Traveling to Banyan Tree Mayakoba (Playa Del Carmen) Mexico - NEED NAMES

[HeatherDiver]

Hi everyone -
New here so have patience with the newbie
I am going to stay at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen Mexico (south of Cancun, North of Tululum) later this month. I have been certified for 16 years. I have always tried to stay away from the cattle car, discover scuba boats that leave from the hotels. However, I have never been to this area of Mexico so I am nervous because I have no recos on dive operators. I NEED YOUR HELP!
The operator the hotel recommends (cringe, I know) is Dive Mayakoba but the reviews I have seen is that it is a bare bones boat with no shade and FULL of resort certified beginners and I want something more...better boat, more experienced divers etc. I don't want to hang at 25 feet the whole time, you know? (my apologies to any beginners)
We also wanted to go to Cozumel while we are there for the drift dives but the hotel is trying to talk us out of that -- they said it is 2.5 hours away which seems unlikely...and I LOVED Cozumel last time I was there!

So for those of you that have stayed South of Cancun in Riviera Maya, who did you use? Please help!
Heather

 

[DevilDog3/7]

You might want to check to see if the place is still open the Mexican Government raided over 22 hotels in the area threw everyone out and seized the properties. There's a huge investigation going on now.

 

[Dogbowl]

A quick Google search suggested the raids were in Tulum. Banyan Tree Mayakoba is just north of Playa, so I don't think it's affected. But sure, be prudent and double check.

Banyan Tree Mayakoba is sweet! Lucky duck!

I'm a beginner and I also don't like hanging at 25 feet from cattle boats either!

I agree with the hotel that the trek over to Cozumel is well, a trek. But I know people do it all the time and they find it worth it. Personally, I wouldn't do a day trek, but if I'm staying several days in Coz and several days on the mainland, sure.

Don't expect the diving in and around Playa to be like that of Coz. I much preferred Coz hands down.

Cenote diving south of Playa is spectacular though and I would suggest doing that with a qualified guide.

We were in Playa last year and used Blue Life and were very happy with their communications and guiding.

 

[driftwood]

Hi everyone -
New here so have patience with the newbie
I am going to stay at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen Mexico (south of Cancun, North of Tululum) later this month. I have been certified for 16 years. I have always tried to stay away from the cattle car, discover scuba boats that leave from the hotels. However, I have never been to this area of Mexico so I am nervous because I have no recos on dive operators. I NEED YOUR HELP!
The operator the hotel recommends (cringe, I know) is Dive Mayakoba but the reviews I have seen is that it is a bare bones boat with no shade and FULL of resort certified beginners and I want something more...better boat, more experienced divers etc. I don't want to hang at 25 feet the whole time, you know? (my apologies to any beginners)
We also wanted to go to Cozumel while we are there for the drift dives but the hotel is trying to talk us out of that -- they said it is 2.5 hours away which seems unlikely...and I LOVED Cozumel last time I was there!

So for those of you that have stayed South of Cancun in Riviera Maya, who did you use? Please help!
Heather

Looking at the map, 2 1/2 hours isn't too far from the mark. BTM, is pretty far out of town and still be listed as in PDC. When you add up all the various travel components to move you from the resort to Coz dive shop, not that much difference from flying into CUN and doing the bag drag over to Coz. For my vacation time, I wouldn't do it for a couple of dives.

 

[rossandmaureen]

You might want to check to see if the place is still open the Mexican Government raided over 22 hotels in the area threw everyone out and seized the properties. There's a huge investigation going on now.

What hotels...and why?

 

[Diverspoint]

Not relevant to the above question, but there have been problems with corrupt government in Tulum raiding some hotels there.

Back on topic, if still going, go cenote at least.