Akumal, Playa Del Carmen, Coz Questions

[AmyLyne]

Just got open water certified over the weekend! Woohoo!

Later this month we are going to the Riviera Maya. We are staying in Akumal. Want to go diving in Coz. What is the best way to get there? Any recommendations for Dive Ops in Coz?

Need to be sure a bus is available outside the gates of our resort in Akumal to take us to Playa Del Carmen to get on the ferry to Coz. Anyone have experience, suggestions, pricing?

Thank you!
Amy

 

[Gayter]

Just got open water certified over the weekend! Woohoo!

Later this month we are going to the Riviera Maya. We are staying in Akumal. Want to go diving in Coz. What is the best way to get there? Any recommendations for Dive Ops in Coz?

Need to be sure a bus is available outside the gates of our resort in Akumal to take us to Playa Del Carmen to get on the ferry to Coz. Anyone have experience, suggestions, pricing?

Thank you!
Amy

When we were there last fall the Ferry to Cozumel only cost 15 bucks round trip. Not sure what the Taxi will run though.

 

[DandyDon]

When we were there last fall the Ferry to Cozumel only cost 15 bucks round trip. Not sure what the Taxi will run though.

$15 round-trip? I don't think so.

Never buy a round-trip ticket. Now this is a long story, but I'll explain...

PDC to Coz has long had two ferry companies with a non-compete agreement that shared schedules. They charge $10.50 one-way or $21 round-trip so no savings for buying a round-trip - but then you are stuck waiting for that company's boat, as they generally take turns. See Cozumel Ferry Schedules: Cozumel and Playa del Carmen

The new ferry company is cheaper, 135 Pesos or about $8.50 one-way, they start earlier, run later, and generally run between the times of the other companies. See https://www.facebook.com/barcoscaribe?fref=photo

My choice has always been the next one leaving - whichever? Anyway, the schedules at the links will give you an idea of when you can probably go, weather and other variables allowing.

Just got open water certified over the weekend! Woohoo!

Later this month we are going to the Riviera Maya. We are staying in Akumal. Want to go diving in Coz. What is the best way to get there? Any recommendations for Dive Ops in Coz?

Need to be sure a bus is available outside the gates of our resort in Akumal to take us to Playa Del Carmen to get on the ferry to Coz. Anyone have experience, suggestions, pricing?

Thank you!
Amy

You sure you don't want a rental car? How are you getting from the Cancun airport to Akumal? I have an email contact for a great van guy if you need to arrange transportation, cheapest I've seen and dependable, but back to your questions...

Ado bus is very popular in Mexico but I won't go into detail as they do not stop in Akumal. Akumal is 38 Km/24 miles from PDC so taxi service would be a little pricey, depending on negotiation skills - really, can vary greatly.*

I see on TripAdvisor that Riveria buses run from the Cancun airport to Akumal, pretty cheap at $6.50, and are probably nice: Akumal: Arriving & Departing - TripAdvisor Getting from Akumal to PDC & back is done on Mayab bus or a "Collectivo." Mayab bus doesn't have a schedule online, maybe not at all, and the shared vans are pot luck on time & room. See Where can I find the Mayab bus schedule from PDC to Akumal? - Akumal Forum - TripAdvisor

You really need a rental car, but ask your resort what they know about bus services. For car rentals, I use Easyway with all inclusive insurance. Easy Way Cancun Car Rental | your Cancun Airport Rental Car

Before I forget, look at Can-do maps. You might want to select the one that seems most helpful. http://www.cancunmap.com/

I can't suggest any particular dive Ops in PDC but there are many good ones. You can browse the threads here. For Cozumel, the list of great dive Ops is a long one, and again - I'll suggest looking over threads on the Cozumel forum here. For both destinations, I do have a few suggestions that extremely important...

1: Get DAN dive insurance, or Dive Assure. Keep your ID card handy at all times and keep their benefits in mind - including non-diving risks & benefits.

2: For the first 2-tank trip out, hire a private DM. Money well spent to help keep you safe as you learn about boat diving, ocean diving in general, wicked currents that happen at times in the channel there, etc.

3: It still amazes me that I see divers without SMBs & storm whistles. I carry those and more, but always carry those.
​

If you give more info on your party, resort, length of stay, etc. we may be able to help more.

*For example, my van guy mentioned above charged me $20 from downtown Cancun to the airport last month, but when I first got to Cancun - several hours late after Texas weather delays, had planned to take the Ado bus to town then a cab to my dentist office, I was stuck. Arriving as late as I did, I grabbed a cab - for $60! I was at the airport, needed one then, and had n leverage.

 

[jmb]

Another option might be Tank Ha Dive Shop in Playa which goes over to Cozumel for a 2-tank dive. This would avoid having to take the ferry, and is much easier. The staff at Tank Ha have always been great - very professional, safe and fun to dive with. Have a great time whatever you decide !

 

[AmyLyne]

$15 round-trip? I don't think so.

Never buy a round-trip ticket. Now this is a long story, but I'll explain...

PDC to Coz has long had two ferry companies with a non-compete agreement that shared schedules. They charge $10.50 one-way or $21 round-trip so no savings for buying a round-trip - but then you are stuck waiting for that company's boat, as they generally take turns. See Cozumel Ferry Schedules: Cozumel and Playa del Carmen

The new ferry company is cheaper, 135 Pesos or about $8.50 one-way, they start earlier, run later, and generally run between the times of the other companies. See https://www.facebook.com/barcoscaribe?fref=photo

My choice has always been the next one leaving - whichever? Anyway, the schedules at the links will give you an idea of when you can probably go, weather and other variables allowing.


You sure you don't want a rental car? How are you getting from the Cancun airport to Akumal? I have an email contact for a great van guy if you need to arrange transportation, cheapest I've seen and dependable, but back to your questions...

Ado bus is very popular in Mexico but I won't go into detail as they do not stop in Akumal. Akumal is 38 Km/24 miles from PDC so taxi service would be a little pricey, depending on negotiation skills - really, can vary greatly.*

I see on TripAdvisor that Riveria buses run from the Cancun airport to Akumal, pretty cheap at $6.50, and are probably nice: Akumal: Arriving & Departing - TripAdvisor Getting from Akumal to PDC & back is done on Mayab bus or a "Collectivo." Mayab bus doesn't have a schedule online, maybe not at all, and the shared vans are pot luck on time & room. See Where can I find the Mayab bus schedule from PDC to Akumal? - Akumal Forum - TripAdvisor

You really need a rental car, but ask your resort what they know about bus services. For car rentals, I use Easyway with all inclusive insurance. Easy Way Cancun Car Rental | your Cancun Airport Rental Car

Before I forget, look at Can-do maps. You might want to select the one that seems most helpful. http://www.cancunmap.com/

I can't suggest any particular dive Ops in PDC but there are many good ones. You can browse the threads here. For Cozumel, the list of great dive Ops is a long one, and again - I'll suggest looking over threads on the Cozumel forum here. For both destinations, I do have a few suggestions that extremely important...

1: Get DAN dive insurance, or Dive Assure. Keep your ID card handy at all times and keep their benefits in mind - including non-diving risks & benefits.

2: For the first 2-tank trip out, hire a private DM. Money well spent to help keep you safe as you learn about boat diving, ocean diving in general, wicked currents that happen at times in the channel there, etc.

3: It still amazes me that I see divers without SMBs & storm whistles. I carry those and more, but always carry those.
​

If you give more info on your party, resort, length of stay, etc. we may be able to help more.

*For example, my van guy mentioned above charged me $20 from downtown Cancun to the airport last month, but when I first got to Cancun - several hours late after Texas weather delays, had planned to take the Ado bus to town then a cab to my dentist office, I was stuck. Arriving as late as I did, I grabbed a cab - for $60! I was at the airport, needed one then, and had n leverage.

Wow! Thank you for all that information! I never thought about a rental car. LOL. You are right! We spend $118 on roundtrip transportation from the airport to the resort. If we rent a car it's only $150 for the 8 days we will be there. I'm definitely going to cancel the transportation we have reserved and reserve a car instead. THANK YOU! That will save a lot of headache and making travel arrangements to get anywhere we want to go.

Also, thanks for the reminder about DAN diving insurance. I'll get that taken care of today.

We are staying at the Grand Bahia Principe Tulum in Akumal. I seen that there is a dive shop there and also Akumal Dive Shop is close. So we will probably arrange a dive through them with a private DM. Good info!

Thanks again. Your response was very helpful!
Amy

 

[AmyLyne]

Another option might be Tank Ha Dive Shop in Playa which goes over to Cozumel for a 2-tank dive. This would avoid having to take the ferry, and is much easier. The staff at Tank Ha have always been great - very professional, safe and fun to dive with. Have a great time whatever you decide !

Thank you for that Dive Shop info! I'll check into that as well. I've been to Mexico about 5 times now but, this will be the first time for diving. We are super excited about it!

---------- Post added July 2nd, 2015 at 11:34 AM ----------

Thank you for the awesome information. I made a post earlier but it didn't show up! Anyways, I never thought about renting a car instead of taking the bus or taxis! I am certainly going to do this instead. It only make sense for me when I look at the headache of trying to arrange transportation. We purchased round trip transportation to and from the airport / resort for $120. I can get a rental car for not much more.

I'll definitely plan on using a DM for our dives and DAN insurance.

Thanks again! Your information is so useful to me!~
Amy

 

[TSandM]

Just one question . . . why are you staying in Akumal, and diving on Cozumel? There is good diving off the mainland, too, and it's logistically a whole lot simpler to do that. Akumal is a half hour, at least, south of PDC. If you have a rental car, you have to find parking, and if you have any gear with you, you have to carry it from where you park to the ferry. It's doable -- I did it the other way, when we went to Coz and dove the cenotes -- but it's a bit of a pain, when you have good diving so much closer.

Also, just a word to the wise on rental cars . . . the deals on line look great. Until you get there, and they add mandatory insurances and taxes, which will at least double the cost, and sometimes more. You cannot waive those insurances, and there is no coverage you can buy in the US that will substitute for them. Often, the single biggest cost item in one of our MX trips is the car.

 

[AmyLyne]

Just one question . . . why are you staying in Akumal, and diving on Cozumel? There is good diving off the mainland, too, and it's logistically a whole lot simpler to do that. Akumal is a half hour, at least, south of PDC. If you have a rental car, you have to find parking, and if you have any gear with you, you have to carry it from where you park to the ferry. It's doable -- I did it the other way, when we went to Coz and dove the cenotes -- but it's a bit of a pain, when you have good diving so much closer.

Also, just a word to the wise on rental cars . . . the deals on line look great. Until you get there, and they add mandatory insurances and taxes, which will at least double the cost, and sometimes more. You cannot waive those insurances, and there is no coverage you can buy in the US that will substitute for them. Often, the single biggest cost item in one of our MX trips is the car.

Good question. We have decided to scuba on the mainland instead of Cozumel. I called my Visa CC company about the rental car coverage, and they said that if I deny the coverage offered by the car rental place they cover any accidents and/or theft up to $50,000. But, they don't cover medical expenses in case of accident. So it appears that we will get the coverage from the car rental company. It just makes sense for us to rent a car since we will be there for 8 days and plan on doing a lot of activities from Cancun to Tulum!

 

[DandyDon]

I called my Visa CC company about the rental car coverage, and they said that if I deny the coverage offered by the car rental place they cover any accidents and/or theft up to $50,000. But, they don't cover medical expenses in case of accident. So it appears that we will get the coverage from the car rental company. It just makes sense for us to rent a car since we will be there for 8 days and plan on doing a lot of activities from Cancun to Tulum!

Too, if you decline agency insurance and rely on CC coverage, then have a wreck - you have to pay all damages before you can leave, and later file claims with the CC coverage, with forms in Spanish. Most agencies charge a lot for insurance, but it's safer.

If your medical coverage does not cover Mexico travel, I'd get trip insurance that does. I like Travel Safe. DAN membership also gives some ground coverage, but not enough to rely on.

 

[TSandM]

You can decline collision, and we do. But you can't, by Mexican law, decline the liability insurance, which is the expensive chunk. Just figure a rental car will end up costing you at least twice what the on-line come-ons suggest you are going to pay.