Only one out of every three visitors to Cozumel goes diving; the other two come to visit the island and its only real town, San Miguel de Cozumel. In spite of the ever-increasing population and its ranking as an international destination, San Miguel has managed to accommodate growth without losing its essential Caribbean-Mexican island flavor. The Cozumeleños live very much as they always have. There is a good deal of community spirit, everybody knows everybody and the whole island participates in events such as carnival. There are many excellent shops, craft stores, restaurants, boutiques, bars and discos aimed at the tourists, and while most of the island lives off tourism, it hasn’t allowed itself to be swallowed up by it – and there’s the difference. The real, the native Cozumel is very much in evidence, and to see it, just stroll through the streets of San Miguel, sit in the square or walk along the waterfront boulevard.
Only one out of every three visitors to Cozumel goes diving; the other two come to visit the island and its only real town, San Miguel de Cozumel. In spite of the ever-increasing population and its ranking as an international destination, San Miguel has managed to accommodate growth without losing its essential Caribbean-Mexican island flavor. The Cozumeleños live very much as they always have. There is a good deal of community spirit, everybody knows everybody and the whole island participates in events such as carnival. There are many excellent shops, craft stores, restaurants, boutiques, bars and discos aimed at the tourists, and while most of the island lives off tourism, it hasn’t allowed itself to be swallowed up by it – and there’s the difference. The real, the native Cozumel is very much in evidence, and to see it, just stroll through the streets of San Miguel, sit in the square or walk along the waterfront boulevard.
© 2004 Editorial Veras. La guía Oficial del Caribe Mexicano.