Inter-Ocean Tours
Trips for Divers
Oakland, CA 94602
travel@interocean.com
510-638-3448 / 800-345-7159
510-638-1741 Fax
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Inter-Ocean Tours Trips for Divers |
P.O.
Box
27116
Oakland, CA 94602 travel@interocean.com 510-638-3448 / 800-345-7159 510-638-1741 Fax |
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 Resorts
Casa Del Mar Resort ◊ El Cid Resort El Cozumeleno Beach Resort ◊◊ Fiesta Americana Resort ✩☺◊ Hotel Cozumel ☺◊ Iberostar Cozumel Occidental Allegro Cozumel ✩☺◊ Occidental Grand Cozumel ☺◊ Presidente Cozumel Resort and Spa ✩☺◊ Scuba Club ✩☺ Suites Bahia/Colonial Suits ◊ Villa Blanca ✩◊ Wyndham Cozumel Resort and Spa (Reef Club) ☺◊ Yucatan Casa Sandra (Holbox) Club Akumal Occidental Allegro Resort Playacar ☺◊ Occidental Royal Hideaway Playacar ◊ Villas Flamingo Legends:
☺kids friendly (kids program or kids rates available); ✩ wheelchair
accessible; ◊ internet access (◊◊ free)
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Cozumel Geography On top of the age-old structures of the Mesoamerican Reef (also known by its Spanish acronym, SAM , Sistema Arrecifal Mesoamericano, is the largest reef system of the Americas, extending nearly 1000 kilometers) , stands the Island of Cozumel. Located at the Easter tip, of the Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel was formed by coralline limestone rock and sandy soils, is the largest inhabited island in Mexico and Caribbean´s premier dive spot. (declared a national park in 1996). The Island of Cozumel measures 48 km (30 miles) from north to south but only 16 (10 miles ) from east to west. On either side of the island, beaches form a long, white sandy coast. Gentle waves and transparent waters wash the western side of the island, while huge waves crash against the eastern side. Nature The waters surrounding the island are so clear that visibility can be up to 250 feet, opening up a world of beauty unlike any other. As many as 250 different species of fish can be seen in Cozumel's waters. In addition to the colorful fish, Cozumel boasts some of the biggest and most spectacular sponge formations in the world. Fed by a continuous current bringing a steady supply of food to the reefs, some sponges, such as the Elephant Ear sponge, can grow as large as 12 feet across. Other sponges, like the Barrel sponge, gain considerable size as well. On the surface Cozumel has a number of unusual features and include certain endemic species, such as the dwarf raccoon(procyon pygmaeus) and the Cozumel wren(nasua nelsoni) Migratory birds also rely heavily on the richly productive feeding grounds of the reef, which supports populations of magnificent frigate birds, brown pelican, olivaceous cormorant, and many others. The prehistoric iguana and the crocodile are the state's largest lizards and there are a host of amphibians, tree frogs are particularly colorful, their bright hues a warning to predators. Climate The average daily air temperature on Cozumel is 80 degrees (27°C). In July/August, the highs range from the upper 80s to the low 90s. (32°C) In December and January, the daytime temperatures average in the mid-70s.(24° C.) Winter Months: Cold fronts may create windy, cloudy and cooler weather. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, usually lasting for an hour. Water temperatures range from 77°-82°F (25°-28°C) throughout the year. How to get there You can fly nonstop from Atlanta (Delta), Dallas (American), Denver (Frontier), Houston (Continental), and Miami (American). A passport is required, as well as a return or continuing ticket. Keep the paper tourist card they give you when you clear immigration--you'll need to give it back when you leave Mexico. $25 departure tax is normally included in airline tickets. Electricity The electrical current in Cozumel is 110 volts AC 60 Hz. Currency Mexican peso. US dollars are accepted. Malaria risk No malaria risk exists in the major resorts along the Gulf coasts. |
