Trip report, 9-22 / 29

[SeaFlea]

Greetings all,

I wanted to report on another great week in Cozumel. I stayed at the Fiesta Americana and dived with Martin. What can I say that is different from my previous trips, not much. The hotel was great, as usual. There were just a few folks there that week, quiet but very nice. The staff was super nice, as always. FA is probably my favorite place to stay in Cozumel. The staff working for Martin are very capable and professional. We had very coz-typical dives all week. I have been to all the sites we visited but enjoyed every minute. I never seem to get tired of Palancar, Santa Rosa, and Chankanaub(spell). Note: had a great dive at Chankanaub "Balloons". I saw more life on that one dive than I had seen on a single dive in a long time. I wish my pictures would have turned out better though. On a dive starting at Palancar Gardens and ending on Santa Rosa Wall the current was ripping. We were just flying. I stowed my camera and played superman trying to avoid the coral heads.

All in all a very nice week of diving. Now I need to figure out how to convince my wife that I need some more in Febuary.

Good diving to all and to all a good night.

 

[Texas Diver]

Nice report, thanks for posting it.

Could you give us some specifics about the condition of the hotel? For example, concerning the damage done to the Fiesta Americana from the hurricane, has anything changed since I posted the following:

As of August 31: The palapa was still off the outside restaurant and the sides were boarded - no work had started on it; buffet breakfast and lunch were in the restaurant across the street; dinner was in the speciality restaurant.

The inside of the hotel is fine. The lobby and rooms are clean and up to speed. The pool, pool area, pool bar and outside bar are okay. The staff is doing a good job. Everything works okay.

The outside of the property needs a facelift though. Lots of roof tiles are broken. The pier is operational but its sides need repair.

 

[jpomerantz]

Thanks for asking about that. I was wondering the same as will be there in 8 days.

Nice report, thanks for posting it.

Could you give us some specifics about the condition of the hotel? For example, concerning the damage done to the Fiesta Americana from the hurricane, has anything changed since I posted the following:

As of August 31: The palapa was still off the outside restaurant and the sides were boarded - no work had started on it; buffet breakfast and lunch were in the restaurant across the street; dinner was in the speciality restaurant.

The inside of the hotel is fine. The lobby and rooms are clean and up to speed. The pool, pool area, pool bar and outside bar are okay. The staff is doing a good job. Everything works okay.

The outside of the property needs a facelift though. Lots of roof tiles are broken. The pier is operational but its sides need repair.

 

[SeaFlea]

TD, the re-construction of the large palapa over the pool bar area has yet to begin. One of the staff said it might be completed by the end of the year. The dockside restaurant was closed for renovations and all meals were in the restaurant inside. I had been there once before in Sept and it was likewise. Slow season is the time they work on the place, I guess. Not to mention there were just a few guests staying that week. The roof re-tileing continues has most of the buildings roof was battered. Otherwise all is just fine. The inside was unaffected and looks well kept as always. You're right, the dock does need some work but is quite useable.

I do suggest, if you will be diving alot and spending most of your time at the hotel, go all-inclusive. Meals and drinks are quite expensive. I enjoyed all the meals and really can't complain about anything. Except, they need to change the music soundtrack. It became comical as the same songs in order complimented each of my meals. I seem to go to town less and less as the years go by and spend most of my time at the hotel. I came out well ahead in my recent week there by going AI. Just my 2cents.

Good diving.

 

[Texas Diver]

Hi Flea:

Thanks for the update and the recommendation. I appreciate it.

 

[jawfish]

Great report and follow-up!!

 

[diveborg]

I agree about the AI at FA, it is a good deal if you are going diving every morning. Convenient breakfast and lunch, drinks, bottled water, and I thought the dinners were good, especially at the reservation restaurant upstairs. I thought the food we received when we ordered off a menu was quite good, the buffet was just OK.