The Mexican destination of Cozumel, the country's largest inhabited island and, according to Mayan legends, the home to Goddess Ixchel, has become a stronghold for multidestination, due to the unique wealth of the Mexican Caribbean region.

According to history, the islanders built temples to honor Ixchel, the goddess of love and fertility, and she, in return, sent the swallow - her favorite bird - as a gesture of gratitude, thus the name of "The Island of the Swallows".

Cozumel, which lies 19 kilometers of the coast of Yucatan, benefits from the existence of many white-sanded beaches of crystal-clear waters, which are an invitation to diving enthusiasts.

In the western part of the island, Chankanaab Lagoon offers divers beautiful limestone caverns, in addition to the Archeological Park, which features jungle trails, replicas of Mexican regions and even a typical Maya village.

There is also an excellent Botanical Garden, featuring more than 300 species from 22 countries. In the south lies Cedral Village, the oldest Maya structure in Cozumel, where visitors can see the vestiges of original mural paintings.

In addition, Punta Sur (the southern tip) is home to the Celarain lighthouse (which provides a 360-degree view of the island), a sailing museum and reserve areas to watch the birds and flora of the beautiful region.

Some 1,200 rooms are available for vacationers betting on the island for leisure, who can stay in all-inclusive hotels of different categories. In addition, more than one million cruise passengers visit the island for a day every year.

The center of attraction on the island is the village of San Miguel, which has many commercial centers, places of cultural interest, handicraft shops and restaurants, all of which are complemented by the fact that it is a duty-free zone.

More than 90 restaurants and cafes provide excellent opportunities regardless of the costumers' budget and taste, serving a wide range of food from different parts of the world, from Italian to French to Lebanese to Japanese cuisine.

San Miguel is home to the Museo de la Isla de Cozumel, the island's regional museum, which is housed in a former hotel built in the late 19th century. The museum features a complete display of the anthropological and cultural history of the region.

A large number of vacationers visiting Cozumel are diving enthusiasts who come to enjoy the picture-perfect view of 30 kilometers of coral reefs, where visibility ranges from 150 to 200 feet, and there are more than 200 species of brightly-colored tropical fish.

Fishing and water sports are also major attractions in Cozumel, where species like dorado and barracudas can be caught, and where sailing, water ski and windsurfing are always excellent options.

Boasting this incredible wealth, "The Island of the Swallows" occupies a very important position in Mexico's leisure industry, benefiting from its privileged location in the Caribbean and its unique natural and cultural treasures.