Where to stay and who to dive/get certified with?

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NeilA.

Contributor
Messages
132
Reaction score
94
Location
Mukilteo, WA.
# of dives
100 - 199
Hi All! First post!

I would like to take my 12 year old son and his mother to Cozumel to get their scuba certification, as well as enjoy a vacation about the last week of July. I would go diving while they are learning.

the last time I was there, 10 years ago or so, I stayed at what is now the Wyndham. Their was a scuba school on-site and the boats picked us up to go diving from the dock out front. As I remember it was a decent enough resort and a great location to get into town.

Anyway, are their other resorts that any of you would recommend that have a similar set up- easy for diving and instruction, that is also family friendly and fun? I can rent a car if needed and have a generous budget, but I like to feel I am getting a good value for my money.

Thanks in advance,

Neil
 
We stay at Casa Mexicana and dive with Aldora. I don't like resorts because the food is always cafeteria level dining. There is so much great food in Cozumel and most of our favorites are within walking distance of CM.

Good luck.
Jay
 
i assume you are refferring to hotel cozumel ? why not stay there again?

i am also assuming you are looking for an all inclusive. if not, you will get a lot of different recommendations.

staying in or near town might be best for taking a class. i only say that because of the ease of access to shallow shore dives.

that said, maybe look at the park royal. really nice place. very clean. food was great when i was there. you can hook up with marine world across the street for classes and boat dives etc. see alex there.
 
Great! Thank you for the replies. I’ll look at them all!

Although I am flexible and not fussy at all, I generally prefer a hotel that includes breakfast. I’ll eat a snack or a sandwich for lunch, then have dinner at a restaurant. Staying in or near town is probably easiest for us and the best choice.
 
I second grassgreen for my ScubaTony experience. I got certified with them 4-5 years ago with Israel and he was awesome. Low key but very safety conscious and took his time as I needed it. Did the book work at home which made it easier. Think they are doing SSI now instead of PADI, mostly because of the cost difference for the consumer.

Downside for them is you have to transport yourself to the marina as all their boats depart there. (which is fine if you have a car, though cab would be cheap as well. Parking is free). Small fast boats, which I prefer to the bigger boats with 15-20 people on them. Lots of great recommendations from others though too. So many great ops on the island!
 
Great! Thank you for the replies. I’ll look at them all!

Although I am flexible and not fussy at all, I generally prefer a hotel that includes breakfast. I’ll eat a snack or a sandwich for lunch, then have dinner at a restaurant. Staying in or near town is probably easiest for us and the best choice.
Have you considered Blue Angel? It's a small (22 rooms) resort with a dive shop, restaurant, dock, and pool; breakfast is included in the room rate. The chief instructor Mateo (aka Matt From Chicago) is excellent and he has been recommended earlier in this thread. It's about a mile south of town, which is far enough that the cruseros (when they return) won't bother you but close enough for cheap cab rides to the restaurants in town (although the restaurant on site is great). It's my hotel of choice; I won't stay anywhere else.

Sis boom bah. :D
 
Take a look at Scuba Club Cozumel. Checks all of your boxes and is a very short walk into town. Easiest shore dive in Cozumel.
 
I would like to take my 12 year old son and his mother to Cozumel to get their scuba certification
Are you a member of DAN? You can add them to a family plan before your visit and add Dive Insurance and/or Trip insurance just in case.
Mateo (Matt Moran) is an instructor who works out of Blue Angel.
I remember him. Glad to hear that he's still teaching.
We stay at Casa Mexicana
One of many good choices if you dive with an Op that picks up at downtown docks. My favorite uses the northern marina and picks me up there altho I use a cheaper hotel that I like. (Great Op, but there are too many of those to choose from that I am not into cheerleading.)
and dive with Aldora
One of many great Ops.
I've had some great dives with ScubaTony..rated highly on Trip Advisor
I don't know him but hear good things.
Downside for them is you have to transport yourself to the marina as all their boats depart there. (which is fine if you have a car, though cab would be cheap as well. Parking is free).
I heard that they screwed up the parking at the southern marina. If so, I am not surprised as they've poorly engineered that place.
Have you considered Blue Angel? It's a small (22 rooms) resort with a dive shop, restaurant, dock, and pool; breakfast is included in the room rate.
Another good choice close to town.
 
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