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Mayan Ruins on Cozumel Island |
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Yes! You CAN get a glimpse of the ancient Mayan culture without traveling to mainland Mexico!!
Why come to the island of Cozumel and not enjoy what it has to offer with regard to Mayan history and culture?
Cozumel is home to numerous Mayan ruin sites scattered all over the island which are both excavated and non-excavated. Among these excavated or partially uncovered sites are San Gervasio, Castillo Real and El Cedral. Obviously, there are glamorous, trendy, touristy parts of Cozumel but by visiting these quaint yet important ruins sites one gets a better sense of the ancient Mayan history and culture of the island.
By understanding the long history of the indigenous inhabitants of the island one can see that there is still plenty of rich Mayan culture left here on Cozumel that needs to be preserved for the enjoyment of generations to come.
Cozumel was one of the most important ports-of-trade for the Post-Classic Putun Maya seafarers. The island was a major producer of honey and contained the most important pilgrimage destination on the Peninsula's east coast. Women from through out Mesoamerica traveled Cozumel to worship at the shrine of Ix Chel ("She of the Rainbow"), goddess of childbirth and medicine.
At least 24 archaeological sites have been discovered on the island of Cozumel which was occupied by the Maya from AD 0 forward. The island's indigenous population grew signicantly after AD 800 and reached its peak in AD 1400.
Most ruins on the island are of the "oratorio" type: small square buildings, low to the ground with short doors that led early Spaniards to believe the places were once inhabited by dwarfs (a now discredited myth).
In terms of importance in the Mayan culture, Cozumel's San Gervasio Ruins are a more significant site than Tulum. Tulum was simply a coastal "watchpost" if you will where as San Gervasio contains the temple built to honor the godess Ix Chel. Visitors can experience first hand the mysteries of Mayan culture here at the largest archeological site on the island.
A strategic location from both a commercial and political point of view, San Gervasio was also a sacred place for the Maya women.
Ix Chel is the Mayan godess of fertility and rain. In ancient times, every Mayan woman was expected, at least once in her lifetime, to make the journey to Cozumel from the mainland to make offerings to Ix Chel for her family's fertility and crop sustenance. Inhabited from 200 AD to the Spanish conquest, San Gervasio was the sanctuary of the Goddess Ix Chel as well as an important commercial, political and cultural center. Engravings at the site relate to events all over the Mayan world.
Castillo Real - Area closed due to current environmental conditions |
We also have our own coastal watchtowers around Cozumel that served the same purpose to the Mayan warriors as Tulum: keeping watch for approaching enemy tribes. Castillo Real is one coastal watchtower that has managed to survive hundreds of years despite the decline of the Mayan rule over the Yucatan peninsula. Castillo Real is located on the northeast shorline of Cozumel.
Due to the sand road access and recent environmental controversies, it's only possible to see this site as part of a buggy or jungle jeep tour IF AT ALL. Since all rental car contracts forbid going off-road or down sand roads on the island, the jeep tours offer the most practical and safe way to see this remote part of the island.
Once the hub of Maya life on Cozumel, this was the first site found by Spanish explorers in 1518, and the first mass in Mexico was reportedly celebrated here. These days, there's little evidence of its past glory. It is believed to be hundreds of years old and faint traces of the original paint and stucco are evident. El Cedral is different in shape from the typically small and low structures found on the island, suggesting it was used for major ceremonies. Nearby is a green and white cinderblock church, decorated inside with crosses shrouded in embroidered lace.
During the 1800's, El Cedral was used as a jail. Today, the area is occupied by a small farm settlement. Every May there is a fair held at this location called Festival de Cedral Read More About Festival de Cedral, with several days and nights filled with traditional ceremonies, dancing, music, bullfights and a cattle show. |
Checkout these Adventures!
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Cozumel - Punta Sur Ecopark, Lighthouse & Snorkeling |
Cozumel's largest natural eco-park featuring a lighthouse to climb, Mayan ruins to see, coves to snorkel, a nautical museum, sea turtle nesting areas, a crocodile sanctuary, an enormous mangrove lagoon where spoonbill flamingos nest and white egrets go hunting daily along with a multitude of other animal species that call the park home. Experience Cozumel's wildlife up close and personal during this unique tour excursion activity!
US $125 Adults / US $115 Kids
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Rentadora ISiS Car Rentals Cozumel - Compact (Manual) 5 PAX |
Compact Class - Volkswagen (VW) Gol has a manual transmission, A/C, five (5) door hatchback and will hold a maximum of five (5) passengers.
US $50 Daily (Max = 5 pax)
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Rentadora ISiS Car Rentals Cozumel - Convertible (Manual) 4 PAX |
Convertible Economy Class - Chevrolet (Chevy) Pop Convertible has a manual transmission, comes in a two (2) or four (4) door option, no A/C and will hold a maximum of four (4) passengers.
US $45 Daily (Max = 4 pax)
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Rentadora ISiS Car Rentals Cozumel - Economy (Manual) 4 PAX |
Economy Class - Chevrolet (Chevy) Matiz has a manual transmission, comes in a five (5) door hatchback, with air conditioning (A/C) and will hold a maximum of four (4) passengers.
US $45 Daily (Max = 4 pax)
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Rentadora ISiS Car Rentals Cozumel - Subcompact (Manual) 5 PAX |
Subcompact Class - Both Chevrolet (Chevy) Aveo or Nissan Tiida have a manual transmission, comes in a four (4) door sedan, with air conditioning (A/C) and will hold a maximum of five (5) passengers.
US $55 Daily (Max = 5 pax)
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Cozumel - Punta Sur Ecopark, Lighthouse & Snorkeling
Cozumel - Punta Sur Ecopark, Lighthouse & Snorkeling
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I am very happy that Josefina was my teacher. She tailored my Spanish classes specifically to my needs and to my level of knowledge. She made the lessons fun and informative and I have been able to begin speaking and understanding simple conversation after only 3 classes! Leah Rensfelt ~ Canada
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Had a great time liberating baby turtles ~ Will be back to do it again! D. Stachelski ~ Yorkville, Illinois
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Wow! You have been so helpful Sherri! thank you so very much for taking the time in giving me so much details that would help me with the excursions! you are so sweet! if I have any other questions I will be sure to let you know. Thank you again for being so helpful! Have a blessed day! :) K. Shields ~ Little Rock, Arkansas USA
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i've been on your site for the last week just checking everything out i'm telling you that you have the best site for learning about cozumel to all the execursions that are offered. also the information about how to get to the hotel from the airport with the cost about the ferry to every question that a person like myself would have that is planning on travelling to your beautiful country we are planning on retiring there. our family and myself will be arriving in Cancun and then going on to Cozumel. we will be staying at the reef and then park royal but i printed out coupons and all the info about the ferry, the ado bus and all the execursions we want to do . i'm lucky because i speak the language and i love to talk to people i would love to also get the pleasure of meeting with you which i'm sure i will since we plan on doing alot of your execursions. thank you for this beautiful site i enjoyed every minute i spend on it i look forward to hearing back from you! F.J. Bennett ~ belleriver ontario canada
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Thank you SO MUCH for all the valuable information! I know we are going to have a wonderful time. We will be in Cozumel until 12:00 midnight so I am sure we will have plenty of time to visit the places you have mentioned. I hate we will not have the pleasure of meeting you! You have been so helpful with everything! The company you work for if very fortunate to have an employee such as you! You are truly an asset to them! Thank you again for everything and I hope you have a wonderful day! Sincerely, Debbie Long :-) D. Long ~ Hampstead, NC
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Copyright 2000 - 2024 Sherri Davis, All Rights Reserved. Contributors retain the copyright to their work. Please do not take art or written content without permission. Other graphics and reference materials are used and attributed as per the Fair Use Provision of The Copyright Act and individual terms of use.
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