Going to Cabo, where should we dive??

[mermaid1997]

We are going to Cabo for the first time on Wednesday for 6 days. I've only ever been diving in Cozumel and this will be my fiances first time diving since doing his open waters. We will be staying at the Presidente Intercontinental and we're hoping to do one or two days of diving (maybe more if the experience is good). I'm a bit nervous since I've never been to Cabo and my fiance doesn't want to go too deep since it's his first time. Any suggestions on what dive shops to check out and where to go diving? Do the boats do pick-ups at the hotel or would we need to arrange for transportation to and from the shop (not ideal since I'm used to diving in Cozumel)? I'd like to get some information in advance because I'm worried that if I wait until we get there, the hotel will recommend some overpriced shop and we won't have a great experience. Any help would be much appreciated!!!! Thanks!

 

[scubabum2]

Look up either Amigos del Mar or Underwater Diversions - they seem to get consistently good reviews out here. I can vouch for the former myself.

Is the Intercontinental in San Jose? I kind of doubt that a shop will pick you up at your hotel, even if its closer in in the Corridor. Renting a car for a couple of days would be easiest and probably cheaper then a taxi, plus you may want to come into CSL at night. Parking is free at the Marina next to Costa Real, which is close to Underwater Diversions. Parking is cheap at the market area across from Amigos del Mar too.

The boats typically take you out to one of two places with multiple sites - outside the marina to the El Arco area or to the Corridor, around KM 14. Consider a dive shop trip to Cabo Pulmo also while you're visiting - the diving was great there last week.

 

[RainTurtle]

We are going to Cabo first weekend in December staying at the Pres Intercontinental also. Most dive shops I contacted suggested I either take a taxi or the bus. The taxi I was told would be about $6.00 per person and more than one person said the bus was $2.00, safe and reliable. We weren't sure about dive gear on the bus. Since we are going for a long weekend, we opted for the taxi.

Suzanne : )

 

[Pamdiv]

Renting a car in Mexico can be disastrous. We used taxis and bus while we were in Cabo a few years ago. Carrying our equipment on the bus posed no problems. We dove with an outfit that was based at the Hilton near San Jose. I would NOT recommend it. I have also heard good remarks about Amigo Del Mar. We dove one day at Gordo Banks and had an encounter with a whale shark at 60'. Have fun and stay wet!
Pam

 

[riguerin]

... Is the Intercontinental in San Jose? ...

Yes, the Presidente is in San Jose de Los Cabos. It's the very last hotel on the ocean ... just before the estuary. We've stayed here before. Having a rental car is very convenient, as it’s fairly isolated.

 

[scubabum2]

PamDiv, I would agree with your statement with one qualification - renting a car in Mexico can be disasterous if you don't get the insurance. I struggled with insurance since it practically doubles the cost of renting a car, but after doing some research, I concluded it was a must even though my credit card covers theft, collision & damage there. It doesn't cover liability or personal injury. I really haven't seen anything much more dangerous on my couple of trips there than I see on my daily commute in Dallas, with the exception of cows on the side of the road

 

[Diesel298]

and get some Vitamin "T" while your there

 

[medicfam64]

We did Cabo last year at Christmas and went with Underwater Diversions. They are the best in my opinion. They took our equipment and cleaned it after ever dive and it was waiting for us the next morning. We are not very experienced divers and the dive masters were patient and kind to us. My daughter (who is 14 now) had a panic attack and the divemaster was able to get her to go back down and finish the dive. Very patient!! We swam with the sea lions and it was really exciting. We had a school of jack fish (I think that is what they called them) that was as far as the eye could see above and around us....awesome site! If you would like further information, email me and I will send you some of the pixs that I have. Taxi is expensive $6 each trip we made into town from Pueblo Bonito Rose. We walked sometimes but it was not fun especially after diving.

 

[Tiddles]

Are there any hotels with good diveshops on-site in Los Cabos/San Jose? Why is the one at the Hilton not bad. Feeling very lazy this trip and don't want to have to organise transport - just a boat that leaves from the hotel.

 

[Tiddles]

Or rather - why is it bad I mean!