My wife Lisa and I spent a week of diving in Cozumel June 9 through the 16th and thoroughly enjoyed our vacation. This was our third trip to Cozumel in as many years, and the more we learn about this diving paradise, the more we love it. This year, we booked our accommodations through our diving provider, Blue XT Sea Diving. Blue XT offers a variety of hotel/diving package deals, or as with us, they customized the package to accommodate combining our hotel, 5 days of diving and Advanced Open Water certification.

In the previous two years, we were staying all inclusive at Hotel Cozumel and were very happy with that hotel, but chose to try something different and less expensive this year (i.e. drop the all-inclusive). Our primary objective is diving, so our requirements for accommodations are pretty basic – clean, air conditioned, good service, a balcony or patio suitable for drying equipment, a convenient dive dock and a swimming pool. This year we stayed at Casa Del Mar which did an excellent job in meeting our needs. The pool is adequate and includes a swim up bar. Breakfast was included in our hotel package and was very good. The first half of the week was very slow and we ordered off the breakfast menu, but they broke out the buffet later when more guests arrived – both were very good. We ate dinner at the restaurant several times and it was also good, but it would get old fast if you ate every meal there, which is why we would recommend against the optional all inclusive package ($35/day per person). We ate in town several nights (highly recommend Casa Denis, just off the square) to add some variety. The sky bridge to the dive dock has completed repairs from Katrina, so dock access is very easy. The dive dock also has equipment rinse tubs and fresh water showers available to all hotel guests (whether you’re diving with the hotels dive service or not). Additionally, there is a small ocean-side beach area with beach chairs, umbrellas and tables. All in all, we were very pleased with Casa Del Mar. Our only compliant is that any bottled water provided by the hotel (except the complimentary bottles provided at check in) must be paid for (about $1.25 for a 16 oz bottle), and though we don't object to paying for bottled water, we think your hotel should be obligated to provide potable drinking water at no extra cost (with minimal inconvenience). To get drinking water, you would either have to have your empty bottle filled a the bar, or buy a new bottle at the bar. Conveniently located water coolers could easily resolve this (this is how Hotel Cozumel dealt with the issue). We purchased three 5-liter bottles of water at Chedraui (like Wal Mart) for under $5 total and that lasted the week. Another minor inconvenience is that the safe deposit boxes are in the lobby. You are assigned a box number and provided a key – this was not a big deal, but it is a nicer convenience to have a safe in your room. Our maid was an expert at towel animals and never disappointed us.

Also, here’s a warning about Park Royal, the huge resort next to Casa Del Mar. We strolled over to check it out in the event that we may stay there one trip. In order to view the premises, we had to make an appointment and deposit $10 to guarantee the appointment (i.e. that we would show up). Upon meeting with Paco, he required us to provide a credit card insisting that nothing would be charged to the card, but that they needed to have that information as part of the appointment. We told him no, so he got his manager, whom we told no, so they gave us our $10 and we left. We Googled them when we got home and found it to be a time share pitch which certainly would have no legitimate need for your credit card information. Recommend that you just steer clear, unless you want a time share.

This was our second year diving with Blue XT Sea Diving and we love them. Christi Courtney runs a top rate dive service. Christi, all of the divemasters (Arturo, Pedro Pablo and Blanca) and crew (Mago and Adan) are professional, personable and committed to your service and safety. This year we included PADI Advanced Open Water certification as part of our dive package. We highly recommend this certification in combination with any dive trip to Cozumel. Combining the course dives reduces the cost of your dive package, and the training dives don’t disrupt your diving, but significantly enhance it. Christi sent us the study materials in advance. We reviewed the materials, filled out and submitted the required course work and the rest was diving – no testing, just pre-dive briefings and underwater skills instruction. Arturo was our AOW dive master and is an excellent and attentive divemaster. Blue XT also provides equipment valet service – easily our favorite service. They keep our equipment (except wet suits, or anything you may want to keep that day like snorkeling gear), rinse it, store it and have rigged and ready to go whey they pick you up for the next mornings dive. On your last day of diving, you take your equipment with you. We can’t say enough good things about the Blue XT dive team – we’ll definitely be back.