Just to give you what I have experienced. I just started diving too and started coming to Cozumel July of 2015 but I was very bad on air starting out. First trip I stayed at the Coral Reef Inn and did their package with Dive Paradise. Did the three dives a day package. Was a great price and had a great time. The afternoon dive was always at Paradise reef though, at least I was getting bottom time. I had fun with Dive Paradise. The inn is not real close to many restaurants but had a full kitchen along with a grill on the roof for all to use. I was able to get a locker outside of Hotel Barracuda, where I met the dive boat, so I didn't have to haul my gear. The next 4 trips I have made I stayed closer to town: Hotel Plaza Cozumel ($50 per night) Suites Bahia ($45) and 2x at Casa Mexicana ($78). All three include breakfast only but as stated earlier there are many places to eat close by. The last 4 trips I have made I have dove with Aldora initially due to their larger tanks. You sound like you don't have a problem with air but I did, working on improving that. The good thing is they have several boats and they do a good job pairing you up with divers of similar abilities, helping extend bottom times. I have only had a few dives under 60 mintutes in the last 45 dives or so and they were either due to issues with other divers or deeper than usual dives. In October I don't know if they could guarantee a single tank afternoon dive each day but after 2 70- 80 minute morning dives you might want to skip some. Not trying to be an Aldora cheerleader, don't have experience with other ops. I am pretty frugal (cheap) so have not done the AI south of town. Planning on going down again in October as well