Pacific Diver
Registered
We are experienced divers (250+ dives each) who dived at least once a year pre-COVID. This was our first post-COVID dive trip.
Diving: We had avoided Cozumel because we thought that good Caribbean dive destinations had to be small and remote. We were happy to be proven wrong, the diving was very good. The reefs were healthy and the wildlife was abundant. A fair number of rays and turtles. We rarely bumped into other dive groups on the reefs despite being in town as high season was approaching. We have hit eight Caribbean dive destinations and would put Cozumel third behind Belize and Roatan. We have only a couple of quibbles. First, visibility was murky and became poor when heavy clouds rolled in. Second, current was sometimes so strong that drift dives moved too quickly to enjoy: "Hey, I'd like to take a closer.....aaaaaand I'm past it." I'd be curious if visibility is better at other times of year. Sites: Palancar: Caves, Villa Blanca, Santa Rosa, Punta Tunich, Palancar: Gardens, Yucab, Palancar: Bricks, La Francesa, Paso del Cedral, Tormentos.
Vibe: Another reason we avoided Cozumel was our understanding that it was a tacky tourist trap for cruise ships. There was a little of that (the nearest venues to the cruise ship terminal were Hooters and something called Senor Frog's), but you only have to walk a couple of blocks away from the waterfront to escape it. There were a lot of ships calls while we were there, but we really did not notice.
Dive Shop: We dove with Deep Blue and were pleased. As advertised, they used small boats (no more than six divers per boat) and grouped divers with similar skills and experience. Guides were attentive but not intrusive. We would have preferred that they start the dive day earlier to enable three dives before heading back to town, but that probably would require a too long surface interval. We would use them again. Since Deep Blue does not do repairs, we need to give a shout out to Barefoot Dive Center, which replaced a high pressure hose in an hour for a reasonable price.
Lodging: You would not be faulted if you thought a four-star hotel as elaborately named as "Cozumel Hotel & Resort Trademark Collection by Wyndham" would offer some modest luxury, but you would be wrong. Our sliding door didn't, the drawers in the dresser fell out, the showerhead was past its replacement date, the towels had not been white for quite some time and did not have enough nap to polish a pair of sunglasses, and the food was mediocre. It is a middling three-star venue. Conversations with other divers suggested there are plenty of better options.
Food: Most of what we had was fine, but not special. Our favorite was Cocina Economica Los Chilangos, a short walk from our hotel. Generous portions of chicken or beef with rice and beans and unlimited ice tea for M$120.
Airport: Is it necessary that every flight leave Cozumel's tiny airport at the same time? Departures can be a circus; get there early and be patient.
Diving: We had avoided Cozumel because we thought that good Caribbean dive destinations had to be small and remote. We were happy to be proven wrong, the diving was very good. The reefs were healthy and the wildlife was abundant. A fair number of rays and turtles. We rarely bumped into other dive groups on the reefs despite being in town as high season was approaching. We have hit eight Caribbean dive destinations and would put Cozumel third behind Belize and Roatan. We have only a couple of quibbles. First, visibility was murky and became poor when heavy clouds rolled in. Second, current was sometimes so strong that drift dives moved too quickly to enjoy: "Hey, I'd like to take a closer.....aaaaaand I'm past it." I'd be curious if visibility is better at other times of year. Sites: Palancar: Caves, Villa Blanca, Santa Rosa, Punta Tunich, Palancar: Gardens, Yucab, Palancar: Bricks, La Francesa, Paso del Cedral, Tormentos.
Vibe: Another reason we avoided Cozumel was our understanding that it was a tacky tourist trap for cruise ships. There was a little of that (the nearest venues to the cruise ship terminal were Hooters and something called Senor Frog's), but you only have to walk a couple of blocks away from the waterfront to escape it. There were a lot of ships calls while we were there, but we really did not notice.
Dive Shop: We dove with Deep Blue and were pleased. As advertised, they used small boats (no more than six divers per boat) and grouped divers with similar skills and experience. Guides were attentive but not intrusive. We would have preferred that they start the dive day earlier to enable three dives before heading back to town, but that probably would require a too long surface interval. We would use them again. Since Deep Blue does not do repairs, we need to give a shout out to Barefoot Dive Center, which replaced a high pressure hose in an hour for a reasonable price.
Lodging: You would not be faulted if you thought a four-star hotel as elaborately named as "Cozumel Hotel & Resort Trademark Collection by Wyndham" would offer some modest luxury, but you would be wrong. Our sliding door didn't, the drawers in the dresser fell out, the showerhead was past its replacement date, the towels had not been white for quite some time and did not have enough nap to polish a pair of sunglasses, and the food was mediocre. It is a middling three-star venue. Conversations with other divers suggested there are plenty of better options.
Food: Most of what we had was fine, but not special. Our favorite was Cocina Economica Los Chilangos, a short walk from our hotel. Generous portions of chicken or beef with rice and beans and unlimited ice tea for M$120.
Airport: Is it necessary that every flight leave Cozumel's tiny airport at the same time? Departures can be a circus; get there early and be patient.
I am amazed.
