Banco Chinchorro - any dive operator recommendations?

[cavew0man]

Has anyone been down to Banco Chinchorro this year? Thinking of making a short trip down there. I see XTC quite a bit on searches, and am just wondering if there are other options as well. Thanks....

 

[billeelou]

www.mayapalms.com out of Missouri- they have a resort just south of Mahahual....

Now wait for the Trolls from that area.....

 

[Gaviota]

XTC in Xcalak does offer some very good service. I think they are the only ones offering servce to Chinchorro. Xcalak is a nice small village with some excellent choices for lodging.

Mahahual, the town you pass on the way to Xcalak (60 km south of Mahahual) does offer some alternatives. Several good dive operations in town - Bucanero del Caribe (local owned) - Dreamtime - Blue Ocean Safari. We have used all of the above for local dives, all are fine. And have used Bucanero for Chinchorro trips. Many options for lodging - almost all are much less than $100 usd per room night. Depending on when you go - some are offering special deals for low season (Sept- early December)
Grand Costa Maya . Mahahual, Chetumal, Riviera Maya, Arqueología, Mexico, Cerca de Cancun, Visit Mexico (in spanish but you get use links)

The largest issue is usually getting enough divers together to make the trip to Chinchorro. Most of the ops will not go with less than 6 divers. This is because of the distance / gas used to get to Chinchorro. Also, ask if the dive op will offer a 3 tank dive - makes the trip really worth the time.

We will be in Mahahual between 4 -11 October - There will be 4 divers - PM if you are interested in making the Chinchorro trip.

 

[cavew0man]

XTC in Xcalak does offer some very good service. I think they are the only ones offering servce to Chinchorro. Xcalak is a nice small village with some excellent choices for lodging.

Mahahual, the town you pass on the way to Xcalak (60 km south of Mahahual) does offer some alternatives. Several good dive operations in town - Bucanero del Caribe (local owned) - Dreamtime - Blue Ocean Safari. We have used all of the above for local dives, all are fine. And have used Bucanero for Chinchorro trips. Many options for lodging - almost all are much less than $100 usd per room night. Depending on when you go - some are offering special deals for low season (Sept- early December)
Grand Costa Maya . Mahahual, Chetumal, Riviera Maya, Arqueología, Mexico, Cerca de Cancun, Visit Mexico (in spanish but you get use links)

The largest issue is usually getting enough divers together to make the trip to Chinchorro. Most of the ops will not go with less than 6 divers. This is because of the distance / gas used to get to Chinchorro. Also, ask if the dive op will offer a 3 tank dive - makes the trip really worth the time.

We will be in Mahahual between 4 -11 October - There will be 4 divers - PM if you are interested in making the Chinchorro trip.

Just talked to XTC, and they will go with min 4 divers, which is great, $165 USD + 10% IVA for three tanks.

It is SUPER low season down here right now, and looks like there's a number of room choices in the $80 area.

We'll probably head down some time next week, and if it's worth a second trip to see more of it, I will definitely PM you! Thanks.

 

[Gaviota]

The other thing, at least for me, has been the weather. Had planned on numerous times to go to Chinchorro, but weather and wind conditions prevented us from going. The other good thing is weather during this time, low season, are usually fairly good. Before the norte of December / January. It can be a long passage if the sea is rough.

Thanks for the info on XTC - good to know they will go with 4.