Going back for the 6th time because I love the place. I've stayed at Hotel Cozumel several times and Caribe Blu. I would like to be a little closer to town. Anyone that stayed at either place, please give me your recommendations.
Recommendations on Hotel Barracuda or Fontan
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bcaderunr
Contributor
I've stayed at CB at least 6 times and when my non-diving spouse finally came with me, I thought I'd try Barracuda (using Blue Angel) figuring that it would be a nicer place, and closer to town, all in the interests of marital harmony. Long story short, toward the end of the week, we take a stroll down to CB so I can show her where we "divers" stay. She looks arond the property, we have lunch at Rendez-Blu restaurant, we hang out on the grounds for a bit. On the walk back, she glares at me and says: "Why aren't we staying THERE!"
loudives
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Barracuda has remodeled 2 years ago. Now has a pool and bar that serves sandwiches. TV, mini-fridge, AC. typical motel six type place. you get the room and nothing Else. The pool area gets noisy from 10-4 when crew from the cruise ships come to blow off steam. They use this place because it is walking distance to the pier and they bar owner gives them a discount. Lots of 20 somethings running around. Gets quiet after 4 as crews must go back to ship. Only 2 blocks to Punta Lungusta shopping and the start of the tourist streets.
If you don't need the pool or water access try Suites Bahia or Mexicana, right in town 90-130 a night, very nice, good buffet breakfast at Mex.
Fontan would be as far from town as Caribe Blu just on the north end. Sidewalk to town not as nice as from CB and is dark. I haven't stayed there in 8 years and I know they renovated also.
If you don't need the pool or water access try Suites Bahia or Mexicana, right in town 90-130 a night, very nice, good buffet breakfast at Mex.
Fontan would be as far from town as Caribe Blu just on the north end. Sidewalk to town not as nice as from CB and is dark. I haven't stayed there in 8 years and I know they renovated also.
bluewaterdiva
Contributor
It depends on what you are wanting. We stay at Hotel Barracuda because they have a dive op right there and pick you up/drop you off at the Hotel. Plus it is close to the square for evening meals and entertainment. We don't spend a lot of time in the hotel room other than sleep and shower so, the room is not that important other than a clean room and comfy bed. Beds are a little on the hard side but we like that. We split a sandwich at the No Name Bar/Pool. Very good and reasonable.
bluewaterdiva
Contributor
Oh yes, we also eat breakfast at the Rock & Java. Very good and resonable.
I think your wife must have the same DNA as my wife. I can TOTALLY see her saying the same thing. We are in the process of planning our trip for April. Stayed at CB last year, thinking of trying something different this year - not that CB was bad, but wouldn't mind being a little closer to town. I'm thinking we'll try something different, then miss being at Caribe Blu!
Then again, CB is on the beach... free shore diving (with BA), gear is stored there with a 50 foot walk to the boats, restaurant there for after dive guacamole & beer, nice rooms, friendly people, fairly close to town, and free ggunn CDs (if he's there)! Seems hard to find something with these same features!
bcaderunr
Contributor
Yeah - that was pretty much it. CB is so much more laid back, quiet and uncrowded. Just took a quick detour elsewhere to really appreciate it. And to be more specific- two things I didn't like about Barracuda besides the noise and crowds were:
1) No room safes
2) No free bottled water
Minor issues perhaps, but I missed having those amenities. Your wife a blonde, too?
1) No room safes
2) No free bottled water
Minor issues perhaps, but I missed having those amenities. Your wife a blonde, too?
PARADISE HUNTER
Contributor
I stayed at the Barracuda twice in 07 with my dive budy. I liked the hotel and would stay there again. The rooms are a bit spartan, but kept clean. The view is great, all rooms are on the ocean. It also is close to town and I like the walks before and after dinner. Grabbing a cab everytime I step out of the hotel gets to be a hassle. That is the only reason I haven't stayed at Caribe Blu.
Don't expect anything fancy if you stay there. All the rooms have a fridge, A.C. and never ran out of hot water. I do wish that they had a security box in the room.
The No Name Bar does take some consideration depending on what you are looking for. Loudives described it well. Personally, I like it. It has a nice mix of cruise employees (very different than PODS), divers and locals. The music would get to be annoying if you are staying in the bank of rooms above the bar area. But we stayed at the other end of the hotel on the third floor and couldn't here any music while standing on the balcany.
A second restaurant has opened next door to the Barracuda to the south. This gives you two options for breakfeast(the other being Rockin Java), before your dive boat picks you up.
Good Luck.
Don't expect anything fancy if you stay there. All the rooms have a fridge, A.C. and never ran out of hot water. I do wish that they had a security box in the room.
The No Name Bar does take some consideration depending on what you are looking for. Loudives described it well. Personally, I like it. It has a nice mix of cruise employees (very different than PODS), divers and locals. The music would get to be annoying if you are staying in the bank of rooms above the bar area. But we stayed at the other end of the hotel on the third floor and couldn't here any music while standing on the balcany.
A second restaurant has opened next door to the Barracuda to the south. This gives you two options for breakfeast(the other being Rockin Java), before your dive boat picks you up.
Good Luck.
We always hit Rockin Java, love their breakfast. We'll probably end up at Caribe blu again, just got an email from them and they'll have room. I just wish their restaurant opened a little earlier. Our operator leaves early, and we only get to squeeze in a quick cup of coffee. Maybe we'll pick up a coffee maker at the Chedraui along with some breakfast bars.
beachnik
Contributor
Well, I've just booked my 18th trip to Cozumel. I've been to lots of other places, but like so many, I really like it in Cozumel. For most of my trips to Cozumel, I've stayed at the Hotel Barracuda. I think all the comments I've seen here about the Barracuda have been pretty fair and accurate.
Our group is frequently a group of 'dive guys'. The hotel is spartan, the beds are hard, the bed linens look like they came from the Good Will, air conditioners can be noisy (I don't use them) but we like the place. I mean, really like it, not just put up with it.
When one of the guys goes down with a lady, they usually go to another hotel to avoid taking the chance of pissing off the non-diving lady friend (usually). On the other hand, I've met lots of ladies staying there that were happy with the place.
There's a lot to be said for having:
It's true about the lack of a room safe. But you can use the safe at the front desk (it's $1 or so for each access). In the 15+ years that I've been going there, nothing has been taken. One trip, Juan - the manager - chased me down as I was getting in a cab to leave for the airport. I had thrown some old flip-flops in the trash. He wanted to make sure they really were trash and not something I wanted (or something that I might subsequently think had been taken from my room).
Someone mentioned the crew noise between 10 - 4. True. There's also evening entertainment that sometimes goes until 10P (like - a guy with an acoustic guitar - not bad, but there it is)
There is one benefit in having a room above the bar. If you're taking a laptop, and plan to call the states frequently (hey, some folks have to do it) and if you use Skype for these calls - you can connect to the wireless router in the No Name Bar. If you get too far from the bar — your connection won't be too good. Just make sure you either patronize the bar or give them some money for the service. Of course, you could also take a room anywhere in the hotel and just go to the pool/bar with your laptop. Or walk around to the front of the hotel and go to the calling store and pay to make a call - pretty convenient, and cheap.
Price-wise, the Barracuda is a pretty good deal.
Have fun.
Our group is frequently a group of 'dive guys'. The hotel is spartan, the beds are hard, the bed linens look like they came from the Good Will, air conditioners can be noisy (I don't use them) but we like the place. I mean, really like it, not just put up with it.
When one of the guys goes down with a lady, they usually go to another hotel to avoid taking the chance of pissing off the non-diving lady friend (usually). On the other hand, I've met lots of ladies staying there that were happy with the place.
There's a lot to be said for having:
- A balcony right next to the water
- A pier steps from your hotel
- A dive operator in the hotel and with a shop a few doors away
- Rock N Java a few doors away
- Great access to town while not being right in it
- Easy access to Chedraui
- Not having to take a cab every time you want to go to town (that would be just about every day and every evening)
- Equipment lockers right downstairs and close to the pier
It's true about the lack of a room safe. But you can use the safe at the front desk (it's $1 or so for each access). In the 15+ years that I've been going there, nothing has been taken. One trip, Juan - the manager - chased me down as I was getting in a cab to leave for the airport. I had thrown some old flip-flops in the trash. He wanted to make sure they really were trash and not something I wanted (or something that I might subsequently think had been taken from my room).
Someone mentioned the crew noise between 10 - 4. True. There's also evening entertainment that sometimes goes until 10P (like - a guy with an acoustic guitar - not bad, but there it is)
There is one benefit in having a room above the bar. If you're taking a laptop, and plan to call the states frequently (hey, some folks have to do it) and if you use Skype for these calls - you can connect to the wireless router in the No Name Bar. If you get too far from the bar — your connection won't be too good. Just make sure you either patronize the bar or give them some money for the service. Of course, you could also take a room anywhere in the hotel and just go to the pool/bar with your laptop. Or walk around to the front of the hotel and go to the calling store and pay to make a call - pretty convenient, and cheap.
Price-wise, the Barracuda is a pretty good deal.
Have fun.
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