Planning first trip to Cozumel

[MikeNelson1970]

Hi. Family of 4 making our first trip to Cozumel. 8 - 9 days Mid May.
Where to stay and dive (I've done some reading on shore dives and boat ops)?
Boy and Girl 19.5 year olds will want to go out at night.
I will want to dive almost every day. The kids, almost as much but less. My wife will be happy on the beach/ pool and will only dive a few times to humor me.
Would like to stay somewhere beach front and shore dive-able and safe trek (walk, taxi, bike) for kids to go to town. Usually we stay in condos but open to other suggestions. Sounds like waters are safe for open water swims, Crocodiles are not an issue?

 

[scrane]

Oops, sorry, wrong island!

 

[Snoweman]

Perhaps you would get more results in the Cozumel thread.

Cozumel

World Class Marine Park drift diving, renown cuisine and great hospitality. The island with a Mexican heart and a Caribbean soul! Youve seen the Corona commercials, come experience the reality.

scubaboard.com

 

[lowwall]

Hi. Family of 4 making our first trip to Cozumel. 8 - 9 days Mid May.
Where to stay and dive (I've done some reading on shore dives and boat ops)?
Boy and Girl 19.5 year olds will want to go out at night.
I will want to dive almost every day. The kids, almost as much but less. My wife will be happy on the beach/ pool and will only dive a few times to humor me.
Would like to stay somewhere beach front and shore dive-able and safe trek (walk, taxi, bike) for kids to go to town. Usually we stay in condos but open to other suggestions. Sounds like waters are safe for open water swims, Crocodiles are not an issue?

El Cantil condos is exactly what you need if it's in your budget.

Make sure your op will pick you up at the El Cantil dock. The primary marina is a few miles south of town and most ops won't come north for pickups.

 

[USdiver1]

Would like to stay somewhere beach front and shore dive-able and safe trek (walk, taxi, bike) for kids to go to town.

I suggest Blue Angel Resort, near to San Miguel [main town], can swim or shore dive, has a small beach, dive shop and boats. Small, not luxurious, good restaurant, and near other good restaurants.

 

[Snoweman]

El Cantil condos is exactly what you need if it's in your budget.

Make sure your op will pick you up at the El Cantil dock. The primary marina is a few miles south of town and most ops won't come north for pickups.

+1 for El Cantil, but there is no beach there. Great place, just don't take any of the top floor condos. I'm told they used to be a restaurant and the conversion has left them quite dark.

Another place is El Palmar condos. You can find them on AirBnB and other sites. Not quite as close to town, but the condos are huge, as is the pool. Again, no beach access. Julio Kin VIP Scuba used to have a shop about 300 feet down the street, but I am told he moved to the marina. He may still be able to pick you up at his old dock, but I would confirm with him. I started diving with him when he would lend himself to Tres Pelicanos. When I learned he had his own shop, I started diving with him exclusively. He's a great DM and can find the tiniest of creatures.

 

[macado]

I don't know your budget but check out Cozumel Palace, El Cantil Condos, or Blue Angel Dive Resort. Neither really have "beaches" but there are stairs down to water and swimming areas. Crocodiles are not an issue. They of course exist and can occasionally be seen but usually more common up north.

All 3 locations are walkable to town for a variety of restaurants and bars. Blue Angel is bit further, about 25-30 minute walk to town where as Cozumel Palace or El Cantil condos are closer to 10-15 minute walk into town. Personally for me, I like being downtown (centro) so I can walk most places.

Blue Angel has a restaurant on-site and their own dive operator. They do dive package deals. You can shore dive right from Blue Angel. Keep in mind, most shore diving in Cozumel is shallow rubble / rocky reef. Great for easy shake down dives or macro dives but not the best diving that Cozumel has to offer.

Dive operators can pick up at El Cantil dock very easily or Cozumel Palace.

You could also look into condos / resorts further north or south but that's going to require taxis, car rentals much longer walk to get into town. Villa Aldora is another good option a bit north of town which has a small pool and new stairs down to the water.

There are certainly plenty of other options but you had mentioned your kids will want to go into town so I'd suggest condos / hotels closer to town with shopping / restaurants / bars.

 

[Rob9876]

Here's another hotel that might work -- huge pool, decent shore dive, on-site dive op (Dive Paradise) with optional Room + Diving packages, can do breakfast only or all-inclusive, short taxi ride (or long walk) to town:

Cozumel Hotel & Resort, Trademark Collection By Wyndham | Home

Cozumel Hotel & Resort, Trademark Collection By Wyndham

cozumelhotel.com.mx