ARRECIFES DE COZUMEL NATIONAL PARK: CHARACTERISTICS, CLIMATE, FLORA, FAUNA - ENVIRONMENT - 2025

The Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park is a protected area destined for tourism and species conservation, in the municipality of Cozumel in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The territorial extension of the park is located in what is known as the Great Belt of Reefs of the Western Atlantic or Great Mayan Reef.

This region was turned into a national park thanks to the approval of a 1996 decree. With its creation, the Mexican government sought to promote the enhancement of the country's natural heritage. Thanks to this, today different recreational and educational activities are carried out, aimed at the preservation of the ecosystem.

The barrier reef is the second largest in the world. Source: Pixabay.

Managed by the Ministry of the Environment, the park is located directly in front of Laguna Colombia, about 16 kilometers from the Yucatan peninsula. Cozumel has an airport that facilitates its access, being Playa del Carmen the closest destination.

Experts believe that the island of Cozumel, and likewise the reef area, emerged at the same time that the Yucatan basin was formed. This corresponds to the era between the late Mesozoic and the early Cenozoic, about 66 million years ago in what is known as the "age of the dinosaurs."

According to archaeological findings, the first inhabitants would have been the Carib Indians who arrived in the second century BC. A second wave of immigration was that of the Mayans in the third century, who remained there throughout the subsequent period.

Cozumel and its coral reef barrier took on a lot of notoriety after a cover in an issue of the American Automobile Association (AAA) magazines. Two tourists appeared in it and it had a very positive impact, since it has generated an unprecedented tourist boom.

Climate and physical characteristics

In Cozumel the tropical climate predominates. Source: Pixabay.

Weather

The climate on the island of Cozumel, where the Arrecifes National Park is located, is hot and humid, with copious rains during the summer and with very little temperature variation during the day. This is maintained throughout the year, being the hot season where an average of 25 degrees is registered and the winter where they average 20.

The difference in temperature and density of the area between the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea, make this area is in the middle of the trajectory of multiple hurricanes and cyclones. From June to November, the largest number of events of this type are recorded, with August and September being the calmest.

Broadly speaking, being something typical of the tropical climate, two seasons can be distinguished: the dry season that occurs during winter, and the wet season that occurs during summer.

Relief

One of the main characteristics of the island is that it is one of the few on the planet that has a fresh water reservoir. This is mainly due to two factors, the amount of rain that is stable and abundant, as well as the absorption capacity of the ground.

The renewal of groundwater is key and part of the rainfall helps to nourish the runoff from the Chumpán, Candelaria, Mamantel and Hondo rivers.

Cozumel's groundwater contributes to nourishing the entire ecosystem and is especially sensitive to salinization and contamination. They are in fact the only source of drinking water in the municipality, which is why they are extremely important to sustain animal, plant and human life in the city.

The cenotes, caves and caverns that are under the visible layers of the land, are the spaces where these waters accumulate, which then serve to "feed" the soil. So we can ensure that the island works as a "rain sponge".

With regard to the underwater area, a platform stands out on the western bank that opens up to a continental slope. Slopes are depressions of land that slope towards great depths.

The area between these two features originates what is known as an underwater “terrace” and it is precisely there, where the coral reefs are formed. In all its extension it reaches about 1000 kilometers and extends to countries such as Belize, Honduras and Guatemala.

Flora and fauna

Delfines, by Arnaud 25 - Own work, Public Domain, (https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4177253).

One of the main characteristics of the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park is its rich biodiversity. Its ecosystem is certainly unique thanks to the climate aspects already mentioned. This means that endemic species exist in the area, which cannot be found in other parts of the world.

With regard to terrestrial vegetation, at least 105 different types of species can be listed today. While in the case of marine flora, the number is even higher.

Some of the endemic animal species that can be found in this region of Mexico are:

Cozumel rat, Cozumel collecting mouse, Cozumel long-eared mouse, dwarf raccoon, Cozumel coatis, Cozumel collared peccary, Cozumel lizard, Cozumel hummingbird, Cozumel cuitlacoche, Cozumel vibreo, Cozumel trogofaisán, Cozumelumel trog, Cardinal of Cozumel.

Other species, in this case marine, that also stand out are:

Corals (which can be hard or soft), starfish, at least 5 different types of shrimp, sea sponges, crustaceans, bottlenose dolphin, green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, loggerhead turtle, shark, hammerhead shark, tiger shark or whip stripe.

Top reefs to dive

Diving is the main tourist attraction. Source: Pixabay.

Cozumel stands out for having a sustainable economy based almost exclusively on tourism. This has an imprint strongly oriented to the conservation and valuation of the ecosystem.

Visits to museums, marine and outdoor activities are essential to promote the promotion and knowledge of natural balance. That is why non-invasive maritime activities are a fundamental axis within the proposed activities of the municipality.

The impact of tourism is such that, each year, an average of visits is registered that exceeds 500,000 travelers. The sea, the beach, the gastronomy and the nightlife are great attractions, but without a doubt, Cozumel is a famous and acclaimed destination worldwide thanks to diving.

Thanks to its calm, crystalline and warm waters, the island of Cozumel and the Arrecifes National Park are one of the main tourist areas in the world. Its barrier reef is the most important in the world, after the Australian barrier.

The diversity of marine species, both animals and plants, and its rich sea floor, make it an indispensable destination for travelers who are adept at diving. Some of the main reefs for this activity are:

The Paradise

It is divided into the north and south sectors. The south has 3 reefs and does not exceed 14 meters deep, while the north has about 17 meters deep and two reefs. It is ideal for novice or new divers.

Horseshoe

Depending on the area of ​​immersion, it is possible to reach 20 or 30 meters deep. Despite this, due to the color that its species give it, it is the recommended point for snorkeling.

Chankanaab

It is probably the most famous destination and stands out for the well-known “Chankanaab balls”. Coral formations between 3 and 5 meters high that form round, ball-like figures. An unforgettable landscape.

Tunich Point

Although very colorful formations can be observed, the presence of marine animals is certainly less than other points of interest. Thanks to the intense water currents, this reef is ideal for more experienced divers, who dare to reach up to 40 meters deep from the ground.

Steps of the Cedral

It is about 13 to 30 meters deep and is ideal for photography. Despite this, the strong water currents make it a bit risky for unsuspecting divers. That is why swimming near the shelters is recommended.

Torments

Marine diversity, colors and, above all, rough waters make this a reef only suitable for experts who dive with specialized monitors.

At 12-20 deep, it allows you to see from sharks to a sunken ship from World War II.

Santa Rosa

This underwater wall has an impressive height of more than one hundred meters, which makes it one of the most famous in Cozumel. It is recommended to carry out the dives with the supervision of professionals, since it is a deep diving reef and where the greatest number of attractions are found at 30 meters.

Pry

It is the most famous reef and the one that offers the most possibilities for all types of divers. Being close to the surface of the water, it is ideal for snorkelling. Along the way it is possible to observe the largest amount of marine life in the region, with coral mountains, coral gardens, tunnels and caves full of fish.

References

1. (sf). Isla Cozumel Sunrise of Mexico Where the Sun rises every day.
2. (2015). Update of the annual average availability of water in the Isla de Cozumel aquifer, Quintana Ro state.
3. (sf). Cozumel reefs.
4. 8 Essential reefs for diving in Cozumel. (sf). Recovered from rivieramaya.mx
5. Mesoamerican reef system. (sf). Recovered from wwfca.org