Where to dive: Curacao or Cozumel?

[arew+4]

Whether or not the Cancun flight bus ferry, works out for really depends on where you fly from. From NYC the difference could be as low as $100 per ticket, from Philly it can be 300 to 500 more per ticket.

If you do the Cancun thing you have to get thru customs get your bags, get a van or bus to Playa del Carmen and then take the ferry over. You have to be certain you will make the last ferry or have arrangements to stay over in Playa.

On the board they refer to it as the bag drag

 

[RIHappyDiver]

Whether or not the Cancun flight bus ferry, works out for really depends on where you fly from. From NYC the difference could be as low as $100 per ticket, from Philly it can be 300 to 500 more per ticket.

If you do the Cancun thing you have to get thru customs get your bags, get a van or bus to Playa del Carmen and then take the ferry over. You have to be certain you will make the last ferry or have arrangements to stay over in Playa.

And the weather has to cooperate.

 

[morecowbells]

In addition to the other responses referencing food and currents, I would consider what time of year you are considering. Curacao generally sees far less hurricane activity than other parts of the Caribbean. The odds of losing dives due to rough weather in Cozumel during the winter can also be an issue. Although both are hot during the summer, Curacao is definitely more bearable and humidity less oppressive than Cozumel.

I am not a fan of strong currents, however that being said, my husband and I got certified in Cozumel without any struggles or issues. I love both places! To sum it up I love Cozumel for the food, lodging options, consistent clear visibility and Valet service of diving. Most dive ops take care of your gear after diving. Curacao offers amazing beaches, gentle dives, freedom of diving on your own schedule when shore diving. You cannot go wrong with either place.

 

[RIHappyDiver]

Hi RIHappyDiver. Thank you so much! I have the same question for you about travel. If we go to Cozumel, do you recommend flying directly there, or flying into Cancun and then taking the ferry? We will be coming from Los Angeles, so there only seem to be overnight flights.

I don’t know the when you are thinking of going, so I randomly chose March 1-8. Yes, there are mostly overnight flights, except one on United that leaves LAX at 5 am and gets into COZ at 3:40. Not great but not bad.
Same dates for Cancun, you’re getting in around 4, then you still have to make the trek. I’ve never done it, but it sounds long and tedious. Therefore, I’d go direct to COZ.

Erik