Questions about cheap hotels and Aldora Divers

[annlaur]

Hola a todos.

So I'm planning my first trip to Cozumel and need some advice both about lodging and diving.

I'm a backpacker on a budget and want to stay in town in a cheap hotel (less than USD 50/night).
All the lodging info I've found on SB so far has been about AI resorts or condos or more expensive hotels.

The Lonely Planet mentions the following places in my price range :
Hostelito, Hotel Edem, Hotel Cozumel Inn and Hotel Pepita.

Can you recommand one over the other ?
I just want a private single room (ensuite would be nice, but I don't mind a shared bathroom), in town and close to a pier where a dive op can pick me up.

About the diving :

I've been considering Aldora.
Mainly because they offer small groups of similar experience divers.
I want to dive in very safe conditions, and away from the crowds.
They say they're often the first, if not the only ones, at the dive sites, and that to me would justify their higher prices.
I also like the fact that they use BP/W for rentals. I want to buy one for myself, so figured it would be nice to try one out.
And I like the steel tanks better than the AL ones.

Now, the things that make me reconsider Aldora :
I don't care much about longer bottom times as I get cold pretty fast and I also don't want all my dives to be done at the "deeper" sites, as I like the shallows. I'm Padi OW with about 50 ocean dives, and not extremely confident in the water.


Another option would be to go with another dive shop that can pick me up from town and hiring a private DM. But it would be probably end up being more expensive cost wise.

Any thoughts or suggestions ?
Thanks in advance for the feedback.

 

[Scubasteve1982]

I've stayed at the Suites Bahia right on the waterfront. Its a great location, its clean and they have free Wi-fi. Also you don't need to rent a car if you stay there. It's pretty cheap. I'd say around $50 a night in the low season. The room I stayed in had 2 large beds, 1 full bath and a small kitchen with cookware. I didn't use it because the food is great and cheap in Cozumel.

Never been diving with Aldora. So no info there.

Good luck finding a place

 

[Dave Dillehay]

Hotel Pepita is the best choice. Clean, cheap and not too to far from the docks of the downtown dive ops. My personal preference is the Suites Bahia but it may be twice as much as the Pepita. My personal choice is that you spend money on diving and less on accommodations!

With a decent wet suit you might really enjoy long dive times as the length of your dive will translate into better dive skills, buoyancy being the main part.

From Hotel Pepita you can get a large variety of dive shops to pick you up at the downtown piers. Aldora is just one of them.

 

[billindenver]

I can't help with the housing thing, but I can give you my thoughts on Aldora. I have dove with Aldora, Living Underwater, Dive with Martin, Dressel and Blue XT Sea. Aldora is certainly a great dive op and of those 5 I would say that Aldora and Living Underwater are far and away my favorites (as well as my dive buddy's).

Aldora and Living Underwaters boats are fantastic, in better shape than those of the rest I've tried, have twin outboards or a very large diesel inboard, are comfy and well kept..so diving with both of them is wonderful on many levels but it's the bottom time that makes the cost worth it for me. You said though that you don't really like long dives and you aren't looking for deep...so you might also consider Dive with Martin and their aluminum 80's with their lower pricetag...although the service isn't quite the same (excellent though it is).

I can wholeheartedly and without reservation recommend Aldora and Living Underwater to anyone who is not bothered by the pricetag of steel tanks and the bottom time they offer. I also very much enjoyed DWM so I am not shy about recommending them either, but when I brought a brand new to diving dive buddy down to cozumel.....Mateo at Aldora was the man for the job. If you want to leave cozumel feeling a lot more confident in the water...he would be my recommendation. He is more into the 60 minute dive than the hour and a half but he is a born and bred scuba instructor who wants nothing more than to share every bit of the vast knowledge he has. After reading your post a second time....Mateo at Aldora is my suggestion with Jeremy of Living Underwater second only because you can't rent BP/W with him that I know of. Whichever way you go, you are going to LOVE cozumel. Enjoy!

 

[annlaur]

My personal preference is the Suites Bahia but it may be twice as much as the Pepita.

After a quick search, I've found that Hotel Pepita is USD 39 while Suites Bahia is USD 43 + tax… so not that much of a difference.
What about street noise and traffic at those two places ?
Scubasteve1982, any input on that ? Also, what was the atmosphere like ? Is there any place such as a courtyard for travellers to meet and chill at Suites Bahia ? I'm no party animal and will probably be in bed by 8:30 pm, but I still would like to enjoy a bit of the backpacking scene.

With a decent wet suit you might really enjoy long dive times.

I'll be there Dec. 6th-13th. Would a 3mm be enough or can I rent a 5mm on the island ?

You might also consider Dive with Martin and their aluminum 80's with their lower pricetag (…) Mateo at Aldora is my suggestion with Jeremy of Living Underwater second only because you can't rent BP/W with him that I know of.

From what I've read, DWM doesn't pick up in town. I want to walk to the taquerias and restaurants and local life as well as to the pier.
What about Living Underwater ? Do they operate from town ?

Thank you all for the advice.

 

[billindenver]

3mil is actually too much for me. I bought a .5mil for cozumel which is perfect. On the other side of the coin, my girl dives a 5 mil with a 5 mil hood and 7 mil booties. Waif of a girl who gets cold in the middle of summer. For most people 3mil is plenty, but if you think you might be cold...wear a hood, skinsuit or rashguard under your suit (or one of these Henderson Thermoprene 5mm Full Suit -2007- Womens -BLUE ONLY reviews and discounts, Henderson ).

Aldora also has wonderful hooded long jackets for in the boat which my girl fell completely in love with. Living Underwater has those as well. As far as picking you up in town, I really don't know about that one.

If you can stay warm, I am in full agreement with Dave. Long dives with competent DM/Instructor and your diving skills and confidence go up much faster.

 

[Scubasteve1982]

The Suites Bahia has city view rooms and ocean view from what I've heard. I always go for the cheapest and I had a view of a brick wall. I didn't mind. All I did in my room was sleep and shower.

They really don't have any place to hang out there but they are right on the waterfront and maybe 2 blocks from the Square. You really just need to walk out of the lobby and people are everywhere. From my room I couldn't hear anything from the street. I'm guessing if you had a ocean front or city view you might hear some traffic in the day. I was there in December last year and by 10pm on the weekdays the city went to sleep. So not much noise overall.

I enjoyed my stay there. And I'm booked for another 9 days early next month. I've learned that Cozumel is very friendly island and last place I want to hang out is my Hotel. I'm a bit more of an adventurer than a tourist. I'd rather be out trying to socialize with the locals or exploring the area. If you're looking for a hotel that you are going to meet others staying there, I'd say go somewhere else. But If you need a clean place with a great location to everything than this hotel may fit you well.

Also when I was diving there in December I dove with a 3/2mm Full. I was fine. I don't get cold easily. But I'd recommend bringing a windbreaker or something for the ride on the boat. If the weather gets messy it can be really cold on the boat after the dive!

If you need anymore info let me know!

 

[Scubasteve1982]

Oh and to add something. I believe the Aldora pier is right in front of Suites Bahia! It's like 50 feet away, cross the street and you're on the boat! Someone correct me if I'm wrong on that!

 

[parrotheaddiver]

I have stayed at both hotels pepita and bahia....Pepita does have a courtyard to hang out in and is off the main plaza away from the main street....I did not notice any road noise from Bahia...both are great places to stay...

In Dec the water is cooler and so is the air....I usually wear a full 3mm with a beanie and I am comfortable....but a 5mm would probably work for you if you chill easily...bring something like a windbreaker w/hood for the boat rides the air can chill you after a dive....

several ops pick up downtown...not sure about LU....BlueXT also picks up downtown...they are an excellent op...Cozumel Diving: Blue XT SEA Diving, Cozumel Mexico

I will be there in Jan staying at Alicia's B&B also a great cheap place to stay and it includes breakfast daily Alicias Bed and Breakfast Cozumel Mexico/Cozumel Diving/Cozumel Hotel/Cozumel Scuba/Cozumel Snorkel they are a little farther back in the "hood" but about a 3 min cab to the pier...and a short walk to restaurants...

 

[georoc01]

I'd also contact Aldora directly. They may have a package deal that will work within your price range.