

Want to take a cruise that includes a stop in Cozumel? We are happy to help. They settled on the island and formed the island's town, known as San Miguel de Cozumel. The modern day history of Cozumel began in 1848 when the Spanish descendants fled from the Mayan uprising known as the Caste War.

By 1600, the island lay entirely abandoned. In consequence, the local population went from over 10,000 to just over 300. In 1520, another Spanish expedition set foot on the island, bringing with them the fatal disease of smallpox. A year later, the infamous Hernan Cortes made an appearance, destroying Maya idols and replacing them with the Virgin of Guadalupe.

The Spanish first arrived at the island in 1518 led by Juan de Grihalva. For the ancient Maya, it served as a place of pilgrimage to venerate the Maya goddess of fertility, Ix Chel. The island of Cozumel has been inhabited for thousands of years. In fact, the island is considered to be one of the top five dive destinations in the world. Translated as the Island of Swallows, it receives cruise ships passengers from Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International.Ĭozumel is a famous destination for divers and as a popular cruise ship port. Cozumel is a 34-mile long, 11-mile wide island located just off the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.
