Mexico is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, particularly for travelers from Canada and the United States. Naturally, the food and the culture are an incredible draw. At the same time, it's hard to underestimate the value of a beautiful beach with a scenic ocean view.
Just off the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula in the Caribbean Sea is the island of Cozumel. It offers all the parts of Mexico visitors love combined with the solitude of being on a small tropical island. Yet, it's still rich with culture, history, and wildlife.
Tour Cozumel in style
Even on an island like Cozumel, there is a lot to see and do. One of the best ways to take it all in is by joining a Jeep tour. It's an organized convoy of vehicles that travel to a variety of locations on the island over the course of a few hours.
The upside to joining the tour rather than going on your own is that the company takes care of a lot of the arrangements for you. That includes entrance to the various stops along the way, setting up transportation, and even meals if that's part of the tour you're on.
Keep in mind that people refer to them as Jeep tours but the vehicles aren't always Jeeps. Some tours have a range of vehicles to accommodate different sizes of groups or people with mobility issues. Just let the tour guides know what you're looking for and they'll let you know what's available.
See more of Cozumel
Once you've booked your tour, you are given a time to wait in front of your resort. The convoy will arrive, get you set up in your vehicle, and continue on. It's a great way to get out of the resort and explore parts of the island you might not have gotten to otherwise.
When choosing a tour, try to pick one that includes Punta Sur Eco Beach Park on the southern tip of Cozumel. This beautiful protected area features a vast lagoon teeming with wildlife such as Flamingos, Black Vultures, Cozumel Raccoons, and American Crocodiles.
Much like mainland Mexico, Cozumel has numerous archaeological wonders dating back to the era of the Mayans. The most spectacular one is Zona Arqueológica San Gervasio, an important pilgrimage site for women in pre-Hispanic times. Tours through the site are incredible.
Each Jeep tour offers its own locations, though San Gervasio and Punta Sur do make regular appearances. Many offer at least one beach snorkeling adventure along the way. And feel free to ask if custom stops are possible before booking if something you're interested in isn't on the list.