Ancient sites in Cozumel
Cozumel's ancient sites are Maya ruins spread across the island's north and south. San Gervasio is the star, a small pilgrimage center dedicated to the goddess Ixchel and the most important pre-Hispanic site on Cozumel. Smaller sites include El Caracol near the southern tip and El Cedral inland. Most visitors come here for the reefs, so these ruins make a calm change of pace from the water.
Places to go
San Gervasio
San Gervasio is the most important and best-studied pre-Hispanic site on Cozumel, a small ceremonial center in the northern part of the island. You walk its paths through jungle, past plazas and temples.
Punta Sur Eco Park
Punta Sur Eco Park is a reserve and lighthouse at the southern tip of Cozumel. You walk trails through dunes, lagoons and low forest, and climb to the Celarain lighthouse for wide views.
Cozumel Museum
The Cozumel Museum is a museum in a 1930s former hotel on the island's southern hotel zone. Four permanent exhibits and two temporary rooms cover island history, nature and culture.
Tours to book
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
What to expect
San Gervasio is the place most people head for. It sits in the north part of the island, a few kilometers north of the Carretera Transversal. The site has six architectural groups, mostly built around a single temple or building. You walk among the plazas and temples through the jungle, and the ruins were once a hub of worship for the goddess Ixchel, who was tied to childbirth, fertility, medicine and weaving.
El Caracol is a short stop in Punta Sur Park at the island's southern tip. It is a post-classic Maya temple, just northeast of the Celarain lighthouse. Many guides say it was a lighthouse, but it was a temple. El Cedral is a third site, inland from the coast road near the village of El Cedral. Several island tours combine these ruins with the jungle and the coast.
Where to go
- San Gervasio. The island's most important pre-Hispanic site, with six architectural groups and a shrine to Ixchel. Walk the plazas and temples in the jungle. In the north part of the island, a few kilometers north of the Carretera Transversal, by taxi or rental car.
- El Caracol, Punta Sur. A post-classic Maya temple near the Celarain lighthouse in Punta Sur Park, at the island's southern tip. It is an ecological reserve. At the southern tip of the island.
- El Cedral site. Another Mayan site near the village of El Cedral, reached inland from the Costera Sur coast road. Inland from the coast road. A trip that goes here: Jungle Jeep Adventure to Mayan Caverns and Snorkel, 5 Hours, $80 a person
Getting there
A taxi or rental car is the way to reach San Gervasio, since there is no public transit out of town. Taxis are easy to find in town, so ask the driver to confirm the trip before you set out.
When to go
San Gervasio opens in the morning and early afternoon, so plan your visit inside those hours. The site is open year-round.
Good to know
- San Gervasio has an entry fee, so bring some cash or pesos.
- Snacks, souvenirs and restrooms are available at San Gervasio.
- Pack water and sun protection, since much of the walk is in open, shadeless jungle.
- Taxis are always available, but agree on the fare before you get in.
Questions
Is San Gervasio worth visiting in Cozumel?
Yes, for anyone interested in Maya history. San Gervasio is the island's most important and best-studied pre-Hispanic site. It is small, so you can see the main temples in a few hours, and it was a pilgrimage center for the goddess Ixchel.
How do I get to the Maya ruins in Cozumel?
Take a taxi or rent a car. There is no public transit out of town. San Gervasio lies in the north part of the island, a few kilometers north of the Carretera Transversal.
What are the opening hours for San Gervasio?
San Gervasio is open in the morning and early afternoon. It has an entry fee, so check the hours before you head out.
