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Don’t pack a “to-do” list – a classic Cozumel day is one spent in or near the water, the island’s main attraction. For those who need a culture fix, there is one great museum. Otherwise, outdoor activities star.
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At the island’s southern tip, this large wildlife reserve contains alligators, rare birds, and sea turtles. Visitors can climb up an old lighthouse, cruise the mangrove swamps in a boat, and lounge at a beautiful secluded beach.
The island’s only excavated Mayan ruins are set in a large swath of protected forest. Go as soon as the site opens at 8am to spot colorful tropical birds and butterflies amid the weathered stones.
Of all the reefs around Cozumel, this section is probably the best for both divers and snorkelers – a vast patch of lush corals and sponges harbors gem-colored fish, eels, and even rays.
