Seeking Cozumel dive shop & hotel info

[txdiveman]

My daughter (18 yo) & I are planning a trip to Cozumel. We are looking at the July 4th weekend. I have done some preliminary research. I'm leaning towards staying at the Vista del Mar. Can anyone offer insights for this place? The downtown location is appealing.

Also, any dive shop recommendations are appreciated. Dive with Martin and Deep Blue seem to have received good reviews. Any additional comments or recommendations?

We are looking at doing at least 2 dives a day and perhaps a night dive. My daughter and I are experienced ocean divers. I have been to Cozumel several times but have always used a dive shop through the cruiselines. My daughter has completed several oil rig dives. This will be her first time in Cozumel

Thanks

[Daxter]

We stayed at Vista on one of our trips. It is a little loud at night but I enjoy people wacthing. Location is great for walking to dinner. Had breakfast del each morning at 7:00AM. Aqua-safari dock is right in front of it. The fill station del tanks at about 6:00AM +/- (I was always awake when they came, so no problem for me). We dove with Blue XT-Sea, which picked up about 1 or 2 blocks north of the hotel. We had a good time there. Hope this helps.

[parrotheaddiver]

I have stayed at Vista del Mar....nice downtown hotel....has a small pool in back overlooking the marketplace....we had an oceanview room....didin't notice any noise....comfortable....no where to put clothes like shelves or drawers...one small closet....still nice.....Casa Mexicana is nearby and is a nice downtown hotel also and it has breakfast included in pricing....

I use bluextseadiving Cozumel Diving: Blue XT SEA Diving, Cozumel Mexico (http://www.bluextseadiving.com/) Christi runs a great dive op and is top shelf for personal service....

[116fire]

Try Aldora divers and the Villa Aldora. They are an easy 15 min walk or 3$ cab ride from the center of town, quiet boutigue hotel, with wonderful hosts (Greg and Kay). The dive operation is top notch with steel 120's and 100's with nitrox give 90 min bottom time on the second dive. They have small fast boats, and get to sites before the crowds. Enjoy...

[donnad]

we have stayed at Hotel Cozumel and Resort on two occasions and were very happy. nice, moderate price, right across from the beach with a tunnel under the street connecting the hotel to the dive shop. they have lockers near the dock for you. good setup. enjoyed the diving with Dive Paradise.

[judydivescoz]

There are lots of great dive operators in Cozumel. Most everyone who posts on this board has their favorite dive operation and I am no exception. We like to dive with Rita and Burak at Albatros Charters Cozumel - Mexico - Albatros Charters (http://www.albatroscharters.com). We like them and the personal service they provide. They keep thier boats in the marina closest to town so if you decide to stay at Vista del Mar it might work out perfectly. Whatever you decide, enjoy your vacation.

[kuma1720]

I, like you have traveled to Cozumel a few times via the cruises. Only until last year did I get the bug and stayed at the Coz Palace, which I loved. I had to appeal to my non-diving wife and 4 year old son. Never regretted a thing the place was more than what we expected!!

Before my trip I reviewed these boards and spent some time on Trip Advisor for unbiased insight.
Vista del Mar Boutique Hotel (Cozumel, Yucatan Peninsula) - Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150809-d525178-Reviews-Vista_del_Mar_Boutique_Hotel-Cozumel_Yucatan_Peninsula.html)

If you can handle the downtown noise and traffic it seems like Vista might be the place to be. Best of luck.
By the way I have gone diving w/Aqua Safari and can only recommend them highly.
I love Coz as you can see and will be there soon enough.

[loudives]

My daughter (18 yo) & I are planning a trip to Cozumel. Thanks

Oh my goodness. If your daughter is a sun worshiper do not stay at Vista Del Mar. The pool is very small and almost no deck area. It is also in a flee market alley and gets little to no sun.

Casa Mexicana has a small pool on the second floor with very limited seating and gets sun after 1pm.

These 2 hotels face the waterfront on the island side of the street and have no direct access to the water. They are fine hotels to stay at but know what they really are.

Hotel Barracuda 2 short blocks away is on the water with pool and plenty of sunbathing space. Also has steps right into the ocean. Not as fancy as the others but nice including AC, TV, Mini fridge. Still easy walking to everything. Just as close to Carlos and Charlies or Senior Frogs.

So if your daughter wants to sunbath and you want to be walking to everything do some more research. There are others, but on the water, in town, not an AI and for price that is inexpensive, Barracuda is the closest match.

There are also condo's that fit this same scenario, just 1 more block south, but much more expensive.

[loudives]

click on view gallery # 494 is Barracuda. To the left you can just make out the pool patio.

[stevenq99]

Just Booked our second trip to Vista Del Mar. Great little place right in the middle of all the action. I would agree with Lou unless you are willing to take a taxi not much for sunbathing.

We dive with Blue xt sea and would recommend them to anyone.

Just make sure whoever you pick to dive with they will pick you up down town.

[sharky60]

Vista del Mar has gotten very good reveiws here on the SB.

I would highly recommend Dive with Martin, we dove with them for years and have always had a good time.

I would also highly recommend Bottom time Divers, Raul Plates is one of my all time favorite DM's. He's not only a great guy, but a great guide, very good at finding those little critters and extreamly safety minded. He would make sure your daughter's first trip to Coz memorable.

[Diver Di]

On our last trip to Cozumel (November) we dove with Dive Palancar. Someone else at our resort dove with Dive With Martin and only had great things to say about it.

[BTravlin]

We just stayed at Vista del Mar in March and will definitely use them again when we return. Nice clean, comfortable rooms with plenty of hot water. As someone else mentioned, they could use a dresser for clothes storage.The continental breakfast delivered to your door each morning is very convenient and the staff is wonderful; very friendly and helpful. Aldora and BlueXTSea offices are right around the corner. Piers for dive pickups are within 2 blocks. Very convenient to most things around town. Not recommended for those who love to hang around the pool and sun bathe.