Iberostar Cozumel

Advantages: This hotel offers a very good diving school.
Disadvantages: The food in this hotel was good, but they had a problem keeping the food warm.

...to Hurricane Katrina. The second day of being there I noticed that they where offering free scuba lessions in the swimming pool and I thought I would give it a go. I found it that good and decided to sign up for a discover scuba course. The instructors on this course where very friendly and helpful. There was one point that I never nearly went on the dive due to nerves, but the instructor reasured me. I'm glad he did because the dive was probably one of the best experiences of my life. They even filmed it on DVD. Also to mention that the island of Cozumel is close to the second largest barrier reef in the world and was very easy to reach by boat. The only downside to the hotel was, that they had a problem keeping the food warm and the eating areas are open. Which caused a problem with the flies. I think they where trying to close...

Shane_buggins 07.09.2006 · Read review
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Review of Iberostar, Cozumel

Hotel Pepita, Cozumel - cheap and clean

Advantages: Cheap, clean, friendly service
Disadvantages: Not very upmarket, depends what you're looking for!

...Hotel Pepita is a budget hotel found on the Mexican island of Cozumel. It was recommended as one of the better budget options in the Lonely Planet guide, so when I arrived I wandered along and enquired about a room (I wasn't very organised but I was early)! I was lucky and there was to be a room later on - I left my bag in their luggage store and returned later after a couple of dives. At busy times it's probably better to book in advance - I don't think they have more than a dozen rooms, which is part of the charm of the place. From the outside the hotel is pretty - it's directly on the street, but looks very green and inviting due to lots of flowers and some nice paintwork. The main door opens directly to a small (and fairly basic) reception area, which then leads to the internal courtyard. The room was nice though nothing...

cathy_m80 12.03.2009 · Read review
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Review of Hotel Pepita, Cozumel

Paradise Found

Advantages: Within easy reach of Playa, some lovely beach clubs
Disadvantages: Some less than lovely beach clubs

...Cozumel is an island about 30 mins ferry ride from Playa del Carmen. It is also a resort in itself, boasting various posh and not-so-posh hotels, and is on the stopping route for many Caribbean cruises. While staying in Playa, we spent a couple of weekends on the island, swapping our beach for theirs in an attempt to see if the grass is greener, or rather if the sand is sandier, on the other side of the bay. ------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- Trip # 1 At 9.30am we set off to catch the ferry to Cozumel. It's mega crowded so we sit inside instead of up on the deck in the sun. It takes half an hour to get there and then about 15 mins in a taxi to our destination - Uvas beach club. Taxis over here don't have meters, so you're supposed to haggle. We fail miserably, but then...

zoe_page 03.08.2008 · Read review
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Review of Cozumel (Mexico)

The American Benidorm

Advantages: Superb beaches
Disadvantages: Americans

...I have visited Cozumel on a number of occasions by cruise ship. If you are looking for a good beach style holiday you will get it. If you are looking for an authentic Mexican adventure you will be better of at your local Taco Lodge. Cozumel is Benidorm without the high rises. In Benidorm you have English Breakfast, fish and chips and to add the authenticity, Spanish beer. In Cozumel its Donughts, Cheeseburgers and Corona. If you are in need of a Mexican night, you can go to Senor Frogs, an alcoholic mexican Macdonalds and have great fun with several hundred twenty something septics (septic tank = yank) pouring neat Tequila down their throats, baring their backsides and belching. If the Britsh have a reputation abroad, the Americans like always go one better. My advice is to move on into the Yucatan Peninsular. Visit Chitzen Itza...

Jasonrow 04.08.2001 · Read review
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Review of Cozumel (Mexico)

Scuba Diving at Cozumel Island Mexico

Advantages: Crystal clear warm water, large variety of fish
Disadvantages: Mexico is not exactly next door to Britain!

...I first tried scuba diving when I was 17 in the local swimming pool. The scuba diving club were holding an open day and I decided to give it a try along with a friend I’d met at the swimming pool whilst part of the life saving club. (I intended to get summer work as a lifeguard.) It was great fun, but as I was in full time education, there was no way I could afford the gear required! My next scuba dive was also in a pool, while I was working as a lifeguard. We used to use scuba equipment to clean the pool to save having to come up for air!!! But then I went to Mexico for my honeymoon last August and I finally got to scuba dive somewhere other than a pool! I even got my husband to come with me and he loved it too. We stayed on Cozumel island which is a little island south east of Cancun. The hotel was literally...

joannavos 14.03.2001 · Read review
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Review of Mexico (Dive Sites)

Fantastic holiday & highly recommended

Advantages: Great weather, lots to see & do, friendly people
Disadvantages: Water undrikable, public toilets are poorly stocked.

...The Riviera Maya (Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen) is a wonderful place to holiday. I have been once before, and am traveling there again tomorrow. Our fist trip we stayed at the Barcelo Maya, which was an excellent & very large resort . I recommend going All-Inclusive, otherwise you may end up spending far more than you anticipated. Researching what you want to do and how much the costs are is important, just like anywhere else you might travel. Excursions can sometimes be expensive and typically range between 50 - 100 USD. Some are better than others, so again it pays to do your research or get advice from others whom have been before. Warnings: Do not, under any circumstances use water from the tap to brush your teeth or drink. Bottled water is a must in all parts of Mexico. Showering and bathing are perfectly fine...

Sigfusson 01.03.2009 · Read review
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Review of Cancun (Mexico)

Carnival valor fantastic

Advantages: size of ship, destinations, entertainment, food........
Disadvantages: none

...We have been on a carival cruise once and i would have to say i could not fault it in anyway. We boarded the carnival valor in miami for a 7 night trip to cayman islands, mexico cozumel, honduras and belize. The ship was large on eleven floors and had entertainment day and night for all ages. This cruise line especially caters for families and kids have so much going on including their own camp carnival where there is activities, ps2's, games and discos. The food was great and in abundance and midnight buffet not to be missed. Cabins a bit cramped bit are adequate and cleanliness and cabin service second to none. Staff on board very helpful and friendly and captain always keeping passengers informed. If looking for a posh cruise this isnt for you it is very casual and not at all what i expected a cruise to be. Trying to get off...

gemrocks1 21.08.2007 · Read review
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Review of Carnival

Completely recommended.

Advantages: Hot, lovely people, amazingly azure waters, great diving, fab hotel
Disadvantages: Infested with Americans (mainly from Caroline)

...First and foremast we stayed all inclusive at the Crown Paradise which I would completely recommend (make sure you are in the new building and pay the extra for the upgraded room with jacuzzi etc). Great facilities, several restaurants, right on a beautiful beach, great pools, good entertainment, dive centre, brilliant staff, everything perfectamundo. Cancun as a place is really good fun, very safe, inexpensive and it's easy to take trips out to the ruins if you like that kind of thing or to go to places like Cozumel (which is beaitful with great shopping). The main reasons I went there were firstly for a Xmas break with my fiancee and secondly for Scuba diving. The diving was amazing, especially in Cozumel although I found the dive masters etc (PADI) where pretty reckless and too aggressive (in diving style that is; not...

BladeRunner2003 21.02.2003 (13.03.2003) · Read review
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Review of Cancun (Mexico)

Casa del Balam Hotel, Merida

Advantages: A unique and quaint hotel...
Disadvantages: Lacking a few mod-cons...

...We stayed in this hotel for a few days while on a little tour of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, including visits to Cancun (don't bother), Playa del Carmen & Cozumel (much better) and the amazing ancient Mayan ruins at Uxmal, Chitzen Itza and Tulum. (I'll try and get round to reviewing all these later...) We arrived by taxi from Merida airport (a short journey), having flown in from Cancun, where we had arrived in Mexico the day before, and were delighed with what we found, a massive improvement of the brash touristy-ness of Cancun ! The Casa del Balam Hotel was formerly the family home of Fernando Barbachano Peon, pioneer of Mexican tourism. A blend of Mexican tiles, terracotta and wrought iron, it has a small pool in a walled courtyand, complete with a stone carved fountain and tropical plants, a restaurant and bar, along...

matt_fantastic 13.04.2006 · Read review
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Review of Casa del Balam Hotel, Merida

Royality on Royal Carribean

Advantages: treated like royality
Disadvantages: tipping procedure

...paying on top for a "falls guide" and someone who watches your bags for you! Total Rip off. The Cozumel Snorkelling was fun and value for money. The catamaran staff were friendly and gave good advice on snorkelling and as I am a beginner it was most reassuring to have lifeguards in the water with you. I am considering another cruise but probably not in the same area. possibly the Med next time....

billi65 10.03.2001 · Read review
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Review of Royal Carribean