First Cozumel Trip - Suggestions/Tips Welcome

[DandyDon]

You do realize that you are going in the middle of hurricane season and Cozumel is certainly not immune. I wouldn't let that bother me, but trip insurance can be a cheap peace of mind.

Thanks for the tip. How long does the day trip take, more or less (from Coz)?

If you were flying out of Cozumel, the day trip from Coz & return would make more sense, but since you're flying out of Cancun - I'd be tempted to do the last night at a PDC hotel for a mainland tour.

Thank you for all the useful info! Question: why do you suggest to get the full coverage? Is there a problem with MCC coverage in Cozumel?

Since your a international tourist, you are automatically wrong until proven otherwise. It might make for an adventure trip, but I wouldn't do it.

There are some Mayan ruins on Cozumel but they are off the beaten path. Ask around. I'm sure someone coudl guide you there.

San Gervasio, part of Cozumel island Parks and Museums Foundation

Interesting personal reviews; one spoke of entering cenotes? San Gervasio Ruins - Cozumel - Reviews of San Gervasio Ruins - TripAdvisor

Photo gallery: Cozumel - San Gervasio Ruins Tour - Photo gallery - Photo #1 - Aventuras Naturales

 

[judydivescoz]

[/QUOTE]Believe it or not, we never dove the shore nor Dutch Springs. My wife doesn't like cold water. I am planning to dive Dutch Springs this year with a friend and I am actually in the process of buying my first 7mm suit for that purpose. I also need to buy a hood, gloves, and boots, since all my equipment is geared toward tropical diving. Any suggestions about the thickness of hood, gloves, and boots I should get to dive Dutch Springs?[/QUOTE]

When we started to dive I told my husband only "warm water, pretty fish" for me. We have found that even cold water diving is fun. We like diving in the Atlantic as well as the quarrys. We both dive in dry suits with hoods and gloves. I am not sure of the thickness but I imagine the gloves and hood are 5 or 7mil. We get to Cozumel several times a year and are always thankful and happy with how easy it is to dive without all the "stuff" required for cold water. We love to dive and have come to appreciate what our area has to offer as well as the beauty of Cozumel diving.

 

[agilulfo]

If you can afford it, layering a 5ml full + 5 jacket may be a better way to go

That's the keyword, afford. I just found a great deal for a 7mm Henderson suit at Scuba Toys which is hard to pass. I understand your point, but I guess I'll have to tie the full suit to my waist until I'm ready to don the gear.

Also, the last thing I want to do is to travel with two suits. If we do end up diving the Cenotes, I will probably rent a vest to put on top of my 3mm suit. I've been diving the Caribbean with this suit for 3 years and I never felt I needed more protection. Ok, maybe a couple of times on the 5th dive of the day in Bonaire...

If you don't think you'll return to the area, a visit to the Tulum ruins is highly recommended.

Maybe I'll force myself :blinking: to go back! We'll probably return, the issue is when. I think we'll definitely do Tulum. As far as Cenotes, we'll see. Maybe my wife will change her mind, or maybe it will be one more motivation to go back soon.

You do realize that you are going in the middle of hurricane season and Cozumel is certainly not immune. I wouldn't let that bother me, but trip insurance can be a cheap peace of mind.

Yes, I am aware of that. On the other hand, it is the tail end of the season so I am not too worried. Also, because it's low season, we got a great deal. I've traveled to Jamaica twice during hurricane season and the weather was fine both times. I understand that the chances are higher but I hope, for Cozumel residents as well, that they will be spared from a hurricane hit for the next several years.

If you were flying out of Cozumel, the day trip from Coz & return would make more sense, but since you're flying out of Cancun - I'd be tempted to do the last night at a PDC hotel for a mainland tour.

I thought about that and it is a possibility. The only thing is that our return flight leaves at 6pm and thus we can have a full day of diving the day before and it's hard to give that up. Maybe we could do it the morning of our departure, but I am not sure I want to lug all our luggage over the Mayan ruins! Do you know of a place where we could store our luggage and dive gear in Playa Del Carmen near the bus station?

Since your a international tourist, you are automatically wrong until proven otherwise. It might make for an adventure trip, but I wouldn't do it.

That is my point. If I have to pick a fight with the insurance company, wouldn't it be better for the company to be based in the US rather than Mexico?

When we started to dive I told my husband only "warm water, pretty fish" for me. We have found that even cold water diving is fun. We like diving in the Atlantic as well as the quarrys. We both dive in dry suits with hoods and gloves. I am not sure of the thickness but I imagine the gloves and hood are 5 or 7mil. We get to Cozumel several times a year and are always thankful and happy with how easy it is to dive without all the "stuff" required for cold water. We love to dive and have come to appreciate what our area has to offer as well as the beauty of Cozumel diving.

The nearest north we dove so far is the wrecks of NC, where the water temperature is just as warm as the tropics. I've been trying to get her to dive around here but so far, to no avail. Maybe once I go diving with my new buddy at Dutch Springs, she'll change her mind. Personally, I am just curious about diving in fresh water.

 

[deborahdelamar]

If I have to pick a fight with the insurance company, wouldn't it be better for the company to be based in the US rather than Mexico?

Unfortunately, there won't be any fights with insurance companies after the fact. If you have an accident in Mexico, settlement is arranged either on-the-spot or at the police station before either party is allowed to go anywhere other than to the hospital. And 9 times out of 10, the tourist is held responsible for an accident on police reports.

As an aside, always carry your driver's license when you drive in MX and buckle your seatbelts -- that's law there.

With MX insurance, either a representative from the rental agency or an insurance adjuster will come to the scene or station to help you.

With credit card insurance, you're totally on your own, dealing with people who speak a foreign language, and you're very exposed to opportunistic claims (hidden injuries or "invisible" broken personal property like cell phones and cameras) by the other party. Chances are high that you'd end up paying -- in cash -- with little recourse for recovering that money. I'd speak with Mastercard International to see what they will and will not cover (Is the insurance no fault?) and whether or not a Spanish police report (showing you at fault) is acceptable proof for a claim.

Better yet, skip all that & buy the MX insurance!

 

[DandyDon]

Also, the last thing I want to do is to travel with two suits. If we do end up diving the Cenotes, I will probably rent a vest to put on top of my 3mm suit. I've been diving the Caribbean with this suit for 3 years and I never felt I needed more protection. Ok, maybe a couple of times on the 5th dive of the day in Bonaire...

Haha, I'm always glad that I take the suit I expect to use and the next heavier one just in case. Suits don't weight that much and make great padding for luggage. You shouldn't need the 7 even for the cenotes unless you're very cold natured, but you will probly need more than in the channel.

Yes, I am aware of that. On the other hand, it is the tail end of the season so I am not too worried. Also, because it's low season, we got a great deal. I've traveled to Jamaica twice during hurricane season and the weather was fine both times. I understand that the chances are higher but I hope, for Cozumel residents as well, that they will be spared from a hurricane hit for the next several years.

No, it is not the tail of the season, more like the middle. The odds are certainly in your favor, but then trip insurance is cheap - at least with Travel Safe. I do have other reasons I always do it for international trips as described in the link below, but I have seen my group scramble for escape flights with a Cat-5 approaching. Half of them did not do the trip insurance and paid severely to leave. You really should price it and consider it at least...

I thought about that and it is a possibility. The only thing is that our return flight leaves at 6pm and thus we can have a full day of diving the day before and it's hard to give that up. Maybe we could do it the morning of our departure, but I am not sure I want to lug all our luggage over the Mayan ruins! Do you know of a place where we could store our luggage and dive gear in Playa Del Carmen near the bus station?

I don't. But if you stayed the last night in PDC, you could probly get an early start on the tour, arrange to leave your bags at the hotel, maybe even arrange a late check-out to shower and change before leaving for the airport mid afternoon.

That is my point. If I have to pick a fight with the insurance company, wouldn't it be better for the company to be based in the US rather than Mexico?

ddeborahdelamar gave you a good answer...

 

[donnad]

when i dove with hidden worlds, they had shorties we rented and put over our full 3mil suits, and i had my own tropical beanie cap. worked great! no regrets!!! it was awesome!!!!!

 

[deborahdelamar]

Agilulfo is correct -- he's going during the last month of hurricane season, which began in June. Even though the season is bracketed by dates, no one told the maker of tropical storms and they could occur before or after the "season."

Having said that, I'd definitely recommend trip insurance IF he were going July through early Oct -- when Coz has been hit in the past. Since the hurricane situation has been fairly obvious by the end of Oct. in most years, I wouldn't say that trip insurance is a necessity in this case -- only that it's not a bad suggestion. Also, Mexicana is a good national airline and will respect and be responsive to their passengers if there's a problem caused by weather.

I also hope he's right that this isn't Coz's year for a strike! Oct/Nov is a terrific time to be there -- the ocean is still very warm, the brutal summer heat is past, low-season prices are still in effect, and the locals are very happy that tourists are there.

Buen Viaje!!!

 

[DandyDon]

when i dove with hidden worlds, they had shorties we rented and put over our full 3mil suits, and i had my own tropical beanie cap. worked great! no regrets!!! it was awesome!!!!!

Yep, the beanie is a cheap, little add-on that can make a big difference; forgot to mention that idea - thanks!

Agilulfo is correct -- he's going during the last month of hurricane season, which began in June. Even though the season is bracketed by dates, no one told the maker of tropical storms and they could occur before or after the "season."

Having said that, I'd definitely recommend trip insurance IF he were going July through early Oct -- when Coz has been hit in the past. Since the hurricane situation has been fairly obvious by the end of Oct. in most years, I wouldn't say that trip insurance is a necessity in this case -- only that it's not a bad suggestion. Also, Mexicana is a good national airline and will respect and be responsive to their passengers if there's a problem caused by weather.

I also hope he's right that this isn't Coz's year for a strike! Oct/Nov is a terrific time to be there -- the ocean is still very warm, the brutal summer heat is past, low-season prices are still in effect, and the locals are very happy that tourists are there.

Buen Viaje!!!

Trip Insurance is a always personal decision and in general self-insuring is simplest, easiest and cheapest. My primary reasons for taking it on all international trips are focused more on medical expenses and payment guarantees - no one ever expects or plans a problem but they happen - and reduced airline liabilities on luggage Mexicana is generous on the second bag - only $15 each way, but the travelers who get by on the free, one-bag limit also reduce their luggage liability claims by half. Mexicana de Aviación as the trip is covered by the Warsaw convention, not the more generous Montreal conventon: $9.07 per pound = $907 maximum if two bags are checked at full limits, $453.50 for only one checked bag. There are other risks covered if one has to cancel in advance, etc - but escaping in the unlikely event of a hurricane when everyone else wants to leave on the same planes is possible.

Rare that they are, they are yet a consideration: Cozumel,Mexico's history with tropical systems: Years within 60 miles...
1873,1877,1879br,1880,1880ts,1886,1887br,1887,1893,1893br,1895ts,1898ts,1901tsbr,1903
,1905tsbr,1909ts,1912,1913,1918tsbr,1920tsbr,1922br,1924tsbr,1933ts
1933,1936-2ts,1938,1938br,1939ts,1942br,1944br,1944,1945tsbr,1947tsbr,1951
1953tsbr,1955br,1965ts,1967,1975ts,1988,1988tsbr,1995tsbr,1995,2003ts,2005,2005tsbr,2005,2007br
49 times in 137yrs end of 2007

Travel dates for this trip: Oct 24-Nov/3
Date Hurricane Wilma hit Coz: Oct 21
Odds that one could hit again in Oct this year: who knows?
Cost to insure both travelers at Travel Safe, age 35, $2,000 each, 10 day trip: $130 combined
Your call

 

[blue9girl9]

any ideas on "fine dining"?

 

[DandyDon]

any ideas on "fine dining"?

Fine? Christi - one of our more active members here who also owns a full service dive charter in Coz offers this list: Cozumel Diving: Blue XT SEA Diving, Cozumel Mexico

For more information, you could go to the Coz forum page, click and look for threads with the words restaurant or dining. Here at the bottom of this thread may not get your question a lot of answers.