Open water certification on Cozumel, any cheap options ??

[Frank23]

Hi, we're backpacking, looking for the cheapest dive shop to get OW on the Island.
I know you should'nt look at price for this kind of thing but we're broke.
I'm not looking for advices on safety but for cheap dive shop names PLEASE!

 

[robint]

you get what you pay for.

 

[Dhboner]

That's like asking where to find the cheapest laser eye surgeon!

 

[boulderjohn]

If you have the Internet access required to post the question, you should have the ability to answer it as well. Just do a search for Cozumel dive shops. They all post their rates. The reason that is advisable is because if you are on a tight budget, the first thing to figure out is where you are going to stay. That is where you will find the biggest difference in prices and the greatest savings. If you are going to do everything related to certification while you are on the island--including the academic and pool sessions--you will want an operator pretty close to where you are staying, or the taxi costs for those class sessions will make up any savings in the cost of instruction. Figure out where you will stay, and then check out the shops nearby for their prices and their accommodations.

My guess is that the costs for instruction will be pretty competitive between the shops, without enough difference in price to make a significant difference.

 

[redacted]

You could look into counterfeit C-cards. That should save a few bucks.

 

[Tigerman]

I cant say for cozumel, but I can say what you dont want to hear.. You DONT want the cheapest crappiest op you can find either to teach you to dive or take you diving and if you look for cheapest, thats what youre likely to get..

 

[Jim Lapenta]

If you don't have the money to do right stay out of the water. Cheap training puts others at risk who have to help you.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Ron Lee]

John is likely correct but we will check a few:

1) Home Page $350 but you need the PADI Open Water Crew-PAK (Unknown cost)

2) Dive Paradise, Cozumel MX - Instruction & Certification US$310 + Open Water manual, Logbook, Recreational Dive planner, & RDP booklet. US$66 + Certification processing - PIC US$25, if PADI - - Equipment Included

3) Bienvenidos - Aldora Divers | Only the best of Cozumel Looks like $475

4) Scuba Tony Dive Instruction, Cozumel Mexico $425 plus you need to buy a textbook.

I do not know the text book cost but so far the least expensive appears to be around $400 USD (estimate).

 

[redacted]

More seriously, you have a month before you go. Get the certification done at home. Or at least get classroom and pool done and a referral for OW dives and finish it up while on vacation. Having waited till the last minute in preparing for a 2 month Scuba/backpacking vacation; it is time to either spend what it takes to get it done or just go with the backpacking this trip.

 

[Christi]

Yes - you will find prices ranging anywhere from $300ish to $500ish - but see what is included. For example, if the course is $300 but then you have to buy everything and then pay for the certification (PIC) fee - and the boat dives are not included for the OW portion, you will end up spending more. So at least make sure you know what all is included and any additional expenses so you actually know what it is costing you!

Blue XT~Sea is $450 and includes book, PIC (cert fee), equipment, private instruction, 2 days of beach dives and 2 days of boat dives w/marine park permits - no extra costs or surprises. If you want to do the e-learning before you get here, add $130 USD which goes right to PADI (I deduct our cost of the book from our fee in that case)