Dating back to around 100 B.C., San Gervasio is the largest of the remaining ruins on Cozumel. In existence until Spanish conquistadors arrived on the island in the 16th century, the San Gervasio ruins served as an important religious destination for Mayan women. Originally built as a temple to the Mayan goddess, Ixchel, the governing deity of fertility, San Gervasio served as a pilgrimage site for Mayan women who sought Ixchel's blessings for family prosperity. Lush tropical jungle surrounds the current day site situated in near the heart of Cozumel's flat, dense-growth terrain. Many tour operators offer opportunities to explore the San Gervasio ruins from the island's hub of San Miguel. Plentiful taxi operators also wait on the downtown streets and at the island's busy cruise ship pier.
Staking claim on a strategic tip of Cozumel's northeast tip, the ruins of Castillo Real stand in testament to ancient Mayan sentry guards searching the Caribbean horizon for approaching vessels. The centuries old site consists of a well-positioned, pyramid-based watchtower, and two connecting chambers. The remote location of the site requires visitors to hike through brush, arrive by boat, or take one of many ATV tours to visit. Jeep rental companies on the island prohibit driving their vehicles on dirt roads and the road to Castillo Real certainly qualifies for those restrictions. The road is rarely passable except by foot or ATV. The secluded shoreline offers a pristine snorkeling environment and many shipwrecks lie just offshore, victims of a treacherous reef. Castillo Real is definitely an "off the beaten path" location, but a magical treasure rewards those who chose to visit.
Cozumel's smallest Mayan ruin sits just off the main road that travels along its popular southwest beaches. Easily accessible, El Cedral is a current-day farming community that takes pride in being the first Mayan settlement on the island. Scant evidence remains of this once thriving Mayan village. Conquistadors dismantled the community's temple not long after their arrival. The first ever Catholic Mass in traditionally devout Mexico was said to have been performed at the site lending an interesting twist to its historical significance. Several craft shops filled with traditional handmade ware offer a unique souvenir opportunity.
