nchu
Registered
I have been a long time lurker and I usually don't post in forums, but my husband and I had such a great time on our last vacation that I felt that I needed to share this wonderful combo for all to experience! I will try to keep my enthusiasm in check so as to not make everyone nauseous, but I really, really loved both the hotel and the dive shop. We were in Cozumel in December for 20 days so we had ample time to fully experience both places. I have posted a TLDR in case anyone didn't want to read the small novel that is about to ensue:
TLDR - BEST hotel and dive shop we have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.
Villa Las Anclas:
This little hotel looks very inconspicuous from the outside, but don't let that fool you! Once you walk in through the gates, you will see a courtyard and 7 villas. Each villa is two stories and has it's own little kitchenette with a loft bedroom. The courtyard is a tranquil place to relax after diving and getting to meet new people.
Pros:
1. Each villa is clean, spacious, and comfortable with fresh bottles of water whenever you need. The location of the hotel is very quiet and secure.
2. You can practically have room service! Sabores, a great little local restaurant right across the street, can deliver your meal to your room. The food is really good and really reasonably priced! Have midnight hunger monster? The Hamburguesa House is right next door, talk about amazing burgers at midnight and just walking right next door. There is also a grill in the courtyard should you not feel like going out and just grilling.
3. Doug, Della, Jim and Pam. The incredibly hospitable, friendly and helpful new owners of the hotel are always there and it's like having your own personal insider to Cozumel.
4. Karla, the hotel manager, who bends over backwards to make sure your stay is as comfortable as can be.
5. There are water stations throughout the hotel to ensure you are never dehydrated.
6. A fantastic little coffee station that you can get your morning coffee from, and the coffee is always available early enough before you leave to go diving to wake you up in time to enjoy all the amazing diving.
7. Within easy walking distance to most of the best restaurants on the island. Two quick blocks from the main square and an easy walk to Mega.
Cons:
Every hotel you stay at from here on out will never seem to measure up.
Tres Pelicanos:
This new dive shop shares a lobby with Villa Las Anclas. This lobby is a wonderful place to hang out and chat after a day of diving. The owners of Villa Las Anlas and Tres Pelicanos have fostered an atmosphere of friendship that makes it really easy to meet other people and we really feel as though we have met people and other divers that we hope are lifelong friends. This is our fourth trip back to Cozumel and we have dove with a few operations. We have also dove in few other countries and this dive shop is by far the best dive shop we have ever had the pleasure of diving with. For those that are wondering, if you just go to the dive shop, they will arrange for a taxi to take you to the Caleta. Also, if you are not staying at the hotel, let the dive shop know and from what we have seen, they will arrange for you to get the the Caleta so it's not a big deal if you don't stay near the dive shop. We also picked up divers at their hotel piers.
Pros:
1. Servando - He is the best dive master we have ever had. Servando is patient, kind, and never rushes anyone and makes sure you are comfortable and confident in the water. You are allowed to dive your air! There are so many types of divers and this dive operation is really accommodating. Basically, this dive operation gives you the freedom to dive the way you would most enjoy. Servando has incredible spotting skills and was always able to point out all the incredible sea life in these amazing waters. We have seen black tip sharks, eagle rays, tons of lobsters, huge turtles galore and too many more to name!
2. Service: My goodness, I never knew that such great service existed. Beyond the standard load your gear into the boat and readying your equipment, I can't quite put my finger on what the magic is. Everyone on the boat is super friendly, understand what your needs are both above and below water, and really listen to what you would like to see and do. Steve, the owner, has been a diver for years, never thought he would open a dive shop, but boy, when he did, he knew exactly what he wanted and liked as a diver and implemented it. You know that this dive op really comes from a love of diving.
3. The Boat: It is such a comfortable dive boat for 10 - 12 people. The body of the boat is really wide so that you are never crossing fins, have ample space to get your gear on, and move about without fear of knocking someone into the water. It is a really fast boat and there is a shower on board so you can rinse off the sea-water when you get back on the boat. There is some kind of pastry and fruit waiting for you between dives so that you are not starving by the time your dives are over and there is plenty of water.
4. The shop: I have no idea how Pony is able to keep all the balls up in the air, but he does. The one really nice thing about this shop is how on time they are. When they say you are leaving the Caleta at 8, you leave at 8. You get back to the Caleta around 12:30 and you are able to enjoy the rest of your day.5.
5. Prices: The lowest we have found on the island. $68 per 2-tank dive.
Cons:
No hammock on the boat.
I kid, I kid! Really, none that I can think of, and I've tried!
Villa Las Anclas and Tres Pelicanos is such a winning combination, stay at the hotel and dive with Tres Pelicanos. I can't say enough good things about these two places and I have said ALOT! All I can say is that this diving trip has been the most enjoyable diving that my husband and I have had and we hope to stay and dive with them for many years to come.
TLDR - BEST hotel and dive shop we have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.
Villa Las Anclas:
This little hotel looks very inconspicuous from the outside, but don't let that fool you! Once you walk in through the gates, you will see a courtyard and 7 villas. Each villa is two stories and has it's own little kitchenette with a loft bedroom. The courtyard is a tranquil place to relax after diving and getting to meet new people.
Pros:
1. Each villa is clean, spacious, and comfortable with fresh bottles of water whenever you need. The location of the hotel is very quiet and secure.
2. You can practically have room service! Sabores, a great little local restaurant right across the street, can deliver your meal to your room. The food is really good and really reasonably priced! Have midnight hunger monster? The Hamburguesa House is right next door, talk about amazing burgers at midnight and just walking right next door. There is also a grill in the courtyard should you not feel like going out and just grilling.
3. Doug, Della, Jim and Pam. The incredibly hospitable, friendly and helpful new owners of the hotel are always there and it's like having your own personal insider to Cozumel.
4. Karla, the hotel manager, who bends over backwards to make sure your stay is as comfortable as can be.
5. There are water stations throughout the hotel to ensure you are never dehydrated.
6. A fantastic little coffee station that you can get your morning coffee from, and the coffee is always available early enough before you leave to go diving to wake you up in time to enjoy all the amazing diving.
7. Within easy walking distance to most of the best restaurants on the island. Two quick blocks from the main square and an easy walk to Mega.
Cons:
Every hotel you stay at from here on out will never seem to measure up.
Tres Pelicanos:
This new dive shop shares a lobby with Villa Las Anclas. This lobby is a wonderful place to hang out and chat after a day of diving. The owners of Villa Las Anlas and Tres Pelicanos have fostered an atmosphere of friendship that makes it really easy to meet other people and we really feel as though we have met people and other divers that we hope are lifelong friends. This is our fourth trip back to Cozumel and we have dove with a few operations. We have also dove in few other countries and this dive shop is by far the best dive shop we have ever had the pleasure of diving with. For those that are wondering, if you just go to the dive shop, they will arrange for a taxi to take you to the Caleta. Also, if you are not staying at the hotel, let the dive shop know and from what we have seen, they will arrange for you to get the the Caleta so it's not a big deal if you don't stay near the dive shop. We also picked up divers at their hotel piers.
Pros:
1. Servando - He is the best dive master we have ever had. Servando is patient, kind, and never rushes anyone and makes sure you are comfortable and confident in the water. You are allowed to dive your air! There are so many types of divers and this dive operation is really accommodating. Basically, this dive operation gives you the freedom to dive the way you would most enjoy. Servando has incredible spotting skills and was always able to point out all the incredible sea life in these amazing waters. We have seen black tip sharks, eagle rays, tons of lobsters, huge turtles galore and too many more to name!
2. Service: My goodness, I never knew that such great service existed. Beyond the standard load your gear into the boat and readying your equipment, I can't quite put my finger on what the magic is. Everyone on the boat is super friendly, understand what your needs are both above and below water, and really listen to what you would like to see and do. Steve, the owner, has been a diver for years, never thought he would open a dive shop, but boy, when he did, he knew exactly what he wanted and liked as a diver and implemented it. You know that this dive op really comes from a love of diving.
3. The Boat: It is such a comfortable dive boat for 10 - 12 people. The body of the boat is really wide so that you are never crossing fins, have ample space to get your gear on, and move about without fear of knocking someone into the water. It is a really fast boat and there is a shower on board so you can rinse off the sea-water when you get back on the boat. There is some kind of pastry and fruit waiting for you between dives so that you are not starving by the time your dives are over and there is plenty of water.
4. The shop: I have no idea how Pony is able to keep all the balls up in the air, but he does. The one really nice thing about this shop is how on time they are. When they say you are leaving the Caleta at 8, you leave at 8. You get back to the Caleta around 12:30 and you are able to enjoy the rest of your day.5.
5. Prices: The lowest we have found on the island. $68 per 2-tank dive.
Cons:
No hammock on the boat.
I kid, I kid! Really, none that I can think of, and I've tried!Villa Las Anclas and Tres Pelicanos is such a winning combination, stay at the hotel and dive with Tres Pelicanos. I can't say enough good things about these two places and I have said ALOT! All I can say is that this diving trip has been the most enjoyable diving that my husband and I have had and we hope to stay and dive with them for many years to come.
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