Where to go, what to wear?

[nodakdive]

Thanks Ms. Ann Thrope! Wouldn't have thought the Vista del Mar rooms were "modern". Great to know, same with the AC. I think I've seen the balconies and salivated?

Going to make it a point to stop there and see if I can look around this trip. Same with Suites Bahia.

-Blair

 

[cvchief]

Having rented Bahia for Carnival I have to say it is nice.

 

[Carlos Diver]

Sup,

I stayed in Coz back in May/June as a solo. It depends on what you want. If you think you want to try going into town and exploring, then look into some place like Blue Angel, Villablanca, Hotel Coz or Casa Del Mar. If you dont think that interest you, and you want to stay just at the hotel, Iberostar or a southern AI is the way to go. I stayed with Papahogs and was the only one in their ``motel'' while I was there. But I met people on the boat staying at Blue Angel, Villablanca and Hotel Barracuda. I didnt have any shortage of people to hang out with, and im not even the most social of people. You will have a great time anywhere you stay.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

Having rented Bahia for Carnival I have to say it is nice.

You rented the entire hotel????

Damn dude, being a cop must pay better than I thought....

 

[tracydr]

Some of my most exciting dive trip memories have been due to surface interval and boat trip happenings. Whale sightings, snorkeling with dolphins and white tip sharks, mobula rays,whale sharks. Keep your eyes open and you see a lot of things. I always have a snorkel/mask and fins at the ready, assuming the captain allows. Don't fall asleep and assume your trip is over or hasn't started, just because you're above the water or you may just miss half the fun!
As far as questions about what to wear-at those temps, assuming you'll do an average 2-3 tanks a day, I'd wear a 3ml full suit with a 1 ml tropical beanie. I prefer a full suit because it protects me from stingie things and seems to keep me warmer. Also, I always wear a Lycra skin, which I buy for about $25, in fact, I paid $12 on sale for a new one recently. This serves a few purposes. It helps the wetsuit glide on, especially when its wet and yucky, it protects me from the sun on surface intervals because I'm very fair skinned, plus, it dries very quickly so that I can strip off the wetsuit and add a jacket on top, and be much warmer than walking around with the wetsuit. I never travel to the tropics without a jacket for surface intervals,btw. And,sun hat,preferably one that can stand to be crushed in the packing.
Lots of good wetsuit sales right now, since it's pretty much end of season in most areas.
As far as places to stay-if single, all inclusive in Cozumel would be my choice. They are fun and usually include alcohol, so if you want to socialize,the bar will be hopping. I remember, the last time I went to Cozumel, having a very fun time hanging out with a bunch of other women ( I'm married so I wasn't looking for guys) and having a very fun time. My ex-husband was pretty antisocial so he went upstairs to watch TV so I was on my own, basically like I was traveling as a single woman. The all-inclusive is almost like a small city with several bars, restaurants and snack areas. Entertainment, it really is a fun place to hang out after diving. It feels much safer than walking the town yet still with plenty going on. Not like the typical hotel with a single, dark and quiet bar area. Think more like a Las Vegas casino, without the gambling. Or, maybe a cruise ship, although I've never been on a cruise ship.
If you don't enjoy boats because of sea sickness, have you tried a patch? Sounds like you don't enjoy boats so I was just wondering if its because you get sea sick.

 

[sup]

I do get seasick, though I take Bonine and that seems to work just fine. I guess since my parents didn't "believe" in sea sickness when I was a kid I have it well ingrained into my brain that boats = bad. They always said it was just "in your head" and then got angry when I threw up everywhere. To this day, I hate being on a boat that I can't get off of quickly, hence the reason why I don't like long boat rides. We did our first dive trip in Roatan because I heard that the dive sites were so close to shore that you could just swim back. Anyway, my sea sickness is much less severe now that I've gotten older (I used to get sick in cars and on airplanes too but I don't anymore) so I probably don't even need the Bonine, but I take it anyway because why risk it?

Good news: Blue Angel can take me after all, so I think I will just go there. It seems easy and I really like the look of the place. Now to book a flight and find a wetsuit.

 

[Ms. Ann Thrope]

I think you'll be happy at the Blue Angel.

 

[Queen Triggerfish]

I do get seasick, though I take Bonine and that seems to work just fine. I guess since my parents didn't "believe" in sea sickness when I was a kid I have it well ingrained into my brain that boats = bad. They always said it was just "in your head" and then got angry when I threw up everywhere. To this day, I hate being on a boat that I can't get off of quickly, hence the reason why I don't like long boat rides. We did our first dive trip in Roatan because I heard that the dive sites were so close to shore that you could just swim back. Anyway, my sea sickness is much less severe now that I've gotten older (I used to get sick in cars and on airplanes too but I don't anymore) so I probably don't even need the Bonine, but I take it anyway because why risk it?

Good news: Blue Angel can take me after all, so I think I will just go there. It seems easy and I really like the look of the place. Now to book a flight and find a wetsuit.

I'm glad Blue Angel can take you. I've stayed at Casa Del Mar, Villa Blanca, and Hotel Cozumel (multiple times at HC) and they were all fine. However, when considering an alone trip recently, I came to the conclusion that Blue Angel would definitely be the best for me after a ridiculous amount of research. It seems social, there's a lovely view, good pool, and it's walking distance to town. I came to the conclusion that it would be easy to join fellow divers for a quick breakfast and talk about diving over lunch or by the pool.

I also like the suggestion someone made about Wet Wendy's as a social place. Personally, I'd go easy on the drinks if I was planning on walking back by myself (the ones I had were HUGE), but I think it would be a great place to strike up conversations. The waiter was so friendly last time that we returned multiple times and went to say goodbye on our last night.

For the record, I love Hotel Cozumel's pool. It's really big, so there's room for splashing kids, water volleyball players, and quiet loungers (I read my book in about 6 inches of water every afternoon). I could always hear the evening entertainment from my room but it always ended promptly at 10:00 p.m.

I'd also say to keep taking the Bonine even if you don't think you need it, assuming it doesn't give you weird side effects. I know multiple people who take it as a "just in case" measure.

Oh, one more thing - if you are only somewhat grossed out by rental wetsuits, you could buy yourself a full 3 mm and beanie, and then if you get cold you can rent a shortie to wear over it. I've done that multiple times before, especially toward the end of a trip when I get more cold. That way the rental isn't touching your skin.

 

[cvchief]

Having rented Bahia for Carnival I have to say it is nice.

You rented the entire hotel????

Damn dude, being a cop must pay better than I thought....

Well, when I have a Carnival party, I HAVE a Carnival party.

 

[sup]

Wet Wendy's is on my list of restaurants to visit. So far my list is only 1 restaurant long. If anyone else knows of good places not too far from Blue Angel for vegetarian food, let me know. I am partial to vegetables, which are always hard to come by on vacation for some reason, and am particularly fond of leafy greens (spinach, collards, kale, etc). I usually end up eating a lot of nachos, pizzas, and cheese quesadillas when I leave the states, which starts to get heavy after a few days.

You guys have been really helpful so far. I've come to the conclusion that divers are nicer, better, more helpful people than most, and you guys are definitely fitting my stereotype.