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This is about right. I have had a few day we didn’t get back until 3 or so, going to Islote on the East side and then a long second dive or something like that, but 1:30 would be pretty typical.

I also like the 117s. Much easier to deal with than the 120s. I have also had good experiences with Betsy. I am looking forward to the free nitrox, which will save me at least enough for a good dinner.

Except that it’s not a question of getting upset. It’s a question of getting the most out of the dives. Would I get upset about diving Palancar Caves again (and again and again)? No. It’s a great dive and better than a lot of what you would see elsewhere in the Caribbean. But it’s more...

I agree! Some other differences include things like dive sites. I first dove with Aldora to get a chance to see Punta Sur, Maracaibo, Barracuda, and other more distant and advanced sites. I remember diving with a shop once that had a set schedule. The “if it’s Tuesday, this must be Palancar...

Dave and Memo were the co-owners of the dive shop. Dave sold his interest in the dive shop, but his family still owns the Villa. Memo is still at the dive shop. There are always some changes in staff, but key people are still there. I was there about a year ago and everything was great. I just...

I always have a lot of luggage, so I make a reservation in advance for a van. I’ve been using Canada Transfers.

Thanks!

Planning a trip to Cozumel this summer flying through Cancun. Delta’s not flying into CZM, I have no interest in American with a layover at DFW (been there, done that, not interested), and I really don’t mind the bag drag. My main concern is transit time from PDC to CUN. I’ll be taking a...

I realize you’ve just booked a trip to Bonaire, but let me offer a slightly different perspective. A Cozumel experience can vary significantly depending on who you are diving with, where you stay, and where you go topside. I’ve been there over 20 times. On trip number 4 or 5, I told my wife I...

Thanks, Dave! I always stay at the Villa, so I will be taking advantage of this extra benefit.

Things may have changed, but when I first started staying at the Villa, you had to be diving with Aldora to get a room there. I have stayed there at least twelve times and have never seen any other dive boats there. The shore dive is nice. It’s very shallow, but you may be surprised at what you...

No food service on-site or very close. Nobody really opens early enough for a 7:30 pickup anyway. All of the rooms have at least a fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. Several have full kitchens. I always fix my own breakfast. Sometimes yogurt and granola, sometimes eggs, sometimes breakfast...

Consider Villa Aldora. You will get picked up right there. Like so many other places, it’s ironshore, but they have built a beach with a nice palapa. There are steps and a ladder to access the water. Because it’s ironshore, there is good snorkeling out front and they keep tanks on-site for shore...

There’s an HSBC on the square and several other banks in easy walking distance, maybe a BanaMex and a ScotiaBank. I always use the ATM at a bank, not the free-standing ATMs b

I would recommend Aldora for newer divers as well as experienced divers. With seven boats, they can do a good job of matching divers of similar experience and interests. A few times when I wanted to dive in the afternoon or at night, they’ve only had enough divers for one boat and have asked if...

I used Isis for years, including a couple of trips after Margarita passed away, but switched to Fiesta for my last trip. I got a newer car in better shape for about the same price. The service was good and they met me at the ferry pier. I could recommend either, but would probably go with Fiesta...

Mega (and Chedraui) require customers to check any bags (backpacks, tote bags, etc.) they bring in, so there is definitely a place to check things. I have no idea how accommodating they would be for your luggage. I guess that depends on what you have. Personally, I don’t know how to pack light...

This may just be piling on at this point, but I have a slight preference for Mega. I stay north of town and always rent a car, so distance doesn’t mean much. Mega looks nicer, has better lighting, etc., which, admittedly, doesn’t make the food any better. Mega does have a more interesting beer...

Sorry, I don’t know the exact weight/buoyancy difference between the 120s and 117s. I‘m sure someone will chime in. I know that I use no weight with either one, and I wear a 5 mil suit, plus a hooded vest, plus a 1 mil shirt.

Aldora still has 120s and 100s. They added the 117s to the mix. I’ll still use the 120s, but much prefer the 117s. It’s easier to gear up with the shorter tank and to manage trim.