Considering the Casa del Mar for a one week stay and was wondering if anyone has stayed there lately and their impressions. Also, has anyone had the meal plan? Is it within walking distance of town? If not what would the cab fare be? Are there many restaurants within walking distance of the Casa del Mar? Thanks for any info!
Casa del Mar - Food & Location?
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DjDiverDan
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i've been staying at the Casa Del Mar for a week in each of the last 5 or 6 Decembers. It's been a group trip each time - anywhere from 8-18 people, all staying at the Casa Del Mar, all diving with Dive with Martin, and most of us gathering for meals at various restaurants. In general, I like Casa Del Mar. It has nice comfortable rooms - get a Superior Room, NOT the Standard, which are smaller, dingier, and overlook the parking lot in back; my personal preference is ground floor, so I can walk out my sliding glass door for a quick dip in the pool or to go to breakfast, while others prefer an upstairs room with a balcony to hang out their wetsuits to dry - up to you. It has a nice pool area and a decent breakfast, and is convenient to diving. When I've been there, Breakfast was included in the room price. Rooms do not have minifridge, which to me is a downside, unless you upgrade to the more expensive Cabana Rooms.
I have never used the Meal Plan there, and with Cozumel's wealth of good restaurants, I probably never will. You can walk to Downtown from CDM, but it is a hike - I'm guessing maybe 2 miles. It's a long walk. Taxi fares from CDM to Centro are 80 Pesos, about $5.50 US at current exchange rates. Since I go with a group, we always share the taxis, so per person costs are pretty reasonable. There are several acceptable restaurants in easy walking distance, like Ernestos's right across the street, Tiki, Paprika just a little ways to the north, and Blue Angel, a little farther north (maybe a 10 minute walk), even a Hardee's in the tourist mall across from the International Pier, and a pretty decent Chinese place just a little ways South of the International Pier - again, about a 10 minute walk. We ate most meals other than breakfast in town, as we have a list of favorites that we go to every year - Casa Mission, Guido's, El Moro for Sunday lunch (Cochinita Pibil - YUMMY!!), Pescaderia San Carlos, La Perlita, Cha Cha's Kitchen, Del Sur Argentine Empanadas, etc.
I have never used the Meal Plan there, and with Cozumel's wealth of good restaurants, I probably never will. You can walk to Downtown from CDM, but it is a hike - I'm guessing maybe 2 miles. It's a long walk. Taxi fares from CDM to Centro are 80 Pesos, about $5.50 US at current exchange rates. Since I go with a group, we always share the taxis, so per person costs are pretty reasonable. There are several acceptable restaurants in easy walking distance, like Ernestos's right across the street, Tiki, Paprika just a little ways to the north, and Blue Angel, a little farther north (maybe a 10 minute walk), even a Hardee's in the tourist mall across from the International Pier, and a pretty decent Chinese place just a little ways South of the International Pier - again, about a 10 minute walk. We ate most meals other than breakfast in town, as we have a list of favorites that we go to every year - Casa Mission, Guido's, El Moro for Sunday lunch (Cochinita Pibil - YUMMY!!), Pescaderia San Carlos, La Perlita, Cha Cha's Kitchen, Del Sur Argentine Empanadas, etc.
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I did the meal plan several years ago. It was nice for breakfast and lunch, but got old fast for dinners.
nodakdive
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Been staying there for years. Ditto what DJdiverdan and DD have said. The AI plan is $39/pp per day, at least it was. Breakfast buffet was $9. Beer/drinks about $3-$5. Entrees are in the $9-$15 range. If you plan on eating breakfast and lunch there, and think you'll have 6 or so drinks per day, it might not be a bad deal. I've never done it. I usually only eat breakfast there as I'm diving all day, and I don't really drink much. We go out for supper every night.The food isn't bad, in fact there are several things on the menu I really like, but it's a small menu and after a week it could get a little old. I like Ernestos and Paprika, but Paprika is kind of a fusion place? It services Tikila across the street. I don't know how I'd describe it, but for instance, the coconut shrimp weren't as I expected. You get the whole shrimp. Of all the coconut shrimp I've had, this was at the bottom of my list. It's a little "gourmet" maybe? Some people like the place, some do not. I think you can get a cheaper breakfast at Ernestos than at CDM.
DjDiverDan
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I do like the breakfast at Ernesto's better than at Casa Del Mar - fresh squeezed OJ and fried potatoes that are actually crispy, as opposed to the potato mush that CDM serves. But Ernesto's is not always good about starting breakfast right at 7:00, and if your dive boat is taking off at 7:30, it can be a risk that you won't get to finish. Of course, the CDM breakfast service is sometimes a bit slow, too.
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Stayed there 4 times over the years. The first post above is spot on. We have always rented a car for the week to enjoy the island to it's fullest. I prefer a small breakfast of yogurt, granola, fruit, sweet roll and coffee. I go to one of the markets and pick up a coffee maker for about $15, a pound of strong dark roast coffee, fruit, milk, cereal, ham, cheese, snacks,beer,etc and a cooler. I use the cooler and hotel ice all week. We often take it in the car for roadies and beach snacks. Way too many great places to eat to go AI.
