Questions on Riviera Maya in Dec.

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Pennsylvania
:blinking: Hi,
We are going to stay at the Barcelo Maya Beach Resort in December, and dive with Tank Ha. Any comments on the hotel or the dive ops? I am a newbie - no ocean dives yet. We also booked cenote dives -- which I am a little nervous about. How closed in are they? What is the weather generally like in Dec.?
Thanks!
 
Tank Ha is a good dive op. As far as the cenotes are concerned, you may want to wait. Cenote diving requires good bouyancy and they are no place for someone who may panick if something goes wrong. If you have your's down and are comfortable in the water, go for it. They are amazing.
 
Don't know the resort, but you've got a good dive op. I dove with Tank Ha in January and I would go with them again. I've done the cenotes twice. The first time, I only had less than 25 dives logged. My buoyancy control was OK in the ocean, but questionable in the cenotes. It can be pretty tight in spots and you always know you have to stay off the floor so you don't stir up silt and off the ceiling, so you are always thinking about it, which of course makes you very conscious of it. Air consumption was also an issue, because we used the rule of thirds - one-third of your air supply out, one-third to come back, and one-third in reserve. I had to call the dive on the gas supply. There was a lot to think about and I was kind of nervous, so I was huffing and puffing.

The second time was about 200 dives later and after becoming a Dive Control Specialist (the SSI version of a dive master) and instructor. Needless to say, I was a lot more comfortable and enjoyed it a lot more. The first time, I thought it was interesting, but wasn't sure I needed to do it again. The second time, my interest was up because I knew my skills were much better.

Now I'm not saying that you need to be a dive master or have any certain number of dives to do the cenotes, and you may be able to do them successfully with minimal experience, but it's largely a question of comfort. To really enjoy the cenotes, you have be be really comfortable with your buoyancy control and air consumption - to the point that it is all pretty natural and you don't have to be consciously attending to it constantly. If you are really comfortable, go ahead. If you are not really comfortable, think about it. You may not enjoy it as much and it is certainly no place to get freaked out.
 
I would also advise you to wait on the cenotes. You must have excellent bouyancy control and a few more dives under your belt. If you feel "nervous" there must be a good reason.
 
I go to Akumal every year in December. It can be warm during the day, but not usually hot. Rarely do we use the a/c in our room, even at night if we're on the second or third floor. The resort we stay at is right on the beach and the cross breeze is lovely. Humidity isn't an issue in December.

Take a pair of lightweight summer pants and a sweater in your luggage....you may find you will need it in the evening, especially if your core temp is reduced due to diving. I've been there a few times when it was chilly enough to make the locals break out their winter coats. (but you'll be fine in just a light sweater) I've seen the steam rising off the ocean obscure the sunrise with the cooler air hitting the warmer ocean.
 
How's water temp in cenotes ?
 
How closed in are they?
By definition a cavern dive is one during which you can see the surface of the water, even if it is some distance away. But that has not been true during my cenote dives. If I'd suddenly found myself alone, I'd have had no idea where the exit was. In other words, they can be more closed in than they're supposed to be and claustrophobia can be a real issue. It's another reason to be secure in all your skills before giving it a try.
How's water temp in cenotes?
My log book says 76, but Lori obviously has more experience cenote diving than I do so I'm not going to argue over two degrees. I wear a 3 mil, usually with a hood, and wouldn't want to wear any less.

Joan
 
Yellowtail Damselfish:
My log book says 76, but Lori obviously has more experience cenote diving than I do so I'm not going to argue over two degrees. I wear a 3 mil, usually with a hood, and wouldn't want to wear any less.

Joan

I wouldn't wear anything less than a 5 mm & hood. It's cold in 'dem dar carverns. Joan, I agree with your 76 degrees. That's what my computer tells me.
 
My computer showed 75. It can get a little chilly in a 3mm and I wear a 1mm hood.
 
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