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Geography, Flora & Fauna |
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The island of Cozumel lies 12 miles offshore the eastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and is the largest island in the Mexican Caribbean as well as being the most populated island of Mexico.
With water the color of imperial jade and edged with white-sand beaches and craggy black castles of limestone and coral, Cozumel is the largest of 3 islands off the east coast of the state of Quintana Roo.
The island is approximately 29 miles (48 kilometers) long and 11 miles (17.5 kilometers) wide at its widest point, with the highest elevation point measuring a mountainous 45 feet above sea level.
Cozumel temperatures are warm year-round with daytime highs averaging 81 F (27°C). In the Caribbean, hurricane season officially begins June 15 and runs through November 15th each year. Do not let this deter your planning because INSIDERS know that these are some of the best months to enjoy the Cozumel. Yes, there is always the chance of a tropical storm or hurricane coming in but typically there is a warning period and time for preparation or departure from the island if needed.
The heaviest rains begin in June and last through October. It's possible for rain to fall almost every day during that time but the usual afternoon shower is brief and causes minimal interruption of travel or activities. Occasionally, however, the skies can open up and let loose torrents. During wet months, expect high humidity. November - May is generally balmy, with daytime highs averaging 80 F lower humidity and an occasional cool evening. Always remember, tropical climes can change from mellow to miserable and back again very quickly.
July/August - High 80's to low 90's°F (32°C)
December/January - Mid 70's°F (24°C)
Water temperatures range from 77°- 84°F (25°-29°C) throughout the year.
The tropical forests of the Mexican State of Quintana Roo are home to many exotic trees, flowers, plants, and animals. Along with the many mangroves, bamboo, and swamp cypresses, ferns, vines, and flowers slither throughout the various trees to create a dense jungle. On the highest of limbs, orchids and air ferns can be seen stretching towards the sun.
The Southern part of the Yucatan Peninsula hosts classical tropical rainforests that are the home of tall mahoganies, campeche, zapote, and kapok, all of which are covered by jungle vines.
Los Arboles (The Trees)
Perhaps the most recognizable of trees in the area are the many types of Palm trees. These trees, vital to the survival of the people and region, come in many varieties- tall, short, fruited, and oil-producing. Some specific types of palms include Royal (tall with smooth trunks), Queen (used for landscaping and bearing sweet fruit), and Thatch (used extensively for roof thatch).
At one time, the Coconut palm served the Yucatan very well as it is used for producing oil, food, drink, and shelter. The tree matures in 6 to 7 years and then bears coconuts for the following 5 to 7 years. Unfortunately the "Yellow Disease" , a condition that has struck the coconut palm from Florida to Central America, has taken away the coconut palm as a source of income.
Henequen, which is a cousin to the Palm tree, is used to form twine, rope, matting, and other products. The Calabash tree provides gourds that Mayan Indians have used for years as containers.
A tall tree known as the Ceiba is known as the Mayan tree of life, and tied very close to the Mayan religion.
The beautiful Framboyanes (royal poinciana) have wide-spreading branches covered in clusters of brilliant orange-red flowers when they are in bloom during the summer months.
Las Frutas (The Fruit)
In addition to the trees, there are many delicious fruits that grow in the this region of Mexico. Sweet and sour oranges, limes, and grapefruits can be found, as well as the presence of the papaya, and avocado. The mamey tree, which grows to 15-20 meters in height, provides a brown avocado-shaped fruit with a sweet salmon-pink flesh in the middle (a flavor similar to the sweet yam). A lanky evergreen known as the Guaya produces small, green, leathery pods that grow in clumps like grapes. These pods have a sweet, yellowish, jellylike flesh.
Las Flores (The Flowers)
In remote areas of the state, the orchid can be found on the highest limbs of tall trees. There have been 71 species reported on the Yucatan of which 20% are terrestrial, and 80% are epiphytic, meaning that they are attached to host trees and deriving moisture and nutrients from the air and rain. Both types grow in so many different sizes, shapes, and colors- some subtle and some brilliant.
In the spring, flowering trees are the gathering place for hundreds of singing birds that come together for the mating season in the treetops. Here in a natural environment you'll see a full spectrum of flowers that display wild colors and appealing scents. White and Red Ginger are among the most exotic of herbs, in addition to Plumeria which has a wonderful scent and can be found in many colors. Hibiscus and bougainvillea bloom in the forests and are of the most colorful sort that you will find. In addition to these exotic flowers, the more common Morning Glory is prevalent as it endlessly creeps and climbs over trees and bushes.
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Some Activities of Interest
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Cozumel Butterfly Sanctuary Tour & PalMar Snorkel Beach Club |
Visit Cozumel's only Butterfly Sanctuary! Merged in 2018 with the Cozumel Butterflies & Botanical Gardens, see multitudes of colors, learn about butterfly habits and the miracle of metamorphosis. Take photos and then stay to enjoy snorkeling and the other ammenities of the PalMar Snorkel Beach Club. Great family fun & excellent value!
Starting at US $8.00!
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Cozumel's Complete, Private Island Jeep & Snorkel Tour |
You'll see more in one day than others see in a lifetime!!!
Starting at US $75 Adults / US $60 Kids
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PalMar Snorkel Beach Club & Patas y Alas Butterfly Sanctuary |
Bring your group and spend the day at our PalMar small, private beach facility and enjoy a day of snorkeling at Cozumel's premier beach entry snorkel spot! No crowds here and gates close daily with a maximum of 50 people on site! Plus Patas & Atlas Butterfly Sanctuary which, in 2018, merged with Cozumel Butterflies & Botanical Gardens is now included when open (seasonal)!
US $19 Adults / US $8 Kids - Includes FREE Drinks!
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My son and I decided to avoid the cruise ship excursions for snorkeling and try Pal Mar Estate Beach Club. I read a number of reviews and figured it was worth a shot. We have gone on 4 cruises now and always done the cruise line sponsored excursions and without a hesitation this is by far the best thing we have done. Pal Mar was nice, clean, very quiet and the staff was beyond awesome. One of the most relaxing times we have had. The Pico de Gallo was fresh and hand made and fantastic....my son wont touch tomatoes and such and he ate it all up...wonderful! The snorkeling was a lot of fun and we saw tons of fish, starfish, coral, etc. and even a Moray eel. Very cool and spooky too to be honest. We had a blast and would do it again in a heartbeat. With cab fare both ways, Pal Mar admission, 4 beers for me and two sodas for my son along with chips and Pico we spent only 65$. We snorkeled for almost 4 hours....exhausted but a blast! We must have seen at least 8 excursion trips come through the area we were at and they are there maybe 45 min to an hour and gone. It would have cost us 3 times what we paid to do the ship excursion and we got to relax and snorkel all day. Can't recommend it enough and we will definitely be back when our next cruise stops in Cozumel. Thank you so much for your hospitality!! M. Schomaker-Feb. 2015 ~ Elk River, MN USA
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BEAUTIFUL PRIVATE BEACH CLUB - I am so thankful to have found this wonderful place! We disembarked a Carnival Cruise ship with about 1500 other people. They headed out on some high priced cruise sponsored excursion, and we headed out to our own private beach, pool, and snack bar...complete with extremely attentive staff! They made FRESH guacamole and pico right in front of us, and mixed up some wonderful frozen drinks as well. We snorkeled to our heart's contentment and watched as boat after boat brought their customers to snorkel on the same reef that we had private access to!! It was so wonderfully relaxing and soothing. I personally recommend that you wear a life vest when snorkeling as the current can be tiring. You can stay out a lot longer with the life vest on! Sherri, thanks so much for making your beautiful property so very affordable! We will be back with our hubbies next time! We look very forward to our next visit. S. Corder - October 2016 ~ Trafford, AL USA
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Hello my name is Brent C. and I did the Turtle Observation & Release on June 27th. I can honestly not put into words how great and breathtaking the whole experience was! it has always been a dream of mine to watch turtles nest up close and personal but you guys topped that dream and did even better! I almost cried tears of joy when i found out I got to get up close and help remove the turtle eggs as she was laying them! I plan on becoming a marine biologist one day and this whole experience has pushed me farther into my passion for marine biology! I can not say thank you enough! Also cant forget the helpful crew of young men and women that helped us along the night and where ever so kind! Here is a picture of the green sea turtle I named April after she had laid her eggs! Thanks and God Bless Brent C ~ USA
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We have been coming to Cozumel for 20 years. PalMar Beach Club is a perfect place to enjoy Cozumel. The shore snorkeling is the best on the entire Island. The sea life is wonderful; you can safely leave your items in a locker. Enjoy drinks and have lunch. It is not a large loud beach club it is perfect. Remember wonderful things come in small boxes, and in this case it is a diamond location with wonderful staff. The other phrase can be "location, location"! P. Bettger - November 2015 ~ Portland, OR USA
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Sherri: wanted to let you know what a great time we had at your resort. It was exactly what I was hoping for!
The personal attention was wonderful, as both you and your staff were so friendly and helpful, and we were warmly welcomed as if we were "old" friends. The quaintness of the private home and the nice beach were great, and the fish we saw while snorkeling off your beach were better than the ones we saw during an expensive excursion booked thru the cruise ship in Belize!
I will definitely recommend your website to others, and I've already told many friends about the Palmar Beach Club. Thank you again for a wonderful time in Cozumel and I wish you all the best in your endeavors. Cathy, Peter and the boys ~ Rochester Hills, MI USA
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