In Cozumel, a popular destination of an MSC Caribbean and Antilles Cruise, everything seems unique and magical, starting with the Caribbean climate, the coral reef, the intense blue colour of the sea, romantic sunsets and even animal species, such as the fox and raccoon of Cozumel, the coral-fish frog and numerous birds which live exclusively in this territory.

MSC Cruises’ excursions offer plenty of exciting things to see including:

• The island of swallows
• Dense forests and wind-swept beaches
• Xcaret: a theme park in Yucatán

An MSC Excursion will tell you why Cozumel is derived from kùutsmil, i.e. "swallow island". A legend says that the island was the home of the goddess Ixchel, protector of love and fertility. To please her, the locals dedicated many temples to her. To thank them and protect them, the goddess sent Cozumel her favourite bird: the swallow.

A tour of Cozumel is an absolute must on an MSC Excursion. You will pass through thick mangrove forests and cross the white windblown beaches far and wide. You'll find a beach to suit your tastes: San Francisco beach, near the coral reef; the quiet Playa Palancar, the dynamic San Juan, the crowded Playa Azul, the blue Playa Encantada and the private beaches of Bonita and Isla de la Pasion, the land of turtles.

If you're looking for pure fun, choose the MSC Excursion to Xcaret (small inlet): the Yucatán theme park. Opened in 1990, it offers visitors around fifty attractions to choose from. You can choose to "feel" the warmth of Mexican culture by visiting the museum, cemetery or Hacienda, or explore the natural sanctuary to discover the regional flora and fauna, or then swim in the caves and underground rivers and explore a Mayan village.

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