I just returned from El Cid La Ceiba with my family and we had the greatest time there. The hotel was superb, the staff was very friendly and helpful, and the general manager, Salvatore, was extremely helpful and a very nice guy. The food at the restaurant was delicious and the wait staff was great. The rooms were very clean and comfortable with balconies looking out over the ocean.

As for the activities, the snorkeling was the best I've ever done. Some friends went diving and said that it was amazing. My kids loved the swimming pool and snorkeling as well. We also took a trip to Dolphin Discovery, which is only a 10 minute drive. There, we were able to swim with dolphins. That was my wife's life-long dream. I have to say that it was nothing short of magical. We have a dvd of our experience there and we'll be watching it often. Also, not far from the hotel, is a park that offers zip-line rides. It is the most fun I've ever had.

I will return for my next vacation and probably many times after that.

Having visited Cozumel two times in March, it didn't occur to us that we would be arriving during the rainy season! And rain it did, most of the ten days of our visit. However, it was a warm rain and we usually saw the sun sometime during the day.

We checked with La Ceiba the night before our move there and they offered to store our luggage and wet dive gear. When we arrived at 11 with our luggage we were surprised with a room waiting for us. We were placed in the tower, eighth floor. Everyone at check in is friendly and helpful and this continued during our stay.

It appears that after the hurricane the hotel rebuild, using the original footprint, converting to timeshare lockout units. We traded a 2 bedroom on Maui and were pleased with the equity of the trade. We had the last 3 rooms in the old hallway, separated by a keyed door. Opening the door we were in a hall with 3 doors leading off. The first was a studio unit with a Murphy bed. The second room is a master with the largest bath and a king bed. The third is the largest room with 2 queen beds. All rooms have a balcony, unfortunately, they are not joined. Each room will open with your key card.

There is comfortable living room furniture, just like the website shows. The four of us took advantage of the extra bath when we arrived back from diving. The kitchen is only partial, 2 electric burners, no oven, not counter space, and no storage. We stored our pantry items in the closet and used the large cutting board placed on the table as our prep surface. Otherwise all the furnishings are very nice.

Our maid, Laura, left us towel animals each day. She carefully cleaned and tidied all the rooms, leaving them as perfect as possible with all our stuff in the way. In the evening, we had turn down with flowers left on our beds.

We found the cruise ships to be great entertainment. Also, the Trans Caribe transport ship is amazing. We watched docking as we drank our morning coffee. We even had the treat of a missed docking, with the ship having to go back to sea ad complete a 360 to return. We planned our evening so that we saw the ships leave, then off to dinner.

We didn't use the resort dive operator, we booked our own. We were picked up at the pier and allowed to use the rinse tanks. The divemaster would joke with us in the morning while we waited for pick up. The dive shop always had resort beach towels ready for us upon return. We ate at the restaurant for 3 breakfast and one dinner. We enjoyed the breakfast more than dinners. Being from California, we enjoy salsa, chiles, and beans with our breakfasts. The fruit plate is great as are the french toast, and yogurt/granola offerings. Service was great.

We rented a car and the La Ceiba has limited parking space. This wasn't a problem tho, a security person was always there to find us a spot or help us back out of a tight spot. A car really isn't necessary, taxi fare for 4 to downtown is $6. We stayed further out at the beginning of our visit and did a few trips to the grocery store, too.

The beach is crowded when the ships are in. We had difficulty finding lounges in the shade while they were there, so often choose to stay on our balcony, (Sunday was the only non-ship day.) The steps from the beach into the water are slick and aqua shoes are a good idea. There is a beach entry on the south side of the restaurant. We found a variety of fish in the swim area. The old cement pier and the old anchor are good viewing spots. I'm a sweet treat for sand fleas and they did find me. I got 7 bites our last day but the other 3 didn't. I didn't spend any other time at the beach. The pier is complete and lighted at night.

We found La Ceiba employees helpful, kind, attentive, and very tolerant of our attempts at Spanish. The rooms are top notch. So even with the shortcomings, it is still a very nice place to stay.

I visited Cozumel for the first time with a friend who has just spent her 5th visit at this hotel. The hotel is full service, is located on the water. You can snorkle, scuba, etc. It has a restaurant that is top notch. You can buy all inclusive options, which definitely is a plus.

The great thing about this place in addition to good food and beautiful surroundings, is the staff. The hotel has about 80 rooms and staff really takes care of you.

I recommend this hotel and if I visit Cozumel again, this is where I will be staying. I found it interesting as well that there were other repeat guests at this facility.

From the time I checked in until the time I left 7 days later I met nothing but friendly and outgoing staff starting with Marcella the concierge and Mr. Sanchez Meza the manager.

Traveling alone has its own challenges but by the end of the week I felt like everyone was family. Even though not every was fluent in Spanish they always went out of their way to assist me or pro-actively please me.

Laura my room cleaner had a huge smile for me every morning as did the entire staff in the restaurant where I ate most of my meals alone. Their smiles and teasing was fun and just my style.

Cain, the resident spanish teacher, artist, and DJ was always fun and drew everyone into the action.

The front desk staff always made me feel welcome and never a bother with all my questions.

After sending a bottle of champaigne to my room as a thank you for joining the vacation club, I was also provided a special tray of appetizers to finish off a special evening to remember in the tropics. I can't wait to come again and bring that someone special.