San Gervasio Ruins

Getty Images

San Gervasio Ruins

Isla Cozumel


This overpriced Maya complex is Cozumel’s only preserved ruin. It's thought to have been the location of the sanctuary of Ixchel, goddess of fertility, and thus an important pilgrimage site at which Maya women – especially prospective mothers – worshipped. But its structures are small, and the clay idols of Ixchel were long ago destroyed by the Spaniards. Ruin fans will need to see it to check another site off their list, but most people will find it disappointing.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Isla Cozumel attractions

1. Sea Walls

6.64 MILES

Local and international artists backed by the PangeaSeed foundation created 36 large-scale public murals in 2015 to raise awareness about ocean…

2. El Castillo Real

7.41 MILES

Down the same intimidating road that leads to Punta Molas are the large Maya ruins known as El Castillo Real (The Royal Castle). The archaeological site,…

3. Punta Molas

10.07 MILES

To reach the far northeast of the island you're best off heading out on an off-road tour to avoid getting stranded on the remote dirt road. The tour makes…

4. El Cedral

12.91 MILES

This Maya ruin, a fertility temple, is the oldest on the island. It’s the size of a small house and has no ornamentation. El Cedral is thought to have…

5. Playa Palancar

15.19 MILES

About 17km south of San Miguel, Palancar is a great beach to visit during the week when the crowds thin out. It has a beach club renting snorkel gear (US…

6. El Cielo

16.38 MILES

Living up to its heavenly name, El Cielo's shallow turquoise waters are ideal for snorkeling and swimming among starfish, stingrays and small fish…

7. Punta Bete

16.67 MILES

A rocky, reef-hugged point 65km south of Cancún, Punta Bete is reached by a dirt road that runs past a housing development and weaves 2.5km from Hwy 307 …

8. Punta Esmeralda

16.84 MILES

Emerald Point has become a favorite beach among Playa del Carmen locals, set on the northern edge of the city. Here, a shallow cenote provides a calm…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "mexico/isla-cozumel/attractions/san-gervasio-ruins/a/poi-sig/1159471/361692",
      "destination": "Isla-Cozumel",
      "continent": "North-America",
      "country": "Mexico",
      "region": "Isla-Cozumel",
      "position": "superzone"
    }