW56b0BjbWFybC51bmFtLm14 Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher 94% of researchers rate our articles as excellent or goodLearn more about the work of our research integrity team to safeguard the quality of each article we publish Myths and misunderstandings surround the Day of the Dead, so find out what it's really about on our Mayan Day of the Dead tour and learn how celebrations relate to the Mayan tradition of Hanal Pixan Find out more and book now! pre-Hispanic celebrations of the dead existed well before the Spanish Catholic traditions arrived which later resulted in the more modern Day of the Dead we now know this is a great opportunity to learn about the whole history and culture from thousands of years ago until today including ancient Mayan legends and sacred funeral rites The tour takes you for an interactive Mayan encounter where you'll wander through a village with the rich local history and culture laid out before you After being shown how to paint your face in traditional Mayan colors your guide will take you to different workshops where you'll find out about Hanal Pixan and the origins of the Day of the Dead You'll get to see how authentic Hanal Pixan food and drink is made and try some yourself such as el pib, atole, pan de muerto and agua de chaya Next you'll make calavera - the traditional skull figures that always form part of Day of the Dead celebrations - decorative versions can be made from clay or edible versions with amaranth seeds Following a break for a theatrical performance complete with Mayan smoke and drums if time allows you'll have a chocolate workshop too grinding cocoa beans by hand the same way the Mayans have done for thousands of years The complete visit lasts about 60-90 minutes and you'd never imagine you could pack so much in about the Day of the Dead and the captivating lives of the Mayan people be sure to visit the little thatched gift store too where you'll find the unique keepsakes and presents that you've been searching for all vacation This exclusive excursion is not offered by cruise lines or package vacation agencies It's designed by experts in pre-Hispanic Mexico who have a desire to share their knowledge with you The tour includes round-trip transport from your cruise terminal or accommodation Almost 24% more passengers traveled through Cozumel airport in the first half of 2024, compared with 2023, as the number of visitors flying into the island takes off. Figures released by ASUR, the operator of Cozumel airport, show 427,874 passengers passed through the island's terminal in January to June 2024, whereas in the same period in 2023 there were only 345,528. According to the report, published earlier this week, national traffic for those 6 months was up by 52% and international traffic up by 16%. Popular international direct routes include those from Dallas Fort Worth, Houston Hobby and George Bush, Miami, Austin, Charlotte and Denver, many with daily schedules in and out of Cozumel. LLC and respective content providers may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website Skechers shoes are known for being incredibly comfortable and these women's slip-on sneakers are certainly no exception. Walmart is selling Skechers Women’s Go Walk Travel Cozumel Slip-on Sneakers for only $20 right now so buyers are saving a whopping 50% off retail. The Navy colorway is the version on sale for that low price and available sizes range from women's five to 12 "Who thought Walmart would have the most comfortable shoes and went to the beach that day; my feet were great I felt like I was walking on a cloud," says a reviewer "Breeze through your daily walks in easygoing comfort with the Skechers Women's Go Walk Travel Conzumel This laceless fit casual design features a high apex stretch knit upper with a Skechers Air Cooled Goga Mat insole and lightweight Ultra Go cushioning." Buyers have rated these Skechers shoes 4.5 stars out of five. Extremely comfortable," adds another. The shoe is comfortable and looks great," states a third. Walmart offers free shipping on orders of $35 or more Walmart+ members get free shipping with no minimum order This item qualifies for free 30-day returns