It would be hard for bags to get lost in Cozumel airport. If anything is to go wrong - and it seldom does - it will most likely be in the transfer in Dallas.
Need advice on cozumel drift dive op and a cheap pkg !
- Thread starter miserkris
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Dogparkguy
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Dogparkguy
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Go for the Occidental go through their dive shop at the resort cost me 91 a day for the room couldn't ask for a better spot and crew
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I once saw a plane in Roatan with a stuck luggage door. They had just about given up and was going to send it and all of the inbound bags back to the US for repair, no outbound bags. Imagine how long it'd take to route a whole plane of delayed bags to an island with infrequent flights. Fortunately someone saved the day and got it open.
Still, my meds, money, cameras, the most important things ride in my backpack that never, ever leaves my sight even at security. My regs, computers, masks, a change of clothes and some swim wear ride in my roll-on, and I still check too much.
You have at least 1½ hour layover in DFW, so unless there are weather or other problems, that's plenty of time for the connection. Got a smart phone and the AA app? You can be reassured by tracking your checked bag yourself.
Still, my meds, money, cameras, the most important things ride in my backpack that never, ever leaves my sight even at security. My regs, computers, masks, a change of clothes and some swim wear ride in my roll-on, and I still check too much.
Split fins cause instant death....kidding, those Tusa's are all I have used for years.
OP
miserkris
Contributor
Thx all...
Hey Don, is your trip over this year?
Hey Don, is your trip over this year?
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Me? I went for my birthday last month, as usual. Late August is my favorite time of year there. Nice weather, not crowded, etc. Got back in time to repack for Labor Day weekend with the kids in Southern Arizona. DFW weather delays and cancellations challenged us greatly, but we like adventures.
OP
miserkris
Contributor
Finally guys, think I'll do shared airport shuttle.... to suites colonial...$4 Any advice
I'm just gonna have USD cash in hand and Visa, master cc.....
I'm just gonna have USD cash in hand and Visa, master cc.....
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Any advise? Hah! At the risk of repeating previous suggestions...
This is your first trip to Coz isn't it? It may have been mentioned before, but ask Christi about hiring a private DM for your first two dive boat trip. Money well spent.
The shared van is the simplest, and the exchange rate they use is ok. I think they allow 16.5 MXN to USD, which is about 18% less than the bank rate (which is not available to us), so you might pay $5 USD and maybe get a little coin back. I don't fault merchants for such exchange rates when I don't have Pesos handy as it's more work for them to take those USD to their bank to exchange for Pesos, etc.
I do get out at every stop before mine to watch the bags unloaded, ensuring that mine doesn't get handed to a hotel employee early. I'm the passenger who tries to grab the shotgun seat if I can, or if not - stands outside of the van until the last minute and then grabs a seat close to the door. Sorry. Suites Colonial is on a pedestrians & push carts only section of 5th Ave about 20-30 yards off of Dr Adolfo Rosado Salas street, so the van will park partly on the sidewalk to let you out. Those drivers are generally nice, load & unload all of the bags, and have no say in rates, so I usually tip them a buck.
I think I remember this hotel having comfortable beds and plenty of hot water, a lobby restroom which is handy for us old coots (I seem to have conditioned myself to need one immediately after arriving places?), and an elevator that I am lazy enough to use - and my bum knee appreciates. I remember my last room there had a door with a full one inch gap at the bottom, but they spray so much downtown that I never noticed a mosquito in my room. It's a good idea to take 40% DEET spray and use it early & often as there are some unwelcome diseases carried by those tiny vampires. I like to tip the maid a buck or two a day.
Be sure to let your bank know that you'll be using your cards in Mexico or they will probably get blocked. At the other end of the block close to the main plaza, there is a HCSB ATM where you can use your debit card to obtain Pesos. My bank (Wells Fargo) offers free foreign currency deliveries before trips, but the rates are poor. On the other hand, I can withdraw 5,000 Pesos a day with my card and the rate after all bank charges combined last month was 19.26 Pesos to the Dollar which was not bad. If I used my charge card on meals there, I'd get a poor exchange rate before the charge, then get charged 3% by the bank, so I certainly try to keep Pesos handy. Do read this thread: More photos of the bank ATM scam
I really need to take two money clips when I go as I spend Pesos and tip Dollars. I take lots of $1, $2, $5, and $10 bills for such. You'll probably want to tip your boat crew $10 to $20 a trip.
Always ask the driver how much before getting into a cab. I have had more arguments with taxi drivers, but they do have home field advantage. My last day of my last trip I forgot to carry Pesos to the boat, they let me out with my gear at the Safari dock, and when I asked a driver how much to the same corner you'll be using - as I pack more gear than anyone else and did not want to hump it all that far, he said 40 Pesos or $4 USD. I just gritted my teeth mad at myself for not carrying Pesos, and did not see any need to tip.
There are many good places to eat downtown and you see more walking. I assume that you have DAN dive insurance and your own SMB & dive light?
Carlos Danger
Contributor
Not sure if this was mentioned previously, but looks like Aldora are running a promotion with Suites Colonial through December 20th as follows:
Hope this is helpful!
- 7 nights w/ breakfast included (assume at Casa Mexicana)
- 5 days diving w/ FREE NITROX
- $615 (paid in advance)
- frontdesk@aldora.com
- www.aldora.com
Hope this is helpful!
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