Description:
Historians say Mayans inhabited the island of Cozumel (see map) since 300 AD. During the height of the Mayan empire, the island became an important port of trade for this highly developed society. The Mayans believed that Cozumel was the spiritual home of Ixchel, the Mayan Goddess of fertility and love, and Mayan women are said to have journeyed from all parts of the vast Mayan empire to worship at her shrines on the island. In fact, the name Cozumel comes from the Mayan word "Cuzamil-Pectin" or "Land of the Swallows" because, as legend has it, she thanked the women for dedicating temples here to her by sending her favorite bird as a sign of gratitude.
The Spaniard conqueror, Hernan Cortes visited the island in 1570. He left all the ruins destroyed and an outbreak of smallpox that killed thousands of natives of the island. By 1600 the island was desolated until the The War of Castes, when the people escaped the mainland and ran to Cozumel.
Cozumel is rich in history and in natural wonders. (see photo gallery) Tourists can visit the ancient Mayan ruins of San Gervasio. A visit to the Museum in downtown Cozumel can unlocked the island mysteries. Cozumel has come a long way from the sleepy island it once was.

Pelicanos Tours' young investors decided to take advantage of what their island had to offer and added an extreme soft adventure ingredient to create Pelicanos Tours. The headquarters of the company, along with the company's executives and families are proud to call Cozumel their home.