February 2013

[Cheeky]

It's official. Flights and villa booked. First time there so any suggestions/recommendations (good, bad and ugly) are welcome.

[John A Lewis]

It's official. Flights and villa booked. First time there so any suggestions/recommendations (good, bad and ugly) are welcome.

Have a good time!

[Cheeky]

Usually don't have any problem having a good time.....usually have too much fun! Dive shop recommendations? Favorite dive sites?

[dfrancos]

Dive op: aquatic sports https://www.facebook.com/ssandovalvizcaino. Best places to dive Palancar Cedral pass

[cvchief]

Cheeky, Cheeky, Cheeky..... Lemme go in reverse order.

1. Dive sites: All are wonderful, two tanks, a deep and a less deep everyday. I would not even worry about picking sites. Go with the flow and pick on the boat. You won't be disappointed.
2. Picking a Dive Op: We all happily shill for our favorites. You can find plenty of thread on here about it. We just did it again. If you want us to do it again for you, tell us what you want, what you think you want or more about your diving styles and experiences. Then maybe we can talk about a dive for you. Nice thing is there are a lot of people who LOVE alot of different shops, so you will have to try hard to screw up picking one!

[Ron Lee]

I will make it easy for you.

Aldora.com

Many reasons but one is that if you get a norte and the port is closed, you can dive the east side.

[Darol]

Things to avoid.....
1. Mopeds and scooters with bald tires.
2. The Condo Clan at the airport.
3. The guy at the bar bragging about being an instructor and his 150 ft dive.
Things to enjoy.....
1. The Sunsets
2. The awesome food all over the Island.
3. The people, some of the kindest people you will ever get to know.
4. Do yourself a favor and go around the island at least one time.
5. Punta Sur, some of the best snorkeling bar none, and a great beach.
6. Towne Square on the weekends, fantastic.
7. Way Too Much More to mention for your first trip.... Enjoy, you will be back.;)

[cobra269]

Cheeky, where you are staying can help a lot in narrowing down a dive op.
1. Do they pick up at your location or do you have to taxi to them?
2. You have own gear or renting?
3. You like early dives or ones that allow you to sleep in a bit longer?
4. What kind of service are you looking for?
These are just a view questions you need to ask yourself to help you decide.

[Cheeky]

Darol I agree with your list fully. I should clarify this is my first time to Cozumel, but not to Mexico. Been all over....progreso, Merida, isla, palenque, guayabitos. Can read write and speak decent Spanish and am the first one to get off the beaten path. We're staying at a little place in corpus christi a couple blocks off the main street.

---------- Post added ----------

Cobra269. We have access to a vehicle and will be bringing our own equipment. We prefer the early shift....most days. Looking for safety oriented service. Cant stand being coddled and waited on hand and foot!!

[Sue Sue]

Welcome to Cozumel Cheeky ! It is so wonderful that you are on your way to what many of us consider our favorite place to dive ! Just know now, that you may find yourself addicted to the experience and will want to go back over and over and over......:dance3:

In reading your list I have a few ideas for you. First, if you have not already, check out the stickies at the top of the Coz Forum. #1 Cozumel FAQ's. This list is an excellent resource and has many answers that first timers ask. #2 Arriving at Cozumel Airport-A Guided Tour. Here you will find a step by step account and tips on making your way through the arrival process.

To answer your question, I will also say that selecting your dive op can be a huge task as there are so many to choose from. My advice is to take a look at the trip reviews posted here for the past 2 -3 months. Read through them and from your research make a list of 3-5 Dive ops that interest you. Then contact them directly with your needs and questions. Be sure to consider the location of your lodging as that does exclude some dive ops that may not pick you up at your most convenient pier. Of course, since you are staying in the Corpus Christi area, you may just walk or take a short taxi to the town pier. Michael and I have done that often when we stayed in that area. We merely started out with a walk to the town pier in the morning and hailed a taxi if we came across one before the half way mark. The cost one way is just a few dollars. If we did not come across a cab, we just kept walking and would make it to the town pier in about 10 min's where our dive op picks us up. Not bad at all, especially since our dive op keeps and takes care of our gear (BCD, reg, fins) for our entire trip. We always keep our mask, computer and wetsuits.

In addition :

Sunday night on the plaza square is fun, especially for the first timer. The cruise ships are gone and families and tourists gather to listen to the Salsa, eat and have fun.

Do try the local restaurants and you very well will come home with a favorite place to return to in the future.

I will also echo the heads up to not rent mopeds. Folks here argue the do or don't of this topic here all the time, but, frankly, I have seen just too many accidents in the 10 years of visiting the island that I just can not support this activity.

Do try to visit the Punta Sur lighthouse as well as a trip to the East side. Here, especially on Sunday's families gather for beach time. There are several eating/bar establishments that have good food, drink and views. If you don't have a rental car, (which really is not needed unless you are staying very far South and not camping out at an AI or condo for your entire stay), simply arrange a full day fare with a taxi driver and let he or she be your guide. There are many taxi vans that could accommodate your group and the cost if shared would be worth not having to drive.

Regardless of what you decide, Best Wishes for a wonderful vacation ! Sue

[Cheeky]

Thanks Sue.

[cvchief]

We prefer the early shift....most days. Looking for safety oriented service. Cant stand being coddled and waited on hand and foot!!

Well, now I would say my favorite op :cheerleader: , Scuba with Alison (http://scubawithalison.com), is VERY safety oriented. She checks EVERYONE before they go in to make sure they are ready to go. However you are waited on a little. Capitan Carlos typically has you move to your spot for entry and then brings your gear to you. If that is waiting on you hand and foot, them maybe you wouldn't like it.

[Cheeky]

I'm ok wih that kind of service. I just don't like handing my gear over to be set up, dismantled, rinsed for me etc etc. Im capable of that......and grabbing a bottle of water myself.

[cvchief]

I'm ok wih that kind of service. I just don't like handing my gear over to be set up, dismantled, rinsed for me etc etc. Im capable of that......and grabbing a bottle of water myself.

Well, I am sure that wouldn't be a problem. On the other hand Alison will come over and personally check you for all the essentials, like air, weight, some air in the jacket and all before you splash. Personally I take my gear the first day and get it back the last day, but lots of people bring everything and take it with them everyday. She also won't keep wetsuit. I don't think she likes urine....

[Cheeky]

Thanks cv, I'll look her up. A diver that doesn't like neoprene with urine........really?? :rofl3: