Riviera Maya, Mexico - Recommendations

[scubadada]

My wife and I took a trip down to Puerto Morelos before a wedding in Playa del Carmen. The town was still fairly quaint by Riviera Maya standards. Nice walking around with several fine, inexpensive restaurants. We dived with Dive in Puerto Morelos and had a fine time, small boat, few divers, Welcome to Dive in Puerto Morelos The Wreck of the Juan Escutia was really quite a nice dive with several small schools of Eagle Rays. Several of the reef dives were pretty typical Caribbean, relaxed, easy diving. They also go to the cenotes.

 

[rmssetc]

Multiple threads on here on this topic. I'd highly recommend Puerto Aventuras as a destination (couple of AI's to choose from) and Dive Aventuras as a dive shop (one of the most professional shops I have ever dove with, and can do anything from Discover Scuba to cenotes). I am not associated with them in any way, but strongly suggest you check with them about packages. You will not be disappointed.

I strongly agree about Dive Aventuras -- I had very good experience diving with them, recommend them, and Martin (DM, instructor) in particular.

As for Puerto Aventuras itself (the gated tourist enclave on the water, not the shopping center & village on the other side of the highway)...well...it's pretty, clean, safe, over-sanitized, and much too artificial for me. The tiny diving museum truly is great, and you can find some terrific Italian food (PA is a center for Italian retirees & expats) -- but no non-touristic Mexican food at all, in my opinion.

 

[rgdiver1]

Another vote for Cenote Xperience in Playa del Carmen. An excellent operation that gives personal service. They provide both cenote and ocean diving services. Highly recommended.

In general, I would avoid large operations.

 

[elmo]

Regardless of who you dive with, please keep all your dollars and pesos away from resort or gated community that keeps dolphins. By mistake I visited Puerto Aventuras for dinner and was horrified by the cruel treatment and habitat of the poor dolphins and seals there. They are kept in a small, shallow pool and have no access to the ocean. I'm no activist, but I gave seriously consideration to a late night rescue operation. Worst of all, it isn't limited to one resort.

 

[ibj40]

I strongly agree about Dive Aventuras -- I had very good experience diving with them, recommend them, and Martin (DM, instructor) in particular.

As for Puerto Aventuras itself (the gated tourist enclave on the water, not the shopping center & village on the other side of the highway)...well...it's pretty, clean, safe, over-sanitized, and much too artificial for me. The tiny diving museum truly is great, and you can find some terrific Italian food (PA is a center for Italian retirees & expats) -- but no non-touristic Mexican food at all, in my opinion.

We always get to DFW airport early enough so that we can eat a meal at the Cantina Laredo in Terminal D, since we won't able to have Mexican food until we get back.

 

[ibj40]

Regardless of who you dive with, please keep all your dollars and pesos away from resort or gated community that keeps dolphins. By mistake I visited Puerto Aventuras for dinner and was horrified by the cruel treatment and habitat of the poor dolphins and seals there. They are kept in a small, shallow pool and have no access to the ocean. I'm no activist, but I gave seriously consideration to a late night rescue operation. Worst of all, it isn't limited to one resort.

As much as I agree with a disdain for "dolphin discovery" venues, I think you overstate the situation in PA a bit. The entire area where the dolphins are housed is actually formerly a part of the original marina, and is clearly open to the ocean. Back when I first visited PA, on board a 30+ foot cabin cruiser in the mid 80's, we docked in front of what is now Massimo's.

 

[elmo]

The entire area where the dolphins are housed is actually formerly a part of the original marina, and is clearly open to the ocean. Back when I first visited PA, on board a 30+ foot cabin cruiser in the mid 80's, we docked in front of what is now Massimo's.

The area where the dolphins are confined is open to the ocean in the same sense that a prison cell with barred windows is open to the outside. Sure, the dolphin/inmate gets a sense that there is a world beyond the fence, but they sure as hell can't access it.
That you once docked where they are now confined doesn't change that it is now small, shallow, artificial or cruel.
I've not visited another "dolphin discovery centre" but if you tell me others are worse I won't doubt you.

 

[scubadada]

Is there any good argument to support a captive dolphin program?

 

[ibj40]

Is there any good argument to support a captive dolphin program?

Don't believe that I made that suggestion, all I was doing was providing a factual observation.