1967Goat
Contributor
I've been to Mexico probably over 15 times since the mid 1990's, but this is my first time going to COZ to dive. I started out going to Cancun about 1993 with my parents, but stopped going there about 2009 or so...It just became too "Americanized". Over the last 5 years or so we've gone to Playa del Carmen 4 times (I now have a family of my own). My wife and kids really, really like the place in Playa we go to, but the diving in Playa is just OK, and I usually pay extra to go to COZ to dive. The dive op I usually use in PDC goes to COZ 2 - 3 times per week, and there is a small up-charge.
I only have about 35 dives or so under my belt, but I am very, very comfortable under water. I've gone to 90' 3 or 4 times with my trusted DM with zero issues. Never had any kind of bad experience in the water. Since my last trip in November I've bought some new G250V's from @buddhasummer back in January, got a freedom plate from @Eric Sedletzky and some great condition MK10's locally that I should have back in a few days from being serviced by @rsingler .
I wanted to take advantage of the ridiculously low prices and sneak away for a few days to COZ by myself. The wife is having none of that. If I go, her and our kids (8 & 9) must also go. Kiddo's love the pool and wife loves pool and sandy beach. I know COZ is different than other destinations as they generally don't have a lot of wide open beaches and cater more to divers.
I just booked Frontier from Denver direct to CUN for ~$200 Roundtrip!!! Aug 27 - Sep 5. (Yes, I am very familiar with hurricane season) I can get a screaming deal right now for Hotel Cozumel on Expedia, but I am wondering if there's a moderately priced option the family would like more.
My criteria is as follows (most important first)
1. Top priority is dive op on site. Worst case I know can get picked up on a pier, but since it's just me diving I'd really prefer to have the op on site.
2. Decent sized pool. Kids/wife will be in the pool area from 8 AM - 5 PM every day. A good sized pool is a must. (This knocked Blue Angel out of contention.)
3. A bit of a beach (must for wife). I understand this is a limiting factor. It does not need to be a big beach...just a little bit of sand.
4. Shore diving would be a huge plus. I have lots of new gear, and being able to stay close to shore and work on my skills would really be great. Not a deal breaker though.
5. Wife likes all inclusive. We are not "foodies" by any means, and wife likes the simplicity of AI. Buffets are fine with us. No AI is not a deal breaker though.
I won't throw out the price for Hotel Cozumel on Expedia, but it's CHEAP, and very well regarded here. Diving not included in that price obviously.
Should I look at another place, or just go ahead and book Hotel Cozumel?
I only have about 35 dives or so under my belt, but I am very, very comfortable under water. I've gone to 90' 3 or 4 times with my trusted DM with zero issues. Never had any kind of bad experience in the water. Since my last trip in November I've bought some new G250V's from @buddhasummer back in January, got a freedom plate from @Eric Sedletzky and some great condition MK10's locally that I should have back in a few days from being serviced by @rsingler .
I wanted to take advantage of the ridiculously low prices and sneak away for a few days to COZ by myself. The wife is having none of that. If I go, her and our kids (8 & 9) must also go. Kiddo's love the pool and wife loves pool and sandy beach. I know COZ is different than other destinations as they generally don't have a lot of wide open beaches and cater more to divers.
I just booked Frontier from Denver direct to CUN for ~$200 Roundtrip!!! Aug 27 - Sep 5. (Yes, I am very familiar with hurricane season) I can get a screaming deal right now for Hotel Cozumel on Expedia, but I am wondering if there's a moderately priced option the family would like more.
My criteria is as follows (most important first)
1. Top priority is dive op on site. Worst case I know can get picked up on a pier, but since it's just me diving I'd really prefer to have the op on site.
2. Decent sized pool. Kids/wife will be in the pool area from 8 AM - 5 PM every day. A good sized pool is a must. (This knocked Blue Angel out of contention.)
3. A bit of a beach (must for wife). I understand this is a limiting factor. It does not need to be a big beach...just a little bit of sand.
4. Shore diving would be a huge plus. I have lots of new gear, and being able to stay close to shore and work on my skills would really be great. Not a deal breaker though.
5. Wife likes all inclusive. We are not "foodies" by any means, and wife likes the simplicity of AI. Buffets are fine with us. No AI is not a deal breaker though.
I won't throw out the price for Hotel Cozumel on Expedia, but it's CHEAP, and very well regarded here. Diving not included in that price obviously.
Should I look at another place, or just go ahead and book Hotel Cozumel?