Report - Villablanca and Scuba Mau

[Harro10]

Reek Tank - Thanks for posting the trip report. It saved me from doing it since I think we had pretty much the same trip. I was nice meeting and diving with you.

 

[firstdive2005]

Here are the few pictures I'm not too embarrassed to post.

Great shots! There must be more........

 

[Reef Tank]

Reek Tank - Thanks for posting the trip report. It saved me from doing it since I think we had pretty much the same trip. I was nice meeting and diving with you.

It was our pleasure meeting and talking with you. Thanks for your tips and insights.

Great shots! There must be more........

There are more but I think I had the point-n-shoot on auto mode instead of underwater so the white balance is off and I haven't fixed them yet. Thanks for the encouragement though.

 

[JenLoves2Dive]

I had the pleasure of staying at Villa Blanca for a month. The hotel is not "tired". If you are expecting a Wyndham or Iberostar style room than yes, I suppose it is. I find the rooms there to be the very much Mexican style (tile floors, tile showers and marble tops etc.). The rooms are very similar to Scuba Club and Fiesta Americana (where I have also stayed many times). It definitely has the "boutique" hotel feel to it. On site manager, Jorge will go out of his way to make sure you enjoy your stay.

I loved that huge outdoor hot tub. Nothing like sitting outside with a cocktail in the hot tub watching those fantastic sunsets. I also just love the feel of the place. I loved my stay there.

Over the years I've stayed at the El Presidente, Plaza las Glorias (now it is Cozumel Palace) Fiesta Americana, Caribe Blue (now Blue Angel Resort), Villa Blanca, Scuba Club as well as renting at El Cantil and some other private homes. I would absolutely stay at Villa Blanca again. I would always suggest upgrading to the Superior rooms. Lots of space with a sitting area (couch) and full size fridge.

Yes, and do try and stay away from rooms closest to the street.

I love to take a tank out and dive right off from La Palapita. If you go it alone, make sure you don't head out too far West or you'll end up on the wall. Stay shallow and you'll find all kinds of stuff!!

Great trip report! Nice chain moray shot. They are pretty uncommon in Cozumel but I had heard that there were a couple on the shallow dives. (Jim Lyle has captured a few shots.)


BTW, Dive Paradise has fast boats too. I dive with them as well as Scuba Mau and Christi.

 

[cvchief]

What is a churo? Breakfast thing, dessert thing? Cocaine in a tortilla? Can anyone adequately describe these marvels of culinary engineering?

Little note: You might not want to wander the streets telling people you are "looking for a churro." I was telling a local about searching the plaza for a churro for my wife. He began to laugh uncontrollably. Apparently churro can also be slang for a 'special' cigarette frowned upon by the gendarme....

 

[Reef Tank]

Little note: You might not want to wander the streets telling people you are "looking for a churro." I was telling a local about searching the plaza for a churro for my wife. He began to laugh uncontrollably. Apparently churro can also be slang for a 'special' cigarette frowned upon by the gendarme....

One more story. We had just lost a favorite cat shortly before the trip. One evening we came back to the room and found a cat crying and apparently in the last throes of death. The next morning I found a grounds keeper but I only knew the word gatto and not muerto. So I said gatto, folded my hands and laid my head, then made the sign of the cross. I think he understood but I might have been making obscene gestures for all I know.

 

[mmtndiver]

RT thanks for the trip report.

I'm going to VB in April bought the package through Orbitz and stayed with the standard room. Did VB offer you a upgrade for the larger rooms? If so what was the upgrade fee?

Also did you try the restaurant at VB? I've read they have a good BBQ on Sundays.

Thanks for the help,
Mmtndiver

 

[Reef Tank]

RT thanks for the trip report.

I'm going to VB in April bought the package through Orbitz and stayed with the standard room. Did VB offer you a upgrade for the larger rooms? If so what was the upgrade fee?

Also did you try the restaurant at VB? I've read they have a good BBQ on Sundays.

Thanks for the help,
Mmtndiver

Yes, they offered the upgrade and it wasn't a lot more but we are comfortable staying in almost any size/type of room. They provided good pillows even though we always bring our own.

There was a Mexican BBQ (all-you-can-eat) one of the evenings. My guess is the spices are authentic. My wife thought it was great but it wasn't to my liking. The price was $14 each. The restaurant manager is very, very nice. Every morning he would ask us "the usual?" I noticed that when I gave him a tip he put it in the tip jar so I asked him if it was customary to split tips among staff. He said it is common everywhere on the island.

 

[Harro10]

I did the upgrade at the hotel and they charged me $20. US per night which I believe is the same price to upgrade at Orbitz.

RT thanks for the trip report.

I'm going to VB in April bought the package through Orbitz and stayed with the standard room. Did VB offer you a upgrade for the larger rooms? If so what was the upgrade fee?

Also did you try the restaurant at VB? I've read they have a good BBQ on Sundays.

Thanks for the help,
Mmtndiver

 

[DandyDon]

I did the upgrade at the hotel and they charged me $20. US per night which I believe is the same price to upgrade at Orbitz.

No, the upgrade thru Orbitz varies a lot. $20 is kinda high really. I saw a sign in the lobby that they give free upgrades to repeat customers who book thru Orbitz, but I like to guarantee the large room in advance if I can get it cheap enough. We paid $7/night to upgrade I think, on an air & hotel package with $200/room discount.