Mexico or Cuba?

[alcina]

We are thinking of doing a diving holiday to either Cuba or Mexico this December/January. There are four of us including our 12yo and 15yo - all divers.

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to concentrate on for a family of divers in Mexico? We do not want to visit Cancun... The 15yo is in the adolescent the world is beneath me stage...gotta love those 15 yo boys...so somewhere with a little land activity might be good. Hubby and I are avid uw photo & video divers...

We visited Puerto Vallarta several years ago but did not do any diving. Liked the town Ok, but wouldn't mind checking out somewhere else. We would like to do all of this on a reasonable (not hitchhiking, but not luxury) budget, too

 

[teamheatwave]

I will not judge Cuba good or bad since I have never been there. I am sure it has many beautiful things to offer. I can and will however, give 2 thumbs up to Mexico.

 

[dlwalke]

Well, first off, Mexico is so big (and Cuba aint that small either) that I suspect where you go in either country will be more of a determinant than which country. Like, you might go to a bad place in Cuba or a great place in Mexico or vice versa. Having said that, both are definately on my "I want to go there soon (but probably won't) lists.

I guess I would tend to reccomend Mexico though, if you go to the Mayan Riviera (sp). There was just an article in, what was it...maybe Dive Training magazine. I have been to the area before I was a diver and loved it. Fantastic Mayan ruins. Definately go to Chiken Itza. The food is fantastic (maybe its a matter of taste, but I love it). In the article, there was a lot of talk about diving in crystal clear freshwater cenotes. Sounds fantastic. I'm sure the ocean diving is superlative as well. Its a jungle on shore...monkeys, you know, the works. Yeah, I'd reccomend Mexico. (But Cuba has better music).

 

[mexman]

My wife and took our first trip to Cuba before Christmas and we fell in love with the place. The people are incredibly friendly and considering they have almost nothing, are some of the most hospitable people I've met.

The diving was fantastic and although we were based out of Varadero, we managed to dive at several sites around the island. The "Bay of Pigs" had some fantastic wall dives as well as an assortment of both cave and cavern dives in the same general area.

Most of the diving in controlled by Scuba Cuba and I think is run by the govenment. The staff are very well qualified and very friendly. In an entire week of diving, we never had a single bad dive.

We are heading back down south again in 3 weeks, this time back to Puerto Adventuras, however, if we can find a cheap flight from Cancun to Havana, we might just take in a couple more days of diving in Cuba!

 

[diveaustin]

May be ok but I prefer a country that is in alliance with the US. Not that would make a difference...may or may not. Cuba is a beautiful country with fine diving but for me...I would NOT take my kids there. JMHO. What great diving Mexico has to offer. Plus resorts that cater to kids activities. Would be a no question for my wife and I.

Whatever you choose to do I hope you have a safe and fun trip.

Good Times.

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

Are you kidding me? Go to Cozumel!!!

 

[alcina]

Thanks for the input so far. i think we have decided to go to Mexico so now the BIG question is where??

Hubby and I have been to Puerto Vallarta and loved it but didn't dive. I spent a week in Cancun with family last year and thought it was great - again didn't dive - but I liked sitting in the pool all day drinking margaritas! I wouldn't go back to Cancun, though.

Always hear about Coz, but is there anything for the kids to do while we head out to restaurants etc?

Or, how about some liveaboards perhaps that offer a family type program?

 

[RickM]

So why wouldn't you go back to Cancun? Was it because it was too comercial?

 

[alcina]

RickM - I don't think I will head back to Cancun unless I want another "resort holiday". We had an excellent time and for lazing by the pool and enjoying being away from it all, you couldn't beat it. The food was great, the staff at the resort were great.

I did not like the staff of the dive operator (some huge thing I can't remember) at the resort. IMHO they were the worst sort of "grab the money and run" & "we can have you diving in an hour" type...no way would I have wanted to dive with any of them (they said they were all instructors manning the stand/shop thing). There was an independent operator that I did like just down the street, but then the hurricane came in and that ended all thoughts of diving. I was also there with two non-water babies which didn't help the diving side.

But I think if we go back we want to dive, dive & dive. Cancun seemed to be limited in choices and some of those were heading to Cozumel anyway.

We would also like to maybe do a couple of other touristy things too.

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

If its all about the diving then go to Cozumel where its all about the diving. Cancun is for touristas all covered in oil. Coz if for people who want top notch diving. You won't be sorry.