Maya Riviera / Playa Del Carmen Diving & Trip Advice Needed - Staying at Tres Rios

[eastsider88]

We're going to stay at an all-inclusive resort called Hacienda Tres Rios about 6 miles from Playa Del-Carmen.

It's not a diving resort. I'd like to dive as much as I can while I'm there. We've never stayed at Playa Del Carmen before.

I would appreciate recommendations for dive shops and your ideals for a dive itinerary combining reef diving (most) and some cenote (never done before).

I'm concern on transportation given the location of my hotel, so hopefully there is some pick up service.

I have my advanced and my wife has her rescue cert but i'll be doing most of the diving. Please advise. Thanks!!!

 

[Fly Girl]

I went to Tres Rios many years ago before the resort was there. You will love it. It is a great place.

I used Barrakuda Scuba recently when I stayed at Occidental Grand Xcaret not far from where you will be - scubish.com: Barrakuda Scuba Mexico - Playa del Carmen - Mexico. They are with the Occidental Hotel system in the Playa area, but because they go back and forth from Xcaret and Playa, they would likely have no problem picking you up. I really liked them. Have a great time!!!

 

[eastsider88]

I wrote to a couple dive shops and just got a reply that apparently they've instituted a new law preventing Dive Shops from picking passengers from hotels as a means to protect the local Taxi industry.

I'm trying to maximize the # of dives while i'm there. Some have proposed 4 tanks a day which is great. I haven't done Cenotes before so i'm keen to try but i would likely want to do mostly reef diving (which dive sites would you recommend?) (I have an advanced cert with about 60 dives)

 

[ShakaZulu]

I used taxi's when I was in PDC and rented a car for the Cenotes. If you want, buy me a ticket and I will be your personal tour guide

 

[ernbob]

I was down in El Dorado Seaside (25min south of PDC) in Feb and dove with Jason at Fansaseadive. I did 4 days and 8 dives, which included 2 cenote dives & 2 in Cozumel. All great experiences and great service by Jason. Very professional and personal with the service.

As far as transportation, I took a cab to/from the resort to PDC. The cab was $20 each way, considering your much closer I would have though you'd get a break on that.

Have a great trip!

 

[TSandM]

I would highly recommend Aquanauts out of Puerto Aventuras. My husband has been out on their boat and enjoyed it thoroughly. The owner of the shop, Dennis Weeks (Pez de Diablo here on SB) is a cave instructor and cenote guide. He is an extremely nice man, and very safety-conscious and conscientious. My husband has done guided cave diving with him and was very pleased.

A taxi from your hotel to PA shouldn't run you very much.

Do the day in the cenotes early in the trip. You may find that you want to go back and do that again, rather than a bunch more reef diving

 

[Bubble Watcher]

if you are going to playa, dive with Phontom Divers. I believe it is Calle 20 Norte. You will see a small sign on the beach near the large all inclusive at the end of the beach. (not near the pier). The rates for diving are mostly for packages and they really are the most reasonable on Playa.The dive shop is very professional and if you want to dive the Cenotes definately do it!!! Ask for Alex. He is a professional cave diver with numerous dives under his belt. Also I would definately bring your underwater camera and purchase the DVD after your dive. The only thing with diving the Cenotes, if you are a little clostrophobic you may have some trouble and also your should be really good on your bouency. You will dive both fresh water and salt water and you should really be ready for that experience. (It is so cool)!!!!! For a while during the cenotes, you are in complete darkness but you will have flashlights. Highly recommend to bring you own. It is one of the coolest things you will ever do in your life and I also recommend diving the C-54 off the coast of Cozumel. If you want a really good dive shop there, I highly recommend Sand Dollar Sports. It is located at the Marriott Reef Club about 6 miles on the south side. DO NOT let the taxi drivers give you a bad rate. Only pay at the most 10 american dollars for a taxi. That is per car not per person. Playa is a fun little town and the people there are some of the best in the world. We go to Playa and Cozumel often and from all of our travels, this is by far our favorite. Enjoy your trip!!! Kathy from MN

 

[dive pro]

Another vote for Dennis (Pez de Diablo on SB) or check out Jason (playacountryboy on sb)
both ops are awesome

 

[dive pro]

I used taxi's when I was in PDC and rented a car for the Cenotes. If you want, buy me a ticket and I will be your personal tour guide

I guess you meant the personal tour guide taking him showing him around but with all due respect, to guide inside caverns, you have to have a Full Cave Diver certification, and for the reefs, the national park requires guided tours by at least DiveMasters,or AI's or Instructors.

 

[gearhound]

Can't go wrong using Dennis at Aquanauts. Great crew at the shop. Won't find a harder working person in Mexico than Natalie.