Cozumel is Mexico's largest island, and offers dual delights that take visitors above and below water. Its jungle-clad interior and ivory white beaches are girdled by one of the most spectacular ensembles of coral reefs in this hemisphere. Surrounding the island's limestone shore are temperate, crystal clear waters which range from stunning turquoise, to aquamarine, to deep indigo. 
   The area's diving and snorkeling are legendary and has earned a world-wide following of divers, who rank it one of the top five dive sites on the planet. The island's surrounding sea is teeming with undersea life, colorful reefs, and the slumbering hulls of Spanish galleons.
   For non-divers, the island's attractions include over 35 archaeological sites (only a few of which are accessible and worth seeing), and the charming city of San Miguel which is a hodgepodge of cafes, restaurants, and attractive boutiques. 
   Nature lovers come to Cozumel to witness giant sea turtles laying their eggs (May to September) and to peek in on the island's varied concentration of exotic migratory bird life. Only a 40 minute ferry ride from the incredible Costa Turquesa region of the Yucatan Peninsula, brimming with hidden beaches, secluded resorts and archaeological treasures. 
   The calm waters of the western shore have attracted nearly all the island's resort development. The island offers 2,500 units of mostly moderate lodging, divided among two dozen or so properties to the north and south of San Miguel. In town there are a few two and three-star properties, catering mostly to budget travelers and divers. 
   The island is best suited for vacationers wanting an affordable and laid-back Caribbean island experience.