What to pack for a week in Cozumel?

[Rob9876]

I think I've ever only seen one diver inflate their's and it was discussed before the dive with the DM that it was for practice - most of the divers I've been on boats with, by my observation, either don't have one or carry it in their pocket where I couldn't see it. I sometimes carry a SMB (not as versatile as DMSB) to be used at the surface, but have only used it once (not in Cozumel.) Can you tell I'm just a vacation diver who takes risks?

That's interesting -- guess it depends on the dive operator. With my usual Cozumel dive op either my buddy or I shoot our DSMB almost every dive. Last trip I dove with a different dive op where the DM shoots his DSMB early and all of us eventually went up near his DSMB. In other places it also seems to vary by dive op.

It's good to have a DSMB in any event if you get separated from your group or need to go up early -- one could even need to inflate one on the surface if you get swept far from your boat to help your boat find you (and keep other boats from hitting you). Plus it can be an extra source of buoyancy in the unlikely event of BCD failure.

 

[Scared Silly]

After today ... make sure you leave room for some tequila.

 

[Snoweman]

Bring flashlights for night dives. I have a wide beam and a narrow beam. They're also great for signaling the boat if you come up separate from the group.

 

[wlecyt40]

We travel using Cotopaxi's. I have a 40L and my wife uses a 35L. It holds all of our gear and some clothing. Our travel fins attach to the outside via S hook snap locks. They fit perfectly in the overhead compartments on all flights. We also have a back pack for electronics and cameras. We stay mostly at Iberostar and sometime Allegro. If we need something, we take a taxi to the Megamart in town. They have EVERYTHING!!!!!! Like a Mexican Walmart. The nice thing about AI is that the toiletries are usually provided except for shaving cream, razors, tooth brushes and paste. I buy razors there and bring our own tooth past and brushes.

We have found that the drink cups are way too small. So we bring Bubba Cups. They will fill them with whatever your heart desires. Also, bring a metal water bottle like an Oowala bottle. They are great for on the boat. Our DO brings drinks and snacks but if you have a full boat, they won't last long.

 

[Wants2divemore]

Bring any prescription drugs or OTC stuff you regularly take in their original containers. The prescription bottles should have your name on them. It's highly unlikely your bag will be searched at the airport, but why invite trouble. Don't take real Sudafed (pseudophedrine), it's a controlled substance in Mexico.

Technically the requirements for bringing prescription medications into Mexico are actually more than just brining them in the pill bottle. Below are the requirements as per the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico. I understand almost no one does what's listed below, I just wanted to pass along the official Mexican requirements.

Passengers traveling with medications for personal use will be authorized to enter Mexican territory only if they have a medical prescription or a letter from their doctor that mentions the amount of substance necessary for the patient during their trip to Mexico, the amount that the patient will take to Mexico and the daily dose.

At the point of entry into Mexico, you must report to the customs authorities and present the medical prescription issued by the competent authority. Said document must bear the name of the doctor who authorizes the prescription, his/her signature, contact details (telephone, address) and professional registration. The amount of medication you carry during the trip should not exceed the amount needed for your stay in Mexico. The medical prescription must be translated into Spanish.

Medications must be placed in hand luggage, with their respective boxes and in transparent bags.
Consult the following websites for lists of controlled substances in Mexico: https://www.gob.mx/tramites/ficha/permiso-sanitario-de-importacion-de-medicamentos-destinados-a-uso-personal/COFEPRIS693 (check the “Lista Amarilla,” “Lista Verde,” and “Lista Roja) and http://www.aduanas-mexico.com.mx/cgi-bin/ctarnet/notas_ex/listas_cap29.html .

Here's the link to the US Embassy website
Bringing Items Into Mexico/U.S.

 

[Racer_X]

Just got back. I think your apparel choices will depend on your plans as well as the location of your AI.

We stayed at Iberostar for a week. Non-diving spouse. How I packed that was helpful:
1. Electronic/powered dive gear / masks in backpack with go pro, etc.
2. Unpowered dive gear in carry-on duffel (got checked on the way down, NOT on the way back, grrr)
3. Clothing in checked bags. 2 pr nice pants, 4 nice shirts, 3 spf 50 hoodies (baleaf), 2 dive skins, 2 scuba swim suits, 2 dress board shorts, 2 wicking t-shirts, 2 pair sandals (beach and dress).
4. Wife: 3 dresses, 2-3 sets of something she called "resort wear", 2 swimsuits, assorted shorts/tops, and a bunch of other girl stuff.

What we did:
I dived during the am mostly, had lunch with wife, then did activities with her - snorkeling, shopping, etc. Had a dry day and did a jeep tour to see the east side of the island and the ruins. Had a nice night out at Baccinos (highly recommended for reservations 20-30 minutes before sunset). Did 2 night dives and a night snorkel.

What we learned:
1. American sucks for carry-on restrictions (confirmed). Packing a roll-on with the same dimensions as a duffel is the way to go to avoid issues, and packing MORE bags with more net volume > less bags. Stupid, but okay, fine. American staff don't understand the real size of their bins. Flight down took off with enough extra space in the bins for my 6' 225lb self to ride up there comfortably stretched out.
2. Wife says leave the resort wear at home, don't pack sleeveless tops if you aren't already tan, pack more dresses for the evenings, and spend the morning on the beach making friends with the other scuba widows. Non-nice T-shirts and shorts at the restaurants we went to on site play heavily into the ugly american perception.
3. I should have packed 1 more spf 50 hoodie for wearing on snorkel trips/diving boats then wearing it around the resort during the day before dinner. Could have gotten by with 2 nice shirts, 2 wicking shirts, and about 5 pr shorts / board shorts total.
4. Jeep tour after the $150-$200 credit for the timeshare pitch was a fair price because it included all the entry fees and lunch (grouper fajitas) was some of the best fish we had on the island.
5. DSMB in the BC pocket was the way. Never used it, but never worried on dives because I knew I had one and knew how to use it.
6. Need more bolt snaps.
7. Needed a better light, so I bought 2 when I got home.
8. We really liked the Kuhl roll-on zinc oxide reef safe sunscreen for the limited exposed skin area. Using the hoodies, snorkeling in my dive skin, and using the sunscreen just on my face resulted in 0 sunburn and 0 grease.
9. Bring sunscreen, aloe, etc. Really expensive on the island.
10. Now that we know the east side and island a bit more, renting a car for a couple of days will be good to do the east side and ruins more thoroughly.
11. Need to make reservations for pearl farm way in advance.
12. 1 dry day makes wife very happy and lets you dive 2x 3 dive days.
13. Flamingos are loud.

 

[Wants2divemore]

We stayed at Iberostar for a week. Non-diving spouse. How I packed that was helpful:

Not to derail this thread (I know, that's never a thing) but how did your non-diving spouse enjoy the Iberostar? I've heard good things about it. I also have a non-diving spouse who enjoys relaxing in nice places but also being active outside.

 

[Racer_X]

Not to derail this thread (I know, that's never a thing) but how did your non-diving spouse enjoy the Iberostar? I've heard good things about it. I also have a non-diving spouse who enjoys relaxing in nice places but also being active outside.

Short answer: she loved it. I really need to post a trip report.

I made a BIG effort to balance the diving with couple time and that made the difference. The food was good, it was quiet in the mornings. Wife appreciated the massages at the Spa. Stay away from the smokehouse (mediocre), double-down on the Asian place and the Mexican (yeah, I know right?) restaurants.

If it's your thing - there's a dance club kinda thing there in the evenings. The kayaks/hobie cats are underwhelming and the off-the-beach snorkeling isn't great. I spent my afternoons off-gassing at Money Bar and Sky Reef for 2 very different snorkels. The former is reef "rocks" in sand and a really nice set up (free). The latter is tons of fan coral to find squid/octopus during the day ($20).

Take FULL advantage of the website's "pick your room" feature. You can click on any room and it'll show you the view inside and out. We obsessed about that and it paid off. Away from the pool/beach, away from the reception area = nice and quiet to chill. Oh! plan about 2 days to figure out how to not get lost between your room/dive shop/reception area.