Beginning in December 2002, Insider was proudly the first website to provide readers the Cozumel News in English.
Articles are slected from local newspapers which we feel will be of interest to our diverse audience. These articles are then translated into English. We cannot always investigate the veracity of a particular article but offer these translations as a reflection of the Cozumel community news just as reporters write it for Por Esto, Diario de Quintana Roo, Novedades and El Seminario and many other sources.
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06/22/2026 - Numbers go down a bit this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 18 ships registered to dock as we head fully into Summer. This is 2 fewer ship than last week and 2 less than the "20 in port" which marks a "high season" number. There were 17 ships in port during the same week of 2025. An estimated 63,000 people will visit Cozumel this week via these cruise ships leaving an estimated US $ 6.7 million dollars behind in the local economy.
High season for cruise ship arrivals typically runs from November 15 - April 15 each year with the remaining 7 months of the year considered "low season." This week Puerta Maya pier will be host to 6 ships docking there, 6 ships will dock at SSA International pier while Punta Langosta pier will see 6 arrivals and the downtown San Miguel pier will have -0- arrivals with passengers tendering in.
On Monday 1 ships will dock, 3 ships will dock on Tuesday, 3 ships on Wednesday, 4 ships on Thursday, 4 ships on Friday, 3 ships on Saturday and Sunday will see 0 ships in port. To see a complete list of this week's ship arrivals, please visit Insider's Weekly Cruise Ship Schedule
Cozumel Airport Modernization 70% Complete, Capacity To Increase By A Third
The renovation of Cozumel International Airport is 70% complete, with the project on track to expand passenger capacity by a third, according to airport manager Pablo Esteban Arjona Ortiz. Arjona Ortiz said the project has moved past the rough construction phase and is now focused on hydraulic, sanitary, and electrical installations. Walls and glass are expected to be installed by the end of June. “Passengers will soon see a wider, cleaner platform with eight aircraft parking positions,” he said.
The initial investment of 278 million Mexican pesos has grown to 324 million pesos, but Arjona Ortiz stressed that the increase has not caused delays or unexpected costs. Favorable weather has helped keep the project on schedule despite the challenges of building on an island. The renovation aims to prepare the airport to handle up to one million passengers by 2033, with the ability to accommodate eight simultaneous flights and large aircraft types D and E. A master plan includes reviews in 2027 to decide whether to maintain the 2033 target or extend it to 2036 or beyond. Long-term aspirations include building a second floor, contact gates, and capacity for up to two million passengers. “The island tends to grow,” Arjona Ortiz said.
Regarding the runways, a 2024 investment has ensured their operation for several years using materials designed to withstand weather and constant air traffic. No immediate runway projects are planned; only preventive maintenance will be carried out to extend their lifespan. When asked if the airport is on track to meet first-world standards, Arjona Ortiz replied: “Let this year finish, tour the terminal, and then you ask me that question and you answer it yourself. You’ll see that we are indeed in a first-world airport.”
Dwarf Fox Of Cozumel Spotted After 20 Years, Scientists Warn Of Extinction Risk
For more than two decades, the Cozumel dwarf fox existed mostly in fragments: scattered reports, old scientific references, subfossil remains, and local stories from one of Mexico’s most biologically unusual islands.Now, researchers say the elusive animal has been photographed for the first time, confirming that the tiny fox still survives on Cozumel. The finding has renewed scientific interest in one of the rarest canids on Earth and raised urgent questions about whether the animal can be protected before it disappears.
The discovery was described in a 2026 study published in the journal Neotropical Biology and Conservation. The authors report that an adult male Cozumel fox was found on September 14, 2023, near the coastal highway on the eastern side of the island. After being safely recovered, observed, and assessed, the fox was released on September 17 into suitable habitat inside the Laguna Colombia State Reserve. For researchers, the photographs are a major breakthrough. Until now, the Cozumel fox had never been documented alive with photographic evidence. The last reported sighting cited in the study dated back to 2001.
The Cozumel dwarf fox is believed to belong to the genus Urocyon, the same group as the gray fox found on the mainland, but Cozumel’s long isolation appears to have shaped this island population into something much smaller and potentially distinct. Scientists describe the fox as an example of insular dwarfism, a process in which animals isolated on islands evolve smaller bodies over time. Subfossil remains suggest that the Cozumel fox may be 60 to 80 percent smaller than its mainland relatives. That alone makes the animal remarkable, but the mystery goes deeper. Despite its apparent uniqueness, the Cozumel fox has never been formally described as a separate species. Researchers still do not have the genetic or morphological data needed to determine whether it should be recognized as its own species or treated as a highly distinct island population of the gray fox. That means one of Cozumel’s most unusual mammals could vanish before science fully understands what it is.
Cozumel is home to several animals that evolved differently from their mainland relatives, including the Cozumel raccoon and the Cozumel coati. The island’s separation from the Yucatán Peninsula created conditions where small, isolated populations could follow their own evolutionary path over thousands of years. Previous research suggests the fox population may have been isolated for roughly 5,000 to 37,000 years. Some evidence indicates it may have been present on Cozumel before early Maya settlement in the region. That long history makes the fox more than a rare animal. It is part of the island’s evolutionary record. The rediscovery is encouraging, but researchers are careful not to frame it as a recovery story.
One photographed fox does not mean the population is stable. It simply proves that at least one individual survived long enough to be documented. The bigger question is how many remain. At this point, scientists do not know the fox’s current population size, distribution, breeding patterns, or habitat requirements. That lack of information is one of the greatest obstacles to protecting it. The study’s authors say future work should focus on determining where the fox still occurs on the island, how many individuals may be left, and whether genetic testing confirms its status as a distinct species. The Cozumel fox faces the same pressures that threaten many island species, but with very little margin for error. Urban development, road construction, habitat fragmentation, and land-use changes continue to alter parts of the island. Roads are especially dangerous for small wildlife, and an animal with a tiny population can be pushed closer to extinction by even a small number of vehicle deaths. Invasive species are another serious concern. Feral dogs, introduced predators, and other non-native animals can compete with, prey on, or spread disease to island species that evolved without those pressures. Extreme weather also remains a threat. Hurricanes and major storms can reshape habitat quickly on a small island, and a species with a limited range has few places to retreat. For a fox that may already be critically endangered, the combined pressure of development, roads, invasive species, and climate-related events could be devastating.
The 2023 sighting gives scientists something they have never had before: modern photographic proof that the Cozumel dwarf fox is still alive. But it also creates urgency. If researchers can document where the fox lives, how many remain, and what habitats are most important, conservation authorities may still have time to design protections around real data rather than speculation. The Laguna Colombia State Reserve, where the fox was released, could play an important role in that effort. So could stronger monitoring, better road-risk mitigation, invasive species control, and public awareness among residents and visitors. For now, the Cozumel fox remains one of the island’s most mysterious animals. It has survived in the shadows for thousands of years, unseen by science for decades and never formally recognized as a distinct species. Its reappearance is a rare conservation opportunity. Whether it becomes a survival story will depend on what happens next.
Cozumel’s Sustainable Tourism Protects Reefs And Rainforest
The island of Cozumel offers more than just a postcard of turquoise beaches and dreamlike reefs: it represents a destination that has learned to look beyond mass tourism and recognizes that its true treasure is the surrounding nature.
For years, its growth tested the fragility of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, reminding that the island’s memory, identity, and economy depend directly on environmental balance. Today, Cozumel faces a new challenge: transforming how it receives visitors, promoting experiences where nature and tourism development go hand in hand. This push toward a more responsible future is based on sustainability. Every action, from reef restoration to environmental education for divers, seeks to ensure the island remains a dream destination without compromising its natural heritage. On Cozumel Island, tourism is no longer just about admiring but actively engaging in environmental conservation, fostering responsible tourism that benefits both ecosystems and the local community. In various corners of the island, scientists, divers, and volunteers have turned the reef into a living laboratory. Damaged coral fragments are rescued in submerged nurseries and replanted in degraded areas, while some are protected with special roofs to withstand rising water temperatures due to climate change. These efforts show the ecosystem’s resilience and the determination of those seeking to ensure Cozumel Island maintains its natural wealth. But sustainability on Cozumel Island goes beyond coral restoration. Local diving schools have reinvented their approach, combining diving practice with environmental education. Each dive becomes an opportunity to learn about life under the sea, understand ecosystem interconnectedness, and recognize the importance of protecting every species. The goal is for every traveler to become a reef guardian, joining monitoring and restoration efforts while enjoying the experience and participating in responsible tourism with real impact.
The island also works on rainforest regeneration and water management, integrating local producers and promoting accommodations that respect the environment. The idea is to replace mass consumption with experiences that generate positive impact, where visitors can plant coral, participate in community surveillance, and experience nature consciously. This comprehensive approach reflects a regenerative tourism model that not only protects biodiversity but strengthens local communities and establishes Cozumel Island as an example of responsible tourism in the Caribbean.
Cozumel Island aspires to establish itself as a sustainability leader by 2030. Clear and responsible management, active community participation, and commitment from hoteliers, scientists, and travelers point toward a future where the island not only conserves its natural beauty but enriches it with each visit. More than a luxury, Cozumel’s true treasure lies in keeping its reefs and rainforest alive, demonstrating that sustainability is not an option but the path toward tourism that leaves a positive footprint.
Need a LEGAL U.S. Notary Service? THIS is your solution!
It has happened to ALL of us U.S. Citizens who spend significant amounts of time living / working in Cozumel: reading the dreaded words on a document from back home: "Notarized Signature Required." It's such a simple thing and no one wants the added expense of travelling back to the U.S. just to have their signature notarized but there are many legal processes in the U.S.A. where nothing BUT a notarized signature will be accepted.
Some common documents that U.S. Citizens need notarized while living abroad are: Real Estate Deeds or Mortgages, executing Wills, Powers of Attorney, requests for Birth / Marriage / Death Certificates, Permission for a parent to get a minor’s US Passport, banking / insurance / bonding documents, permission for a minor to travel without parents or application for duplicate or replacement vehicle titles just to name a few.
In the past, the most common solution was for a U.S. Citizen to make their way to the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy where notaries are always available but the fees involved can be quite expensive. In addition there is the cost of actually travelling to the Consulate and who knows if appointments will even be available especially if the notarized signature is needed urgently. Plus from Cozumel that Consulate visit includes the cost of a ferry round trip to get to Playa del Carmen. All of these complicating factors just create more of a headache for something that is supposed to be relatively easy and inexpensive.
Another option frequently used has been that of a U.S. Notary operating outside of their country and jurisdiction. While this option is usually easy and cheap (often free or for a donation), it is one of those situations where "you get what you pay for" because technically these U.S. Notaries are operating ILLEGALLY as they are outside the legal jurisdiction for which they are authorized to notarize documents. In theory an illegal notarization could be attacked and challenged in the future and nullified causing legal issues with the documents signed. A fraud challenge to a Notary operating outside of the USA, simply involves a court asking the Notary to present their passport to the judge. Immigration stamps inside the passport will prove the Notary's whereabouts when documents were signed and if this was done inside the Notary's legal jurisdiction or illegally outside their authorized jurisdiction.
So do yourself a favor and avoid any future Signature Notary problems by utilizing an ON-LINE NOTARY SERVICE. Thanks to remote online notarization (RON), you can notarize a document from anywhere in the world, using your computer or mobile device and the internet. It takes only 10 minutes and is quite an easy process right from the comfort of your own home or office any hour of the day or night.
All you need to do is click this link 24/7 Online Notary Service To use this service, the fee is $25 USD and you must have a device with audio- visual capabilities (like a smart phone, tablet or PC) and proof of identity (a valid US Government-issued photo ID such as a Driver’s License or Passport). You can then access and meet with a licensed Notary Public who will notarize your papers in a matter of minutes. The process is easy, quick, efficient and AVAILABLE 24/7 online!! So WHY take a chance doing it any other way?!
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September 6, 2024 (Most Recent) Comprehensive Mexico Travel Warning
U.S. State Department Travel Advisory for Mexico Issued SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 shows the Mexican State of Quintana Roo (includes Cozumel, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, and Tulum) to be a LEVEL 2 Advisory - Exercise Increased Caution (Level 4 Advisory is Highest Risk):
There are "NO RESTRICTIONS" on U.S. government employees for travel to "ANY PARTS" of Quintana Roo state, which includes tourist areas such as: Cozumel, Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum. However, U.S. government employees are advised to exercise increased situational awareness and caution after dark in the areas of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and to remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones.
U.S. citizens should as always exercise increased caution and be aware that according to Government of Mexico statistics, criminal activities and violence, including homicide, remain a concern throughout the State. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations and turf battles between criminal groups that have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Bystanders injuries, while rare, have occurred. While not directed at tourists, shootings between rival gangs have killed or injured innocent bystanders. Additionally, U.S. citizens have been the victims of both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist and non-tourist areas.
The Mexico Travel Warning dated September 6, 2024 from the Department of State can also be viewed in its entirety on the Department of State website.
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06/22/2026 - Numbers go down a bit this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 18 ships registered to dock as we head fully into Summer. This is 2 fewer ship than last week and 2 less than the "20 in port" which marks a "high season" number. There were 17 ships in port during the same week of 2025. An estimated 63,000 people will visit Cozumel this week via these cruise ships leaving an estimated US $ 6.7 million dollars behind in the local economy. 
