Iberostar vs Westin

[ggunn]

... our 'sweet spot' is the middle to lower third of the island. Coz Palace is nice, but expensive. Casa Del Mar is very cheap, but lacks some amenities. GPR is a good value, and best when we bring our adult kids to dive.

I agree. Our sweet spot is Blue Angel, which is close to the GPR.

 

[Trista R]

A few things to think about:

Since it's been mentioned, if a "fast" boat left from the Westin, it could get you to the dive sites in the south in ~ 30-40 minutes, but not as fast as a "slower boat" from the Iberostar dock. I dove with Pepe Scuba at the Coral Princess (about a mile south of the Westin) and their fast boats can move as we got the the dive sites in ~25-35 minutes depending on where we went. From the Iberostar, it's only 5-10 minutes. Some enjoy the longer boat rides, but if the weather isn't great or the water is somewhat choppy, the longer boat ride might not be so enjoyable.

Also leaving from the north, there is a good chance a dive op will either be making stops to pick more divers up or let divers off, adding more time to your overall boat time.

Pro Dive has a satellite shop at the Westin. When I stayed at the Melia, Pro Dive had a shop there also and they provided taxi money for the ~25 minute ride to (and back) the Allegro/Occidental where their boat left from. Only 5-10 minute boat ride to dive sites. Less boat time but time on the road. Dressel Divers is located at the Iberostar. You may have to book initial dives online, but it is very convenient.


If Salty Endeavors picks up at the Westin, they get good reviews from SB members. If Pepe Scuba picks up from there, I would also recommend them. I've researched over 30 dive ops in Cozumel (I'll attach the link) and most will only pick up in town and/or south of where their boat leaves from. Salty Endeavors generally leaves from Puerto Abrigo - a marina just under 2 miles south from the Westin. I would research any op that picks up from the Westin and make sure they are diving the marine park and not some small reef north of town. Assuming you want a dive op to pick you up at the dock of the resort you stay at, you will have more dive op choices if staying at the Iberostar.

Lastly, the beaches in the south (Iberostar) are nice and sandy with the pretty Caribbean blue water - the beaches in the north are not as nice as they can be iron shore, less sandy, and have murky water due to the currents.

For me, I'm all about convenience and also prefer nicer beaches, the Iberostar would get the nod over the Westin.

Below is the link to many dive ops in Cozumel. Pretty current info although I probably need to update it some.


Dive ops by jonhall

Your Excel sheet was a huge help! Thank you. I usually stay in the South but wanted to use my points, be closer in town and stay at the Westin. I am going to use Salty Endeavors as they pickup at the Westin and had good reviews. Thanks!

 

[Bookworm11]

I've stayed at the Westin. I had a,wonderful time. My suite was huge, lovely, and the staff was great. The restaurants were very good. The snorkeling there was good too. The big inconvenience is it isn't that close to town, but it's closer than the Iberostar. I think you will be happy there.