Best Place For Family to Stay in Cozumel?

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Hello all,

My two teenagers and I just took our first scuba diving lessons, but we haven't taken our check-out dives yet. I would like to do our check-out dives in Cozumel in early Spring. In addition to my two teenagers and me, my wife and 9 year old will also be going with us, so I am looking for the best place to stay with a nice beach and pool for them to enjoy while we are diving (obviously we when be spending a lot of time their too). Cozumel seems like a weird beach destination in that it doesn't have a ton of great beaches. Can you help me find the perfect place to stay?

Thanks!!
 
Look at some of the All-inclusive resorts on the SW side of island. They all have beaches, pools, and activities for non-divers.
Cozumel is a great place for divers, but it does not have the "beaches" some people expect for an island. The diving is amazing and worth it.
The key here if for you to find a Dive Op that will do your check out dives. Some resorts have an in-house dive op, but majority of dive ops on Cozumel are independent. You'll get tons of recommendations here...
 
It pains me more than I can say to share this opinion. I have been diving on Cozumel since 1989. Might want to take a look at the thread "Possible southern reef closure" (http://bit.ly/2kMFpUh). I am not sure that you want to begin your journey into diving at Cozumel. Might consider the Cayman Islands. Cozumel is rapidly turning into a cruise ship only destination. If I were begining my journey into SCUBA now, I would begin in a place that is likely to me amenable to divers in 10 years. YMMV, just my $.02.
 
Hello all,

My two teenagers and I just took our first scuba diving lessons, but we haven't taken our check-out dives yet. I would like to do our check-out dives in Cozumel in early Spring. In addition to my two teenagers and me, my wife and 9 year old will also be going with us, so I am looking for the best place to stay with a nice beach and pool for them to enjoy while we are diving (obviously we when be spending a lot of time their too). Cozumel seems like a weird beach destination in that it doesn't have a ton of great beaches. Can you help me find the perfect place to stay?

Thanks!!
There is no perfect place to stay; there are tradeoffs to every place. For example, hotels with beaches are far from town and the plethora of restaurants that are one of the things that make Cozumel special. They are mostly (all?) all inclusive, so you won't starve, but you might find the culinary fare boring (I would). Also, as you'll see in that other thread, the proximity to the southern dive sites of the hotels down there may no longer be much of an attraction.

Hotels in town don't have beaches or easy access to the water but are surrounded by great places to eat.

For me, Blue Angel is the Goldilocks choice, but YMMV.
 
It pains me more than I can say to share this opinion. I have been diving on Cozumel since 1989. Might want to take a look at the thread "Possible southern reef closure" (http://bit.ly/2kMFpUh). I am not sure that you want to begin your journey into diving at Cozumel. Might consider the Cayman Islands. Cozumel is rapidly turning into a cruise ship only destination. If I were begining my journey into SCUBA now, I would begin in a place that is likely to me amenable to divers in 10 years. YMMV, just my $.02.

I can’t say I disagree with this opinion at this time and I have been CZ 18+ times since 1990. No idea what is going to happen with the closure, but you’d be missing many of the best sites CZ has to offer – Palancar, Columbia… Breaks my heart to see this.

If you are still hellbent on CZ, robint is correct. Given your crew, I’d go to one of the AIs on the south side – Allegro, Grande or Iberostar…
 
I don't think the reef closures will be such a big issue for new divers but the right hotel might be a bit more challenging based on your "wants". You will want to stay in town or south of town or things get more complicated re getting to the dive boat. I have put this guide to what to expect at just about every location starting at the edge of downtown & all the way to the southern zone but not every photos is from a recent trip. There have been some changes to a few locations but none grew a new beach recently.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmCGGVe2
 
I have a family of 5 and similar ages. Like others will say there is no 'BEST' option but many that you will be happy with depending on priorities. The southern AIs will have something for everyone and you will not need to open your wallet for every meal or decide where to eat. My kids enjoy the buffets when we travel and the fact they can eat /drink whatever they choose. Most have lots of activities and shows etc. I am strongly considering Iberostar for the next family vacation.

You could also consider El Cid La Ceiba or something close by. We really enjoyed it last year. It is close to many scuba shops and restaurant choices. And they offer AI.

Something to consider is the max occupancy per room/ suite at the different resorts. This will greatly effect the budget as having a family of 5 limits the choices if on a budget. A condo can be fantastic option for families. However I don't have any Cozumel recommendations. This is what we have done the last few vacations on the mainland.

Just make sure whatever you book has a pool and preferably waterfront.
 
You could also consider El Cid La Ceiba or something close by. We really enjoyed it last year. It is close to many scuba shops and restaurant choices. And they offer AI.

A condo can be fantastic option for families. However I don't have any Cozumel recommendations. This is what we have done the last few vacations on the mainland.

Just make sure whatever you book has a pool and preferably waterfront.

If you liked El Cid, try Casa Del Mar next time, I have stayed there almost every single time. Santos is the best bar tender on the island.

Condos: Love the condos at Palmar – next to CDM. The condos at Residencias Reef are awesome on the south side.

You will want to stay in town or south of town or things get more complicated re getting to the dive boat. I have put this guide to what to expect at just about every location starting at the edge of downtown & all the way to the southern zone but not every photos is from a recent trip. There have been some changes to a few locations but none grew a new beach recently.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmCGGVe2[/QUOTE]

Agree – Nothing north of Punta Langosta if you’re diving. Otherwise you’ll be renting a car and commuting to the pickup location (in most cases).

Cool pic-guide
 
1. Grand Cayman is excellent. Pricey but excellent.
2. Providenciales is also excellemt and makes GC look cheap
3. Punta Cana is beautiful, but scuba is nothing to write home about
4. Negril is great scuba and AIs arent bad. The rest of Jamaica you can keep it
5. Bahamas, great but after the recent hurricane, IDK
 

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