cozumel

[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.

[wmspdi]

Stay in downtown San Miguel at Casa Mexicana, Dive with Blue XT-Sea (one of the best dive ops on the island) and while you are underwater you wife can max out your credit cards in the tourist shops.

That's why the last time I went to Coz I left my wife at home, flew into Cancun, did the bus to Playa, took the ferry to Coz, stayed at a cheap diver hotel across from the pickup dock, and did three to four dives a day all for under a grand US with air fare. It was heaven!

[sravin1]

thanks, but cannot leave wife at home. we do too few vacations for me to leave her home. she is hoping to get certified soon so we can go on diving vacations together

[Defman]

Lots of good dive ops on the island but you'll probably see a pattern in the responses. My recommendation is for Papa Hogs, really great place to dive with and they are well regarded as a shop for new divers. Which is not to say that you will out grow them, they suit experienced divers very well too.

As far as resorts go for non-diving partners I can't offer much advice there, I travel single and usually stay away from town for the most part. I really liked Iberostar but it's *WAY* south and not close to town at all. I would agree with the other poster that staying in or close to town would be a good idea.

[snagel]

Coz is soooo cool!!!! Are you lookin' for something all inclusive? There are several options in San Miguel if you don't want to do the all inclusive thing. South of San Miguel is where the resorts are, but you kinda have to take a taxi or rent something. Another options (which I don't know much about) is getting a private "hut". My buddy did this.

Give us a little more information - You want to dive so that's easy. Outside of that what are you or your wife wanting to do?

If you don't want to do the all inclusive thing, I've heard great things about the Blue Angel, but it is really geared toward the diver - nothing fancy. But, it is right in San Miguel where the shops and things to do are.

In town, I don't remember too many beaches to just hang out at. So, you might need to go a little South.

Another option would be to look on the Riveria Maya side - many very nice resorts. You could take the ferry from Playa Del Carmon over to to Coz or do some diving on the RM side.

I'm kinda in the same boat - wife doesn't dive. When we go she wants to hang out on the beach, do some shopping, and be pampered. She doesn't want a place solely for diving (what's with her) so it is a give and take thing.

Snagel

[Diver Kat]

A lot depends on what you want to spend, but Fiesta Americana might be a good option. Nice hotel, large rooms with balconies. You can to all-inclusive or not - your option. Most dives ops (like Blue XT-sea, Scuba with Alison, etc.) will pick you up at the hotel pier and your wife can spend time at either of the two pools, or read a book under a palapa looking at the ocean. The hotel does also offer some spa services - massages & such. It is south of town - as are most of the hotels - so you either cab in or rent a car when & if you want to go to town.

[sravin1]

I would prefer to do an all inclusive. also, it would help if it was a really nice resort. i dont want my wife to feel she was dragged to a boring place just so i can go diving.

btw, is this a common dilema that most divers with non-diving spouses face. if so what do you guys do. I do not have the kind of cash to go on a diving trip by myself and also go on vactions with my wife.

[scubarobin]

Originally Posted by sravin1

I would prefer to do an all inclusive. also, it would help if it was a really nice resort. i dont want my wife to feel she was dragged to a boring place just so i can go diving.

btw, is this a common dilema that most divers with non-diving spouses face. if so what do you guys do. I do not have the kind of cash to go on a diving trip by myself and also go on vactions with my wife.

There aren't any real "nice resorts" on Cozumel. There are several okay resorts, but no great luxury resorts like a Sandals or Hilton. The town is small and nothing fancy either except the main road which has lots of jewelry stores owned by the cruiseships. Cozumel is not a place of luxury - no one wears more than t-shirts and shorts even out to dinner.
YOu can check out El Presidente Hotel (not an all-inclusive) but it isn't cheap. Same goes for the new AI right downtown, Cozumel Palace.
The Allegro way down south is okay, not luxury, but it is an AI and they have a dive op there (I dont' think other boats are allowed to pick up at their pier so you would have to use them). I read that somewhere recently. There are other AI's down in that area, too.

Check out the dive deals here: Caradonna Dive Adventures - Dive Travel and Vacations and Caribbean Dive Island Vacations at Bay Adventures for good info on the hotels. They are a good place to start. Also Can-Do Maps and travel guides has a map you can buy of Cozumel that shows where all the hotels are, restaurants, stores, etc. It is more like a complete travel guide for the island and is very helpful and cheap.
I have been to Cozumel 5 times, stayed at a different place each time. Diving I have done with both Papahogs and Dive Paradise. Lots of good dive ops on the island though.

robin

[georoc01]

I dove with Aldora Divers while staying at the Allegro. So yes, you can use other dive ops there.

I usually stay at Hotel Cozumel for its proximity to town. If your wife likes to hang out by the pool, they have the largest pool in Cozumel.

[thughes]

I'm a new diver were would be the best place to go diving