cozumel

[chace_nicole]

I'm okay with cheap hotel due to diving most of the time & I like to get out & explore so I'm really only sleeping there. My problem is finding cheap or decent priced airfare.

[diverrex]

[quote=scubarobin;203036
There aren't any real "nice resorts" on Cozumel. There are several okay resorts, but no great luxury resorts like a Sandals or Hilton.
robin[/quote]

Depends on what you call nice. In May we stayed at El Cantil condos. These are really nice. http://www.elcantilcondos.com/index.php

[wmspdi]

The last time I went to Coz was 2 years ago and I stayed at the Suites Bahia in downtown San Miguel. I was diving with Blue XT-Sea on that trip. Christi Courtney (BXT-Sea owner) set up the hotel accomodations as part of my dive package. Many of the dive operators can get you a better hotel rate as part of a dive package. There were cheaper hotels available but I went up a few notches to be on the safe side.

I believe the room was around $55.00 per night (in 2006 USD) and included a continental breakfast of fruit, toast, pastries and other items. The room was clean enough but nothing spectacular. There were 2 queen size beds, the furniture was dated, and when I pulled back the window curtain there was a brick wall 5 feet away, so lacking any view I keep the curtains closed. In all fairness to the hotel, an extra $15 a night would have gotten me a nicer view, but I was on the cheap that trip. The lack of a view didn't matter to me as I was diving mornings, afternoons and even night dives that trip. The location was perfect for me.

The dive boat picked me up at the dock accross the street from the Suites Bahia and the dive shop office was only about 2 or 3 block from the hotel.

Here's another tip to same even more money. I flew into Cancun instead of Coz (more flights to choose from and about $200 cheaper at the time), took the ADO bus to Playa Del Carmen (about $10), walked 6 blocks to the ferry pier, had an adult beverage at Senior Frogs and then boarded the UltraMar ferry to Cozumel (another $10).

The ferry dock in Coz was only about 10 blocks from Suites Bahia so I walked to the hotel with my wheeled dive bag and suit case. Everything I needed was within walking distance during my stay and never needed a taxi. I went back home the same way. It is known by some divers as the "bag drag".

BTW - Save yourself some serious pain and avoid the mopeds and scooters. The people on the island drive crazy. At home I ride an 1100cc motorcycle but I wouldn't dream of jumping into their traffic fray.

In summary the diving was great, Blue XT-Sea was excellent and the hotel was fine for me. If I take the wife along this year I will probably bite the bullet and stay the Casa Mexicana ($$$ for her). However with the dollar still weak, and the local economy in a slump, I may have to stay state side, drive to Florida, and dive the Keys this fall.

Originally Posted by waytooslow

Tell me more about the "cheap" motel, PM if you don't want to post. The reason I ask is that me and the bud will leave wifes at home, so cheap and easy is good.

[ertechsg]

Originally Posted by DevilDiver

Then add 3 days of diving @160 food + drinks even going to store for alcohol $100- $200 for those 4 night and tips still around $1000 per person.

I am not saying an AI is not more cost effective in the big picture.....and if you don't think $1000 is expensive now days (unfortunately) I am afraid you should check current listings.
(Staying the full week is usually the better deal than trying to save with a shorter stay)

3 Days diving, 3 tanks a day + 1 night dive will cost around $350 give or take. If you contact in advance you can get a 10-15% discount most of the time.
Food, drinks and extra curricular activities are up to you.....
You can enjoy 10 peso street tacos and roasted corn or you can eat $40 steaks at Primo's.
(The McD's there charges $7 US for a Big Mac and Margretiaville charges $13 for a cheeseburger)
Easy to find $1 beers at beach bars and $3.50 for a six at the XOOX (convenience store) or $7.50 for cool aid and Tequila shots at Carlos & Charlie's. (They even blow a whistle in your ear)

The point is you can drop a bundle or play it cheap and have a great time either way depending on what you are comfortable with.......some people might feel uncomfortable to leave the resorts other than tours and visiting tourist trap stores and resturants.

I was just trying to answer a question.[/quote]
Sorry I wasn't tryng to be rude just stating that even room and air at 530( which is a good deal ) there are still other expenses. Coz use to be so cheap. A few years ago that 500 would have been everything for the week.

[obrules15]

Originally Posted by sravin1

planning a trip to cozumel for the first time. I recently got certified, but not my wife. we want to stay at a good resort where when I go diving (planning on roughly 4 day trips of the 8 days) she can enjoy a have a relaxing time. At the same time, I want to be near a good operator.

any help would be appreciated.

I LOVE and always stay at El Presidente and dive with Scuba Du, I am going on my 10th trip, they always treat me well and I take non-divers who have a nice time as well.

[scubarobin]

[quote=diverrex;203544]

Originally Posted by scubarobin;203036
There aren't any real "nice resorts" on Cozumel. There are several okay resorts, but no great luxury resorts like a Sandals or Hilton.
robin:smiley20:[/quote

Depends on what you call nice. In May we stayed at El Cantil condos. These are really nice. http://www.elcantilcondos.com/index.php

The OP asked for luxury for his non-diving wife... there is a big difference between nice and luxury.

[obrules15]

[quote=scubarobin;203745]

Originally Posted by diverrex

The OP asked for luxury for his non-diving wife... there is a big difference between nice and luxury.

There are now Ocean Suites at the El Presidente that are not that much more expensive than the regular rooms. That really ups the ante at that property and the service is superb and with the remodel post hurricane Wilma and the new spa it is definitely improving in that near luxury category.

[lucidblue]

Originally Posted by chace_nicole

I'm okay with cheap hotel due to diving most of the time & I like to get out & explore so I'm really only sleeping there. My problem is finding cheap or decent priced airfare.

I've been searching for airfare to Cozumel (from Philadelphia) for mid-November/early December. Last week it was $620 and today it is $456. I'm not sure whether I should book now or wait and see what next week brings.

[wmspdi]

I've been searching for airfare to Cozumel (from Philadelphia) for mid-November/early December. Last week it was $620 and today it is $456. I'm not sure whether I should book now or wait and see what next week brings.

Buying airfare, and gasoline, has become a lot like playing the stock market! Even when you win you seem to lose!

The way I see it, as ticket prices drop the cheap seats will begin to disapear as travelers like you decide to pull the trigger and buy their tickets. As the planes start to fill up the prices will go back up again and stay there. I would jump now, I don't see market conditions getting that much better in the short term (IMHO).

One trick I have used is to pick your flight and start the booking process by placing a "hold" on your seats. If you can get to the "seat selection" page see how many seats are still available on the plane. If there are only a few seats left you may want to buy your tickets on the spot.

[diverrex]

[quote=scubarobin;203745]

Originally Posted by diverrex

The OP asked for luxury for his non-diving wife... there is a big difference between nice and luxury.

I guess after spending some nights on the Great Escape and Peace dive boats, El Cantil did seem like luxury dive accomodations to me. Seriously it is a problem at many good dive areas (Coz, Curacao, Bonair, AC Belize, etc) to find a luxury dive resort. The main criteria for good diving is a reef out in the ocean. Most luxuary resorts want nice wide white sand beaches. Grand Cayman and Turks and Caicos have nice luxury resorts (and high prices!) and great reefs.