I hadn't posted a trip report earlier due to not wanting to leave to negative of a report. But now that some time has passed I'll add my 2 psi to the discussion. I was at Fiesta Americana in mid March 2011 for a week with my 2 kids (aged 13 and 14) during their spring-break. Typically I like to stay at either a very small and quiet place (ex Belmar in Bonaire or rent a condo). However on this trip, my wife (their mom) couldn't join us this trip, so I chose an all-inclusive to make the arrangements simpler as a single dad. This was my first trip to Cozumel, but I am of the impression that the feel and flavor of the place varies depending on the time one visits. I say this because there was a definite "Spring-Break" feel to the place when I was there. These were non-divers who basically took full advantage of the all-inclusive alcohol and tended to sit around the pool smoking all day and with loud music at night. I suppose if that is what you are looking for in a locale you'll find plenty of it here.
The first meal or two were pretty decent; but then it started to get old. I was expecting to eat more Mexican food that week and was really disappointed. I ended up skipping meals or would just eat some fruit and yogurt. I am kind of snobbish about my coffee (grind it just before brewing and use a French Press) and was very disappointed by the coffee. We probably should have taken a taxi into town a few times for meals. I did end up losing 3 pounds though that week which I suppose is looking on the bright side. We all got some sort of stomach bug that week with my son waking us up in the wee hours of the morning vomiting. It is hard to say if it was the food or what but it did add to our gastronomic misery.
On the positive side of the ledger, the price was good, the view is great, our rooms were clean and certainly adequate. I found the staff to be helpful and polite - but I do speak Spanish and did so pretty much exclusively while there. Sometimes I think Latin Americans can appear insular or stand-offish when they are a little uncomfortable with their English skills. Also being this far south of town made the boat rides shorter if this matters. (I enjoy the ride and watching the shore pass by.)
I had planned to dive with Dive House, but was told that they were booked the whole week. I'm glad I procrastinated setting up those arrangements as Cristi with Blue XTSea came through for us at the last minute (thanks to Scubaboard!). The Dive House boats would fit my definition of "Cattle Boats". As we would wait to be picked up in the morning, there seemed to be a good bit of chaos on the dock and then a lot of scrambling to pack all on the boat. Those boats were full to the gills all week. In contrast, our little Panga was just the 3 of us plus 1 or 2 other couples. Most days it was just 1 other couple. The boat was basic but comfortable (nice bimini). We had fruit juice, fresh fruit and pastries between dives. Our dive master, Pedro had just the right amount of hands-on for my liking. (Ex. would grab a strap from behind your back or help with a shoulder strap - things you can do by yourself, but are easier if someone helps.) Underwater, Pedro would let us dive our profiles. I carried along my own reel and sausage and would surface with my son - who is the smallest and youngest yet the heaviest on the air. My daughter would stay down with the dive master till she'd reached around 700 and then surface along his reel. Our time with the Blue XTC operation really made the trip special. If/when we go back we'll most likely rent a condo in or near town and dive with a small op.
