alcina:
These are, I think, our top two choices. I would appreciate any input on these properties. I know Caribe Blu is a short taxi to town and the Casa offers a full breakfast...but from what I can find so far the room rates are roughly $40 - $50 more per night at Casa...that is one expensive breakfast & cab fare.
Any info to help with the final decision is great...
I have never stayed at Casa Mexicana, but I have gone in there and looked around. I have stayed at Caribe Blu many times, as La Perla, Lorena, and Caribe Blu. They are very different.
Casa Mexicana is a bit plush, more like a hotel in the States. It is up an escalator from the street just south of the middle of town. There is a lot of common area, with a nice courtyard and second floor indoor swimming pool, elevators, and a bit of a "swanky" feel. It provides no easy access to the water, but you can easily walk to many restaurants. There is no dive shop on the premises, and it is a long ways from any dive boat pickup if you are walking with gear.
Caribe Blu is a little rustic, but the rooms are clean and air conditioned, and the beds are comfortable. It is right on the water with its own dock, so it is a short walk to the dive boat no matter which of the only 21 rooms you are staying in. It has a nice pool and deck area, a dive shop (Blue Angel, owned by the same folks - high marks from me) with a snack bar up over it, and a small beach area with easy access to the water. There is decent snorkeling and shore diving to be found right there. Every room has a glass wall overlooking the water, and there are hammocks under palm trees on the grounds. A cab ride to town is 35 pesos.
To me, Caribe Blu wins hands down, but YMMV according to what sort of experience you are looking for.
Cheers,
