Cozumel: History

If you are a history buff in Cozumel, or just want to learn more than where to find the best frozen margaritas (Wet Wendy's, btw), I recommend a visit to the Cozumel Museum and the San Gervasio Mayan Ruins. 

The day before we planned to go to San Gervasio was windy and overcast, so we went around the corner from our hotel to El Museo Cozumel for a backgrounder on the natural and cultural history of the island. The museum is housed in what once was one of the first luxury hotels on the island and features detailed displays on the geological history of the island, dioramas of reef formation, flora and fauna, and photos of Cozumel's modern history, industries, and society.  

The following day we rented a jeep and drove around the south side of the island to San Gervasio. The buildings are small but those which have been excavated are spread out through the jungle. Several kilometers of trails connect the main buildings with the centre, giving an idea of how large the settelement was. I was fortunate to strike up a conversation with one of the groundskeepers, Leonardo, who told us about the original settlement and about the different plants and trees on the site. San Gervasio was founded around 300 a.d. and the society reached its peak between 1200-1450 a.d. This INAH site has the official story.  

For up-to-date visitor information on these sites and other must-sees on Cozumel, visit US News: El Museo Cozumel and San Gervasio Ruins.