Cozumel with kids and Grandma - need housing suggestions

[DandyDon]

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

That would work well. She could move to a hotel when you visit, move back in when you leave.

 

[annlaur]

Regarding the snorkeling at Villa Aldora, it is very good (also good for free shore diving for Aldora's customers there too), but there is some current and it isn't shallow enough for kids to stand up. Which is why I wrote it wasn't "kids friendly". Unless of course they and grand-ma are good swimmers.
The snorkeling at Playa Casitas isn't bad. Not excellent but I got to see quite a few interesting fish there. Good place for kids to play with local children too.
Didn't mention El Cantil and other places on the Southern edge of town as there is no sandy beach in that area that kids might enjoy.
If a great kids' friendly beach is the number one priority, staying at a resort way South is probably the best bet, but then it adds transportation costs.

 

[mountainsean]

Regarding the snorkeling at Villa Aldora, it is very good (also good for free shore diving for Aldora's customers there too), but there is some current and it isn't shallow enough for kids to stand up. Which is why I wrote it wasn't "kids friendly". Unless of course they and grand-ma are good swimmers.
The snorkeling at Playa Casitas isn't bad. Not excellent but I got to see quite a few interesting fish there. Good place for kids to play with local children too.
Didn't mention El Cantil and other places on the Southern edge of town as there is no sandy beach in that area that kids might enjoy.
If a great kids' friendly beach is the number one priority, staying at a resort way South is probably the best bet, but then it adds transportation costs.

Thanks folks, much appreciated. I've been to Villa Aldora (it's where they picked me up when I stayed at Playa Azul). It'd be perfect but for the lack of a beach. My youngest isn't a strong swimmer yet, so we need the ability for him to wade out and kick around at his own pace. The snorkeling doesn't have to be fantastic, just exciting enough for kids who spend the rest of the year in a landlocked state.

Playa Casitas could work if we can find a place that's really close and convenient (within a block or so - Grandma isn't too mobile). Where exactly is it? Couldn't find it on Google Maps.

I'm thinking a south-of-town resort plus a car rental is probably going to be the way to go. Any suggestions there that hits the other requirements as best as we can? i.e. kid-friendly beach, kitchenette, two rooms, and a place where a good dive shop (like Aldora, not a cattle-boat shop) can pick me up (so I don't occupy the car all day), and not too touristy?

Thanks,
Sean

 

[cvchief]

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

That's us. Still quite a few for sale too. It is nice and quiet, little ocean view and close walking to everything downtown.

 

[DandyDon]

I really like these snorkel vests. Very easy to wear when not inflated anywhere, beach, boat, whatever - easy to inflate, etc. Got to adjust the straps correctly, wear both straps securely, and keep the inflator in the open position but not difficult.

I wear mine a lot. Can't get my daughter's family to use them as much as I would like, but I got them each one.

Google shopping shows several sources in the $25 range.

 

[MMM]

The first time we went to Coz we stay at Playa Azul. Liked it for the reasons you did but also disliked it for the same reasons.

I think you're going to find it tough sledding to get all you want. There are some LOVELY homes for rent in town and you can get maid service with them etc. and you get a wide selection of dive ops who will pick you up as Annlaur noted but there won't be a sandy beach anywhere in sight. Maybe rent a car for Grandma to drive the kids to some nice beaches which tend to be on the other side of the island. I wouldn't make a pool a priority since they will likely be unheated and too cold for the kiddies.

El Cantil, which Dave mentioned, is a LOVELY condo (two actually) in a great location with very easy dive pick-up by any op that picks up in town. I'd HIGHLY recommend them. Full kitchens, big bedrooms, lots of bathrooms and a fabulous view. The sand has been trucked in but it's well above the water (and really not a great place for kids to play in.

I THINK there might be a beach just north or south of Blue Angel that has SOME sand. The latter resort might be a place you would like as it's privately owned, smallish, close to town and generally has a genial crowd there. But the pool isn't heated. Anyone can pick up there and they have a nice dive op on site but it's not Aldora-like. As Dave said, the only other ops like Aldora are Living Underwater (which is who I dive with) and Liquid Blue. That is, if it was the steel tank thingy you liked. If it was the service aspect, then there are a few more that fit that bill.

Whoops, I wrote this while you were posting. Grandma not mobile. Got it. I think you are right. Somewhere south and rent a car. But pretty much everything south is all inclusive. I think there are some homes for rent in the San Francisco beach area but I don't know where you'd get picked up for diving. You'd probably have to drive to caleta.

 

[Ron Lee]

Contact Aldora. My GUESS is that you would have to wade in the water a few feet to be picked up at a sandy beach. You probably experienced that during the surface interval.

 

[annlaur]

Playa Casitas is located on Melgar (beachfront avenue), almost across the street from the small Sedena supermarket.
When you go from town to Playa Azul, you see three palapas on the beach right after the airport road (Antonio Gonzales Fernandez on Google map).
You can locate it using these landmarks on the map below (won't see the palapas though because of the clouds).
Google Maps
Las Ventanas condos as well as the hotel Hacienda San Miguel (which has kitchenettes) would be the closer options, approx. 0,3 mile from Casitas. 15 mn walk for you to catch the boat for diving though.
If that's too much walking, then a stay at a small resort in the South hotel zone sounds like a better idea. Most anywhere you go South of town that has a pier would allow for Aldora or another small dive op to pick you up. A quick search on TripAdvisor shows that Residencias Reef condos, on San Francisco Beach, offer kitchenettes. Will be touristy, but there should be plenty of kids. Don't know if the grounds are expansive and require a lot of walking.

 

[judydivescoz]

You might want to consider then houses out Costa De Sol. It's a gated community with a sandy beach and private dock and pool south of town. You will need a car. I have toured Villa Debra, it's beautiful and owned and managed by a couple who live full time on the island. There are a few other rental homes in the same community that have different floor plans, number of bedrooms etc. Just google Villa Debra Cozumel and Costa Del Sol Cozumel to get the details.

 

[cvchief]

Google Maps

That should get you looking at Playa Casitas