Asking for experiences at the Hotel Barracuda

[Harro10]

I have to agree with the above post from kmurray. I stayed at the Hotel Barracuda a few years ago when Blue Angel was fully booked and although I liked the location and water view there were some down sides. The rooms and furniture were beat there was a constant faint but noticeable foul smell from the bathroom. I also did not like the fact that there was no room safe so I had to check valuables in and out at the front desk. It was noisy and busy during the day but not enough to bother me.

 

[shardison]

I'm going to recommend Scuba Club Cozumel... It's a semi AI (alcohol is not included... but you get room, 3 meals a day, 2 tank boat dives each day, and unlimited shore diving.) SCC isn't top shelf as far as the rooms go, ( the basics are covered however) but they are when it comes to diving (my opinion). Their shore diving area is pretty close to that of BA and is only 25 ft max depth. Great place for getting comfortable again, before jumping off the boats into the current. It's also only about a 10 minute walk to restaurants, Mega (Wal-mart equivelant) and shopping.

I know you said "No AI", but it's a smooth running, finely tuned operation.

Just sayin...

 

[robint]

I too am going to recommend Scuba Club Cozumel. Alcohol and sodas not included, just meals, and they are above average quality. In fact, only breakfast is buffet style, the lunch and dinner are sitdown meals prepared for you. It is truly a well-oiled machine, with a decent shore dive area for the newbies. It is also walking distance to town.

Check out my trip reports and videos:

shore dive at SCC
[vimeo]11565537[/vimeo]


last year's trip report and photos:http://www.rnrscuba.net/2012_Cozumel/2012_SCCTripReport.html

oceanfront

dive lockers, rinse tanks, shower, hammocks, and beach chairs

 

[judydivescoz]

Obviously, El Cantil condos will be much nicer but at a cost difference. YMMV as to whether you want budget or comfort. I've never paid more than $70/nt at Hotel Barracuda. If you want luxury it's not for you, if you want cheap it's a good deal.

The shore dive is as good as any shore dive, tons of collapsed pier rubble, remains of a sunken plane, and artificial structures. Easy entry/exit, a dive shop kiosk at the beach where you can rent tanks and weights for about $6. Most dive ops can pick you up at the pier. The rooms are small and spartan but everything has always worked including wifi. The pool/beach is crowded in the day, quiet in the evening. Close to town, across street from Mega.

With the number of people coming with the OP, I assumed that they would be using more than 1 room. They might be able to get a 2 bedroom El Cantil between $1500-$2000 per week which makes it not so big a stretch over a basic hotel. If they are thinking about 3 rooms at Barracuda, El Cantil might even work out to be a bargain!

 

[jmb]

El Cantil always looks great, and might be a better fit for your group. The convenience of a condo is nice, and I would choose that option if travelling with family. I've stayed at the Barracuda about a half-dozen times in the last couple of years and it works well for me. The single occupancy hotel/dive packages are affordable and it's a perfect location - very convenient to town, groceries and restaurants. Never had a problem with the safe at front desk - the staff is extremely consicentious about counting any money placed in the envelope, sealing it, having you initial over the tape and returning it to you with the tape unbroken. If you spend the days diving, the noise around the pool may not even be an issue as many of the day-guests are cruise ship crew members and leave before the dive boats return from the afternoon dives. Nope, it's not fancy or new - but it's clean, the staff is friendly and I love being able to walk everywhere !

 

[ccannon707]

The Barracuda has a great location, but over the years has become run down in the rooms (see above) for the price. What you are paying for is waterfront. The rooms have the old aircraft engine AC - hard to relax or sleep with that racket going on. The bar, music and public entrance aspect of the pool/waterfront area is intolerable to me after about 10:30. If you are into a Spring Break type scene it is for you. I did it once in '06 and have since peeked in when I'm in town... never again.

 

[Mossman]

So people recommend a $200/night place for someone considering a $50/night place?

OK, whatever...

 

[ReefHound]

With the number of people coming with the OP, I assumed that they would be using more than 1 room. They might be able to get a 2 bedroom El Cantil between $1500-$2000 per week which makes it not so big a stretch over a basic hotel. If they are thinking about 3 rooms at Barracuda, El Cantil might even work out to be a bargain!

Good point. I skimmed over the details of who all he was bringing.

 

[Sharkygill]

Thanks to all for the input. I’ve been emailing Albert with El Cantil, and there are some promising leads. I am also looking at a few of the other VRBO’s as well. The key is budget, as my personal philosophy is to only spend money I save on vacations, no credit that has to be paid back later. The savings planned on $4500 for diving and housing, food not included. We had a quote from Hotel Barracuda for three rooms, two triples and a double. When I typed the post last night, in my sleepy state I thought my sister had dropped out, as she had just surprised us with the new she is pregnant. Upon calling her this morning, she is going as the airfare is non-refundable, so she will be on snorkeling only status. Total is 6 divers and 1 non-diver. This threw a wrench in the quotes from El Cantil, as the extra body bumped the price $500.

We like to eat out; La Mission, Viva Mexico, El Moro’s, etc. Walking is nice, but if savings from a lower price from one of the VRBOs down south cancel out the increased cost of the car rental it may be moot. I have no idea where to rent a van, we’ve rented from Isis in the past and they have nothing that large.
We do not care for cruise ship crowds, and I have some sharp kiddos who only need and want the ocean for entertainment. They have heard us talk about Coz so much they cheered when I finalized it over Cabo Pulmo for this trip.

Scuba Club would be nice, but the total for three rooms works out to $5723 and that includes the “lite” plan dropping dinner and eating out. Scratched Scuba Club based on those numbers.

Waiting to pick the dive op, if we wind up north it will be Aldora for practical reasons. We’ve dove Blue XTsea, Blue Angel, Blue Magic, Caribbean Divers, and Dive House, and the list is in order of preference. Blue XTsea was our favorite, but often the package deals have been just too good to pass on. I have to settle where we are staying first.

 

[BettyfromToronto]

I agree with Robin about going to SCC. You don't have to do the dinner package if you don't want to; thought breakfast & lunch are handy; especially if doing an afternoon or twilight shore dive (which is included).

Also a lot of rooms have multiple beds. Our favourite (#71 right on the water) has a big king plus 2 singles. I have also seen rooms with 3 beds so you would only need two rooms. One for you & SO and one for the kids. That brings down the price.

If you love BA you'll love SCC.

Betty