Question for those of you who stayed at Iberostar and dove with Dressels

[Bookworm11]

I would book directly with Iberostar. Then book with Dressel separately. I think there still is a discount for booking and paying ahead. And if there is bad weather, you can go to Playa and dive cenotes, or snorkel them or go dive bull sharks (I think it is bull shark season.) The manager, Naza, of the dive shop is very good to deal with. If there are problems, he can usually sort them out for you. I dove with Dressel for 3 trips. Dressel has great night dives twice a week, and you may be able to arrange a night dive if yu get 4 people together.

 

[jonhall]

The manager, Naza,

Nazareno Castro??? If the same, I dove with him in 2016 - he was the DM for a couple of dives I did, one of which was my last dive to be certified for AOW. He is a nice guy.

 

[Racer_X]

Went in March of this year. I booked Iberostar through the hotel because of the "pick your room" feature and the ability to sign up for IHG and get a discount as an IHG member.

Booked a package deal with Dressel to get the lowest rates via email. I didn't schedule 3 dives/day every day, I had downtime. So if there was some messed up weather, I had flexibility. I also had some 24 hour+ SIs to reset my body. I've since heard they have Black Friday deals if you plan far enough in advance. With free nitrox, you really should get qualified if you aren't already.

Booked the flight through AA.com after looking at travel prices through my corporate site and realizing I was toast for flying to Coz on spring break. Single most expensive part of the trip and no discounts anywhere.

 

[jonhall]

realizing I was toast for flying to Coz on spring break.

Haha!! We did the same thing - wife and I went in Jan. using miles: $283 with AA. Not thinking, after we reserved a room for first of April, we went to get airfare for us, son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter - $4058. Spring break trips with family (when we're paying) will be closer to home from now on!!

 

[Shawn C]

Haha!! We did the same thing - wife and I went in Jan. using miles: $283 with AA. Not thinking, after we reserved a room for first of April, we went to get airfare for us, son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter - $4058. Spring break trips with family (when we're paying) will be closer to home from now on!!

I'd imagine that demand (and prices) for accommodations will also go up this summer and beyond. So many Canadians (and others) have cancelled trips to the States and are booking Mexico and the Caribbean instead.

 

[Bookworm11]

Nazareno Castro, yup, same guy. He is a wonderful dive shop manager, and the main reason I came back to Dressel for so long. He does his very best at fixing any problems. I left Dressel not because of him. there were problems he could not fix, and the DM I like the best was gone.