Padi Certification in Mexico

[carriedives11]

Hello everyone! I'm new to Scuba and plan to get my OW Certification in November in Mexico. Can someone recommend a great dive shop for beginners? We're open to anywhere in Mexico.

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[300bar]

Why not do the training backhome and go have some fundives in Mexico

 

[sixgears]

I've heard nothing but great things about Cozumel Mexico diving. I'm sure if you do a search here you will find tons of information. Regarding training, someone already suggested that one option would be to finish your training and then go dive and have fun in Mexico. That is certainly a valid point and would only make you greatly appreciate your dives in warm clear waters.

Another option is to do a referral and complete part of your training at home and do your check-out dives (called referral dives) with an outfit in Mexico.

Either way, I wish you nothing but good luck in your endeavor and welcome to the addiction!

 

[AZdiver1279]

Hello everyone! I'm new to Scuba and plan to get my OW Certification in November in Mexico. Can someone recommend a great dive shop for beginners? We're open to anywhere in Mexico.

Thanks so much in advance!

Hello Carriedives11,

I can recommend Aqua Safari.

I have completed specialty certs from them and dove with them a couple of times. We brought some friends with us last time we visited Cozumel that had just completed their Open Water in AZ. They completed their AOW with Aqua Safari and they were very happy with the way they were treated.

Also, I would recommend Ricardo (with Aqua Safari), he's a good instructor and goes the extra mile for you...beyond the call of duty...also ....very safety conscience!

In addition, if you get your cert in Cozumel you will be diving in some of the best visibility anywhere in the world. Although the sea life isn't as abundant as other places I have dived the structure is nice.....nice pinnacles...swim throughs....walls...etc....and did I mention great vis! 200 + feet when we were there in August.

You wouldn't be disappointed.....I have dived in a few places....including Tahiti (all of FP) and Bahamas and have not seen water as clear as Cozumel.

Hope this helps!

 

[Hoomi]

Where in Arizona are you? The Phoenix metro has numerous dive shops, and you would be able to get your classroom and confined water dives done through one of those.

Tucson has two dive shops. Desert Divers, on 1st just south of River, uses the SSI teaching materials. The Dive Shop, on Prince just west of Campbell, uses PADI materials. Both shops run regular dive trips to Mexico, with instructors along for the certification dives.

 

[carriedives11]

Thanks everyone! My husband and I have debated getting at least some of our training done here in AZ - glad to hear you all agree. Unfortunately, the full OW class in our town is about an eight to twelve evening/day commitment and we just can't swing that. We figured getting it all done in Mexico might be more fun and quicker. But I like the idea of doing half and half...very good call.

Cozumel sounds amazing... what are your thoughts on Isla de Mujeres?

 

[AZdiver1279]

Thanks everyone! My husband and I have debated getting at least some of our training done here in AZ - glad to hear you all agree. Unfortunately, the full OW class in our town is about an eight to twelve evening/day commitment and we just can't swing that. We figured getting it all done in Mexico might be more fun and quicker. But I like the idea of doing half and half...very good call.

Cozumel sounds amazing... what are your thoughts on Isla de Mujeres?

Hi carriedives,

Isla Mujeres is not near as nice and the vis is not even close. We spent some time over there and we also did some diving around Cancun....our experience has taught us to put our dive $$$'s toward Cozumel...you can't go wrong...the vis there is amazing!

Also, besides diving there is not really much to do over in Isla Mujeres...we rented a golf cart and drove around the island...had lunch... and then left...if you are looking for a quiet time (of course bottom time is the best quiet time) it can be fond in Cozumel...if you are looking for party time you can also find it in Cozumel.

Are you in Phoenix?

Take care!

 

[rollerboi]

Hi carriedives,
Also, besides diving there is not really much to do over in Isla Mujeres...we rented a golf cart and drove around the island...had lunch... and then left...if you are looking for a quiet time (of course bottom time is the best quiet time) it can be fond in Cozumel...if you are looking for party time you can also find it in Cozumel.

Are you kidding me? My wife and I stayed there for a week and we could have stayed a couple more. There is a LOT to do and see on Isla Mujeres.. especially if you're willing to get involved with the local culture.

 

[don Francisco]

I second AZdivers recommendation of Aqua Safari in Cozumel. - email dive@aquasafari.com -

These are the folks that first introduced me to scuba 10 years ago, and certified my wife later on. They have very little staff turnover and so continue to to a great job. Their instructors are competant and thorough and speak reasonably good English.

There's lots of great diving in Cozumel, and since it's all drift diving over delicate coral reefs, you'll get well trained in bouyancy and trim - including the ability to do a safety stop without holding onto a line - with any of the good instructors on the island, but AS is the only one I know well enough to give you a wholehearted endorsement. dF

I suggest you stay in town, where you can select from any class of hotel to suit your budget and travel style. This way, you'll be convenient to where the training is done, and you'll be able to enjoy the amenities if the island in the evening.

If you have any specify questions, feel free to PM me. dF

 

[ligersandtions]

I did my check-out dives in Cozumel and it was awesome! I would dive there again in a heart beat! If you can do all your training back at home, though, you will enjoy your dives more because you won't have to worry about going down to the bottom, kneeling, doing skills, and wasting half of your dive.

However, like I said, I did do my check-out dives in Cozumel, and I must warn you of one thing. Make sure that your instructor is active with which ever agency you are expecting to get your certification card from. Our instructor told us she could get us a PADI certification, when in fact she was no longer current with PADI. It's not a huge deal now (we have SSI cards), but it was a big headache trying to get the mess all straightened out a couple months ago.