Cozumel Island is 45 km (28 mi) long and 18 km (11 mi) wide. It lies 19 km (12 mi) from the mainland.
The terrain is mainly flat and is covered in low tropical forest.

For years, Cozumel has ranked among the world’s top five diving destinations. The southwest coast is lined with tall reefs. These create soaring walls offering to the divers of Cozumel a magical landscape to explore.

Non-divers can enjoy Cozumel’s beautiful Caribbean waters with their associated water sports and seaside activities.

In many ways, Cozumel is warmer and more laid-back  than the mainland. There are no big highways or construction projects. In Mexico, Cozumel is dependable. Fortunately, the water on the protected side (western shore) is as calm as in an aquarium, unless a north wind is blowing.

The only town on Cozumel is San Miguel.

It is a small town, in spite of the last 20 years’ growth.
San Miguel is not strikingly beautiful, but the town and its people are pleasant. On Sunday evenings, everyone in San Miguel gathers together around the plaza to be sociable and enjoy themselves. It can be fun and convenient for visitors to stay in town. They can choose a number of restaurants and nightspots in Cozumel.

Cozumel is hugely popular with cruise ships. Its waterfront is jam-packed with jewelry stores and souvenir shops. Most cruise ship passengers do not venture further into town than these shops and the area around the town's main square.

Visitors who develop  island fever and need a break can catch a ferry to Playa del Carmen and the mainland. They are just a 40 minute ride away. Some travel agencies on Cozumel can organize a tour of the major Riviera Maya and Yucatan attractions as:

• Tulum
• Chichén Itzá
• Xel-Ha or Xcaret (nature parks)

Cozumel has its own ruins. But there is no comparison with the major sites of the mainland.
During pre-Hispanic times, Maya women used to come to Cozumel to make offerings to Ixchel, the goddess of fertility.
There are more than 40 sites containing shrines still around Cozumel. Archaeologists can still unearth the small dolls that were a customary part of those offerings.