Hotel / Diving Recommendations - Family of 4 - New to diving

[GoldieVT]

Looking for some advice- we're a family of 4 (kids are 18 and 20) and looking to do a vacation in the first 2 weeks of 2026. My wife and I can't just sit on a beach so we thought doing a diving vacation would be fun. I have my PADI cert, others don't so we'd be using part of our vacation for their shore and open water dives. I'd likely do a refresher and maybe snorkel while they do the course. I think they'd likely do the online eLearning prior to the trip.

Looking for hotel and dive shop recommendations. It would be nice if the hotel had rooms with 2 bedrooms but we could also do 2 separate rooms (kids and parents). It doesn't need to be low budget but also not looking for top of the line hotel either. We'll want some downtime from diving and my daughter would enjoy a hotel with a pool/beach. We also like to get out of a hotel restaurant and get some local food so proximity to other dining would be nice.

While it will be exciting to do some great diving, the goal is to get certified, get comfortable with diving, see some cool stuff and have fun.

I welcome any suggestions and thank you!!

 

[lowwall]

I just read the older responses on Villa Aldora and they cover it pretty well. It's very relaxed there. Next to the pool is a sandy area with a palapa with tiled floor and hammocks. This is a few steps down from a partially covered courtyard where you can usually find some people eating dinner or hanging out in the evenings.

I do want to note that it's a one mile walk (about 20 minutes) walk to the start of the heart of the town. There's a good sidewalk the entire way. I once stayed at some condos next to the Villa and did the walk once or twice every day.

But at the Villa, you have the option of using their bikes. On my most recent trip, I biked to the supermarket the first day to get breakfast stuff and some sandwich makings. I always had breakfast in my room and then biked into town once or twice per day after that to go to a restaurant. The bike lets you roam further afield than walking.

Of course you can also use taxis. If you don't want to get ripped off, get pesos to pay with and confirm the fare before you start. Most rides are around $5 US. If you end up in the southern resorts or far north hotels, you have to use taxis (or deal with renting) and the prices are higher. Most complaints that you hear about the taxis come from people who are regularly making those longer trips.

If all this sounds like too much of a hassle, another option that I really enjoyed is renting a condo at El Cantil downtown. It's more expensive, but much more luxurious. You are right across the street from the main supermarket and within easy walking distance to everything. Many dive ops, I'm pretty sure including Aldora, will pick you up at their dock.

El Cantil Condominiums · San Miguel de Cozumel, Quintana Roo

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[GoldieVT]

I just read the older responses on Villa Aldora and they cover it pretty well. It's very relaxed there. Next to the pool is a sandy area with a palapa with tiled floor and hammocks. This is a few steps down from a partially covered courtyard where you can usually find some people eating dinner or hanging out in the evenings.

I do want to note that it's a one mile walk (about 20 minutes) walk to the start of the heart of the town. There's a good sidewalk the entire way. I once stayed at some condos next to the Villa and did the walk once or twice every day.

But at the Villa, you have the option of using their bikes. On my most recent trip, I biked to the supermarket the first day to get breakfast stuff and some sandwich makings. I always had breakfast in my room and then biked into town once or twice per day after that to go to a restaurant. The bike lets you roam further afield than walking.

Of course you can also use taxis. If you don't want to get ripped off, get pesos to pay with and confirm the fare before you start. Most rides are around $5 US. If you end up in the southern resorts or far north hotels, you have to use taxis (or deal with renting) and the prices are higher. Most complaints that you hear about the taxis come from people who are regularly making those longer trips.

If all this sounds like too much of a hassle, another option that I really enjoyed is renting a condo at El Cantil downtown. It's more expensive, but much more luxurious. You are right across the street from the main supermarket and within easy walking distance to everything. Many dive ops, I'm pretty sure including Aldora, will pick you up at their dock.

El Cantil Condominiums · San Miguel de Cozumel, Quintana Roo

maps.app.goo.gl

Thanks again for everyone's input- I'm so appreciative of the help!

 

[jonhall]

There's a good sidewalk the entire way.

I laughed out loud when I read this as a I had a vision pop in my head. I agree the sidewalk is pretty good, but right in front of Rincon Restaurant, the pavement is pretty uneven - my wife fell (or dove) forward on the way back from a different restaurant - laid out flat, she dropped her water bottle so she didn't break any fingers. I can only laugh about it because somehow except for a bruise on leg (no scrapes) and feeling it a little bit, she was okay.

 

[lowwall]

I laughed out loud when I read this as a I had a vision pop in my head. I agree the sidewalk is pretty good, but right in front of Rincon Restaurant, the pavement is pretty uneven - my wife fell (or dove) forward on the way back from a different restaurant - laid out flat, she dropped her water bottle so she didn't break any fingers. I can only laugh about it because somehow except for a bruise on leg (no scrapes) and feeling it a little bit, she was okay.

I said good, not great

My point was that it is safe to walk. You have an actual sidewalk, rather than walking on the shoulder of the road. There's even a separate bike lane for the first few blocks going into town from the Villa.

 

[jonhall]

I said good, not great

I agreed although I said pretty good!! Wasn't disputing the point. It's also a pretty good sidewalk (and wide bike lane )going the other direction around the marina, or cutting through the marina.