Just where is Cozumel, anyway??

Now that Vicky and I have our reservation and plane tickets, it occurred to me that I didn't know, “where is Cozumel, anyway?” So, I pulled up Google earth and with a few seconds there it was, a little south of the Gulf of Mexico in the Caribbean Sea, the Isla de Cozumel. Having only been to Mexico once before almost three years ago, the idea of learning a little more about our neighbor to the south only makes sense in our changing world.

Here is a short description of Cozumel taken from a travel guide: Teardrop-shaped Cozumel has seen some hard times - Spanish invasion, death by smallpox and a flailing economy - but these days it is a calm, charming island with a prime diving reputation. Known as Ah-Cuzamil-Peten (Island of Swallows) by its earliest inhabitants, it is Mexico's largest and most populated island.

Thanks to a Jacques Cousteau documentary on its world-class reefs it has been a favorite international diving destination since 1961. It is literally swimming with diving sites - about 100 have been identified around Cozumel, and at least a dozen of them are shallow enough for snorkeling.

Area: 301 sq. km.
Population: 67,000 inhabitants

We have already heard from a couple of friends about things to do and places to go while we are there, plus I have been doing some research on other recommendations of things to photograph while in Cozumel. It seems this island is best known for its water attractions, above and below, which might limit some photo opportunities. But best guess, we will find some great back drops and things of interest to photograph, too.

This is kind of cool. You can take a virtual tour of the resort that we will be staying at. An all inclusive Resort for less than we usually spend on hotel with a continental breakfast. This will be a real treat come January.
 http://iceportal.com/brochures/ice/Brochure.aspx?did=1668&brochureid=ICE3820&type=vr&index=&selectedvrplayer=J

                                       click on photo to enlarge