RLarsen
Guest
I may need to purchase a wetsuit in Cozumel. Any suggestions for the best store ?
How might prices compare to American dive shops ?
Thanks
Rex
How might prices compare to American dive shops ?
Thanks
Rex
Buying dive gear in Cozumel
- Thread starter RLarsen
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mike_s
Contributor
seeing that everything in Cozumel is most likely imported (which required duty tax), things there are most likely going to be more expensive.... you'll more likely get a better deal purchasing before you go.
Just don't unless you have to. Most dive ops will rent you one very reasionably if you dive with them.
Ron
Ron
gratefuljames
Contributor
I wouldn't buy any kind of dive gear in Cozumel, because the prices are too high. If you have to, there are two stores near each other a block off the square...I think one is Dive-Rite and the other is across corners from it...they have good stuff and the prices are the lowest you're going to find there...I am assuming you are there and are stuck for a wetsuit...not to be in disagreement with my fellow boarders (who me?) but, personally, being the OCD freak I am, I would never, ever, put on a wetsuit that has been on someone else, especially in mexico...it would take 100 hurricanes to clean it sufficiently (and even then I would want it boiled and disinfected before I used it)...but that's just me...and they charge you for that? Interesting...anyway, have a great trip!
Amy WJ
Registered
We've found their prices at those two dive shops to be quite competitive. We held off buying one piece of gear until we got home thinking we'd save money buying it online but after adding shipping and tax we found we'd saved nothing by waiting. You've got to know your prices before you buy. That's the only way to know.
Moodiejeff
Contributor
I'll agree to this... i had just bought a Mares X-Vision mask prior to one of our trips. Went into Dive-Rite to browse around and saw the price was actually cheaper than my LDS - about halfway between online prices & LDS prices. Is it that way with all items? That I don't know.Amy WJ:
Wetsuits - Seemed like there were a lot of Mares & Cressi Sub products and maybe some Scubapro as well as some off-brand stuff. I can't remember but I don't think they had top o' the line "hyperstretch" suits but if you wanted to buy a 1mm skin or a 3mm shorty the prices weren't too bad. Maybe not the best deal but by no means were you getting ripped off.
Another not very well known fact (was told by a reputable source) is Dive-Rite and the one kitty corner to it are owned by the same people. Prices will be pretty much the same at both places. Prices will be cheaper if you pay in CASH.
loudives
Contributor
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The 2 stores on the corner of 1st and 5th will have the largest selection for you but they are about 20% higher than stores in US and 40% higher than on line. You may however be able to haggle a lower price since Wilma has cut into their sales. They both handle name brands. There was another store that just opened in sept about 100 yards south of these stores on 5th but don't know what they are like. Liqiud Blue divers just down the block on 5th is run by Michaela and Roberto will rent you a suit, and they clean their suits after every rental and run a great operation.
LOU
LOU
RLarsen:
Moodiejeff
Contributor
As you see, you get different stories from different people. You're really just going to have to check for yourself. In a pinch I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them, prices are pretty competitive IMHO.loudives:
Another example: Last trip I forgot my dive computer at home (I really am an idiot
). It was a Suunto Mosquito...Price at the store in Coz was $499 - Cash price was something like $429.
Leisurepro has it for approx. $340 (incl shipping)
I bet you my LDS sells it for $399 so add tax and you're exactly at Coz prices.
I ended up renting a computer but wouldn't have felt cheated had I bought replacement and paid in cash.
Like I said in my previous post, the mask was marked cheaper than my LDS and that was before any haggling
You wont find any good deals in Cozumel on gear. If you want deals then buy from Leisure Pro before you go and you can send back your order to resize if you need to. Most of the suits I have seen in Cozumel have been old suits from 1-4 years back. I dont believe I have seen any current wetsuits from major mfgs in the shops but come to think of it I have not been in a shop for about a year so take that for what its worth.
