Chinchorro Banks

[diverdowndh]

Wow, sounds kind of daunting, all that military presence.... i just wanna dive! I'll do some checking around and post what I find.

 

[akbpilot]

Wow, sounds kind of daunting, all that military presence.... i just wanna dive! I'll do some checking around and post what I find.

The Mexican militatry has a heavy presence in the area as part of the drug intradiction program funded in part by the US government, and to control immigration from Central American countries to the south. The naval and air patrols occur all up and down the east coast of Mexico, and for the most part don't have any contact with a tourist. About the only contact one would have is at the roadside checkpoints.

On our way out (the checkpoint was un-manned on the way down) we (early 50's Anglos) were stopped, asked a couple of questions, and waved through. Another couple from the resort (mid 20's Anglos) were stopped on the way in(checkpoint was manned), asked a lot of questions, had the car searched quite exstensively, passports and visas checked, and then were sent through. They're looking for drugs. Don't have any drugs and you will be fine. It's no more Draconian then what occurs along any southern US border. The only thing that raises the intimidation level is the language barrier if that is of concern to you.

It's a great area to dive, and vacation. Just do a little checking to make sure your op has permits for Chinchorro. Be able to go with the flow as far a the weather is concerned. Have lots of cash as there are very few ATMs or banks. Don't carry any drugs or drive drunk. Go diving, have fun.

 

[diverdowndh]

Thank you... when were you down there? Where did you stay? I know the hurricane did some damage but wondered if you have any suggestions about hotel or dive outfit, given they still have a license or permit?

 

[driftwood]

I'm not sure who sets the rules and who enforces them. You might try contacting the Siaan Kaan biosphere or the CEA project in Akumal via email to see if they can get you a contact. I'm sure either of those organizations will have some common ties with whoever handles Chichorro.

Contacting the CEA is a great place to start! Great people doing the Lord's work for sea turtles. Their web site is Centro Ecologico: Akumal, Mexico, Ocean Research, Environmental Education, Sea Turtle Protection, Marine Research. They deserve all the support we can give them.

BTW, outside of the tourist areas and major towns, Mexico is a cash economy and I would not have any bill over a 200 peso note.

 

[diverdowndh]

Good advice, I have been outside the tourist areas before and yes, need to be wary... btw, that website is awesome! There is lots of info about the areas down there, even a message board. I've already posted there to see if any of the locals can point us in the right direction for diving, lodging, even helping with the locals who obviously still need help since last year's hurricane. Very good find, thanks!

 

[driftwood]

Good advice, I have been outside the tourist areas before and yes, need to be wary...

Not really an issue of being wary, a lot of times the locals just cannot make change. We were in a PDC jewelry store making about a 250p purchase and the cashier couldn't make change for a 500p note. Crazy, but you are not in Kansas anymore Todo.

Since you liked the CEA site, here are my top 3 for the coast, Playa del Carmen, Mexico's Virtual Guide Book : Playa.Info, Riviera Maya Hotels, Resorts, Rentals: Mexican Caribbean Vacation, and Can-Do Maps and travel guides. Playa has the best forum, Loco has the best aerials of the coast and Akumal lodgings, and Cancunmap has a great rental car section. I personally think that anyone going to that part of Mexico is seriously short changing themselves if they do not buy all the maps for the areas they are visiting. They are the best and most up to date travel guides available. A pure gold bargain at $8 a crack!

 

[akbpilot]

Not really an issue of being wary, a lot of times the locals just cannot make change. We were in a PDC jewelry store making about a 250p purchase and the cashier couldn't make change for a 500p note. Crazy, but you are not in Kansas anymore Todo.

Since you liked the CEA site, here are my top 3 for the coast, Playa del Carmen, Mexico's Virtual Guide Book : Playa.Info, Riviera Maya Hotels, Resorts, Rentals: Mexican Caribbean Vacation, and Can-Do Maps and travel guides. Playa has the best forum, Loco has the best aerials of the coast and Akumal lodgings, and Cancunmap has a great rental car section. I personally think that anyone going to that part of Mexico is seriously short changing themselves if they do not buy all the maps for the areas they are visiting. They are the best and most up to date travel guides available. A pure gold bargain at $8 a crack!

Agree with the idea about lots of small bills, as indeed change seems to be at a premium.

If you are going to be traveling in the area by car, it would pay to be aware of the gas station scam which is detailed on the loco gringo site. Too much to go into here, but if you do a search on locogringo you will hear all of the variations and the ways to combat them.

I haven't used all the maps you mentioned, but would like to add the Mundo Maya map of the Yucatan penninsula. We bought ours at Chichen Itza, but I've seen it other places as well.

 

[akbpilot]

Thank you... when were you down there? Where did you stay? I know the hurricane did some damage but wondered if you have any suggestions about hotel or dive outfit, given they still have a license or permit?

We were down there last March for a week, after a week in Cozumel. Rented a car in Playa and dropped it off in Cancun on our way out.

We stayed at Casa Carolina. It is a small 4 unit beachfront, 3.5 km north of Xcalak. We had a very nice stay, place is clean, well-kept unit with bath and cooking in each unit. There is good gear cleaning and storage facilities and a large palapa where all the guests got together for breakfast (provided) and happy hour each day. Wireless internet is provided. Owners (Americans) live on site. If I remember correctly, we paid $85.00 US.

One of the owners arranged the diving for us, and accompanied us on the dives. We dove with XTC diving out of Xcalak. Diving was out of pangas, boats were in good shape, tank fills were good, and all the captains were excellent. One in fact, on the way back from a day trip in Belize, showed me the most awesome display of small boat handling I have ever seen in my life, and I have thousands of days on the water in boats of all sizes. I don't know if they have a permit for Chinchorro (the weather was not looking to cooperate so we had back-burnered the trip early on), but I did recognize one of the captains from pictures I had seen from Chinchorro. I'm not sure of the status of the shop at this time, as I had heard the American owners were going to move state-side. I can't say for sure that is what happened, but just something I heard.

 

[ZoSo]

I believe the Oceanus out of Cancun goes to the Chinchorro Banks
oceanus.com.mx/html/oceanus.html

 

[diverdowndh]

I got another line from someone else who suggested Casa Carolina, sounds like a good destination. I'll also look into Oceanus for diving, or locally to Casa Carolina.
Thanks to all, I'll definitely post my findings/plans/results from the trip.