Arriving at Cozumel International Airport in Cozumel puts regional highlights within easy reach. Cozumel is an island, about 12 miles off the Yucatan coast, so there is no highway to the mainland; ferries from Playa del Carmen take about 45 minutes. What the island is really about is the water. The Mesoamerican Reef runs along its west coast, and the diving and snorkeling here have been famous since Jacques Cousteau filmed it in the 1960s.

Standout experiences on Cozumel: - Dive or snorkel Palancar and Colombia reefs, with coral walls dropping into deep blue - Swim and snorkel right off the beach at Chankanaab park - Rent a car or scooter and loop the wild, undeveloped east side, stopping at Chen Rio and Punta Morena - Climb the Celarain lighthouse at Punta Sur Eco Park and watch for crocodiles in the lagoon - Visit San Gervasio, the Maya site dedicated to the goddess Ixchel - Browse the small Museo de la Isla in downtown San Miguel - Eat ceviche or tikin xic fish at a palapa restaurant on the west coast - Stroll the main square of San Miguel in the evening when locals gather for music and snacks

Cozumel also serves as a starting point for the mainland. Playa del Carmen is a quick ferry ride away, and from there Tulum, Akumal, and the cenotes of the Riviera Maya are an hour or less by car. Back on the island, the village of El Cedral hosts a lively fair every spring with bullfights, dancing, and rodeo events that date back more than 150 years. Between dives, there is not much to do but relax, which is exactly the point.