My wife and I stayed in a studio at El Cid La Ceiba from 11/07/07
through 11/13/07. We picked it up on an internet auction site. The auction included the all-inclusive at a tremendous price so I can't address the "value" of the AI at all, but the food was VERY good. We did the all-inclusive, but our food choices were the same as anyone else there, we just signed for it. There is a breakfast buffet each morning, with some "staples" that are there everyday, but many items changed each morning. There is an egg /omelet station where your eggs are cooked to order and you can order a freshly made waffle. The lunch and dinner menus remain the same, but we had no problem getting something different most meals. They feature Mexican and American items. Everything tasted great. There was a surcharge for certain premium beef and seafood selections, but we never felt we had to order those, as there was so much else on the menu.

The concierge, Agnes, was very helpful. Of course she offered us discounts on any tours or excursions offered if we took in a "90 minute presentation" (read TIMESHARE SALES PITCH). We explained that we were timeshare owners and that our time in Mexico was too precious to spend in an armtwisting session. She was very gracious and made it clear that while her job included presenting us the "opportunity" to take the tour, that she was there to help us, regardless of our decision. She was true to her word. She never tried to persuade us again, and she WAS helpful.

The resort (it's really more hotel than resort) has two sections. A
three-story structure that has studios and one bedroom units (so I'm told, we never saw any but our unit and another just like it) and a tower. I'm not sure what the units are since I never entered the tower above the common areas.

The rooms are fine, nothing particularly fancy, but everything you
need. The bed is actually on a frame and box springs rather than a concrete slab like so many in Mexico. It was okay but it did tend to roll you toward the middle with two people in it. There is an in-room safe, refrigerator, cook top, microwave and sink. Behind the lower building there is a swimming pool, a wading pool, a "warm tub" swim-up bar, a man-made white sand "beach" with steps leading in to the water.

On the other side of the restaurant there is another sandy area with lounge chairs. Also three hammocks and a couple of chairs under a separate palapa. There is a salt-water pool carved out of the stone on that side. (I never saw anyone in it, but there was a "no diving" notice so I presume you could get in it). On that side you can enter the water from a very small sandy "beach" are. They DO have the "activity" guys playing music in the sandy area behind the 3-story structure, which can be annoying sometimes, but if you want peace and quiet just go to the other side.

The people there were great. Agnes at the concierge desk,
Louis in the restaurant and all of the others. There is a dive shop on site, but since we're not divers I don't know anything about what they offer.

Overall a great experience that we would not hesitate to do again1

We stayed at the La Ceiba in Cozumel 5 years ago and at that time it was just a place to stay to go scuba diving. The improvements that this hotel has made since that time are incredible. It is now a place to go back to again and again. We stayed in a one bedroom suite and it was roomy, comfortable, squeeky clean and quiet. Since it is right on the water, the view from the balcony is tremendous. The service is exquisite. Any questions I had were answered promptly and cordially. The restaurant, La Chopa, is fabulous. The menu is varied and everything I had was cooked to perfection. The service is friendly and prompt. Five years ago we had several dinners in town, but not this year - we ate most of our meals at the La Chopa. The suites also have kitchenettes if you want to have some of your meals in your room. There's also room service. The beach area is great. They have scuba diving on sight, with a small boat, which limits the number of divers (a good thing) and a very experienced staff. There's also snorkeling and on shore diving right from the beach. I can't say enough about what a wonderful place this is to spend a vacation.

My wife and I recently returned from Cozumel, where we had the pleasure of staying at La Ceiba. It is a great location, close enough to town that you can take advantage of the many restaurants and bars. The hotel itself sits on the water and all rooms have a view. There is an underwater plane off the shore you can snorkel to. Best of all was the service! The staff was friendly and helpful. The concierge set us up with any activity we wanted. Dive boats leave from their dock. The food was great and served in an open resturant on the water. I would like to commend Salvador Meza, the manager, for his caring and personable approach to his work. He made us feel like VIP'S.

In my recent write up I indicated that we had used Caribe divers for our boat dives and that they had previously been Caribbean divers. That is incorrect. They are actually Caribbean Divers today. My confusion was caused by some out of date email addresses that I had in my system. They are an excellent operation. Cesar and Ruben are the best. If you really want to enjoy the entire Cozumel diving experience go with them. They will treat you right and you will see all of the critters that are there to see. They usually will pick you up at La Ceiba around 9 AM. Great for those of us who spend too much time at Guido's drinking sangria.