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I've been traveling to this area of Mexico for years and have even done solo trips. There is nothing to be afraid of with getting a cab alone. Just make sure you know in advance how much your trips should be and then ask the driver BEFORE getting in the car. If for whatever reason you don't want to cab it alone, you could always take a collectivo. They run up and down Hwy 307.I was going to dive with Aquanauts in January, but I chickened out on catching a cab by myself and heading there. They don't do hotel pick ups anymore, and I would have had to take a 45min cab ride to meet them. I don't know, maybe too much overseas safety/counterterrorism training at work, but I sort of freaked out at the last minute (probably unnecessarily) at the thought of getting in a cab by myself (too many horror stories of single women getting in a cab in other countries). This said, Aquanauts was great in setting up what probably was going to be a great couple of days of diving. When I didn't show up, they called the hotel to make sure I was okay - it was genuine. Sure, I had to pay for the missed trip, but it was only fair since the boat was filled that day. I really wish I had not chickened out on the cab thing, and I'm booking with a dive shop that will pick me up at the hotel when I go next month, but I definitely thought the people at Aquanauts were caring. Maybe someday????
Not sure who this consensus was formed by!The general consensus is that the diving is better in the areas north of Akumal unless you want to go all the way to Xcalak to the south. Aquanauts has a excellent reputation with the members of this board. One that I can verify from personal experience having had the pleasure of diving with Dennis in the past. You can send Dennis a PM - he is 'Pez de Diablo' on this board.