Cenotes without a guide

[GreenDiverDown]

Jackass,

Get cavern certified in Tulum and then you will have access to tanks thru your instructor.

A good instructor will encourage you to learn the caverns without a guide. In fact, I'd put that on your list of interview questions. "When I successfully pass your Cavern Course, will you encourage me to learn these places on my own? Will you rent me tanks or other gear that I might need?"

Guides are for divers that want to see a cavern but aren't certified. Once trained, you should be responsible for yourself. You'll be a safer, more competent cavern diver if you learn these places on your own. Hire a baby sitter and your brain turns off. Save hiring a guide for later... when you want to go some place where you can only get in with a guide.

 

[jackass]

Thanks for the great thoughts and the direct info. from some of you in the Yucatan. That is exactly the info. I was looking for.
Cheers.

 

[jackass]

I subscribe to Steven's comments above.

We are now Cavern Certified (NACD.) We are heading to Mexico at the end of July, early August. We are planning on doing SOME guided dives, but would prefer to put our skills knowledge to use the rest of the time. Good practice.

Would anyone (reading this) who works at or owns a shop down on the Riviera Maya be willing to rent us tanks?

Regards.

 

[Pez de Diablo]

First, I highly recommend certified cavern and cave divers to go out on thier own.

If you are at least cavern certified, then pay your entrance fee and go diving... you don't need a guide. You can dive any of the cenotes that are open to the public... There are plenty of cenotes around Tulum that are available for your use... Grand, Carwash, Temple, etc...

Actually you need a letter of introduction from a recognized dive shop to gain access to some of them. Also, you will be hounded by the guides that don't know any better when they see you in a single tank without a guide in a double tank... so be prepared for that as well.