Trip Report Cozumel in early June, 2025 - Iberostar Resort and Dressel Divers

[brsnow]

Way too much hate on this forum for AIs people have never stayed at.

My one comment about the Iberostar, which I have stayed at, is don't view them as black and white - AI or in town. Stay where you like and if its an AI have a night in town or two and take a taxi.

Honestly, as someone who mostly stays in town, I crave the simplicity of a quick stop at a buffet some nights.

I do both. For 20 years my buddy and I stay at casa mexicana and when I come down with my family we usually do park royal. AI bit we still get into town as well easy enough. I enjoy both.

 

[ggunn]

Way too much hate on this forum for AIs people have never stayed at.

“Hate” is an emotionally charged word to describe the opinion of some, like myself, who prefer to stay close to town and eat in the local restaurants. I don’t hate AI resorts; I am indifferent to them.

 

[mgoodness]

Very thorough report. Thanks!

 

[kesmed2001]

That's a really good detailed review and reflects the multiple experiences I've had diving with Dressel. I would also say that Dressel is pretty consistent across locations - Cancun, Cozumel, Puerto Aventuras, Punta Cana/Bavaro/Bayahibe.

 

[mcohen1021]

For what it's worth, I felt that the hamburgers and fries at the snack bar (which was open all day) were the best thing if that tells you anything.

Noticed this ion your original post.... I am not surprised at all actually, we've been to a few AIs where we felt the same way.

And I do not remember having a great burger in cozumel, so thats good they do. I think no name had a decent one, the one @ rock and java wasnt even edible.

 

[Scratch_Monkey]

Noticed this ion your original post.... I am not surprised at all actually, we've been to a few AIs where we felt the same way.

And I do not remember having a great burger in cozumel, so thats good they do. I think no name had a decent one, the one @ rock and java wasnt even edible.

While I liked the burgers at the snack bar, they were pretty basic! Just ground beef cooked on a grill. But the buns were fresh and the meat tasted like it was cooked on a grill so... hard to screw up! LOL

 

[ccannon707]

While I liked the burgers at the snack bar, they were pretty basic! Just ground beef cooked on a grill. But the buns were fresh and the meat tasted like it was cooked on a grill so... hard to screw up! LOL

IMHO, any beef I've eaten in MX, tastes better than what I've eaten in the US. Whether it's the feed, how they are slaughtered and aged or lack of drugs/antibiotics I have no idea.

 

[ggunn]

IMHO, any beef I've eaten in MX, tastes better than what I've eaten in the US. Whether it's the feed, how they are slaughtered and aged or lack of drugs/antibiotics I have no idea.

I have never eaten beef on Cozumel. I have ham and cheese sammiches for lunch and seafood for every dinner.

 

[sefuchs]

IMHO, any beef I've eaten in MX, tastes better than what I've eaten in the US. Whether it's the feed, how they are slaughtered and aged or lack of drugs/antibiotics I have no idea.

I’m kind of a beef snob and have just the opposite opinion. Over the last couple years the beef has drastically improved but before I could hardly stomach the tough, non-aged beef in Cozumel. The hamburger ‘boom’ in Coz has changed things. I believe more (aged) beef is coming from Sonora area now and some good South America cuts.

Have to give Mingo’s a shoutout, he figure it out a few years ago when his restaurant was a hidden speakeasy gem. He’d make weekly trips up north to get quality beef and his burgers & steaks where/are fantastic!

 

[OregonDM]

Smash Box Burger is solid.