Who's Going to the Cozumel Invasion ?

[PonchoTA]

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't posted on here in a loooooooonnnnggg time! Many apologies!

I am a little apprehensive about this trip though, is there any concern for the activities going on with all the drug cartels and such?

I've stopped going to San Carlos due to all the crap going on down there. Is the other side of MX less prone to all the violence?

Last time I dove over there was in 2000 and that was over in Akumal (awesome diving btw!) and there weren't the problems they have now, at least not so prevalent.

I'd love to join you all for this invasion, but want to make sure I'll make it back!

Cheers,
Paul

 

[DandyDon]

Paul, I think Cozumel is much safer than Tuscon. Generally the only crime is with what taxi cabs charge, but once you get to the hotel you won't even need to put up with that. They keep the island very tourist friendly & safe as tourism is very important to the local, state and even national government. Cruise boats will tell passengers to stick to the waterfront street but that's just to get them to buy in overpriced stores that pay commissions to the cruise lines. My daughter and grandkids were there this week and I suggested they do lunch at my favorite cafe back on 30th Ave, which I wouldn't have done if I thot there was any danger in town.

There were some ATM problems last year, but the customers' banks covered those losses and I think that's over with. A few years ago there were some reports of pickpockets, but not lately. What little violet crime that may happen on the island, it's middle of the night, not every year and to my knowledge never involved a tourist. Much safer than Lubbock or Amarillo even.

If you do an internet search for Cozumel crime, you'll have difficulty finding any reports, just more discussions similar to this one on various sites. I leave my laptop and land camera out on the table in hotel rooms, walk alone at night between 30th Ave & Melgar/front street, etc. and the only thing I have ever lost was what my home bank charged me in currency conversion fees when I withdrew cash at an ATM. I take cash mostly, lock it in the room safe.

On the peninsula, there have been some rare problems away from tourist areas near Cancun that some news media played up, but even those were far from tourist areas. I've ended up doing side trips over there some every year and only avoid driving at night for fear I'll get more lost or have a breakdown. If you liked Akumal, you'll be blown away by Coz.

 

[Sask Diver]

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't posted on here in a loooooooonnnnggg time! Many apologies!

I am a little apprehensive about this trip though, is there any concern for the activities going on with all the drug cartels and such?

I've stopped going to San Carlos due to all the crap going on down there. Is the other side of MX less prone to all the violence?

Last time I dove over there was in 2000 and that was over in Akumal (awesome diving btw!) and there weren't the problems they have now, at least not so prevalent.

I'd love to join you all for this invasion, but want to make sure I'll make it back!

Cheers,
Paul

I can't see the cartels getting into gun battles in Cozumel, your chances are better of getting stuck by lightning but I could be wrong

 

[cardzard]

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't posted on here in a loooooooonnnnggg time! Many apologies!

I am a little apprehensive about this trip though, is there any concern for the activities going on with all the drug cartels and such?

I've stopped going to San Carlos due to all the crap going on down there. Is the other side of MX less prone to all the violence?

Last time I dove over there was in 2000 and that was over in Akumal (awesome diving btw!) and there weren't the problems they have now, at least not so prevalent.

I'd love to join you all for this invasion, but want to make sure I'll make it back!

Cheers,
Paul

Paul while nobody can guarentee there will be no crime on the island while the Invasion Crew is there. I can tell you crime is very rare in tourist areas and the Mexican Goverment works very hard making sure it stays that way. I have been to Cozumel 6 times and never had any issue except not wanting to leave.

What I can guarentee is this

You will not find a better deal
Cozumel diving will not dissapoint
We are going to have a great time
You will be depressed if you don't join and then read the post invasion reports and see pictures.

 

[PonchoTA]

Thanks all for the words of encouragement! I'm not 'afraid' of any violence, but feel like I should at least address the issue!

I'm about 90% of the way to signing up on this, just need to make sure my work travel schedule won't interfere! Yaayy! Might get the chance to meet up with you folks yet!
I got boned on a trip to Bonaire next month (Feb) so I'm a little bummed about that already, lost some $$ on that too.

Oh well, I'll run this past my bosses and see if there will be any push back.

Thanks again! :thumbs-up

Paul

 

[KevinHoward]

If I may,

I am very close to those that are involved in dealing with the drug wars/policing/etc.

Cozumel has no issues. I was there at Christmas and it was wonderful as usual. Maya Riviera is good to go as well.

Kevin

 

[dougr52]

well i waited too long,i checked air out of austin on continental this morning, it is $1,300+..
a couple of days ago it was $510..and on top of that i could have booked 6 nights air & hotel staying at feista americana with ai package, single occupancy $768 total...that was on contiental air vacations !!!

 

[cardzard]

well i waited too long,i checked air out of austin on continental this morning, it is $1,300+..
a couple of days ago it was $510..and on top of that i could have booked 6 nights air & hotel staying at feista americana with ai package, single occupancy $768 total...that was on contiental air vacations !!!

Doug
Airfare is like a game of hide&seek combined with a game of chicken. Check Don's thread on airfare in this section.

Always remember if your watching airfare and the price takes a big drop DON'T WAIT it may not last, pull the trigger.

Maybe you should join the Invasion crew and those date will work better for you. I know you would have a better time.

 

[dukeh20]

well i waited too long,i checked air out of austin on continental this morning, it is $1,300+..
a couple of days ago it was $510..and on top of that i could have booked 6 nights air & hotel staying at feista americana with ai package, single occupancy $768 total...that was on contiental air vacations !!!

I have heard that most airfares are more expensive to book on the weekends, with mid-week sometimes being the best time to shop.

FWIW, we locked ours in a few weeks ago at $508 and it is over $800 now for the same flights. Go figure!!

 

[DandyDon]

well i waited too long,i checked air out of austin on continental this morning, it is $1,300+..
a couple of days ago it was $510..and on top of that i could have booked 6 nights air & hotel staying at feista americana with ai package, single occupancy $768 total...that was on contiental air vacations !!!

This thread is about the Invasion which is at the Hotel Coz. If you don't want to join the Invasion, then you can post a new thread for help on the Cozumel forum and I'll be glad to assist you there in doing much better. I can beat Continental Vacations too.

For the Invasion dates, that is way out of line but then your problem is shopping Continental.com I think. Full explanation at http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/in...s-cancun-some-cautions-finding-air-fares.html but for Sunday departure, Sunday return that week, you can have...

Sun Country Air: Austin to Cancun for $377 RT - non-stop

American Air: Austin to Cozumel for $436 RT - you have to change planes in DFW but you avoid Cancun

United: Austin to Cancun for $478 RT - actually Continental planes all the way, changing in Houston

US Air: San Antonio to Cancun for $485 RT - changing in Charlotte NC

US Air: Austin to Cancun for $498 RT - changing planes in Phoenix

Or Continental: Austin to Cozumel for $642 RT - changing in Houston. They told you $1300 huh? Still funny that United is charging less for Continental planes as they are really the same airline now. ​

Excerpting...

What airline sites do to shoppers should be a crime.

There are other possibilities for Saturday departure, Sunday return.