Just got back from a week (Feb. 17 – 24) in Coz, our first time there. It was hard to come home to Chicago, and to the snow and cold after spending eight days in the sun and 80+ degree temps.
When we arrived at the airport, I didn’t know what the deal was with the “visitor information” booths we were pushed to after we had gathered our luggage. Towards the end of the spiel I realized the guy was trying at minimum to rent us a car and some side trips. Let’s just say that after eight days in COZ it became obvious the island exists for the tourist trade. I don’t want to make it sound bad, but there seems to always be someone around that wants to sell you something. We loaded ourselves into one of the airport vans for the trip to our hotel. Had to wait until they had a full van of nine people before we departed. Thankfully, we were the first group dropped off.
Our family of four stayed at the Fiesta Americana (FA) in a couple of their regular rooms and not in the casitas out back. Not a bad property but certainly not first class either. I would say it is on par with a Holiday Inn level hotel. The rooms were kept very clean during our stay. The room was nicely sized but the bathroom was very small and the tile, grout and caulking around the tub looked like it was done by someone with no experience doing that type of work. The toilet in our kids room didn’t work, but this was fixed by hotel maintenance after being reported. The hotel pools and restaurants were never crowded. I thought with Carnival the place would be very busy, but it was not. I’ve read some complaints about the sewer smell at this hotel and while you could occasionally get a whiff of something in the air, I also noticed the same thing in other parts of the island and can only assume it has to do with the septic systems or sewers on the island.
We did the AI, partly because it was so cheap to upgrade. I would say we probably got our moneys worth, even though we ate dinner downtown five of the seven nights. The cab ride into town was only $8 each way for four of us and cabs were easy to come by, even during the Carnival festivities. The Carnival parades by the way were great. The hotel had only one of three restaurants open during mealtime. Breakfast and lunch at the location on the water and dinner in the more upscale ala carte only restaurant in the hotel. They did open the hotel’s pool side dinner buffet restaurant the last night we were there, but we ate at Guido’s instead. The buffet food at FA was okay, similar to a Shoney’s or Old Country Buffet with less variety. You could also order from the menu if you wanted. Most of our meals eaten there were before or after we went diving so the buffets were fast and convenient. I will say that the amount of flies on and around the food on the buffets was a bit disgusting. But the restaurant is an open air place and I guess this is the trade off. As for in town, I can recommend Guido’s, La Choza and the new Camilos, the food at each of these spots was very good.
We did our diving with Dive House, the FA onsite dive shop. They were wonderful to be honest. The boats were never crowded and the staff was great. Alfonso, who did our AOW dives, was top notch. We also had Ivan as our DM on a couple of dives and he was also great. The only problem encountered was on a night dive, the first for my wife and 12 year old son, and the DM descended too quickly and didn’t keep the group together at the beginning as he should have. My only other dive related issue was my brand new Oceanic Pro Plus 2 started acting really strange (buttons didn’t work and LCD faded in and out) on the second dive and I had to use a rental reg setup for the rest of my dives. The diving was great! Particularly Palanacar Caves and all the wall dives.
All in all, we had a great and memorable trip.
On a side note, we spoke to a couple on the flight home that had stayed at the Reef Club. Twelve of the 16 people in their group were sick at some point during their stay.
diver 85
February 26th, 2007, 12:14 PM
....Thanx for the report...headed to CMZ next week for a 'quicky'......did ya'll lose any divng days due to wind/weather???....
Onecabernetnut
February 26th, 2007, 12:27 PM
....Thanx for the report...headed to CMZ next week for a 'quicky'......did ya'll lose any divng days due to wind/weather???....
Just one day. A norte came through on the day of our arrival and it took out the first full day we were on the island, although some boats did go out for those willing to brave the waves. The rest of the time it was 85 degrees every day with a few clouds and a light breeze. Evenings were in the low 70's. Water temps were right at 80.
ScorpioScuba
February 26th, 2007, 01:29 PM
I was there during the same time frame (2/17-2/24) and we did dive on Sunday the 18th. The waves were rough getting to the dive site and several on our boat got sick. I was in the water and my computer (brand new) wasn't reading my air pressure so I had to thumb the dive which I dreaded because I knew I would get sick sitting on that boat. I got sick once, the boat crew gave me an extra reg from the boat and was able to dive the 2nd dive of the day. Much better than staying on the boat! The rest of the week was perfect as far as diving goes though.
waynel
February 26th, 2007, 01:42 PM
Just got back from Cozumel (Feb. 14-20). You go to Cozumel for only two reasons: diving and relaxing. You have to keep in mind that Cozumel is a small Mexican island with limited resources. Light batteries are luxury. Want to give a DM a special tip? Pull the batteries out of your dive lights and give them to the DM before you leave. They love it. Got some spare mask straps you can part with? And how about this...you can't find a newspaper on that island to save your life. After spending two days looking, I finally decided it wasn't that important. The world would be there when I got back. My point is, up early each morning with coffee and a newspaper is my typical vacation routine. OK, no newspaper, let's just take the coffee to the dock and watch the boats before we have to report. I realized I couldn't expect all the things I would get on a Miami Beach vacation.
Yeah, the grout and caulking in the bathroom at our hotel looked like yours as well. But if you've done much traveling to places like Cozumel, you'd know that your are not going to find 5 star resorts like in the states, even if they are listed as 5 star. You also have to consider the wear and tear on these hotels. For the most part, these are not brand new resorts catering to luxury living. They are older hotels, battered over and over by storms, hurricanes, millions of gallons of water splashed across bathroom and room floors. Know how to tell if your resort really caters to divers? Ask them if there is carpet or tile in the rooms. If they say carpet, forget about staying there. Means there is likely no balcony with racks to hang the gear you rinse in the tub and drag out to dry.
That island is a magnet to divers and generally we care more about the dock facilities, washing and storing gear, does the dive op have a 40' boat when the harbor is restricted, etc.
Hey, I love going to Miami and staying in nice beautiful, shiny resorts and eating the best food...when luxury, partying and laying on the beach are my priorities. Just got to accept Cozumel for what it is. It's still the best diving I can find within a 2 hour plane ride of my house. But, it sounds like you agree when it comes to the diving part of the trip. That's why I never recommend Cozumel for family vacations unless Dad (and/or Mom) asbsolutely must dive; never for a romantic trip for two where only one person dives; and never to anyone wants a 4 or 5 star hotel as expected in the US.
Personally I don't think Cozumel will ever be a dive mecca where we will get the best of everything, except for the diving. Again, it's sooo small. The smaller any community, the smaller the resource pool be it skilled labor, food stores, sanitation, etc. I think the people in Cozumel are doing an outstanding job considering the limitations they work under. Not a Home Depot on the entire island.
Christi
February 26th, 2007, 02:34 PM
Wayne, I'm so glad you enjoyed your trip and had a good time. I realize this was your first trip to Cozumel, so you really didn't have a chance to get a good feel for the island. Alot of the things you think we don't have or have no access to are actually readily available. Things are more readily available than they were several years ago, and almost anything we can't get here we can get with a 35 to 45 minute ferry ride in Playa del Carmen (Walmart, Office Max, Sam's CLub, Pier One, Home Depot, Electronics stores galore, etc. etc.) There are still a few creature comforts from the states that we can't get here...such as specialty items, and some things are cost prohibitive, but the island is not lacking in necessary items needed to function or enjoy everyday life. In fact, the locals here enjoy ALOT more luxuries than in other islands and dive destinations around the world.
You have to keep in mind that Cozumel is a small Mexican island with limited resources. Light batteries are luxury
Actually available in every hardware store and grocery store on the island. We also have an Energizer rep that comes by the shop once or twice a month now and sells us batteries at wholesale prices...cheaper than I can buy them at Sam's CLub in Playa del Carmen just across the channel. Spare mask straps are also available at several places on the island for next to nothing.
And how about this...you can't find a newspaper on that island to save your life. I'm surprised your hotel didn't have them, but yes, we have newspapers too. There are little guys selling them on just about every corner downtown in the morning. Of course they are in Spanish...we're in Mexico. However, you can buy a USA today - Cancun edition in English at several places in town. Most of the resorts also have these papers available...I'm surprised Hotel Cozumel didn't, unless others grabbed them before you did :)
Know how to tell if your resort really caters to divers? Ask them if there is carpet or tile in the rooms. Actually, tile is the standard flooring in Mexico, not just in Cozumel. Carpet is almost unheard of due to the climate here. I don't know a single hotel on the island or even a home on the island with carpeting.
That island is a magnet to divers and generally we care more about the dock facilities, washing and storing gear, does the dive op have a 40' boat when the harbor is restricted, etc.
Yes, it has been a diving destination more than anything else for over 30 years. Most of the time when the Harbor Master closes the port to boats under 40', things are pretty bad or are expected to get bad....so it's usually not a good idea to go out diving anyway...so that's really a matter of personal preference. However, even if the op doesn't own a 40' boat, if their divers want to get out and the conditions are safe enough to do so...there are boats available for rent.
Hey, I love going to Miami and staying in nice beautiful, shiny resorts and eating the best food...when luxury, partying and laying on the beach are my priorities. Just got to accept Cozumel for what it is.
Most people who have been diving for any length of time are familiar with Cozumel, and many of the people here in the Cozumel forum actually travel to Cozumel several times a year...so I think people around here know what to expect and aren't expecting the luxurious resorts or extensive night life. Although, Cozumel DOES have some amazing restaurants...sounds like you didn't make to any of them. Still, there are a few very, very nice hotels on the island....they aren't all like Hotel Cozumel. Hotel Cozumel is actually considered at the mid to lower end of the resorts here...as far as resorts go...this doens't include the small budget hotels.
...I never recommend Cozumel for family vacations unless Dad (and/or Mom) asbsolutely must dive; never for a romantic trip for two where only one person dives; and never to anyone wants a 4 or 5 star hotel as expected in the US.
I've gotta disagree with you here. Although the main pastimes are diving, eating and relaxing....many people thoroughly enjoy family vacations here...and as I said above, we have some very nice hotels with activities for the kids as well. IE: Cozumel Palace, Occidental Grand, etc. A day trip to the mainland is also a very common and easy thing to do for more activities.
Personally I don't think Cozumel will ever be a dive mecca where we will get the best of everything, except for the diving. Again, it's sooo small. The smaller any community, the smaller the resource pool be it skilled labor, food stores, sanitation, etc. I think the people in Cozumel are doing an outstanding job considering the limitations they work under. Not a Home Depot on the entire island.
I hope it doesn't develop more...but undoubtedly it will. If you think Cozumel is small, you should travel to some other islands in the Caribbean, Pacific and elsewhere. No, we don't have a Home Depot, but there are hardware stores on almost every corner and we have a store called Boxito, which is a small version of Home Depot. We actually have alot more resources than you think...but you're not going to see these things on the waterfront where tourism is the focus.
Next time you're here, you should get back away from the waterfront and you'll see that life is pretty normal and there are all kinds of stores, restaurants, etc.
Mawg
February 26th, 2007, 04:09 PM
Hey, I love going to Miami and staying in nice beautiful, shiny resorts and eating the best food...when luxury, partying and laying on the beach are my priorities. Just got to accept Cozumel for what it is. It's still the best diving I can find within a 2 hour plane ride of my house. But, it sounds like you agree when it comes to the diving part of the trip. That's why I never recommend Cozumel for family vacations unless Dad (and/or Mom) asbsolutely must dive; never for a romantic trip for two where only one person dives; and never to anyone wants a 4 or 5 star hotel as expected in the US.
There is a 5 Star Luxury Resort on Cozumel and it is called El Presidente.I have stayed at fine Hotels all over the Caribbean and parts of Central America. It is owned and operated by Intercontinental Hotels. If you are willing to pay the price, you can get a suite on a semi private beach and your coffee and paper delivered every morning. There are 3 restaurants in the hotel and they serve excellent food. Most of the guests at the Presidente are families. Hurricane Wilma shut the hotel down for 13 months. They received 25 million dollars to rebuild and from what I understand, spent every penny of it and then some. I'll be there May 2nd for my 19th stay at the hotel and my 24th. stay on the island. Go to Tripadvisor.com and look up some of the recent reviews on the hotel. I think you will be surprised.
waynel
February 26th, 2007, 04:49 PM
Good points Christi. Just let me say, I am not dissing Cozumel by any means. I just spent $3K going there for eight days and I'm planning my next trip now. I was only trying to point out that a guest accustomed to straight grout lines in hotels in Ft. Lauderdal, Miami or Key West really shouldn't judge Coz hotels the same. The only thing most hotels offer in the US are great grout lines and gourmet cuisine. My point is the focus in Cozumel is diving.
Cozumel is romantic...for diving couples. One of the reasons my wife decided to start diving with me is, her exact words: "If you think romance is you diving and me waiting for you on the bank, you are seriously mistaken." We have a very romantic time in Cozumel because romance is being together and we were, both on the bank and 80 ft. underwater sharing a wonderful world.
Re: newspapers. I walked the entire 12 minutes from Hotel Cozumel to town and went into every resort and Chedauri (spelling) the bix box store. No USA Todays. Again, I was simply pointing out that if your used to going downstairs and a paper is waiting on you, like every hotel in the US, forget it. Know what? I found I didn't need one, or want one after the first day. Didn't even mention it in my trip report on another thread. Just like the grout lines, I wasn't there for a newspaper.
Here's the best description I've heard concerning just what attraction Cozumel holds for United States citizens. A diving friend of mine pointed this out: If you banned all diving in Cozumel tomorrow, what do you think would happen to Cozumel's economy? Sure, cruise boats stop there for a few hours, but they aren't filling up the hotels, cabs and restaurants (except maybe Carlos and Charlies or Senior Frogs).
Yes, the people of Cozumel are very resourceful and yes, Playa is just across the water. But again, we are talking about US citizens who are used to having everything they want at their fingertips any time they want it. We are way too spoiled. I take trips to those little islands you refer to just to get away from it.
Chrisit, we all love your island, that's why we spend so much money going there, but let's be honest. While there are things to do on the island, and two divers can definitely find romance there, and there may be a couple of 5 star resorts with great food, attractions etc., the bottom line is we go there to dive. Anything else we get is really just a bonus. My only regret is I didn't get to dive in Cozumel when I found it 20 years ago.
Christi
February 26th, 2007, 05:39 PM
Wayne,
I didn't think you were ditzing Cozumel at all! Sorry if you thought that. I was simply trying to give you some information for your next trip based on things you obviously couldn't find here. I was trying to be helpful and give you some additional insight on life here.
BTW, it's not my island... I just happen to live here and own a business ;) (JK...I know what you meant)
If you get desperate for a newspaper next time,Coco's just in the square has USA today's :)
I agree, without diving...this island would be in trouble. My point there was kind of that "you're preaching to the choir here" when you say that Cozumel is about the diving....of course it is and we all know that...that's why we love it :)
Good points Christi. Just let me say, I am not dissing Cozumel by any means. I just spent $3K going there for eight days and I'm planning my next trip now. I was only trying to point out that a guest accustomed to straight grout lines in hotels in Ft. Lauderdal, Miami or Key West really shouldn't judge Coz hotels the same. The only thing most hotels offer in the US are great grout lines and gourmet cuisine. My point is the focus in Cozumel is diving.
Cozumel is romantic...for diving couples. One of the reasons my wife decided to start diving with me is, her exact words: "If you think romance is you diving and me waiting for you on the bank, you are seriously mistaken." We have a very romantic time in Cozumel because romance is being together and we were, both on the bank and 80 ft. underwater sharing a wonderful world.
Re: newspapers. I walked the entire 12 minutes from Hotel Cozumel to town and went into every resort and Chedauri (spelling) the bix box store. No USA Todays. Again, I was simply pointing out that if your used to going downstairs and a paper is waiting on you, like every hotel in the US, forget it. Know what? I found I didn't need one, or want one after the first day. Didn't even mention it in my trip report on another thread. Just like the grout lines, I wasn't there for a newspaper.
Here's the best description I've heard concerning just what attraction Cozumel holds for United States citizens. A diving friend of mine pointed this out: If you banned all diving in Cozumel tomorrow, what do you think would happen to Cozumel's economy? Sure, cruise boats stop there for a few hours, but they aren't filling up the hotels, cabs and restaurants (except maybe Carlos and Charlies or Senior Frogs).
Yes, the people of Cozumel are very resourceful and yes, Playa is just across the water. But again, we are talking about US citizens who are used to having everything they want at their fingertips any time they want it. We are way too spoiled. I take trips to those little islands you refer to just to get away from it.
Chrisit, we all love your island, that's why we spend so much money going there, but let's be honest. While there are things to do on the island, and two divers can definitely find romance there, and there may be a couple of 5 star resorts with great food, attractions etc., the bottom line is we go there to dive. Anything else we get is really just a bonus. My only regret is I didn't get to dive in Cozumel when I found it 20 years ago.
waynel
February 26th, 2007, 06:05 PM
Thanks for the newspaper tip. But you know what, I kinda liked not reading the news. I will go back to Cozumel to get away from newspapers.
Thanks Mawg for the El Presidente tip. We've gotten into a group situation here where they want us to dive as a group, that's why we ended up in Hotel Cozumel. I'll have to plan a trip later this year just for the wife and me at El Presidente. We have absolutely no problem paying for the best of anything. You do get what you pay for. In fact, I looked at some web site pictures of what looks like a couple of outstanding villas with pools on the water. Now, if I can get a couple of other couples to share one of those 5 bedroom villas...that would be perfect.
Diver Kat
February 26th, 2007, 06:36 PM
Cozumel is romantic...for diving couples. One of the reasons my wife decided to start diving with me is, her exact words: "If you think romance is you diving and me waiting for you on the bank, you are seriously mistaken." This just cracked me right up!! :rofl3: Then I realized it's very, very true!! I think you hit the nail right on the head!!
ggunn
February 26th, 2007, 06:45 PM
Chrisit, we all love your island, that's why we spend so much money going there, but let's be honest. While there are things to do on the island, and two divers can definitely find romance there, and there may be a couple of 5 star resorts with great food, attractions etc., the bottom line is we go there to dive. Anything else we get is really just a bonus. My only regret is I didn't get to dive in Cozumel when I found it 20 years ago.
Speaking strictly for myself, the diving is a big part of why I go to Cozumel, but it is by no means all of it. My first Coz trip was in 1978, and I did not dive until 1991. I started going at least once a year in, hmmm... let me think, 1988 or so. Partly it's the diving, partly it's the fishing (the fishing is what got me started going there), and part of it is just the joy of being on Cozumel. I love the people, the atmosphere, the food, and just sitting there looking at that blue, blue water. Heavy sigh... Is it time to go yet? Nope; gotta wait until May.
Mawg
February 27th, 2007, 09:33 AM
Partly it's the diving, partly it's the fishing (the fishing is what got me started going there),
Gordon, Patrick here. Got a question about fishing. I'll be there May 2nd with a group and some of them want to go fishing. Who do you fish with and what are they likely to catch. They keep asking and I dont know what to tell them. Appreciate the help. Thanks.
ggunn
February 27th, 2007, 11:25 AM
Gordon, Patrick here. Got a question about fishing. I'll be there May 2nd with a group and some of them want to go fishing. Who do you fish with and what are they likely to catch. They keep asking and I dont know what to tell them. Appreciate the help. Thanks.
Well, I'll be going there at about the same time, so the guy I fish with will be busy. Albatross Charters has a good rep, though, so on the strength of what I have heard I would recommend them.
May is arguably the best month to fish around Cozumel; we always go in May because of the fishing, since some of our group are avid fishermen and do not dive. The dorado (also called dolphin or mahi-mahi) are usually running, and May is the peak of the billfish (blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish) migration through the area. We have also caught barracuda, tuna (small ones), bonita, wahoo, and Spanish mackerel in May. I have a picture of me and a deck hand holding up a 110 lb white marlin pinned up right in front of me.
Good luck!
waynel
February 27th, 2007, 03:50 PM
I too love to wet a line. Best salt water fising south of Louisiana? Islamorada, FL just 10 minutes south on Highwy 1 from Key Largo. Billed as the "fishing captial of the world." And if you go there you will agree with them.
dtcmarical
February 28th, 2007, 02:37 AM
Just wanted to put two cents in about divers and non-diving spouses in Coz. I dive, my wife does not. Yet we always have what we consider a romantic vacation in Coz. My wife enjoys spending time on the beach, reading a book, getting extra rest while I dive. Then we spend time together in the afternoon & evening. If the boat is not crowded she will tag along a day or two on dives. Going to the other side of the island for a day makes for a little romance. The last couple of years we have taken a couple to three trips per year to Coz. Will go back in April for our second trip this year and have a house rented in August for a week with some of the extended family. Who by the way, most are not divers but still enjoy Coz. We prefer not to go to vacation locations where the grout lines are perfect but where the attitude is more laid back, like Coz. Really different strokes for different folks. BUT I do miss my paper in the morning, will make a note of how to find a USA Today. I always bring a couple of papers down the day I travel for folks like me.
Coachwah
February 28th, 2007, 08:12 AM
Ditto :D In fact my non-diving wife and I were married on Coz. Couldn't have been better, or more romantic, for either of us.
paxman53
February 28th, 2007, 10:14 AM
If you are going to Coz from PDC for a day of diving, how does one tell if the weather in Coz would prevent boats going out? What is relation between PDC and Coz swell? Better to do the ferry over, or find a PDC shop with a decent-size boat?
CharlieSierra
March 1st, 2007, 05:56 AM
My wife and I are new divers going to Cozumel for a week in May (88 days?), and these types of reports are very valuable to me. Thanks for providing the information from the 'first timers' perspective.
We are opting to piecemeal our vacation together - B&B, Funjet, etc. - and it has worked out to be more affordable than going to our local coast and diving for a week there.
Pricing for the two of us:
FunJet $600
Tamarindo B&B @$45/nt (incl taxes) x 4 nights $180
Scuba with Alison 2 days of 2-tank dives, hoping to pick up 2 more divers for night dives, and renting BC & Reg $360
Tips @ 15% of total diving cost $55
Rental Car $100 for 4 days
Food @$50/day $200
After Diving Drinks $25/day x 4 days $200
I've capped my wife's Shopping budget to $300
Total = $1995
A week in Mexico with my wife diving and discovering a new place.... priceless. If I can get her used to the heat I think I'm going to try Mahahual next.
Thanks for your posts - I'll be sure to post up after our trip. Meanwhile I will read and dream, and pace impatiently until May.
Best Regards,
Chris
Diver Kat
March 1st, 2007, 09:07 AM
Chris - you guys will LOVE Alison .... (and tell the wife to check out Los Cincos Soles at the north end of the waterfront - it's my favorite place to shop!!)
