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

 

[digdug87]

dbkuhlman,
You've asked a great question. I've been to Cozumel several times (20 or so) and it is one of my favorite places to go. I've been to Curacao twice. It is a very close runner up, behind Cozumel. My experience with Curacao is somewhat limited as both times we stayed at Sunscape as an AI. The resort is good. Ocean Encounters is fantastic and really makes the trip.
Previous posters bring up very good points. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either.

The drift diving in Cozumel is generally very easily and relaxing. I have taken many students and newly certified divers and not had issues, other than the harbor being closed due to weather, sometimes delaying things by a day or two. (This has only happened to me in the winter. I always advise folks to count on 1 down day per week, when going in the winter)

 

[nldunn]

Hi, I did my refresher dive in Cozumel last year after 30 years of not diving. And I only dove two dives after certification back then because we had kids, etc.
Cozumel felt intimidating. The drift was strong, everything seemed deeper. We are diving Curacao this week and the dives/reefs start way more shallow. We did a dive to 32 feet the first day and 40 feet the second day and we saw lots of reef fish and coral at depths as shallow as 18 feet or so. Nothing huge as far as sea life but we did see barracuda and an octopus when snorkeling today! No big currents and it is very windy here right now.
We are north of Willemsted and tried to eat here at our resort but the service is rude and HORRENDOUS. I would never stay here again but the dive shop is excellent. (Not Lion's Dive, although their service was pretty bad, too.) The hotel and service and food in Cozumel was fabulous! If the diving was less stressful, I would go there and never go anywhere else!

 

[Living4Experiences]

I would recommend Curacao. As a diver who's getting certified, you want the least amount of anxiety and stress to start learning skills. The currents in Cozumel can be very intimidating. New divers generally want to fight the current and end up with arms and legs flailing and burning lots of air. Curacao will be calmer and more relaxed.