Cancun to Coz

[rcwei]

I will have a conference at Cancun in the begining of December, as from the impression of this board, it is not much to dive over there. So I am thinking of taking a day trip dive to Coz during the meeting, does anyone know a good dive shop at Cancun has this kind of tour? A web site of the shop can help, thank!!

Vincent

 

[Rooster1]

this is a great link to get you going with all the info you need

http://www.cozumel.travelnotes.cc/cgi-local/index.cgi

 

[Kat]

I am not aware of any Cancun operation that will take you to Coz. (it's too far from Cancun) It has always been my experience that you need to get yourself to Coz. via ferry or puddle jumper at airport. Then hook up w/ the dive operation of your choice.

If you take the ferry, head S. to Playa del Carmen. Do NOT take the ferry in Puerto Morelos. Even though it's closer to Cancun, it is very slow moving & will end up taking longer than if you'd gone to Playa. (it's got more water to cover & is a slow moving car ferry)

I know that Mexicana has a flight from Cancun to Coz but do not know prices, times or any of those important details.

 

[DocVikingo]

.... for a day trip. AquaWorld http://www.aquaworld.com.mx/ comes immediatey to mind. This won't be as adventuresome as doing it on your own, but will be a lot smoother & easier.

If you do decide to take yourself over, here's exactly how it's done & what it costs. From a posting I did elsewhere:

"1. Fly from Cancun to Cozumel: approximately 20 minutes flying time.

Aerocaribe and Aerocozumel with Mexicana Airlines flies directly from the Cancun (domestic airport) to Cozumel. Current cost one-way is $60 US. You can book directly online or with your travel agent. Schedules and fares are available online: www.aerocaribe.com .

2. Airport Transfer "Collectivo" or minivan direct from Cancun airport to Playa Del Carmen (approximately 45 minutes traveling time), then Ferry to Cozumel (approximately 40-50 minutes traveling time). Current cost is $15 US per person.

After baggage pick-up, as you walk towards the exit, there will be booths for transportation and taxis. At the booth, ask for a collectivo to Playa Del Carmen. You pay at the booth, receive a ticket and then proceed outside to where the minivans are. They will take your ticket and load your luggage. As soon as one van is filled, the van departs. The vans are readily available all day long.

3. Express Bus from Cancun Airport or downtowm Coz bus station to Playa Del Carmen Bus Terminal (Traveling time is the same as in #2)

As soon as you pass immigration (green/red button) just after the transportation pavillions and just before the outdoors, there is a stand that says Express Bus to Playa Del Carmen. 65 pesos or $7.50 US. Purchase a ticket and there will be greyhound like buses outside. They are scheduled.

From Cancun

10:30am 11:30am 12:30pm 1:30pm 2:30pm 4:30pm 5:30pm 6:30pm 7:30pm 8:30pm 9:30pm

From Playa Del Carmen

7:00am 8:00am 9:00am 10:30am 11:45am 1:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:15pm 7:30pm

Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel (40-45 minutes traveling time)

Then from Playa Del Carmen, take the ferry to Cozumel Island. The ferry boat ride is about 40 minutes on the large boats and the about 50 minutes on the smaller, local ferry. Cost is the same for tourists. It docks right at the heart of the city, San Miguel in Cozumel. Current cost is $80 pesos.

Daily Ferry Schedule (Central Standard Time)

Cozumel Island to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico Morning 5 am 7 am 8 am 9 am 10 am 12 pm
Afternoon 2 pm 4 pm 5 pm 6 pm 8 pm 10pm

Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel Island, Mexico Morning 6am 8am 9 am 10 am 11 am
Afternoon 1 pm 3 pm 5 pm 6 pm 7 pm 9 pm 11 pm"

As for dive Coz ops, I recommend Deep Blue http://www.deepbluecozumel.com/ & Caballitos de Mar.

Helpful?

DocVikingo

 

[Natasha]

Doc:
I see www.deepbluecozumel is hooked up with Lorena Hotel. Have you ever been there?
It also says there is a shore dive right in front of the resort. Do you know which one this is?
Thx!
PS I have used Aquaworld with no problems.

 

[Dee]

I think you must me old as Methuselah to have amassed your travel info from around the world!

This is the first set of explicit directions I've seen for getting from the mainland to Coz.

Thanks

 

[DocVikingo]

Deep Blue http://www.deepbluecozumel.com/ gave up its satellite office at the Hotel Lorena almost a year ago. Another op then cycled through, and for about the past 6 months it's been Blue Angel Scuba (Alex & Alex's op) http://www.cozumel-diving.net/alex-alex/ (I recommend them). However, the hotel offers packages with Living Underwater http://www.living-underwater.com/home.shtml (owners are friends), although this dive op caters heavily to advanced to very advanced divers.

Arlene Bunch recently bought out her partner, and told me she is renaming the Hotel Lorena "La Reina" http://lorenahotel.com/ , but no website or signage change has occured yet. Anyway, I have stayed there twice before & am there again over this Thanksgiving. Nothing fancy, but fully serviceable. Good A/C, plenty of hot water, kept very clean, super staff. My main gripes are the very limited onsite restaurant & lack of a bar, and its distance from major food & cheap tequila. However, you can make the long walk south to the Hog Town Cafe (owned by Candian ex-pats Mike & Margaret, who also own Papa Hog's Dive Emporium). Excellent casual food at good prices http://www.papahogs.com/noframes/hogtown.htm .

Yes, the shore dive out front is an extension of the Villa Blanca Wall to the north, and it's not a bad one at all. Just watch the the current lest you exit at the Iberostar.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[DocVikingo]

Leaving aside the Methuselah part, that was most kind of you to say.

While I am not still a youth, a sizeable segment of my travel info derives from how I travel. When I go somewhere, I make an effort to check out as many hotels, dive ops, tourist sites, eateries, etc., as I can. I'm pretty much on the go from early morning to late evening.

For example, last time I went to Grand Turk I stayed at 3 hotels, visited all of the rest & dove with all 3 ops on the island. It's more hassle than simply staying put, but it really expands your knowledge base.

Maybe I'll slow down some as I age.

Be well.

DocVikingo

 

[Dee]

DocVikingo once bubbled...
Leaving aside the Methuselah part, that was most kind of you to say....

The Methuselah comment was made with much respect and high regard, as I hope you know. Not for your physical age, of which I can only guess, but for your ageless enthusiasm and great heart.

The amount of information you share is amazing! I've come to depend on your evaluations and knowledge when planning my trips. I've always wondered just how you managed to cover so much.

The last time I was in Coz, we were sitting at Ernesto's and overheard your name. The couple next to us had a printed list of your restaurant suggestions and one of Perry's Can-Do maps. They were planning where to eat for the rest of their week's stay. I didn't know them from any of the boards but they had found your listing on Google!

Take care....
Dee

 

[DocVikingo]

Thanks for sharing that amusing story.

And again thanks for the kind words.

Best regards.

DocVikingo