Question VRBO area - Dive OP - and non-mexican food.

[ggunn]

I know you said you don't want to do AI........but if you were willing to consider AI and your budget allows, Cozumel Palace would check most/all the boxes for you. The food is very good and not just by AI standards, it really is good. They have 4 restaurants on site- Mexican (for those in your group who want it), Italian, Asian, and an outdoor buffet with lots of different choices. There is a lot of variety for breakfast & lunch too. There isn't a true beach, but the resort is right on the ocean and has a sandy area where your non-diver could sit in a lounger under a palm tree and be served drinks all day. The service there is top notch. It's very close to town and safe. Aqua Safari is the on-site dive operation but you can have any other dive op pick you up at the pier, no sweat. I prefer Aldora but there are lots of other good operations. As others have said, need to give the dive op advanced notice that you want to dive Devil's Throat.

Another nice thing about the Palace's location is that there are many great restaurants within walking distance or a cheap cab ride away.

 

[ggunn]

Wow! Thank you, all great info.
Upon more active discussion, we may end up in Roatan at a hotel with a dive op that is not an all inclusive. Mexican type food is not an issue as much as I laid out originally. She just says she doesn't want beans and rice, breakfast lunch and dinner.

On Cozumel you can get a meal that isn't beans and rice at just about any restaurant.

 

[scubbq]

Can’t wait to read this trip report …

 

[nodakdive]

Lots of great reading in here but still have a few questions. Two couples traveling to Coz with various requests. All inclusive food and drinks not prefered. One person in our group does not like mexican food. Another diver wants to do devils throat and doesn't care what food we eat. Another person doesn't dive and just wants to sit on the beach getting served drinks while the last diver just requests good food. 3 divers 1 non-diver.
Really want to dive Cozumel but would consider Roatan or Belize if better lodging/food option existed.
Option 1) VRBO and Dive shop close to beach where drinks can be served.
Option 2) Resort close to town where outside food options could be located. Security is a concern.
Option 3) If it exists is a resort away from town that had food options other than mexican.

We plan on staying a week to 10 days. Looking for advice as I am having a difficult time trying to check each box.

As to beaches, if "by the water " counts, there are many options. Many places that are on the water have some sort of ocean side service.

As to the "no Mexican food", most, if not nearly all restaurants have food that isn't necessarily Mexican. There will be a Mexican preparation of fish, for instance, but you can also get a nicely prepared filet that will come with a side of white rice and steamed vegetables almost anyplace. Same with chicken, beef, seafood, etc.

As an example and not meant as a plug, Casa del Mar would fit the bill if having an area with sand behind a sea wall with lounge chairs and little palapas would suit for a beach. The last time I was there, long ago, drink service on the "beach" was possible but spotty. If I understand correctly, they've built up their beach area with a pool and hot-tub etc, so I'd suspect drink service is not as spotty. I'm not hard to please, but I really liked their club sandwich, their cheeseburger, their whole fried fish and their grilled chicken.

Off the top of my head, between downtown and the south cruise ship port, Barracuda, Villa Blanca, Coz Palace, Blue Angel, Hotel Coz, etc., would all kind of fit the bill in those regards. Right next door to Casa del Mar is the Park Royal, an AI, and they have a beach area with traditional style beach and a pool, hot tub and drink service. Across the street from the Park Royal is El Cid la Ceiba.

The taxi fare from CDM/Park Royal/El Cid appears to be 95 pesos, though from what I've been reading the posted fares are being ignored. That's about $5 one way to town and all the restaurants, a little more for a few like El Moro, La Mission, La Perlita, etc. The Barracuda is basically right downtown, where there are Italian restaurants, Chicago Deep Dish Pizza, etc., non-Mexican food.

I think the no Mexican food party will be fine. If the beach person just needs a place to sit by the water on a lounger with drink service, the world is pretty much your oyster, no pun.

If the divers haven't dived in Cozumel and they can, they should. Good choice of destination, imo.

 

[ggunn]

...a little more for a few like El Moro, La Mission...

I assume you mean Casa Mission; La Mission is a block or so off Melgar close to the square.

 

[rick00001967]

Wow! Thank you, all great info.
Upon more active discussion, we may end up in Roatan at a hotel with a dive op that is not an all inclusive. Mexican type food is not an issue as much as I laid out originally. She just says she doesn't want beans and rice, breakfast lunch and dinner.

in fairness to the one who doesnt like "mexican food"...... if they have not traveled much, or at least never been to one of the more touristy destinations in mexico, this can be a common misconception.
many of my friends assume everywhere in mexico is third world and they would be eating tacos every meal. lol
they are simply not aware that in many areas, you can get the same types and quality of food (if not better) than they can at home.
you certainly can choose to look at roatan. i have never been but know they have many excellent diving opportunities.
but although you wont get "mexican food" (as you aint in mexico lol) hopefully you can stay in an area that offers the same variety of options that you can get on coz or in playa del carmen for example.

 

[ggunn]

in fairness to the one who doesnt like "mexican food"...... if they have not traveled much, or at least never been to one of the more touristy destinations in mexico, this can be a common misconception.

Right. What passes for "Mexican food' in the US, especially at cheaper restaurants (I'm looking at you, Taco Bell), is very different from what is found in most Cozumel restaurants.

 

[nodakdive]

I assume you mean Casa Mission; La Mission is a block or so off Melgar close to the square.

Right. Though I would say I've had some good meals a La Mission too. Another off the beaten path that comes to mind would be Pescadaria San Carlos. And the chicken places on 30th? Those must be in a taxi zone outside of the square too?

 

[nodakdive]

Wow! Thank you, all great info.
Upon more active discussion, we may end up in Roatan at a hotel with a dive op that is not an all inclusive. Mexican type food is not an issue as much as I laid out originally. She just says she doesn't want beans and rice, breakfast lunch and dinner.

As others have suggested, Cozumel is definitely not a rice and beans destination. I have no experience with Roatan, but from what I've read, it might be a little closer to that than Cozumel.

 

[34109411]

Lots of great reading in here but still have a few questions. Two couples traveling to Coz with various requests. All inclusive food and drinks not prefered. One person in our group does not like mexican food. Another diver wants to do devils throat and doesn't care what food we eat. Another person doesn't dive and just wants to sit on the beach getting served drinks while the last diver just requests good food. 3 divers 1 non-diver.
Really want to dive Cozumel but would consider Roatan or Belize if better lodging/food option existed.
Option 1) VRBO and Dive shop close to beach where drinks can be served.
Option 2) Resort close to town where outside food options could be located. Security is a concern.
Option 3) If it exists is a resort away from town that had food options other than mexican.

We plan on staying a week to 10 days. Looking for advice as I am having a difficult time trying to check each box.

i like people going to mexico but doesn't like mexican food. I find them open to other culture.

If you are not sure about your own security in cozumel i will suggest you don't venture in honduras or
belize cause you be in shock.




great group !