Dave Zimmerly
Contributor
Travel
After getting up at 0300, we finally arrived at Coz around 1330 only to wait at immigration for two hours. By far the longest we have ever waited. Mental note: Traveling Wednesday to Wednesday is not only cheaper but less people. The only reason we did Saturday was to meet up with a couple of friends for the week.
The Palace
This was our third time to the Palace and the reasons are clear. The moment you walk into the lobby, you are treated like royalty. We like to stay in the rooms farthest from the elevators...even though people are generally quiet, the floors are marble and even footsteps can be heard. The room was always clean, fresh sheets every day, the fridge stocked with beer, water and pepsi. After a morning of diving, we would trek through the lobby to the bar, have a few drinks then head up to the room to rinse our gear in the jacuzzi. Watch out for the wet floor, it will be slippery. Although we could have stored our equipment at Aqua Safari, we chose not too. The lockers have no way of circulating air.
Food
The morning buffet was always a wonderful spread of meats, veggies, fruits, oatmeal, cereals, breads and juices. Instead of coffee, we had cappuccino with breakfast. Lunch was also buffet, again everything from pasta, meats, chicken, Mexican, fruits, salads, seafood and the desserts. The desserts was our downfall. So many to choose from and so fattening. Also, a chocolate fondue every other day. The comes dinner. With four restaurants to choose from (Mexican, Oriental, Italian and Steakhouse) we loved them all. Very good wine list. In talking to some guest who had toured the Palaces on the mainland, we learned that all the food goes to the main Palace and then each product has its own room for preparation. After prep, it is sent out to all the Palaces for cooking. This way the maintain quality and consistency throughout the chain. The real treat again are the desserts and the Mayan coffee. This year we went we the Bakers whom we met last year. They have been coming to Coz for years. According to Rich, the food at the Palace rivals any place in town. The only downside is that they dont serve lobster, although Im sure with some dollars it could happen.
Entertainment
Every night was something different...Karoake to dancing shows. Every day they had free tours but since we were diving we didnt go. For us, sitting outside drinking brandy and good conversation felt fine.
Diving
For the second year in a row we went with Dive Paradise in fast boats. This was probably our last time with them. We asked for a videographer but never showed. On one dive we had some new divers and the DM took us down to 100, well beyond their comfort level. Their dive only lasted 15 min because of their air. The DMs in general didnt go out of their way to show us stuff, and on our last dive we asked to go to Columbia Shallows...the DM dropped us off a half mile from the reef. Dives rarely lasted over 45 min even though we were coming up with 1500 psi. Rich, who has been diving with them for 20 years said that was the last time he would use them. All in all, I think we could do better with Dive with Martin.
The reefs are looking better and better, Columbia Shallows was amazing. At Punta Sur we saw several black tip sharks. Every dive site was alive with numerous size fish and corals. Cozumel is recovering nicely.
We will be back. If anyone has specific questions, feel free to PM me.
Regards,
Dave (aka Squirt)
After getting up at 0300, we finally arrived at Coz around 1330 only to wait at immigration for two hours. By far the longest we have ever waited. Mental note: Traveling Wednesday to Wednesday is not only cheaper but less people. The only reason we did Saturday was to meet up with a couple of friends for the week.
The Palace
This was our third time to the Palace and the reasons are clear. The moment you walk into the lobby, you are treated like royalty. We like to stay in the rooms farthest from the elevators...even though people are generally quiet, the floors are marble and even footsteps can be heard. The room was always clean, fresh sheets every day, the fridge stocked with beer, water and pepsi. After a morning of diving, we would trek through the lobby to the bar, have a few drinks then head up to the room to rinse our gear in the jacuzzi. Watch out for the wet floor, it will be slippery. Although we could have stored our equipment at Aqua Safari, we chose not too. The lockers have no way of circulating air.
Food
The morning buffet was always a wonderful spread of meats, veggies, fruits, oatmeal, cereals, breads and juices. Instead of coffee, we had cappuccino with breakfast. Lunch was also buffet, again everything from pasta, meats, chicken, Mexican, fruits, salads, seafood and the desserts. The desserts was our downfall. So many to choose from and so fattening. Also, a chocolate fondue every other day. The comes dinner. With four restaurants to choose from (Mexican, Oriental, Italian and Steakhouse) we loved them all. Very good wine list. In talking to some guest who had toured the Palaces on the mainland, we learned that all the food goes to the main Palace and then each product has its own room for preparation. After prep, it is sent out to all the Palaces for cooking. This way the maintain quality and consistency throughout the chain. The real treat again are the desserts and the Mayan coffee. This year we went we the Bakers whom we met last year. They have been coming to Coz for years. According to Rich, the food at the Palace rivals any place in town. The only downside is that they dont serve lobster, although Im sure with some dollars it could happen.
Entertainment
Every night was something different...Karoake to dancing shows. Every day they had free tours but since we were diving we didnt go. For us, sitting outside drinking brandy and good conversation felt fine.
Diving
For the second year in a row we went with Dive Paradise in fast boats. This was probably our last time with them. We asked for a videographer but never showed. On one dive we had some new divers and the DM took us down to 100, well beyond their comfort level. Their dive only lasted 15 min because of their air. The DMs in general didnt go out of their way to show us stuff, and on our last dive we asked to go to Columbia Shallows...the DM dropped us off a half mile from the reef. Dives rarely lasted over 45 min even though we were coming up with 1500 psi. Rich, who has been diving with them for 20 years said that was the last time he would use them. All in all, I think we could do better with Dive with Martin.
The reefs are looking better and better, Columbia Shallows was amazing. At Punta Sur we saw several black tip sharks. Every dive site was alive with numerous size fish and corals. Cozumel is recovering nicely.
We will be back. If anyone has specific questions, feel free to PM me.
Regards,
Dave (aka Squirt)
