I think its important to caveat this review for any future readers. I booked the travel in more or less the height of the 2020 summer COVID-19 pandemic where Mexico was one of the few places Americans could travel. The week prior to our travel a hurricane hit the island (Zeta) prior to departure what would turn into Hurricane Zeta had more or less formed and was actively brewing in Caribbean (but still had a chance to not form, not hit Cozumel, etc).
Summary:
We booked this trip explicitly to escape the US 2020 election news cycle and used credit card points for the flight and hotel.
We originally had morning and afternoon boats on Cozumel planned for 5 days, with 1 day in Cenotes. The day of our trip over to Playa was also the day the ferry service stopped running so we were more or less stranded in Playa for the next 3 days. While concerning we did have multiple days prior to our flight out of Cozumel (note: passports, luggage, computers, etc. all in the hotel in Cozumel), so we just keep getting one night hotel stays in Playa and buying shirts from our Dive operator and various cenotes along with some basics to keep going. Overall I was totally enthralled with the cenotes and more or less underwhelmed by Cozumel. Not to say we won’t be back to Cozumel (and particularly with COVID travel restrictions returning is far more likely) but its back to the bottom of dive travel destinations. I have to thank Cozumel for really introducing me into the cave scene ( a single two tank dive day might not have been enough to set the lure), but I'm in no rush to return. There are just so many other places to explore to prioritize a place that had okay diving and was in our view overly Americanized/tourist focused, however as mentioned below I eagerly await my next trip to Playa/Tulum.
Hotel 1:
Hotel Cozumel 2/10 (would not recommend ,and would not stay at again): We booked Hotel Cozumel (prior to the Wyndam acquisition) base off generally positive reviews. We booked a king bed but got 2 two twins, every day we were in Cozumel we had to go to front desk to get new keys ( the minimum number of times was 3), the COVID cauldron (aka the hot tub) was alive and well, very little guest enforcement of mask wearing, social distancing etc., room’s AC remote didn’t work (the display was permanently blank, the unit made sounds based off the remote but no idea what was going on), breakfast was pretty objectively terrible, no in room fridge, no English news or sports channel for the TV, and WiFi didn’t work in the room, showers that were designed for hobbits not people (i'm not a tall man, and the shower nozzle was on the low part of my shoulder blades), open drains in the bathroom. I would summarize this as a hotel trying to appear as a mid to high tier with bargain basement amenities/service. I will never stay in this hotel again and would highly recommend against it for everyone else.
Hotel 2:
Casa Melissa ( Playa Del Carmen) 9/10 – Great little hotel, given we were paying pretty reduced rates, about $50 USD/night, but overall very nice. We stayed on all 3 floors and each room was different but nice. All had working fridges, ACs that worked, good views, and a great location to the pier. The only real complaint I have is that wifi in the rooms was spotty, I’m not sure how I’d feel at the full price rate but at the lower rate it was a phenomenal hotel.
Cozumel Dive Center:
Tres Pelicanos 10/10 – They were reasonably priced, professional, and all around an excellent operator. We ended up canceling with them (outside of the cancel window, and they were nothing but professional about it) after 1 trip due to port being closed and wanting to continue diving. When we eventually return I will be re-booking with them. We went two sites on Palancar and they were okay? For all the hype I was expecting more, viz was great by my view but medium by the guides (50-70ft), almost no current.
Cenotes Dive Center:
Under the Jungle 15/10: Far exceed any and all expectations I had from a cenotes dive center. For the original first day they arranged a cab for us, and afterwards our guide picked us up in his personal vehicle and dropped us off afterwards. They re-arranged dive groups to make sure our skills were matched up with the best sites/guides. They were beyond accommodating with our ever in flux schedule. I am planning on doing all my future cavern/cave courses through them. Sadly I don’t recall all the amazing lunch spots that our guide took us too but they were all really good.
Cozumel Dining:
Overall 6/10 – Major complaint was it was overly Americanized cuisine. While the salsa sucked the Guac was amazing.
New Especias 10/10 – The off menu lionfish marsala was by far and away the best meal we had on the island
No Name Bar 9/10 – Their steak tacos were really good, overpriced but good.
Thirty Cougar 5/10 – Meh…… Overpriced and mediocre
Cerveceria Punta Sur 8/10 – Pretty solid pizza and brewery
Playa Del Carmen Dining:
Overall 9/10 - This is food worth traveling for. It was unique, inspired, flavorful, and well priced/valued.
Primo 10/10 – My favorite meal of the trip! This obliterates any of the Cozumel dining. The ambience from the mesquite charcoal, the smells, simply amazing.
Belmonte 10/10 – My second favorite meal and again league ahead of the Cozumel offerings.
Don Mario 8/10 – Solid Italian offerings, nothing amazing but everything was very good.
Edit: Just to be crystal clear, we had a great trip and will return to Cozumel eventually. It didn't quite wow us like Bonaire, but we'll be back for sure. The review might sound critical of Cozumel, that wasn't really my intention. I just wanted to give a report that was truthful to my experiences as I encountered them. It sounds like we missed some good dining spots on the island, the weather was absolutely crappy which meant we didn't get to experience the reefs in the best conditions, etc.
Summary:
We booked this trip explicitly to escape the US 2020 election news cycle and used credit card points for the flight and hotel.
We originally had morning and afternoon boats on Cozumel planned for 5 days, with 1 day in Cenotes. The day of our trip over to Playa was also the day the ferry service stopped running so we were more or less stranded in Playa for the next 3 days. While concerning we did have multiple days prior to our flight out of Cozumel (note: passports, luggage, computers, etc. all in the hotel in Cozumel), so we just keep getting one night hotel stays in Playa and buying shirts from our Dive operator and various cenotes along with some basics to keep going. Overall I was totally enthralled with the cenotes and more or less underwhelmed by Cozumel. Not to say we won’t be back to Cozumel (and particularly with COVID travel restrictions returning is far more likely) but its back to the bottom of dive travel destinations. I have to thank Cozumel for really introducing me into the cave scene ( a single two tank dive day might not have been enough to set the lure), but I'm in no rush to return. There are just so many other places to explore to prioritize a place that had okay diving and was in our view overly Americanized/tourist focused, however as mentioned below I eagerly await my next trip to Playa/Tulum.
Hotel 1:
Hotel Cozumel 2/10 (would not recommend ,and would not stay at again): We booked Hotel Cozumel (prior to the Wyndam acquisition) base off generally positive reviews. We booked a king bed but got 2 two twins, every day we were in Cozumel we had to go to front desk to get new keys ( the minimum number of times was 3), the COVID cauldron (aka the hot tub) was alive and well, very little guest enforcement of mask wearing, social distancing etc., room’s AC remote didn’t work (the display was permanently blank, the unit made sounds based off the remote but no idea what was going on), breakfast was pretty objectively terrible, no in room fridge, no English news or sports channel for the TV, and WiFi didn’t work in the room, showers that were designed for hobbits not people (i'm not a tall man, and the shower nozzle was on the low part of my shoulder blades), open drains in the bathroom. I would summarize this as a hotel trying to appear as a mid to high tier with bargain basement amenities/service. I will never stay in this hotel again and would highly recommend against it for everyone else.
Hotel 2:
Casa Melissa ( Playa Del Carmen) 9/10 – Great little hotel, given we were paying pretty reduced rates, about $50 USD/night, but overall very nice. We stayed on all 3 floors and each room was different but nice. All had working fridges, ACs that worked, good views, and a great location to the pier. The only real complaint I have is that wifi in the rooms was spotty, I’m not sure how I’d feel at the full price rate but at the lower rate it was a phenomenal hotel.
Cozumel Dive Center:
Tres Pelicanos 10/10 – They were reasonably priced, professional, and all around an excellent operator. We ended up canceling with them (outside of the cancel window, and they were nothing but professional about it) after 1 trip due to port being closed and wanting to continue diving. When we eventually return I will be re-booking with them. We went two sites on Palancar and they were okay? For all the hype I was expecting more, viz was great by my view but medium by the guides (50-70ft), almost no current.
Cenotes Dive Center:
Under the Jungle 15/10: Far exceed any and all expectations I had from a cenotes dive center. For the original first day they arranged a cab for us, and afterwards our guide picked us up in his personal vehicle and dropped us off afterwards. They re-arranged dive groups to make sure our skills were matched up with the best sites/guides. They were beyond accommodating with our ever in flux schedule. I am planning on doing all my future cavern/cave courses through them. Sadly I don’t recall all the amazing lunch spots that our guide took us too but they were all really good.
Cozumel Dining:
Overall 6/10 – Major complaint was it was overly Americanized cuisine. While the salsa sucked the Guac was amazing.
New Especias 10/10 – The off menu lionfish marsala was by far and away the best meal we had on the island
No Name Bar 9/10 – Their steak tacos were really good, overpriced but good.
Thirty Cougar 5/10 – Meh…… Overpriced and mediocre
Cerveceria Punta Sur 8/10 – Pretty solid pizza and brewery
Playa Del Carmen Dining:
Overall 9/10 - This is food worth traveling for. It was unique, inspired, flavorful, and well priced/valued.
Primo 10/10 – My favorite meal of the trip! This obliterates any of the Cozumel dining. The ambience from the mesquite charcoal, the smells, simply amazing.
Belmonte 10/10 – My second favorite meal and again league ahead of the Cozumel offerings.
Don Mario 8/10 – Solid Italian offerings, nothing amazing but everything was very good.
Edit: Just to be crystal clear, we had a great trip and will return to Cozumel eventually. It didn't quite wow us like Bonaire, but we'll be back for sure. The review might sound critical of Cozumel, that wasn't really my intention. I just wanted to give a report that was truthful to my experiences as I encountered them. It sounds like we missed some good dining spots on the island, the weather was absolutely crappy which meant we didn't get to experience the reefs in the best conditions, etc.
