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March / April: Holy Week
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Cozumel, the "Land of the Swallows", is an island about 50 miles from Cancun. For the Mayan world it was a centre of worship of Ixchel, the Goddess of Fertility.
Today, it is basically a paradise for deep sea and scuba diving, visited every year by thousands of enthusiasts since 1961 when the famous French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau declared Cozumel one of the most spectacular dive sites in the world.
Besides observing marine life in the Chankanaab and Faro Celerain ecotourism parks, you can delve into the jungle, take tours of botanical gardens, swim with dolphins and visit turtle sanctuaries.
The only town on the island, San Miguel, offers an extensive selection of restaurants, cafes, boutiques and colourful Mayan craft shops.