Newbee wants the most out of Cancun

T

tiffrobbins

New member
My in-laws have invited my husband and I to join them & the family in Cancun in March. They have a time-share at the Royal Sands. We went a few years ago, and when I look back, I know I wasted alot of opportunity. The trip basically just made me want to go back and want to start a salt-water fish tank.
So, with just under a year to plan; I would like to make sure I get the most out of this trip. I'm not scuba certified and have a modest budget. The part I enjoyed the most about the last trip was the snorkeling. I'd love to try scuba. The resort offers a few packages. 1 day tutorial & dive for $90 or PADI cert course w/ 4 dives for $420. They have several options for already certified divers. I suppose I could get certified here in Kansas if I have to.
I know alot of you are more familiar with the area and have done many things in the area. I'd just like a little more info and options than the family can provide (especially since they aren't that interested in getting the booty off the beach). They tend to be tanners-not swimmers.
Thanks in advance.
 
Never been to Cancun, but it's on the list.

I will say however that you should get PADI certified before you go, and then pick your dives carefully based off of what you're comfortable with. That's what I did in Washington State before going to the Caribbean. I received much better instruction IMO not doing it at the resort, and I didn't waste any time on my vacation.

When I say pick your dives carefully, I would suspect you would want to stay in 60 ft or less of water for the first few dives, and no ship diving or cave diving so you can concentrate on your breathing and the basics that you've learned. I've heard of tours in Mexico taking new divers too deap and into caves/ships right after certification.


Anyway, enjoy your trip!
 
I must agree, I think I'll need to get certified here if I'm looking at scuba and not just snorkeling. Thanks for the heads up on the picking dives carefully. I would be a good place to die, but I don't wanna die.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10001584#post10001584 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tiffrobbins
I must agree, I think I'll need to get certified here if I'm looking at scuba and not just snorkeling. Thanks for the heads up on the picking dives carefully. I would be a good place to die, but I don't wanna die.
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You'll have to let us know how the trip went, and if it's worth it to scuba dive still after being hit so hard by Katrina. I've heard that the hurricane destoyed much of the reefs over Cozumel and surrounding areas, and won't be back to what it was for several decades.
 
Did you say March? Of 08? Wow that's a long time to plan a vacation.

I"m going to be there on June 15th for a week. Planning to take the Xpu-Ha tour and possibly a Jungle Adventure Tour.

No scuba diving for me but def snorkeling.

My significant other doesn't know how to swim will she have just as much fun wearing a snorkeling floatation device?
 
My husband & mother-in-law don't know how to swim, but they love snorkeling. I think its their favorite time in the ocean because they have a life vest and a professional watching them. They also like the fins because they feel more in control of their movements.
 
I just got back from there a couple of days ago. Unfortunately I wasn't super impressed with the reefs I saw there. We stayed at the Fiesta Americana Cancun. I did some snorkeling outside of my hotel that was decent, but all of the coral I saw was brown. On the dives between Isla Mujeres and Cancun there was tons of macro algae rolling around.
If you want to go snorkeling, I think Coz would be a better bet.
If you're interested, by all means get your dive cert before you go.
Forget about Xel-Ha. My wife and I both thought it was way overrated, and we talked to some other people who did as well. We both really liked ChiChen Itza. I liked the cavern dives I did into Chac Mool Cenote too.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10091735#post10091735 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Canute
I just got back from there a couple of days ago. Unfortunately I wasn't super impressed with the reefs I saw there. We stayed at the Fiesta Americana Cancun. I did some snorkeling outside of my hotel that was decent, but all of the coral I saw was brown. On the dives between Isla Mujeres and Cancun there was tons of macro algae rolling around.
If you want to go snorkeling, I think Coz would be a better bet.
If you're interested, by all means get your dive cert before you go.
Forget about Xel-Ha. My wife and I both thought it was way overrated, and we talked to some other people who did as well. We both really liked ChiChen Itza. I liked the cavern dives I did into Chac Mool Cenote too.
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Hey Thanks for the review, I fly out next Thursday. I think XPu Ha and Chichen Itza will be the two places I'll visit.

We're staying at Cancun Palace Resorts, and we can go to all the tours we want and it's free.
 
I agree with Chanute that ChiChen Itza is a must. Its a long drive and pretty hot, but it is awe inspiring to see so much history. I definatly recomend climbing it if you have the stomach for heights. I was totally freaked out, but I think I would greatly regret seeing it and not climbing it. Of course, don't climb if its raining b/c a lot of tourist have died from lighting strikes out there.
Hope you have a great time.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10091873#post10091873 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tiffrobbins
I agree with Chanute that ChiChen Itza is a must. Its a long drive and pretty hot, but it is awe inspiring to see so much history. I definatly recomend climbing it if you have the stomach for heights. I was totally freaked out, but I think I would greatly regret seeing it and not climbing it. Of course, don't climb if its raining b/c a lot of tourist have died from lighting strikes out there.
Hope you have a great time.
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Unfortunately one too many people died climbing the main temple, and the structure is considered too dangerous to boot.
So, it's now off limits.
 
Get certified - hit a cenote dive - outstanding! The reefs are amazing as well.

Chichen Itza is NOT TO BE MISSED. I've been 4 times. Never gets old.

Is the Kukulkan pyramid really closed for climbing?
 
Did some diving in coz. and it was awesome. Some of the best diving in the world from what I was told. I will be in cancun in 2 weeks, planning on diving there.
 
Get certified at home. The PADI book is too thick to concentrate on reading on a vacation for only a week or so. Plus you read like a chapter or two between dive sessions.
 
Tiffany, some advice. There is something called a referral in the certification process. This means doing all the class work, pool work, and testing at your home location and then doing the open water dives in warm water. The advantages are doing your diving in WARM water with some interesting stuff to see but there is a slight additional cost since both facitilities will charge you something. As a newly certified diver, they will not take you on dives above your capability level. Wrecks that do not involve penetration will be fine; wrecks that involve penetration may not be. Caverns (you can see the outside light) are fine unless they are highly confined; caves, where you can NOT see the outside light are not. Cancun does not have terrific diving like Cozumel but as a newbie, you will not notice the difference. So, bottom line, get certfied and have a great time.
 
Get certified for sure!!We go to Cozumel all the time to dive, it's wonderful. The Palanacar Reef is amazing. We have been to Cancun as well, not impressed. (with the exception of Playa Del Carmen) The reef actually acts as a barrier (from waves) thus calming the waters in Cozumel. It's even hard to swim in Cancun since the waves are so high, let alone dive safely. Cozumel IMO has a lot more to offer when it comes to diving, we always use Del Mar Aquatics in Cozumel, and they are a super dive shop. They always take us to the best sites. Good luck.
 
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