Cozumel

Cozumel is a flat, low-lying island off the Yucatán coast, and diving is the main reason many people come. The Palancar Reef system and Columbia Wall attract divers from around the world, though snorkelling trips cover shallower sections of the same reef. Ships use one of three piers: Punta Langosta puts you in downtown San Miguel, while the International Pier and Puerto Maya are further south and require a taxi ride into town. San Miguel's waterfront has the usual souvenir shops and jewellery stores, but a few blocks inland the town gets more local. Try cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork in achiote) at a market taquería rather than the tourist strip. The east side of the island has a rougher, more exposed coastline with beach bars and fewer crowds. Punta Sur Eco Park, at the southern tip, has a lighthouse, crocodile sanctuary, and a small Maya ruin. Renting a scooter or convertible lets you loop the island in a few hours. The peso is the currency, but dollars work everywhere. Bring reef-safe sunscreen if you're swimming.