Alternatives to Cozumel

[mobeachlovers]

We are newly certified divers that have been to Cozumel a few times. We are wondering if there are any other destinations that have as good or better diving (that is good for beginners), and as economical as Cozumel?
Thanks

 

[Cali_diver]

We really enjoyed Belize when we were beginners. First liveaboard too...

 

[BoltSnap]

Better diving (to me) without the currents and you can make many more dives per day than in Cozumel: Bonaire and Curacao.

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

We just got back from Roatan in February. We stayed at Turquoise Bay Resort and dove with their in house op Subway Watersports. If you go to the Roatan section, and search for my username, I wrote a long, positive, review of both.

Better is a highly subjective term, but there were some features that I enjoyed more than Coz. The reefs were very healthy but not as much aquatic life. I prefer more life, but the reefs were amazing. Visability was less (based on the 1 week we were there) Lots of eels and lionfish were everywhere. Everywhere..... Once you showed you had decent buoyancy control, they would let you hunt them. That was lots of fun and they grilled them for us on one outing. The boats were nicer than any I've ever been on. Dive sights were close, unless they weren't. (Most were within 15 minutes) 3 dives a day and a night dive thrown in were included in the package.

We went with a group for 6 days and the total, with air was just under $1500 each. About $500 each more than we spend in Coz. The all inclusive was nice, but we enjoy eating at our favorite places in Coz. The drinks were very good though, get the bar package. Have Monkey LaLa and think of me.

We will go back next year at some point when we catch cheap airfare.

Utilla has a reputation of economical, great diving as well, but I've never been.

Good luck, safe travels,
Jay

 

[lionfish-eater]

The "and economical as" is the hard part.

Bonaire is unlimited diving, but you are on your own if not with a group, maybe not the best choice for newer divers.

Watch for sales and promotional packages to try new places.

 

[mobeachlovers]

Jayfarmlaw, you must be getting better pricing than i find to Coz! With air, hotel and diving we are usually around $1300 each! I would like to find somewhere that price or less where there is good shallow diving (50 feet or less) ,and less current than Coz

 

[flyboy08]

I agree with all the above and will add in Costa Rica as a fun diving destination....I like the Pacific side....Flamingo to be exact,

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

Jayfarmlaw, you must be getting better pricing than i find to Coz! With air, hotel and diving we are usually around $1300 each! I would like to find somewhere that price or less where there is good shallow diving (50 feet or less) ,and less current than Coz

Airfare is the key. I'm usually awake for several hours a night and one of the things I check regularly is airfare. We leave Sunday out of Dallas for $200 each roundtrip on Southwest (2 free big bags each). normally American or United will be within $20 out of OKC which is 20 miles away. I check Dallas and Okc departures and Cozumel and Cancun arrivals. The key is when you find the cheap rate, book it , or put a hold on it, then. Sometimes they change in 10 minutes.

5 days of diving is usually right at $1000 for both of us with the 10% discount for cash. Dive With Martin would save several hundred over Aldora. Casa Mexicana is usually $70-$80 a night, Suites Bahia is around $40 with the same breakfast.

Assuming you could get airfare for $200 ish, bus and ferry adds 40 each so $80, stay at Suites Bahia for $200 for 5 nights, DWM 5 dives is $305. 480 airfare/bus/ferry , 610 diving, 250 ish for hotel, for the budget version your in for less than 1500.

We eat cheap and may splurge one night at Guidos for the scallops. We will hit La Perlita for lion fish or lobster a couple of times. Stock up at Mega for coconut water, beer, and snacks.

Normal airfare is around 400 each...that kills it.

3 days and I will have a cold Bohemia Obscura in my hand!

Jay

 

[mobeachlovers]

I will have to check Southwest. Last time I looked, and.I have looked since I got back from Coz in February, everything out of St Louis to Coz was close to $600 pp for August.
Will also check out other sites mentioned. If on our own in Bonaire then that's out...too new to want to attempt that..
Thanks everyone!

 

[Lorenzoid]

Airfare is what makes Cozumel economical for us. There are enough airlines flying to Cancun that there is actually some competition. Now, if we try to take Delta nonstop from Atlanta (Delta's hub) to Cozumel or Bonaire, we're talking $750-900. When we accumulate airmiles, we use them for Bonaire, because with air travel out of the equation it becomes very economical.

But Bonaire is a desert island with little culture that appeals to us, and mundane food options. Mexico, on the other hand, is vibrant. The food is great. The people are great. That tilts the scales toward Coz for us almost every time.