San Gervasio

San Gervasio

San Gervasio Mayan ruins San Gervasio, Centro, Cozumel, México San Gervasio is the biggest, most important and only official archaeological site of the island. It is also a sanctuary to Ixchel, goddess of fertility and love. For Mayan women it was an obligation to visit Cozumel at least once in their lifetime to pay tribute to Ixchel.The archaeological site of San Gervasio is situated near the center of Cozumel and can be accessed by a paved road that turns north off the Carretera Transversal (the east-west road that leads to the eastern side of the island).The ruins are jointly administered by the Mexican Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and the foundation for parks and museums of Cozumel (FPMC), both of which charge a $4 USD entrance fee at two different ticket booths.The fee collected by INAH covers the maintenance of the ruins and the fee collected by FPMC takes care of the parking, tourist facilities, and road maintenance.The “tour guides” that are available for hire ($20 USD plus tip) at the site are not employees of either INAH or FPMC, but rather independent contractors who may (or may not) have a good grasp of the history of the site, depending on which one you get. If you go with an organized tour group, remember the tour guides prepared talk is geared to the lowest common denominator. Many people leave these tours asking themselves “what did I just see?” www.cozumelparks.com Flying Drone around the Mayan ruins in Cozumel Mexico Music by Xavier Quijas Yxayoti Our trip to the Mayan ruins in Cozumel Mexico

Kevin Hatch