Paralyzed by choice

[Mike]

I'm pretty sure most hotels in town have private beds and bathrooms so if that's all you need, pick one at random.

No disrespect to Allison, but just as there are "10,000 hotels" there are also "10,000 dive ops", many that will pick up in town and provide the same "bed and bathroom", i.e. 2 tanks that all come from the same place anyway, and a boat ride to the same sites that the other 9,999 dive ops frequent. Personally, one of my favorite things about Cozumel diving as compared to other locales is the ease of getting picked up at a nearby dock instead of having to drive or taxi each way to the boat. But that's just a personal preference, clearly YMMV.

Heck yeah. Pick me up at my dock please.

---------- Post added June 5th, 2014 at 08:08 PM ----------

I have stayed at Hotel Cozumel. It is clean, friendly. the rooms are good sized and comfortable. The pool is the biggest on the island, so they say. You can get breakfast there (in a package), there is a gear locker by the pier. Your op can pick you up there. I like it there, nothing special or fancy. It is a 10 minute walk to downtown and all the eateries. No need for a car or a cab. I like it there but as always, others think differently. The only other place I have stayed is when we rented a condo at El Cantil. Of course I liked that better but it was a little more expensive because it was just my wife and I. It was very nice and close to the Mega. My wife liked it there. She isn't a diver so she enjoyed hanging out on there and the extra room.

Hotel Coz is a big bang for you buck, closest thing to a 'resort' while at the price of a hotel.

This is the place that the scubaboard invasion stays at.

 

[nodakdive]

If memory serves, you mentioned in another post that you were glad you had AI last time as food was really close. With that in mind, you might be happiest closer than the Barracuda or no further south than the Barracuda. The Barracuda is nicely located right across the street from Mega, and about 6 or 7 blocks from the malecon, (5 blocks? Those last two blocks to the Barracuda always seem long to me.), but if it felt like work at the AI, those extra blocks might be worth foregoing.

I've stayed at Casa Mexicana and it is fairly modern feeling with a great breakfast buffet and a very shallow pool in an odd place. My impression was that it was really only for show. I had an interior room but would want an ocean view if I returned. If I were to stay downtown again, I'd be inclined to choose Vista del Mar or the Bahia over Casa Mexicana. It would be a close call for me between those three and the Barracuda. I think the Barracuda would feels more like a "resort" compared to the other three. Friends of mine stay there regularly. If I didn't want ocean view, I'd save money and stay at the Pepita, or upgrade to Villa las Ancles. I think Casa Mexicana was a block or a block and a half from the downtown pier that Deep Blue uses.

If it felt like a job to get to supper as you were tired last time, a place right downtown, like 2 or 3 blocks from the square in any direction, would probably be a good choice. La Terraza, La Choza, Casa Denis, El Foco, Wet Wendy's, Condessa, Kinta, Guido's, O'hana, (a little jaunt unless you're north of the square but worth it), the downtown Mission, Chi, Abuello's(?) La Rumba, Kelly's, and a whole bunch of others I should know and don't which are all about 4 blocks or less around the square. Any nice slow stroll after eating is nice.

-Blair

 

[beth_castroll]

We like staying at Tamerindo B&B and their second location Tamerindo Apartments. Tamarindo Cozumel | Bed and Breakfast, Apartments & Bungalows
The B&B is down town and walking distance to dive shops and great food. The Apartments are my favorite. They are 2 blocks from the Chedrui. Close to the town square for the dances and great street food and a few blocks from the Hotel Baracuda dock where many ops will pick you up. We walk almost everywhere when we are there.

 

[DjDiverDan]

I've done many solo trips to Cozumel, and stayed at a variety of places (but never at the Southern Resorts, other than one disappointing stay at Fiesta Americana, and never in the Northern Hotel Zone). Everywhere from cheap - Hotel Flamingo, which is spartan, but clean and friendly, and Hotel Casona Real - just 2 blocks back from the pedestrian walkway off the main Plaza, clean rooms and a small pool, you should be able to get a room there for about $35 a night. Casa Mexicana is very nice, big, comfortable rooms, breakfast buffet included, and great downtown location - I was diving with Aldora when I stayed there, and it's like a block, maybe a block and a half walk to Aldora's downtown pier. Only downside was the tiny pool (really like a kiddie pool). You may think that all you want is a room, but if I go down to Coz any time from June to September, I really want a pool; it's hot and muggy, and I don't want to constantly be sweaty, so the pool is a must. Casa Mexicana will run you about $65-$75 a night. Hotel Cozumel is also nice - big comfortable rooms, AC that works well without keeping you up all night, and HUGE pool. It should also run you about $70-75 a night without the AI. Hotel Cozumel does offer an All Inclusive Plan, but, IMO, the fool is TERRIBLE (I admit I'm a bit of a food snob, and I've heard others say that "it's just fine"), and unless you are going to drink your money's worth, I would not do the AI there. It is a bit of a hike to many of the Downtown restaurants, but it's doable. And many dive ops will pick you up at their dock. The house op at Hotel Cozumel is Dive Paradise, which is not a bad dive op. I prefer the more valet ops, but I wouldn't turn up my nose at Dive Paradise - I WOULD request the smaller boats, I don't like the cattle boats.

 

[selo]

I have been to Cozumel 5-6 times and I think the best combination that works for me is Tres Pelicanos and Villa Las Anclas. They are next to each other, very efficiently and competently run, super friendly and close to all the best restaurants mentioned above, including the best coffee shop in Cozumel. They take care of you with a very quick drive or taxi (they arrange for it) to caleta and back. This actually leaves more time to dive and for the SI. Casa Mexicana and Bahia are also great options. Yes, there are some great options in Cozumel. Great for us.

 

[chillyinCanada]

If you are considering a B&B, take a look at Baldwin House. Love those people.

 

[krbailey]

Cozumel paralysis by analysis. I suffered with this for several weeks before pulling the trigger on a dive op/hotel. Best of luck to you!

 

[kwinter]

Barracuda is the closest waterfront hotel to town. Nothing fancy, but the prices have gone up in recent years. It's clean, it's convenient, the dive from the pier at night is pretty interesting. It also has a pool shared with the bar next door that is the hangout for the crew from the cruise ships when they are in port (at least it used to be when the north port was operating). We are talking red hot young guys and girls in skimpy beachwear sunning themselves right under your balcony. The view is fantastic.


iPhone. iTypo. iApologize.

 

[AZjohn]

I.... including the best coffee shop in Cozumel..

Well OK selo, you got my attention on this one
Could you please share the name (and location) of this place. I'm very much into good espresso (I'm assuming this is what you are talking about) and this is the first I heard about a coffee shop in Coz.
Thanks,
John

 

[Skittl1321]

If memory serves, you mentioned in another post that you were glad you had AI last time as food was really close.

Yes- I pretty much did nothing but nap when not diving I've thought about getting nitrox certified, to see if that helps; but my husband is a scientist and he thinks it is a waste of money since there is no actual data that says it helps with that- just a lot of anecdotes...we don't need the extended time yet.

From memory, driving by - I think Hotel Cozumel would be too far away. Although, if we go in the summer, the pool might be worth it. But we really don't need a 'resort'. We were there in the winter, and we got in the pool twice...and didn't really stay long.

From reading the posts, if we don't go with a B&B, it sounds like Suites Bahia might be the way to go.

Thanks all for the wonderful suggestions.

---------- Post added June 6th, 2014 at 07:43 AM ----------

I'm pretty sure most hotels in town have private beds and bathrooms so if that's all you need, pick one at random.

No disrespect to Allison, but just as there are "10,000 hotels" there are also "10,000 dive ops", many that will pick up in town and provide the same "bed and bathroom", i.e. 2 tanks that all come from the same place anyway, and a boat ride to the same sites that the other 9,999 dive ops frequent. Personally, one of my favorite things about Cozumel diving as compared to other locales is the ease of getting picked up at a nearby dock instead of having to drive or taxi each way to the boat. But that's just a personal preference, clearly YMMV.

I'm sure picking one at random would work for the hotel; but it is nice to see what hotels others have enjoyed, because while I only NEED a bed; little things like good service, and included breakfast, has a fridge, close to the best sushi in Cozumel, whatever, add up a bit.

As for Alison- I have wrestled with this a lot, and really don't want to taxi to the Caleta (I loved being picked up at the Southern resorts, and thought about staying at one again just for that- but better food was a draw to town) however, I'm an incredibly nervous diver and I know that diving with her I'm 'good'. I know that I can do a giant stride entry if I want to (and I generally do), I know I don't have to do any of the lifting of the gear, I know I can stay above 75 feet without getting a private DM (this one is HUGE, my doctors have advised I not dive below 80), I know she'll only go through wide, well lit swim throughs, and I know her rental gear is excellent. For me, taking out a lot of the unknowns is worth the inconvenience of a taxi.

---------- Post added June 6th, 2014 at 07:43 AM ----------