Cozumel with kids and Grandma - need housing suggestions

[mountainsean]

I went to Coz last Christmas break with my non-diving wife and 2 kids (now 6 and 8) and had a great time. We stayed up north at the Playa Azul, which was certainly beautiful, but had some downsides (mainly no way to prepare or store our own food, not much of a beach for the kiddos, and a not-so-cheap cab ride to get into town - no fault of the hotel mind you, we knew what we were getting for the most part). I dove with Aldora who were awesome, but not the most convenient shop from the Azul.

This year we'd love to return to Coz, this time with Grandma in tow to help with the babysitting and ideally with some housing changes to address the above downsides. So we're looking for housing suggestions. Our ideal place would have the following traits, more or less in order of importance:

• 2 rooms (either a condo/house rental or possibly a hotel with ajoining rooms - open to ideas here) with at least a small refrigerator and microwave to be able to store and reheat food, but a kitchenette would be ideal.
• Convenient access (on-premise or *maybe* next door, but needs to be walkable for Grandma and kids) to a decent, kid-friendly beach where they can wade out and snorkel and such.
• Convenient access (meaning they pick me up) to a quality dive shop like Aldora. If this is too difficult a requirement, I'd consider renting a car for the week if necessary, but was hoping to avoid this.
• Ideally not a place that gets overrun with cruise ship tourists or has touristy feel to it. I know some of the hotels south of town have nice beaches, but they can be a zoo. We liked Playa Azul for its mellowness and non-tackiness. We normally steer clear of the all-inclusives since we like to get out and explore and experience the local culture, though we may be willing to bend on this given the needs of Grandma and the kiddos.

I know, tough list to fulfill. All ideas welcome. We'd love to return to Coz since we did have a great time and there are non-stop flights from Denver, but we're even looking at alternatives like the Caymans to try to match our needs.

Thanks,
Sean

 

[Ron Lee]

I think you want everything which is not possible. One option is here:

Cantamar Condominiums (Cozumel, Mexico) - Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor

If you want a beach then perhaps a house south of town. Do a google search for condos on Cozumel and you may find what you want or an option that includes a beach. Personally, I would go for the beach and drive into town if you want to.

 

[DandyDon]

I was a gramp when I started diving. She not interested? At least set her and the kids up with a snorkel class followed by a snorkel boat trip, life vests required at all times and hire a private DM.

 

[annlaur]

I went to Coz last Christmas break with my non-diving wife and 2 kids (now 6 and 8) and had a great time. We stayed up north at the Playa Azul, which was certainly beautiful, but had some downsides (mainly no way to prepare or store our own food, not much of a beach for the kiddos, and a not-so-cheap cab ride to get into town - no fault of the hotel mind you, we knew what we were getting for the most part). I dove with Aldora who were awesome, but not the most convenient shop from the Azul.

This year we'd love to return to Coz, this time with Grandma in tow to help with the babysitting and ideally with some housing changes to address the above downsides. So we're looking for housing suggestions. Our ideal place would have the following traits, more or less in order of importance:

• 2 rooms (either a condo/house rental or possibly a hotel with ajoining rooms - open to ideas here) with at least a small refrigerator and microwave to be able to store and reheat food, but a kitchenette would be ideal.
• Convenient access (on-premise or *maybe* next door, but needs to be walkable for Grandma and kids) to a decent, kid-friendly beach where they can wade out and snorkel and such.
• Convenient access (meaning they pick me up) to a quality dive shop like Aldora. If this is too difficult a requirement, I'd consider renting a car for the week if necessary, but was hoping to avoid this.
• Ideally not a place that gets overrun with cruise ship tourists or has touristy feel to it. I know some of the hotels south of town have nice beaches, but they can be a zoo. We liked Playa Azul for its mellowness and non-tackiness. We normally steer clear of the all-inclusives since we like to get out and explore and experience the local culture, though we may be willing to bend on this given the needs of Grandma and the kiddos.

Villa Aldora fits most (not all) of your requirements. They have two bedroom suites and appartments with kitchen, no cruise ship tourists, great snorkeling, and the Aldora boat picks you and drops you off right there.
However, no restaurant on site and there is no beach per se. Small man made beach with hammocks, chairs and tables, tiny pool, and ladder entry into the water. Great for snorkeling but not a kids' beach.

View from Villa Aldora :

The Villa is however within walking distance to Casitas beach on the Northern part of town which is where the local moms and kids go after school. There were barely any tourists there last winter, but a new bar/restaurant has just opened on that beach, so that may well have changed. The beach itself is not the most beautiful on the island, but there are tiny shallow "pools" of water formed by the limestone where kids can play safely, as well as a couple sandy entry points. Good place for the children to socialize with local kids. The brand new Love bar is located in a nice traditionnal palapa with a beautiful view, owners are super nice, and reviews say the food and drinks are great and inexpensive.

If Casitas sounds like it would fit your requirements for a kids' friendly beach but you don't want to stay at Villa Aldora, then you could also rent a condo or villa in town.
Casitas beach is located 8 blocks North of the main Plaza, while the downtown pick-up piers are located approximately 3 blocks South of the plaza (dive ops that can pick you up there include Aldora, Blue XT Sea, Aqua Safari, Living Underwater, Deep Blue, Scuba Du and others that I am not aware of).
Therefore, wherever you stay in town, there will be a bit of walking involved. There's a local bus (colectivo) passing through town 10th or 15th Avenida stopping right accross the street Casitas beach (although for 3 or 4 people, won't save you much money compared to taking a taxi). Condos near Casitas include Las Ventanas on Calle 10, there are many others (google "Cozumel rentals" and "Cozumel bienes raices").

Playa Casitas, public beach on the Norther edge of town :

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If you want a postcard beach, you'll find that several miles South of town. Downside is that a sandy bottom, while great for playing and easy entry, usually translates into poor snorkeling. Fiesta Americana, located in between Playa Corona and the Money Bar (two good snorkeling spots) does have an OK beach and OK underwater views, but it might be too touristy for your taste and I don't know if they have adjoining rooms and kitchenettes.
There are several hotels/condos/villas for rent all along the Southern hotel beaches. I don't know that area enough to make any suggestion. Dozens of dive shops, including Aldora, can pick you up at the hotel piers in that area (sometimes for a small fee, depending on who owns the dock).
If you do decide to stay South, make sure you have everything you want onsite, as the trip into town will be pretty expensive by taxi (15 to 25 USD one way).

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You will want to rent a car at least a day or two to tour the island. Have a picnic at Chen Rio (beautiful beach on the wild/East side) on Christmas day if you want to mingle with local families.

View of families picnicking at Chen Rio on Easter Monday :

Kids playing in the natural "pool" of Chen Rio :

 

[annlaur]

PS : Sorry for the typos and double attached pic, I can't edit my post.

 

[cvchief]

The Villa is however within walking distance to Casitas beach on the Northern part of town which is where the local moms and kids go after school. There were barely any tourists there last winter, but a new bar/restaurant has just opened on that beach, so that may well have changed. The beach itself is not the most beautiful on the island, but there are tiny shallow "pools" of water formed by the limestone where kids can play safely, as well as a couple sandy entry points. Good place for the children to socialize with local kids. The brand new Love bar is located in a nice traditionnal palapa with a beautiful view, owners are super nice, and reviews say the food and drinks are great and inexpensive.

If Casitas sounds like it would fit your requirements for a kids' friendly beach but you don't want to stay at Villa Aldora, then you could also rent a condo or villa in town.
Casitas beach is located 8 blocks North of the main Plaza, while the downtown pick-up piers are located approximately 3 blocks South of the plaza (dive ops that can pick you up there include Aldora, Blue XT Sea, Aqua Safari, Living Underwater, Deep Blue, Scuba Du and others that I am not aware of).
Therefore, wherever you stay in town, there will be a bit of walking involved. There's a local bus (colectivo) passing through town 10th or 15th Avenida stopping right accross the street Casitas beach (although for 3 or 4 people, won't save you much money compared to taking a taxi). Condos near Casitas include Las Ventanas on Calle 10, there are many others (google "Cozumel rentals" and "Cozumel bienes raices").

Playa Casitas, public beach on the Norther edge of town :

Someone say Las Ventanas? Casa De Jefe, Las Ventanas B404, Your Home in Cozumel - YouTube

 

[Ron Lee]

Great suggestion Ann. Villa Aldora is a very nice place. If you get one of the larger suites, it is like being at home. It is small and friendly and the quality service is consistent with what you get from Aldora divers.

Walk time to the ferry at whatever pace I go was 20-25 minutes. You may not need a car for the entire trip unless someone wants to drive to the southern beaches daily. If they walk to the beach Ann mentioned, perhaps using a taxi to visit you at the surface interval beach once or twice makes more sense.

I did stay at Villa Aldora last February and it was my best stay yet in Cozumel. Steve was a very gracious host. He also went snorkeling often so it must be adequate. I like to say that he hooked me on the cheap (~ 8 pesos) vanilla ice cream cones at Mega, but in reality I am weak.

In my first post I assumed (possibly incorrectly) that a sandy beach was non-negotiable. Picking a place in Cozumel can be a mission in making trade-offs between various needs. If you can give up a beach right outside your room, Villa Aldora could make for a great stay.

Look at their website and see if it meets your needs

http://www.aldoravilla.com/

This may be a number where you can get more info: (210) 569-1203

 

[kentmorrdave]

El Cantil has two bedroom options and have outstanding kitchen facilities, along with all their other amenties. The pool is very nice, however, ocean access is via a ladder. The dive boats pick you up right in front, super market across the street, and beakfast is included in the price. We stayed there last Christmas and it was grand. I can also suggest diving with Livingunderwater, the equivilant of Aldora.

 

[JMorben]

I would highly recommend Casa Carlita. It is a three bedroom, 2 bathroom house about 1 block from Chedraui. Although it is not on a beach, it does have a private pool. Check out the reviews on tripadvisor. We were there for 10 days in August and paid roughly $109 per night. Not sure what rates will be over Christmas.

 

[annlaur]

Someone say Las Ventanas? Casa De Jefe, Las Ventanas B404, Your Home in Cozumel - YouTube

Sweeeeeeet place, cvchief. Is that yours ?
Didn't imagine there were so many units, only saw the place from the street when I visited a friend living at Blanquita's (not quite the same standing) across the street.

PS: if you need a house sitter, let me know, I'm considering moving to Coz next summer