San Miguel de Cozumel

San Miguel de Cozumel is a port city on the western coast of Cozumel Island, stretching along flat shores with waterfront promenades, markets, and Caribbean-style buildings. The city displays a mix of modern shops and traditional structures arranged around the harbor and central streets.

The settlement was founded in 1848 when groups from the Yucatan Peninsula established a community during the Caste War and received official recognition in 1849. Over the 20th century, the location grew from a small port to an important hub for Caribbean connections and tourism.

The central plaza serves as a gathering place where locals and visitors encounter traditional music and local dishes like fish ceviche and cochinita pibil. Restaurants surrounding the plaza serve regional specialties shaped by Caribbean and Yucatecan traditions.

The harbor offers regular ferry connections to the mainland, while the airport enables arrivals from North America. Visitors can explore the town easily on foot, as most destinations are close together.

The town is the only settlement on the island and serves as the main gateway to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. This central position makes it the only natural entry point for visitors wishing to explore the reefs and marine life of the region.