Cheap beach hang-out

[aliltexgal]

I am a tired mental health provider needing a few weeks just to lay on the beach and get in a few dives. Advice on a cheap beach area.... anywhere.... don't need anything fancy. Store to buy a little food. Clean, safe room for sleep. Any ideas?
I do pro-bono work for women and children victims in Iowa, so little money to spend. Need to get out of the snow! Will trade counseling for room and Board!

 

[Amy WJ]

Try Playa del Carmen just south of Cancun. Airfare to Cancun is generally cheap and you can take a comfortable bus to Playa. The beach there is just as great as Cancun without all the chaos. Diving there isn't all that great though. Apparently there's a good chance of seeing big animal life but we didn't see any the one day we dove in the ocean. Cenote diving, however, is fantastic. Absolutely a beautiful, unique experience. You could also take the ferry to Cozumel for some great diving. If you want a referral for a dive shop in Playa or Cozumel let me know. If you decide to do the cenote dive you really want somebody who knows/appreciates the experience and the guy we had was perfect.