Best bang for the buck in Cozumel?

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V

vacationtimesoon

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Hi all,
Wonder if anyone can give some advice. I have been searching for a couple of days and seem just more unsure than when I started.
I have a family of 6, husband and kids age 18, 19,23 24 all certified divers. We are going to Cozumel to dive on June 5 for 3 or 4 nights, depending on expense. Is it less expensive to book a room and then dives or is an inclusive resort the best bet? I started by looking at "at home in cozumel condo" and "papahogs dive center". After finding the postings in here, I am thinking....not.... anyway, does anyone out there have a dive co. or a inclusive resort that they would recommend? Is there a preferred beach on the south that we should gear towards?
 
Coz has many many options. Are you looking to do the trip as cheap as possible or just looking for a reasonably priced trip for a group of 6 divers? I guess more info would help.

The only AI that includes diving that I'm aware of is Scuba Club and that has different food/drink packages. Most AIs don't include diving.

The AI's that are less expensive, southern and have a beach are Allegro and Wyndham. But neither are the cheapest way to stay in Cozumel. Also, all southern hotels are a way from town and have expensive cab rides into town.

As for dive ops, I don't endorse these guys, but Dive Paradise has some of the better hotel/dive packages for the $. Still not an all inclusive package. They tend to affiliate themselves with smaller downtown hotels.

Dive With Martin is a less expensive dive op. Many folks like the Blue Angel hotel/dive combo.

Give more info and maybe you can get more accurate help.

Oh...Welcome to SB.

PH
 
Thank you everyone for your help. You have been very much so. Here is where I am.... we have decided either to stay at Safari Inn or Barracuda Hotel. Even though the Barracuda is more $, the idea of a pool and perhaps a bit more of a comfortable setting is worth the difference. The problem is that Barracuda uses Dive Paradise and I find many negative reviews on them. Safari uses Aqua Divers and this shop gets much better reviews. Any feeling on this....seems to price out substantially higher when I do not book it as a package. Also, any advice on "Fast boats" vs. "Slow boats". I found some info that was emphatic about only the fast boats but with no explanation. Thank you in advance for any advice.
 
I am interested in this as well - anybody have any experience they could share on the OPs latest question? I've read that sometimes the "fast boats" go to dive sites further away and often times better.

And what about Dive Paradise vs Safari thoughts?

Thanks all!!
 
All I have to offer is an opinion. With a group of kids on a budget I would opt for Hotel Cozumel (NOT all inclusive). Maybe do AI for the kids and not for adults. You will want to explore San Miguel and eat out most every night . . . I think.

Hotel Cozumel has a giant pool, pool bar and somewhat of a beach. It's not Cancun, but you can lie in the sun and look at the water. Snorkeling is done right off the pier. Hotel Cozumel is my favorite place in Coz . . . having said that I'm looking for an alternative because I've done it so many times.

Short of spending $1500 per person, you will not find a better hotel with a nice pool.

Dive Paradise is a top quality dive op. They pick you up at the Hotel Coz pier. They have mostly slow boats, but they take you to the southern dive sites. It just takes longer. I like the boat ride myself to sort of get my head in the game if you know what I mean. I like to listen to all the people brag about their diving skills and then watch them surface after 20 minutes with 200 psi.

Fast boats are really skiffs with an outboard motor. No top, no bano, no relaxing surface interval. They're fast and all business. Get you there, do your diving fast and get you back to the hotel . . . to do what? Sit around and wonder what to do with the rest of your day.

S4S
 
I learned several years ago to book the airfare and hotel through Expedia (or generic equivalent). You will save about $100 to $200 per person. Book your diving directly with the dive operator. Email them to make a reservation and then pay when you arrive. It's usually about $60 per day ball park. Ask them for a package and it is slightly cheaper.

Dive Paradise, Cozumel MX

S4S
 
Another option is to rent a house if you have a lot of people - We looked at VRBO is Vacation Rentals By Owner and found some pretty good deal, and negotiated the weekly rate with the owner. As far as dive ops, I do not recommend Blue Angel. We made a mistake of going with them because of their pricing, but again you get what you pay for... So stay away from them! We also dive with a local guy and his crew. A bit on the expensive side ($100/person for 2 tanks compare to $55 with Blue Angel) but well worth it.
Hope this help!
 
vacationtimesoon:
Also, any advice on "Fast boats" vs. "Slow boats". I found some info that was emphatic about only the fast boats but with no explanation. Thank you in advance for any advice.
Click to expand...

I was talking with a travel agent at my LDS yesterday, and she is an advocate of the fast boats. The fast boats take smaller groups and the dive op she was talking about tends to group the more experienced divers on the fast boats.
 
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https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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