In the first part of my Cozumel Photo Diary, I focused on our amazing resort – the Intercontinental Presidente Resort & Spa. If you are thinking about visiting Cozumel I can not say enough great things about this spot. It’s Cozumel’s only true luxury resort, and it’s built right on a coral reef!
If you are at all familiar with Cozumel then you know that the main draw to visit is the snorkeling. If you love snorkeling as much as I do, you have to go to Cozumel! There is so much snorkeling to do (and now after this past trip I really, really want to get certified and learn how to scuba dive. It sounds a little scary but I know I would love it). The main draw to the island is natural attractions (snorkeling, diving, visiting ancient ruins) as it is not very built-up… making it the perfect destination to really get away and relax!
If you stay at the Intercontinental, you can book a snorkeling excursion where they will pick you right up (by boat) from the resort, meaning you never actually have to leave. I loved it. Our excursion was about five hours long and came complete with a delicious boxed lunch. We visited three reefs. El Cielo, Colombia Shallow, and Palancar Marine Park. I was amazed at how close they were to each other, but how different each one is. El Cielo is really shallow, with turquoise water and a sandy bottom. Meanwhile Palancar was much deeper, with totally different fish.
Another thing we did (at our resort) was an authentic Mayan Temazcal experience, which was essentially a Mexican sweat lodge. Temazcal translates to “house of heat” and is meant to cleanse and purify the mind, spirit, and body. It’s also recommended for fertility. A local shaman guided us throughout the ritual which consisted of four stages of chanting (+ a lot of sweating), meant to help us get rid of negativity.
Four of us sat (cross-legged) in the hut. In the middle there is a circular hole, in which the shaman places hot rocks. The curtain to the hut closed, and that’s when things got interesting. We were in total darkness and in each “stage,” the shaman poured hot tea over the rocks (resulting in a ton of steam). The room gets hot very quickly. By the fourth stage of the ritual I was completely drenched.
The best part was how I felt afterward. My skin was noticeably softer and we sweat so much – I felt incredible!
Thank you to the InterContinental Presidente Cozumel for sponsoring this post.
Photos of me by Sara Melotti.
The sea looks incredible! I’d love to be there!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
Me too right now… the snow last weekend was no joke! Have a great weekend, Charmaine!
Sounds like a total slice of heaven!
Completely! And our twin coverups! 🙂 🙂 xxo
The pom poms on that cover up are SO cute!! Cozumel looks amazing! xo Devon Seventeen Dresses
Thanks Devon! Happy Friday 🙂 🙂 xx
The waters are so beautiful! I would love to go there!
https://bybreannamarie.com/
I know – crystal clear!!! Hope you can plan a trip! xx
Your pom pom cover up is adorable and this looks like such a fun trip. I’m ready for a vacation.
xo
Pinksole
Thank you Rachelle! Hope you can get away soon – this cold weather is just too much!!!
Obsessed with those shoes, where are they from?!
Thanks Katy! They are J.Crew but a few years old.
This looks incredible. I’m terrified of water but think I would try to suck it up for snorkeling.
Aw, really! It’s worth it… so amazing!
Oh, this has me craving a tropical vacation like WOAH. So beautiful!
Right? DYING TO GO BACK!!!
That cover up though! Swoon.
Carrie
http://www.wearwherewell.com
It’s just so fun! Could totally see you in it! x
Oh my gosh, Cozumel looks gorgeous! What an amazing trip!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
Thank yo!! 🙂
that coverup! omg!!! Adorable! 🙂
xxoo
Mary
http://www.BelleOnTrend.com
Thanks Mary! x