Akumal

[HammerNoMore]

Ok, after playing around with the idea of the eastern Caribbean, we've changed tracks and gone back to the old standby of Mexico. (I couldn't turn down the single hop 3 hour charter flight with a 7 month old). I've booked a week in Akumal in early may (thanks to the help of our resident travel agent, Natasha).

I'm hoping to spend a couple of days with Zero Gravity and finally get around to my fundies course. :jump013: I'll also spend a day in a cenote, possibly also with Zero Gravity. So that leaves me with who to do my ocean dives with for the rest of the trip.

I'll be staying at the Bahia. I've seen one good report on the on site operator, anyone else have experience or a better recomendation? I notice that all of the shops I've found so far do 3 single tank dives daily, which is an odd way to go. Do any shops do 2 tank dives? As always I'm looking for six-packs and the ability to dive my own air. Is there any shore diving in the area? Or better yet at the resort?

And this leads me to food. The Bahia is AI, and we'll definatly use that some, but assuming the AI here is as "good" as Cozumel, I'll definatly be eating out as well. Does anyone have any good restraunt suggestions for PDC, Akumal, Tulum, etc?

Any other suggestions for the area?

 

[azcaddman]

Ok, after playing around with the idea of the eastern Caribbean, we've changed tracks and gone back to the old standby of Mexico. (I couldn't turn down the single hop 3 hour charter flight with a 7 month old). I've booked a week in Akumal in early may (thanks to the help of our resident travel agent, Natasha).

I'm hoping to spend a couple of days with Zero Gravity and finally get around to my fundies course. :jump013: I'll also spend a day in a cenote, possibly also with Zero Gravity. So that leaves me with who to do my ocean dives with for the rest of the trip.

I'll be staying at the Bahia. I've seen one good report on the on site operator, anyone else have experience or a better recomendation? I notice that all of the shops I've found so far do 3 single tank dives daily, which is an odd way to go. Do any shops do 2 tank dives? As always I'm looking for six-packs and the ability to dive my own air. Is there any shore diving in the area? Or better yet at the resort?

And this leads me to food. The Bahia is AI, and we'll definatly use that some, but assuming the AI here is as "good" as Cozumel, I'll definatly be eating out as well. Does anyone have any good restraunt suggestions for PDC, Akumal, Tulum, etc?

Any other suggestions for the area?

Say 'Hi' to danny & christoph for Me (art & karen) they're great instructors.

For reef diving, we've used the akumal dive center (right in akumal, next to resturaunt on beach). Nothing fancy, but not bad.

Resturants.. Cafe Del Mar (but bring bug spray), the beach resturant in akumal (next to dive shop).. great mango margaritas.. La Buena Vida (half moon bay - just up from akumal), Casa Cenote (a bit off the highway, just north of tulum)

I recomend getting the maps from here I got the Riviera Maya one, and the PDC, both list all of the above resturants, and the reviews seem to be accurate.

check here and here for some photo's from our last 2 trips there (the 2nd one has some shots of training w/danny)

 

[HammerNoMore]

I recomend getting the maps from here I got the Riviera Maya one, and the PDC, both list all of the above resturants, and the reviews seem to be accurate.

I've already ordered the PDC and RM maps. Got their Cozumel map for the last trip and loved it. Those maps are packed with way more information than any travel books I've found!

James

 

[HammerNoMore]

Ok, since ZG decided to blow me off, I'm looking for a different dive shop now. The in-house op is Bahia Divers. Anyone have any experience with them? The in-house op would be so much more convienient.

Two other questions:

How are their Cenote trips? They say they need 3 people. I'll be diving alone so what are the odds of being able to get a trip?

What is the deal with all the Akumal shops only doing 1 tank dives?

James

 

[LC-Rider]

Ok, since ZG decided to blow me off, I'm looking for a different dive shop now. The in-house op is Bahia Divers. Anyone have any experience with them? The in-house op would be so much more convienient.

Two other questions:

How are their Cenote trips? They say they need 3 people. I'll be diving alone so what are the odds of being able to get a trip?

What is the deal with all the Akumal shops only doing 1 tank dives?

James

Hi James,

I have dove with the Bahia Divers while on vacation during the last part of November and into December of 2004.

It was very convenient to use them as they are right on the Bahia Principe's resort and their prices were better than most of the other dive ops.

I had a very good experience with them.

There was usually no problem getting in on the cenote dives or any of the reef dives as long as you sign up early for them.

Please feel free to PM with any questions.

Tom

 

[KidK9]

Well, as always, I recommend Dennis at Diablo Divers

 

[HammerNoMore]

Well, as always, I recommend Dennis at Diablo Divers

Yea I've heard great things about Dennis. That's my backup choice fer shur.

However, if the on site op is good, I'd rather not cab it to the shop. I'll be down with my wife and 7 month old baby (by then). The less time I spend away from them, the happier my vacation will be if you know what I mean


BTW, Dennis, I know you are active on here, so I'd love to hear why I should take the cab ride .

James

 

[DiverG]

Ok, since ZG decided to blow me off, I'm looking for a different dive shop now. The in-house op is Bahia Divers. Anyone have any experience with them? The in-house op would be so much more convienient.

Two other questions:

How are their Cenote trips? They say they need 3 people. I'll be diving alone so what are the odds of being able to get a trip?

What is the deal with all the Akumal shops only doing 1 tank dives?

James

Have you checked with our own Pez de Diablo? I used him in July for a cenote trip, and had a great time. I believe he'll take only one person if that's all there is. On my trip there was only two of us, and he cooked us lunch in between cenote dives.

 

[DiverG]

Yea I've heard great things about Dennis. That's my backup choice fer shur.

However, if the on site op is good, I'd rather not cab it to the shop. I'll be down with my wife and 7 month old baby (by then). The less time I spend away from them, the happier my vacation will be if you know what I mean


BTW, Dennis, I know you are active on here, so I'd love to hear why I should take the cab ride .

James

Cab ride? Dennis provides personalized service. He'll probably pick you up in his A/C Chevy 4 door 4x4 truck?

 

[AmyJ]

Ya, Dennis will offer to pick you up! And he is great in the cenotes! WE did Dos Ojos and a reef dive with him in October. Great Service!!!!