We've been going to Coz since the mid 80's. We always stayed at Casa del Mar and even got married on the beach across the street. We now have two kids (son is 13 and been diving since 10 plus a 9 year old daughter) and stayed at the Reef Club the last 3 years. Our experience has been very positive. Food is fine, rooms are nice (Jr. Suites/Studios), staff is very friendly, activities for kids is a plus, and Sand Dollar is great. My son's first ocean dives were with them and they were very accomodating to make sure he was safe and had a good experience. They have a very nice beach which is a plus. Back in BC (before children) downtown was fun. Now it's just too much of a hassle with all the cruise ships dumping their tourists and keeping an eye on the kids to boot. We keep reading all the negatives on Reef Club but it just hasn't been our experience and we highly recommend it.
Where to stay in Cozumel?
- Thread starter cjames
- Start date
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diveborg:
That's what I was thinking, too. The hotel I stay in has signs posted in the bathrooms asking that divers not use the indoor plumbing to rinse dive gear. Sand accumulates in the drain traps and plugs them up. Sand can't be good for the jet impellers in the jacuzzi, either.
exr
Guest
I always have a good time at the Reef Cozumel. Staff is very friendly and if there is a problem its taken care of in a timely fashion. The food, for that amount of people to serve, your going to get what I call cafeteria food. We eat dinner up near the pier. We do eat at the buffet when they have there Pork taco night (those are soooo good).
Ya know, sometimes bad luck just follows people and sometimes it don't
L
lifer at the Reef
Ya know, sometimes bad luck just follows people and sometimes it don't
L
lifer at the Reef
steeliejim
Registered
Just one more input. I've stayed at the Allegro Cozumel at least once a year, and sometimes twice for the past nine years. Great beach, close to dive sites, good dive operation (Dive Palancar--Ishmael and George DM's are especially good), rooms vary from fair to good, depending..., food the same, wonderful friendly staff. I talked to the reservation agent two weeks ago and she said they are on track for opening Nov. 1. We'll see. Am planning another trip third week in Jan.
Jim
Jim
steeliejim:
Hi Jim...the Allegro opening is now scheduled for November 15...not even sure if that will happen.
Second, this is nothing personal AT ALL...but you made a comment that I see and hear so often about being close to the reefs, so I just want to throw another tidbit of information out for everyone to consider when selecting hotels.
Yes, the southern resorts are close to the southern dive sites, but you also miss out on some WONDERFUL sites north of these hotels. In otherwords, if you stay south, you are pretty much limited to the southern sites. You typically don't get the opportunity to dive San Francisco, Yucab, Tormentos, Punta Tunich, the Wreck, Chankanaab, Chankanaab Bolones, Las Palmas, Paradise, and of course the northernmost sites of San Juan, Barracuda, and the famous Eagle Ray dive in the winter months.
Just something to keep in mind when selecting hotels. Additioanlly, there are so many wonderful restaurants in Cozumel, I never can understand why some people will only consider the all-inclusive resorts. To each is own...but I think people miss alot when staying at the southernmost resorts and don't get into town much.
Just my 2 pesos
94GTStang
Contributor
I enjoyed my stay at Hotel Cozumel back in March.
But I am currently open to other hotels around the area. I was thinking about going to the Sol Cabanas or the Coral Princess.
I know one guy posted in here about the Sol Cabanas, but does anyone else have any experience with them or the other hotel mentioned?
And as for booking dive trips, I take it that one can do that from the hotel? Or would it be best to go to a dive shop and arrange a pick up?
But I am currently open to other hotels around the area. I was thinking about going to the Sol Cabanas or the Coral Princess.
I know one guy posted in here about the Sol Cabanas, but does anyone else have any experience with them or the other hotel mentioned?
And as for booking dive trips, I take it that one can do that from the hotel? Or would it be best to go to a dive shop and arrange a pick up?
Depending on the time of year, you should probably make reservations before you leave home. During the High Season, which starts about Dec. 15, many of the more popular dive operators get booked up months in advance. If you are going at low season you could possibly wait until you are on the island before arranging your diving.94GTStang:
If you use the hotel's on-site dive OP, you can talk to them directly about your diving plans, otherwise it is best to go the the dive shop (if they have one) to do the ritual paper signing and such.
94GTStang
Contributor
Thanks for the heads up.diveborg:
We actually plan on going March 13-17th. We will probably stay at Hotel Cozumel.
What dive shops do you recommend?
steeliejim
Registered
Christi:Hi Jim...the Allegro opening is now scheduled for November 15...not even sure if that will happen.
Second, this is nothing personal AT ALL...but you made a comment that I see and hear so often about being close to the reefs, so I just want to throw another tidbit of information out for everyone to consider when selecting hotels.
Yes, the southern resorts are close to the southern dive sites, but you also miss out on some WONDERFUL sites north of these hotels. In otherwords, if you stay south, you are pretty much limited to the southern sites. You typically don't get the opportunity to dive San Francisco, Yucab, Tormentos, Punta Tunich, the Wreck, Chankanaab, Chankanaab Bolones, Las Palmas, Paradise, and of course the northernmost sites of San Juan, Barracuda, and the famous Eagle Ray dive in the winter months.
Just something to keep in mind when selecting hotels. Additioanlly, there are so many wonderful restaurants in Cozumel, I never can understand why some people will only consider the all-inclusive resorts. To each is own...but I think people miss alot when staying at the southernmost resorts and don't get into town much.
Just my 2 pesos
Yep, always tradeoffs and different strokes for different folks, but you are dead wrong about some of the reefs you mentioned. San Francisco reef is virtually directly off-shore from the Allegro, and Yucab not much farther. While the northern reefs are interesting, it's Palancar, El Cedral, etc that most people want to dive. Those are 10 min. away.
JIm
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