Thinking about trying Mexico this year

[scubby-doo]

Every year we goto Carribean, but this year, flight costs are high. We are looking for the best place in Mexico for diving, as well as a safe location to travel to.
Only places I know of:
- Cozumel - snorkelled here in the harbor
- Costa Maya - snorkelled here, good
- Cancun - never been there

Are any of these Mexico locations worthy or comparable to Carribean ? We been to Caymans, USVI, Caicos, Curacao.
OR do we stick with USVI since its close to mainland.

 

[scubby-doo]

IF you read this, can you reply with something ? Is Mexico a good dive, or is it a dive ?

 

[Indian Valley Scuba]

Lots of variety there, and lots of great places. If you are there to dive, Cancun should be low on your list. Cozumel is very nice, and offers a lot of nice drift diving opportunities. We also go to Akumal quite frequently, and Adventurous is very nice also, just south of Playa del Carmen. One advantage of being on the mainland is that you have the ability to dive not only on the reefs but in the beautiful caverns of the cenotes also!

 

[browntrout]

If you want a dive vacation go to Cozumel. If you want a beach vacation with Diving Akumal is a wonderful area, however the diving is not as good as Cozumel. All three of the areas you mentioned are in the "Carribean".

 

[PlayaCountryBoy]

I lived in Bali for 6 years and Thailand for 3 years working and diving the best reefs out there. After the Bali bombings of 2002, I packed up and moved to Playa del Carmen. I chose Playa because of its proximty to the best dive sites in the Riviera Maya. Not to mention it's a charming small town that is beautifully decorated with a pelethora of restaurants. But let's talk diving...We have walls, wrecks, finger reefs, and some of the best cavern/cave diving in the world, not to mention whale sharks visiting in the summer! All a short ride from Playa. Most of the reef sites that we dive out of Playa are only 5-20 minutes away by boat. And if going out to the cenotes, anywhere from 40-60+ minutes by SUV depending on which cenotes we go to.

I have lived in Playa now about 8 years and have guided people over the reefs and wrecks of Cancun, Isla Mujerres, Puerto Morrelos, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Tulum, Mahahual, and Chinchorros Banks. And everyday I am still amazed at the abundace of corals and sealife we have not only in Playa, but Cozumel, and Puerto Morrelos. Its just a short trip to dive Coz or Puerto Morrelos from Playa. If you have family travelling, Playa is more family oriented with lots of adventures geared for the non-diver.

Hope this helps. Have a look at this site for alot of info including videos on the diving around the whole area: Playa Del Carmen diving - small uncrowded groups
PM me if you would like more specific information diving or other activities in and around Playa.

 

[diver 85]

Cozumel will probably work.............

 

[Bfarqy]

highly recommend Cozumel as well. Palancar wall dive is amazing @85+ft, and incredible snorkeling right of every hotels beach. I stayed at Fiesta Americana for the proximity and affordablity

 

[scubby-doo]

Cozumel will probably work.............

wiseguy response. if you do not have anything constructive to add to the thread, it would be ok to click on next thread and move on. I am looking for people that have been there and care to offer some ideas to help us pick a good place for our first time to Cozumel for diving. been there on a cruise only.

 

[scubby-doo]

awesome, that is helpful, i will look up Palancar reef area.

 

[bwetter]

Within the last year i have been to both Cozumel - stayed for a week and Playa del Carmen(PDC) stayed for a week also -
both are wonderful places but in my opinion are very different
- the food at both is wonderful and abundent
- Cozumel, depending on hotel location, the reefs can be 5-10 boat ride and the colors are unlike anywhere else and the sealife is abundant. drift diving is very relaxing - very little effort needed
- PDC - wonderful shark dives and the reefs are very nice also but the main reason for me to go are the Cenotes, amazing underwater stalagtites and stalagmites, you will feel as if you have gone into a whole other world - and there are many to choose from and each one will have something different to offer. PDC also has more to offer out of the water and to the non-divers in my family

Everyone will have their favorites for specific dive locations or operators -
The best on PDC(my opinion) - GeoFish - they can accommodate ocean and Cenote dives and have great DM's and take small groups - they can be found both here and at Geofish Dive - Scuba Diving, Snorkeling & PADI Instruction in Playa del Carmen & Cozumel, Mexico

if it matters -
i have planned another trip back this year and again 1 week in Cozumel and 1 week in PDC
Cozumel i'll use Dive Palancar
PDC - GeoFish

I hope this helps, but realize this -
You'll be Diving, what could be better