Cozumel Advice for newbie

[JenM]

FWIW, you can dive with another operator and still stay at SCC.

True, but SCC won't let the other ops pick up at their dock. If you want to dive with someone else, you have to carry your gear next door to the Hotel Cozumel and get picked up there. You can have the other op keep your gear overnight, but then you can't shore dive at SCC. So, if you aren't going to dive with them, there's really no point in staying there. Don't get me wrong, we were very pleased with their operation and their service, we had a great vacation and would recommend them, we'd just prefer shorter boat rides next time.

 

[CALI68]

If money is no issue, what is the best (nicest) Hotel in Cozumel? Considering service, beach, pool and divve outfit.



Thank You!

 

[Christi]

If money is no issue, what is the best (nicest) Hotel in Cozumel? Considering service, beach, pool and divve outfit.



Thank You!

but any dive op of your choice can pick you up there. Scuba Du is a very well run operation with a solid staff. However, they are very conservative with the profiles and have a set schedule for dive sites. So it really depends on what your priorities are for the diving. I absolutely recommend the hotel hands down if money is not in your way. Nicest beach, nice pool, excellent service, above average food, and I hear the new restaurant, Alfredo's is excellent. Have a good time!

 

[DCDivenut]

but any dive op of your choice can pick you up there. Scuba Du is a very well run operation with a solid staff. However, they are very conservative with the profiles and have a set schedule for dive sites. So it really depends on what your priorities are for the diving. I absolutely recommend the hotel hands down if money is not in your way. Nicest beach, nice pool, excellent service, above average food, and I hear the new restaurant, Alfredo's is excellent. Have a good time!

Another option that is often overlooked is staying in a rental condo or villa. I was there with 5 buddies in April and we had the "dive trip of a lifetime. We booked Villa Cabalitos through Cozumel Vacation Villas (http://www.cozumel-vacation-rentals.com/) and dived with their partner dive op, Ventura Diving.

I honestly do not have a bad thing to say about either one. The villa lived up to and exceeded all expectations (which were not low). They do everything they promise and go above and beyond that (especially when you lock yourself out when you have 5 sets of keys You still get maid service and all that but you are not locked into the whole hotel thing where you may be forced to share space with people you don't like. We were near Chedraui and had no porblems getting cabs at any time. We cooked our own breakfasts or walked to Rockin Java when we were lazy, and did dinner twice but the rest of time went to Coz's great restaurants.

Ventura Nah is an amazing DM and a genuinely great person. We had the boat to ourselves (we did fill it) and we LOVED it. He is truly the kind of divemaster that you hope to find. Knowledegable and a great human being... with a great sense of humour and an uncanny knack for finding the cool stuff. Once he got comfy with our skill levels we did some AMAZING dives.

I really think that staying in a villa is a great way to be a tourist without feeling like a total tourist (does that make sense ) Whatever you do you will love it there though!!!

 

[CALI68]

Another option that is often overlooked is staying in a rental condo or villa. I was there with 5 buddies in April and we had the "dive trip of a lifetime. We booked Villa Cabalitos through Cozumel Vacation Villas (http://www.cozumel-vacation-rentals.com/) and dived with their partner dive op, Ventura Diving.

I honestly do not have a bad thing to say about either one. The villa lived up to and exceeded all expectations (which were not low). They do everything they promise and go above and beyond that (especially when you lock yourself out when you have 5 sets of keys You still get maid service and all that but you are not locked into the whole hotel thing where you may be forced to share space with people you don't like. We were near Chedraui and had no porblems getting cabs at any time. We cooked our own breakfasts or walked to Rockin Java when we were lazy, and did dinner twice but the rest of time went to Coz's great restaurants.

Ventura Nah is an amazing DM and a genuinely great person. We had the boat to ourselves (we did fill it) and we LOVED it. He is truly the kind of divemaster that you hope to find. Knowledegable and a great human being... with a great sense of humour and an uncanny knack for finding the cool stuff. Once he got comfy with our skill levels we did some AMAZING dives.

I really think that staying in a villa is a great way to be a tourist without feeling like a total tourist (does that make sense ) Whatever you do you will love it there though!!!

Man that condo looks beautiful. How far did you have to drive to go diving everyday? How was the snorkeling at "your" beach?

 

[Dan Kom]

Cozumel Vacation villas are a class act. Ive always had great compliments on their service and rentals.

 

[my911]

Let's see, where do I start. We finally chose to dive with Blue XT Sea (Christi) and stayed at Caribe Blu. We also decided to take the advance open water course.

Our instructor and dive master was Raul. I cannot say enough great things about him. By the end of the five days of diving, I felt really comfortable. If anyone wants a first class dive master, make sure you ask for Raul to be your dive master. It seems like he knows Cozumel better than the back of his hand.

Caribe Blu was also an excellent choice thanks to Christi. Jeannie the manager of the property has really nice and helpful. She was always trying to see if there was anything she could do to make our trip more pleasant.

This will definitely be an annual diving destination for us. Thank you everyone for all of your help.

 

[ggunn]

.

Now THAT'S what I call succinct! ;^)

Cheers,

 

[rje634]

Many reviews here:
http://www.travelnotes.cc/cozumel/index.php

Thanks for the link travelem Lots of great information there...