Cozumel Amazing Mayan History Tour with Mexican Lunch.

Cozumel Mexico was first settled by the Maya some 2000 years ago  during the classic period between 300 and 900 AC. The predominant settlements were located around religious centers San Gervasio and El Cedral. The Name Cozumel was given to it by the Spaniards; however its origin is derived from the words Cuzam (meaning Swallow) and Lumil (meaning land of). This is why the combination of the words “Cuzamil” is translated from the Mayan language as “Land of the Swallows”. It is no wonder that the Mayans gave Cozumel this name because every year around April and May during their migration period, Swallows can be seen in great numbers flying overhead.
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It became an important seaport for Mayan trade because it was well positioned in the middle of routes to and from Honduras and Veracruz. In addition, Cozumel history began as a pilgrimage site; the shrines of Ixchel, goddess of fertility, drew worshippers from all over the Mayan empire. The site of this worshiping was what is now the San Gervasio ruins, located on the transversal road going east on the island.

Although initial attempts by the Spanish to settle the Yucatan Peninsula failed due to the resistance of the Mayas,  in 1518, Juan de Grijalva landed on Cozumel Island with four ships bound for Cuba. Grijalva didn’t have much impact on Cozumel history but was followed by Hernán Cortéz one year later, marking the beginning of a bitter struggle for control of the peninsula between the Spanish and the Mayas. Cortéz and his men destroyed many of the Mayan temples on Cozumel; after he departed the island to further explore the peninsula, a smallpox epidemic broke out and Cozumel’s population fell to less than 300 people by 1570. By the year 1600, Cozumel was completely abandoned.

In the 17th century, pirates took advantage of Cozumel’s isolation  and used it as a base for operations. The most notable of Cozumel’s pirates was American pirate Jean Lafitte. The island was not re-inhabited until 1848, when settlers from the mainland sought refuge there from the Caste War, a fierce war that broke out when the Mayas decided to avenge the wrongs inflicted on them and their lands by the Spanish. In the end, the white settlers prevailed. And so it still remains a part of Cozumel history.

Cozumel remained a quiet little fishing community until 1961,  when French explorer Jacques Cousteau proclaimed the area’s waters one of the most spectacular scuba diving sites in the world. The island became a divers’ haven and eventually, a cruise ship port-of-call. Today, Cozumel has evolved into a tourist destination popular even with people who don’t scuba dive. It is overshadowed by nearby Cancun in terms of grandiose development, but that fact suits most of its visitors just fine.

Cozumel remained a quiet little fishing community until discovered by the tourism industry in the ’60s.

Today Cozumel Island, Mexico is a destination vacation spot for millions of visitors annually. Come to our island and see why it has stood the test of time and is more then ever the gem of the “Mayan Riviera”.

It is no small wonder that today’s Cozumel has evolved into a world class tourist destination. The rich history of its native people and culture, combined with the natural beauty which is evident in the pristine beaches, crystal clear azure seas, a vast variety of shopping alternatives as well as night time activities make this island paradise truly amazing.

If you have never been to the island before, you must as the ancient Mayans did; make it a must do during some point in your life. If you are a frequent visitor then you already know the magic and splendor which this magnificent work of mother nature has to offer.

I hope that you have enjoyed this brief overview of the history of our Island.

And at every turn, there is something exciting to discover and explore.

From the majestic San Gervasio Arqueological Site, Pueblo del Maiz to the rustic Mayan Llife, Chocolate Factory Tour (tasting) only Amazing and a lot history about our Mayan Culture, Cozumel has many stories to share. And their origins go back to 300 A.D. when the first Mayans settled on the island.

Before there were vacation seekers, there were religious pilgrimages,
as many women came to pay homage to the fertility goddess, Ixchel. Through every passing century, Cozumel became one of the most important sanctuaries in the Yucatan region. And the Mayan influence remains today.​

But that is just the beginning. Let us take you on a guided tour and uncover the magic of the ancient Maya. You’ll soon realize why this is like no other island in the world.

San Gervasio is the biggest, most important and only official archaeological site of the island. It is also a sanctuary to Ixchel, goddess of fertility and love. For Mayan women it was an obligation to visit Cozumel at least once in their lifetime to pay tribute to Ixchel.​

You can be witness of the Mayan culture and its mysteries.

The origins and history of chocolate in Mexico. Chocolate is deeply rooted in the Mexican culture, beginning with its ancestry in the Mayan culture. It is the Mayans who considered cacao to be a sacred food and we too believe that there is something very enchanting about chocolate. Enjoy a Mexican lunch at local restaurant where would you choose between beef fajitas, chicken fajitas, fish fajitas the best on the island.