Playa or Isla Mujeres

[cruzbound]

Hi All,

We will be taking a long weekend (arriving on a Friday and leaving on a Tuesday - so basically three full days in Mexico) in October 2018. We booked out flight into Cancun, however now we have to decide where our final destination will be - Playa or Isla Mujeres. I know we are going too late for the whale sharks in Isla Mujeres. There will be four of us but only two of us are divers. I know that Cozumel has the best diving (we have been there several times) but because we have a very limited amount of time, we just don't want to do all that travel to get there (a shuttle and then the ferry). So with that said - for us divers which place would be the better choice - Playa or Isla Mujeres? I know neither are like Cozumel but we will at least be able to get some water time. We are fine with a shuttle OR a short ferry ride, just don't want to have to do both. There are some dive operators in Playa that offer a dive package at the Cenotes, Playa and Cozumel (one day at each). Has anyone done a package like this? Any dive operators recommendations for both places would be appreciated too. We have never dived the Cenotes before but I don't think I want to dive three days there but one day would be a nice experience. We are advanced certified and have about 120 dives under our belt. The other couple going with us does snorkel but they also just want some time to hang at the beach/pool area too.

If we stay in Playa we will find an all-inclusive - if we go to Isla Mujeres does anyone have any recommendations on where to stay?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Trailboss123]

If it were me, I would stay in Playa and jump on that dive package you mentioned. A day at the cenotes, day of diving playa and a day at Cozumel. Sounds like a sure winner given your length of stay. I am a "variety is the spice of life" kind of guy.

 

[guruboy]

Playa. You can day trip to isla if you want. It's not very big.

 

[hilljo88]

Isla is a fun island to visit. Nice beach and restaurants, but diving was just ok.

 

[svs]

If you never dived cenotes you may need at least 2 days to see different types, with stalactites, with light and halocline, Pit... For cenotes is the best to use the dive operator specializing in cenote diving vs random guide

 

[cruzbound]

Thanks for all the replies. Can someone provide me with Cenote dive operator recommendations? The dive operator that offers the 3 day package - one cenote, one Playa and one Cozumel is called The Reef Marina but I emailed them yesterday and they haven't responded yet. That makes me worried when a business cannot respond within 24 hours.

 

[svs]

I used dive shop in Puerto Aventuras few years ago. I do not remember name. I will check it later. They did a good job. If you reserve in advance and tell that you want to visit different types of cenotes they promise to accommodate and they did in my case. They have small groups. They told me that they will go even if I will be the only diver on that day. They replied to emails.

 

[jmb]

If you decide on Playa, Tank Ha offers the 3 day package mentioned & I've always had very good experiences diving with them.
Nautibeach condos on Isla Mujeres are in a great location on North beach and walking distance to restaurants & shopping in town.

 

[Trailboss123]

Beyond Diving
Here is a review: ATA/BAR Divers | Home
Here is their website: Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen. Cenotes, Cozumel, TDI, SDI

 

[swimbody]

I agree with most everybody on Scubaboard. The diving in Isla Mujeres was absolutely meh. The one thing that is worth doing is going to see the whale sharks but that is a seasonal trip. It was worth the trip and the money without question. We saw hundreds of them. As I said the diving was meh and the current was pretty terrible and not many drop lines for you to get down. Playa is fun and the cenotes are absolutely amazing if you’ve never done them. We are staying just north of Playa through Christmas and will be diving with somebody like Cenote Xperience. Haven’t decided that yet. We’re just winging it. I’m taking my regulator down there mask and fins. This is not a dive centric trip so whatever happens happens