Re: snorkeling is the priority...tell us what to do!

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: Okay, here's my two cents worth. I'm a 51 year old elementary teacher from Michigan. So roll that into what I say. : In April Al and I stayed for 7 nights (all inclusive) at Fiesta Americana. We loved it. It is south of town and all rooms (not casitas) have ocean view. We stayed on the seventh (top) floor and the view was to die for. : It was a very quiet place with three restaurants and two bars. You could snorkel right in front of the hotel. The beach is across the street with bridge access, but we usally just crossed at street level. : Chankanaab is right next door (take a cab anyway due to safety on the roadside). It costs $7 USD/person for the day. The snorkeling is great! They have lockers, restaurants, palapas, and two or three places to rent snorkel or dive gear. It's a must. : We took a Gilligan tour on the Morning Star. We enjoyed the snorkeling and the partying. $55/person : I returned with my son in July. I had less money to spend, so I couldn't afford Fiesta Americana. We stayed at Casa del Mar. It is just south of town and much less expensive...therefore not as many ammenities. : The room was smaller, the staff spoke less English, there was only one restaurant/bar, the beach wasn't as nice. Due to the difference in price, I will return to Casa del Mar (hopefully next July). : Casa del Mar is a great economical hotel. It is not in town so you'll have to take a cab to get into town. Cabs don't cost that much, so I find that a non-issue. : You can snorkel right across the street and see lots of stuff. I forgot that just easy walking distance down the beach La Ceiba has a sunken airplane (an old Mexican movie site) that makes snorkeling great. Next time I will snorkel there too. La Ceiba is a sister to Casa del Mar and you have beach privileges there as well. La Ceiba is an upgraded version to Casa del Mar. : I haven't stayed on the north side, so I can't compare for you. El Presidente is pricey, but it looks to be worth it. They have great snorkeling and a great beach. : Two things I would like to recommend. : 1. I know you said no off-boat snorkeling, but this is the best snorkeling ever! Book a snorkeling trip on the Arrecifes through Kuzamil Snorkeling Center. They have an in-water guide, Eduardo, who will enhance your snorkeling experience. Because of Eduardo, I saw a green moray eel, three lobsters, several yellow spotted rays, one sea snake, and a gazillion starfish. I didn't know about this when I booked the Gilligan tour in April. The Arrecifes was full (about 25 people) but it was far and away the best snorkeling I've ever done. We visited four reefs...The Sky, Colombia Shallows, Palancar Gardens, and Dzul Ha. The Sky and Dzul Ha were new to me. We saw most of the critters at The Sky. At Dzul Ha, Eduardo brought in dinner rolls and we were surrounded by a frantic school of fish all striving for a snack. They were mostly Sargeant Majors, Surgeon fish, and a few parrot fish. It was very exciting. At Colombia and Palancar, I saw fish 5 and 6 feet long. I saw huge barracudas, trigger fish, and an awesome trunk fish. I saw a manta ray that was the epitome of grace. : There is nothing as awe-inspiring as swimming in 20-30 feet of water and seeing a deep blue drop-off looming ahead. It scares me even to think about it. However, with Eduardo right there, I felt more comfortable than I had on the Gilligan tour. : For those of you have no experience snorkeling, the thought of snorkeling in 20-30 feet of water may seem intimidating. But I am not a physically fit person and after swimming for 45 minutes without the benefit of a life jacket, I was NOT tired. Salt water keeps you far more bouyant than fresh water. : 2. If you want to be in a truly Mexican atmosphere, try fishing the Mexican way. In July, a friend hooked us up with a guy named May-mo. I don't know how to spell his name, but that is how it sounds. Maymo took my son, a couple, their son, and me fishing without the use of fishing poles. We drifted and fished holding lines. On the floor next to us was a huge reel of fishing line. On the other end was a sinker and a chunk of fish. When we pulled in the fish we just brought the line in hand over hand. The first mate, Cesar, had a spark plug for a sinker. It was really fun and not like a touristy fishing trip. I think we paid $150 for the five of us and we tipped another $50. We spent hours catching gorgeous fish. He cleaned some of them for us, we took them to my friend's house and he cooked them for our dinner. It was great (although I did feel awful killing those beautiful fish...it's different than perch or sunfish!) If this sounds like something you'd like to do, Maymo can be found at the caleta (that's the southern marina by El Presidente). You just sounded like you might be into such a cultural experience. : Don't forget to rent a bug or a tracker and see the eastern side of the island. It's more natural and less touristy. There is no electricity on that side. Be careful of the water on that side. There's a significant undertow. There are many beaches between Chankanaab and Mezcalito's where you can stop and swim/snorkel. : Have a great time! : : Hey, all you Cozumel veterans -- : : Here's a bunch of middle-aged gringo/a's needing to know a little of everthing about how to have fun on Cozumel...givin that we know NOTHING about the place! : : We are planning a trip (6 to 12 folks) together -- when? where? That's what we need to know...got any hints?? : : None of us have been there before...a few of us have snorkeled before, but most of us not at all...we want to be able to hang out and eat and drink and be merry, in peace...and SNORKEL LOTS...so advice on hotels/condos, etc that would be not too pricey, but convenient to doing all this type stuff? When to go when it's not too touristy, but not gona be super-hot or hurricane-ey, either? Where on the island to stay where we can be easily walk-able to (or right at) great (but relatively safe for novices!) snorkeling? (did I say "snorkeling enough times yet??) : : Things we DON"T want are...lots of people...shopping (other than food and drink)...organized tours of ANY type...off-boat snorkeling...touristy junk...bad weather!... : : OK -- who has some advice for the gringo group?? : : WE KNOW NOTHING! Thanks for any help. --- k.

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