Padi Certification in Mexico

[carriedives11]

Thanks again for all the suggestions, everyone. Cozumel sounds perfect, and I will absolutely check out Aqua Safari before we head down.

Question...do you think it's possible to get most of our PADI OW training done in one weekend in a landlocked spot like Arizona? We could do the online course at home, the pool training locally and then do our big dives in Mexico...just a thought.

Thanks again for all your advice.

 

[Hoomi]

The Dive Shop's OW course is done two evenings during the week, and full days on Saturday and Sunday for the confined water dives.

 

[don Francisco]

Check with the various shops and instructors and see if you can find a referral course that fits your schedule. If not, I'd pass on the online course, but try to borrow the manual and read it through, & note any questions before going down. That way you'll only need to review the material and have your evenings free on vacation.

Also, buy your basic equipment, mask, snorkel & fins in the USA since they'll cost 10-20% more in Mexico, plus you'll have a greater selection to choose from here without last minute pressure to settle because of immediate need.

Lastly, review the threads on the Cozumel froum at scubaboard for airfare, and lodging ideas.

 

[Hoomi]

Let me second don Francisco's encouragement to buy your basic gear ahead of time up here, for the added reason that it will give you time to try it out in a pool. Some shops have a fairly liberal exchange policy, so if you buy a mask and find it doesn't feel comfortable after some time in the water, or leaks because of the shape of your face (we're all different, and finding the right mask is sometimes an exercise of trial and error), you can trade for another. The time to decide you really hate your mask is NOT when you're 30' deep in the ocean.

Some shops have pools on premises, and if you check ahead of time, you can try out different pieces of gear in their pool before buying. Our shop has that policy, with the stipulation that scheduled class sessions take precedence.

 

[Fairfax22032]

Are you looking for something other than diving on your trip? If so, I would recommend Cancun over either Cozumel or Isla de Mujeres simply because there is a lot more to do. I got certified in Cancun this August through Manta Divers (Manta Divers! Cancun Diving! Cozumel Diving! Cavern Diving!) and thought that this worked well with our overall vacation. My instructor, Tyler, was excellent and I completed the entire course in three days with several very nice dives. The water was clear, warm and we saw a good variety of aquatic life.

I strongly support the suggestion that you have, at minimum, your own mask, fins and snorkel no matter where you go so that you know how they fit. If you complete the classroom and pool sessions at home you can do your OW checkout dives early in the week and then head down to Cozumel or even Akumal for a day trip to experience another location.

Feel free to send me a PM if you would like more information.

 

[AZdiver1279]

Thanks again for all the suggestions, everyone. Cozumel sounds perfect, and I will absolutely check out Aqua Safari before we head down.

Question...do you think it's possible to get most of our PADI OW training done in one weekend in a landlocked spot like Arizona? We could do the online course at home, the pool training locally and then do our big dives in Mexico...just a thought.

Thanks again for all your advice.

Hi Carriedives11, Sorry, I sent a PM before I actually saw your last post.

Most certainly that is a good option for you, take a look at my PM.

Also, one thing too is you will need to check airlines, your favorite airline may not fly into Cozumel. Flights into Cozumel are limited and most of the time more expensive that flying into Cancun...I say most of the time because on occasion I have been able to find a flight into Cozumel for cheaper. However, public transportation in Mexico is good, for $8 you can ride a nice new tour bus (reclining seats, AC, TV...very new, very nice) from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen and then catch the ferry (one every hour) to Cozumel. It's an extra about 2hrs to your trip but we saved significant $$$$'s...but some would still prefer to cough up the $'s and fly into Cozumel....one thing you don't want is taxi from Cancun to playa..$80...ouch! Anyway most of this is in another thread you can check out.

Again, Cancun is for party! Cozumel is for Dive!

Take care!

 

[saltybubbles]

we just returned from a week in Cozumel. awesome diving and great visability. Make sure you do not get into the cattle call type of dive where it is rush 'em in and rush 'em out. Esp if you do your open water there. I would strongly recommend you do that at home and just dive for fun there.

 

[Mapache]

For sure there is a lot of people that could Certify you and your husband down there in Cozumel, just be aware of not hiring Aqua World (they are not recomended from me at all) and maybe Christi from Blue XT Sea Diving (Cozumel Diving: Blue XT SEA Diving, Cozumel Mexico) could give you a hand finding someone adecuate for your needs.

DSAO

 

[AZdiver1279]

For sure there is a lot of people that could Certify you and your husband down there in Cozumel, just be aware of not hiring Aqua World (they are not recomended from me at all) and maybe Christi from Blue XT Sea Diving (Cozumel Diving: Blue XT SEA Diving, Cozumel Mexico) could give you a hand finding someone adecuate for your needs.

DSAO

I agree with Mapache....stay far away from Aqua World....far, far away! Not an operation for divers....very touristy...very scary!

 

[carriedives11]

Thanks again for all your advice, everyone! All of this is so helpful. The main reason my husband and I want to get certified in Mexico is because it would be both speedy and a mini-vacation. We own a restaurant and a design business and we've found that unless we can physically remove ourselves from work it's tough to get other projects done

I'm going to try to get all of our prelim work done here in Arizona so we just need to do our certification dives once we arrive. Since we only have four days off and there are no direct flights to Cozumel from AZ, I'm leaning towards Isla de Mujeres for this quick trip. Once we're hooked, we can book a longer trip to Cozumel.

Does anyone have experience with Delphin Diving? Coral Scuba Dive Center?

Thanks again!