Check out ancient Mayan relics at Museo de Cozumel or find Mexican blankets and souvenirs in the market by Benito Juarez Park in San Miguel de Cozumel.
We also had plenty of time to enjoy authentic Mexican food while we explored this town.
Why We Chose to Be On Our Own
The Norwegian Cruise Terminal is near San Miguel de Cozumel so we decided to explore the town ourselves rather than do an excursion.
On a previous cruise, we took a ferry to the Yucatan Peninsula and toured the Tulum Mayan ruins. Since you go there later in the day it was packed, so we opted to stay on the island instead. Also, the sea can be rough.
You can do several excursions in Cozumel including staying at a beach resort or checking out the small Mayan ruins of San Gervasio. We might do this at another time on Cozumel, but since the Norwegian terminal is close to town, and other cruise ships dock further away, it was the perfect time for a day on our own.
Entering Town
We entered a two-story shopping plaza after leaving the terminal. It was a bit of a maze to get around before we finally made it out of there.
Next, we walked along the sidewalk along the Avenue Rafael E. Melgar. The sea is to the right of us and the shops and buildings are across the road.
We came to a small circular plaza with a white stone obelisk. It is a monument to the defenders of the nation against the invasion by the U.S. during the Mexican-American War.
Then we passed by the Coral Reefs Monument surrounded by the ocean.
Outside Museo de Cozumel
Just past the intersection of Avenue Rafael E. Melgar and Calle 4 Nte is the Museo do Cozumel.
It is a large white adobe building which was once the island’s first hotel.
If you look towards the ocean you can see a half-sunken boat now turned into a mural.
Inside the Museum
We entered the museum and paid the small fee of M$126 when we were there.
Here you will find displays of natural history, which is the island’s origins, topography, coral reefs, and animals that live on the island.
Human history includes pre-Columbian and colonial periods.
I saw a column that included a representative of the Mayan fertility god. The shrine is located at San Gervasio. Mayan women would come to the island as part of birthing rituals.
Then I saw a Mayan stone tablet.
A long canoe fills an entire room, once used for Mayan travel.
A codex shows the writings of the Mayan people.
Then we came to a courtyard that included a traditional Mayan thatch home.
An 1870 cross is on display, the island came under Catholic Spanish influences.
The museum also shows how the Mayans who lived on the island were decimated by disease and fighting with the Spanish and the island became uninhabited for a time.
A cannon marks the start of Mexican rule over the Yucatan.
A display of Mayan words for water, fire, and wind.
The sea off of the coast is known for diving and you can see historic equipment used for doing this.
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday, Closed Mondays
Price: $M126
Address: Av. Rafael E. Melgar 321-Planta Alta, entre calle 4 y 6 Norte, Centro, 77600 Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico
Iglesia San Miguel Arcangel
Next, we walked three blocks back down Av. Rafael El Melgar and then made a left onto Av Lic Benito Juarez passing by Benito Juarez Park, the main square in town, and stopping at Iglesia San Miguel Arcangel.
This stone-white adobe church has stained glass windows. Inside you can see an alter with a manger scene.
An inscription on the building notes that “on May 6, 1518, less than a kilometer to the northeast of this church Chaplain Juan Diaz of the Juan Grijalva expedition celebrated the first recorded Catholic Mass in what was the new Republic of Text.”
Address: Av Lic Benito Juárez 165, Centro, 77600 Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico
La Choza Cozumel
Next, we made a right onto 10a Avenida Sur and walked two and a half blocks to La Choza Cozumel where we had drinks, chips and salsa, and a Mexican meal.
This restaurant is cooled by air-conditioning and fans and has a small garden in the back.
Known for their comida corrida, mole poblano, and chile relleno.
Address: 10 Avenida Nte. # 216, Centro, 77600 Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico
Benito Juarez Park
After the restaurant, we walked back to the square and checked out the sculptures and the nearby outdoor vendor market. I found a reasonably priced Mexican blanket for my mom.
Address: C. 1 Sur 58, Centro, 77600 Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico
Final Thoughts
It was well worth the time to learn some history about the island in the museum and check out local food and vendors.
Since the cruise terminal was close to the town and we wanted to do a day without an excursion this worked perfectly.
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