Would you recommend Cozumel to two young adults?

[cvchief]

Neither my son nor I enjoyed the drift diving as much as the laid back diving we experienced at Mahahual or Roatan. I know lots of people rave about Cozumel, but my son and I just didn't care for it. Our opinion will probably be in the minority, but it's just how we felt about it. By the way, we dove with Edgar from Aldora. We dove Santa Rosa and Dalila. We don't have any complaints at all about the dive op or instructor, just didn't care for the current associated with drift diving.

As far as hiring a DM for the first few dives, I must be misunderstanding something. No one is advocating going alone after their first couple of dives are they? Because that's how I read it the first time. I could agree if you are saying that after a couple of dives then they could go with a group that is led by an instuctor/DM.

Someone will correct me if I am wrong, but Santa Rosa has some of the faster current generally of the usual sites. That being said, I guess it is a think you get used to. After Cert dives in Antigua, ALL of out diving is Coz. Quite frankly I keep thinking I would hate to dive where I had to SWIM! Coz to me is like "please hold on to the bar" mostly its like the kiddy ride, sometime it can get up to the slow coaster. A few were really ripping. For those my only sacrifice was no getting any decent pictures, but it was a fun ride. Couple of young guy would love it.... The neatest I had, the current changed direction like 4-5 time on the dive and we kept going back over a free swimming green moray. I got several chances to take a great picture. I still didn't but I had the chances....

 

[driftin' by]

As for clubing in Playa del Carmen for a night, how far away is it?

It's probably best for an overnight trip but probably not worth it.

 

[MMM]

I can only speak about Blue Angel. It's a bit more rustic than the Palace and a bit further from town. The new owners have been slowly fixing it up so it's a bit more upscale than it was. Certainly it caters to divers almost exclusively but I'd hazard a guess that many, if not most, guests at the Palace are also diving. The onsite dive op is terrific and relatively low cost.

Someone already answered your question about how far away Playa del Carmen is; it's worth knowing that you leave by ferry from downtown Coz and it spits you out in downtown Playa del Carmen. Since you won't be diving on your last day of your trip, you might go over that day, stay overnight, and make your return trip from Cancun (about 1 hour by bus). I prefer flying in and out of Coz b/c it's a smaller airport and it's right on the edge of town, so a 5 minute cab ride to my house. But you will do better on your airfare via Cancun.

Cozumel Palace does look very nice and the quote we received (1538$) is for an ocean view deluxe room. I assume the food will be good for breakfasts and lunches and we can go to town for dinners. We botb adore mexican food (the real kind, not the americanized version) so I imagine we'd be in for a treat. I was under the impression for Cozumel you either had to chose between location or luxury, but if the Palace us in town,it seems to bring both together.

But Im still curious about staying at a dedicated diving resort such as the Aldora Compound, Scuba Club and Blue Angel. the Blue Angel and Suba Club are both highly ranked on most trip ranking webites, both I assume that while they must cater to divers' needs better than a luxury resort, you lose on comfort and food?

Is it still possible to stay at the Palace and have great dives?

As for clubing in Playa del Carmen for a night, how far away is it?

 

[FrancisK7]

[WIKI][/WIKI]Well the checklist is now pretty much complete.... Scuba club/blue angel are considerably cheaper (50-100$ per night whereas the Palace is about 200-250$) but little brother expressed a desire to chill out in the beach for a day... From the pictures ive seen, the beach at blue angel is more like a sandy shore. Both blue angel and scuba have AI formulas so Ill have to see with him if he prefers luxury or saving some money... Im guessing he wont want to compromise (we were very spoiled) but we'll see about that.

DAN offers both divers insurance AND photog gear insurance, which is fantastic. Im a professional photographer and am really excited at the prospect of underwater photography, and was wary of bringing 2500$ worth of gear with me. I probably wont shoot the first two days as I learn the roles but I wont miss that chance!

After we decide on either the palace or a diving resort all well have to do is figure out whether there are savings to be made from booking everything from an aency or websiteor everything separately....is it worth waiting for last minute deals for cozumel? We were thinking of going around dec15-22, so close to xmas im thinking no.

 

[MMM]

There is no beach to speak of at Blue Angel. There is a man-made sand beach at the Palace, I believe. I always booked my air and accommodation separately but then before I bought my house, I was nearly always staying at budget accommodations that weren't part of packages. You MIGHT be able to get some cheap last minute airfare on one of the charters around that time...usually flying Christmas Day or something. The charters usually start flying from Canada to Coz mid-November and usually the first flight is highly discounted if you go last minute. And you might have a bit more luck getting something in the east than I do in the west. On the other hand, there may be nothing and then you'd be paying through the nose for the flight. Over Christmas is one of Coz's busiest times so accommodation might be less open but there have been pretty high vacancy rates there the past couple of years. I was there over Christmas in 2010 and it wasn't all THAT busy. If this is a long-awaited vacation and you want to treat your brother, I'd book early rather than later to avoid any disappointment.

I had at least 100 dives under my belt before I took up underwater photography. You might want to save that for another trip and just work on topside photography. Too much task-loading and probably not the greatest buoyency control as a brand new diver.

[WIKI][/WIKI]Well the checklist is now pretty much complete.... Scuba club/blue angel are considerably cheaper (50-100$ per night whereas the Palace is about 200-250$) but little brother expressed a desire to chill out in the beach for a day... From the pictures ive seen, the beach at blue angel is more like a sandy shore. Both blue angel and scuba have AI formulas so Ill have to see with him if he prefers luxury or saving some money... Im guessing he wont want to compromise (we were very spoiled) but we'll see about that.

DAN offers both divers insurance AND photog gear insurance, which is fantastic. Im a professional photographer and am really excited at the prospect of underwater photography, and was wary of bringing 2500$ worth of gear with me. I probably wont shoot the first two days as I learn the roles but I wont miss that chance!

After we decide on either the palace or a diving resort all well have to do is figure out whether there are savings to be made from booking everything from an aency or websiteor everything separately....is it worth waiting for last minute deals for cozumel? We were thinking of going around dec15-22, so close to xmas im thinking no.

 

[FrancisK7]

Sadly I wont have the time very soon to make so many trips, and I really dont want to miss the opportunity. If good buoyency is what it takes Ill take extra private lessons on top of PADI certification courses to get it down. Besides, a few good shots hung on my studio's wall is all I need to impress clients

 

[Mark Derail]

Look for dive shops in San Miguel that can do UW photos while diving "the wall".

Buoyancy is all in the breathing, it took me at least 5 - 6 dives to get it. IOW, on the bottom:
- full breath of air, and hold it - you rise
- fully exhale and stay that way - you descend
- breathe normally - you stay level

[Edit: never hold your breath UW - very bad habit. Above is meant as a guideline Before Going Under, to determine proper weight management.]

Don't use your hands to navigate! You'll use up more air! Proof in the pudding - my video on the wall. I'm the big guy waving at all the fish.
The fish weren't impressed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0dD6ttPbf4

Yup, I was the first that had to go up, my dive buddy - my girlfriend - accompanied me up. I was at 959 psi, she was at 1300+ (starting at 3000). We did our safety stops perfectly! Well, a computer helps with that.

 

[DandyDon]

[WIKI][/WIKI]Well the checklist is now pretty much complete.... Scuba club/blue angel are considerably cheaper (50-100$ per night whereas the Palace is about 200-250$) but little brother expressed a desire to chill out in the beach for a day... From the pictures ive seen, the beach at blue angel is more like a sandy shore. Both blue angel and scuba have AI formulas so Ill have to see with him if he prefers luxury or saving some money... Im guessing he wont want to compromise (we were very spoiled) but we'll see about that.

Ah dates! That can be a busy time with school out in much of the US, but a quick look on Orbitz shows lots of flights and hotels. For $1283 each including taxes, you could have air and room at InterContinental Presidente, quite fancy, or for $672 each air & hotel at Suites Colonial, or many more between. I think you can get your best deal online. In some cases you can have private rooms, separate bathrooms, etc. maybe connecting, for only $100/week more - and you can get $100/room off for using discount code 100vacation Scuba club and Blue angle do not participate in those tho.

DAN offers both divers insurance AND photog gear insurance, which is fantastic. Im a professional photographer and am really excited at the prospect of underwater photography, and was wary of bringing 2500$ worth of gear with me. I probably wont shoot the first two days as I learn the roles but I wont miss that chance!

I honestly do not care for any of DAN's other insurance products, as I said. I get my Trip insurance at TravelSafe.com with good medical and some property coverage - but you may want to shop alternative coverages for your camera, which you want to carry in a personal bag - not a roll-on! I do not suggest carrying a camera on dives for the first few trips. Learn to dive safely first. If you insist on carrying it some, you will need to learn at lot about underwater photography and insurance both.

After we decide on either the palace or a diving resort all well have to do is figure out whether there are savings to be made from booking everything from an aency or websiteor everything separately....is it worth waiting for last minute deals for cozumel? We were thinking of going around dec15-22, so close to xmas im thinking no.

Last minute deals are a gamble. Good looking deals available now. The one drawback is clearing Immigration and Customs in the US so you might phone Orbitz and see if they can fly you non-stop to Cancun with a hotel deal in Coz, using 100vacation code. The bus & ferry connection would be easier than going thru the US I think. Or go thru the US and allow plenty of time both ways for I & C.

 

[FrancisK7]

An option for us is to drive to Burlingtonin VT and fly from there... Its a 3-4h drive and many montrealers do it since the savings are sometimes significant and more importantly, you clear customs
At the border and not in an airport.

 

[DandyDon]

An option for us is to drive to Burlingtonin VT and fly from there... Its a 3-4h drive and many montrealers do it since the savings are sometimes significant and more importantly, you clear customs
At the border and not in an airport.

The problems with newbies & cameras are numerous, but even if you do take additional lessons and try it - newbies lose their cameras often and flood them. Be sure you find insurance that covers both, but I do not know how Canadian insurance works. I've never lost or flooded one and I have owned many, but I didn't start with one. My other problem is I follow my camera too much and forget safe diving. :shocked2:

4 hour drive, plus two plane changes, each way - wow! You're young but still hard work. I don't see any non-stop flights from Montreal to Cancun, but at least WestJet connects in Toronto, then no more stops until Cancun. It's a one hour bus ride to Playa del Carmen then 45 minute ferry to Cozumel. Go early, then depart on the 3:50pm flight so you won't be rushed getting back to the airport. You'd have to call Orbitz to work out details on air & Coz hotel tho. Don't forget the 100vacation discount and look at separate rooms.