For centuries these openings have provided inhabitants with access to fresh water, and the inaccessibility of the deep caves beneath the openings has long beckoned the adventurous, though physical challenges limited how far they could go.

In recent years, however, technological developments in underwater equipment have made it easier for divers to go farther into the networks of dark tunnels branching out from the submerged caves, and reports began to emerge about this dark underworld and its store of human and animal remains.

Cozumel combines the great reefs that one might find at the best dive spots around the warm Mexican Gulf waters with the laid back island life, where everything is close enough with a short taxi ride or a pleasurable bicycle tour. Indeed, the island has few routes, and a great set of beaches and coves. Almost every place offers gentle waves lapping warm sands. And there is always a beach bar or “tienda” around where you can get great refreshments at very low prices—an “honest-to-God” diving paradise, but then, you already knew that!

The Mayans completely adapted to the conditions of their environment, with superb observations of the nature around them, learning to cultivate maize and settling throughout their lands. In homage to their Gods, they constructed temples, pyramids and observatories. They developed an alphabet and wrote texts. They devised their own calendar, composed legends and wrote down history of unique peoples. Mayans have maintained their unique guttural language and the original tenets of their culture up to current times.

 

Topside, the islands are completely different in appearance and are home to many endemic plant and animal species. Overall, the area is recognized as a distinct terrestrial eco-region, which is part of the Neotropic ecozone (tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests). Below the azure blue coloured water, ancient volcanic activity has created a rugged terrain of reefs, overhangs, walls and unusual topography.

 

It was a huge 14ft (4m), 2,175-pound (987kg) female. Her body was sleek and muscular, capable of high speeds if necessary. She ignored the bait and gave the caged divers a once over then slowly swam away, never changing her pace. Author, Peter Benchley, sure pegged it correctly when he referred to these creatures as “natural perfection”.