Trip Report Iberostar - review

[scoopscallahan]

I asked a question before my trip to Iberostar-Cozumel. Now that I'm back, I thought I'd give my thoughts:

(1) Rooms - basic, no frills. I had a concern about a musty smell I'd heard about. That didn't exist. No smell. A/C worked great. Grade: C+
(2) Food - it's an all inclusive. The food is overall pretty poor. But it's an all inclusive, so you should expect that. Grade: D
(3) Entertainment - didn't go there for entertainment, I went to one "show". Meh.
(4) Location: long way from downtown. $20 cab ride each way. If you want to spend time downtown don't stay here.
(5) Drinks - good Lord horrible. the bottomest of bottom shelf liquor. Grade: F
(6) The resort - very pretty, peacocks, coatis, parrots, etc. are cruising around. Grade: A-
(7) Diving: okay this is what we're here for. It's great having your room on the grounds with the dive shop. The dive boats were large and helped with sea sickness. Dive masters were great, professional, and knowledgeable. Close enough to come back to the resort and grab a crappy drink between dives. Highlight of the trip and why I booked there. A+++
(8) Price: 5 nights with 6 dives (with gear) was $1700. I felt like I got my money's worth.

Synopsis: the dive shop (Dressell) is top notch. If you don't care about what you eat, what you drink, and just want a basic room within steps of the dive shop you'll love it. I wish it was closer to town. We went into town one night and had a blast. Saw a great band, had great margaritas and the best al pastor tacos I've ever had for almost no money.

Verdict: great first trip for a new diver to Cozumel. My God, the coral there was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. I'd never been below 35 feet. To be at 100 feet down and looking up at a 75 foot mountain of coral was incredible. Already planning my next trip.

 

[Brodydog]

5) Drinks - good Lord horrible. the bottomest of bottom shelf liquor. Grade: F

That one gave me a chuckle.

Great review.

 

[ggunn]

That one gave me a chuckle.

Great review.

For beer they probably only had Miller Lite, too.

 

[imoto]

Best item on the buffet - granola with added several types of nuts, raisins and coconut! Dinner buffet - I agree, not that great maybe a C.

Dressel: Dive sites can be repetitive if diving more than 2 a day. I enjoy the larger boat which seems to have more space per diver than the smaller ones.

Thanks for the review. I usually do the Iberostar/Dressel combo (about 6 times or so), but not since 2019. Your review had me thinking of past trips and I could imagine you unloading for the surface interval and a grabbing a quick drink. Wish I was there.

 

[Cozdreamer]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Sounds like you will easily become a Coz-a-hol-ic hooked on the beauty underwater! It's so amazing......

 

[ascott22]

I returned about a month ago from Iberostar and had a completely different experience during my stay. The diving was spectacular, the food was amazing, and the drinks at the end of the day were VERY WELL supplied, however I always asked for their upgraded liquor and an extra shot. Maybe I just got lucky with my bartender?

 

[dflaher]

We went into town one night and had a blast. Saw a great band, had great margaritas and the best al pastor tacos I've ever had for almost no money.

Thanks for the writeup. Do you recall where this was?

 

[scoopscallahan]

Thanks for the writeup. Do you recall where this was?

Tacos at Mr. Taco. I can't remember the bar/band but it was on the main drag in downtown.

 

[dflaher]

I'm betting the bar was the Thirsty Cougar. On the main drag, great margs, and often good music.

 

[backprop]

Close enough to come back to the resort and grab a crappy drink between dives.

Wasn't expecting that!

That feeling about the coral down in that area is what I remembered my first time down in that part of the reef as well. There are still many more 'exotic' destinations to which Cozumel favors comparably.