These comments has been added by Mr NiceGuy who I met on my trip to Cozumel in November 1996. He also took some photographs on our dives togeteher, some of these can viewed on my pages.

Photograph, courtesy of Mr. NiceGuy

He has been making a lot of trips to Cozumel over the past years. He was a really nice person to get aqquinted with!

Now the words of Mr. NiceGuy:

As I mentioned, I learned how to dive on Cozumel and have been back almost every year (sometimes more than once) since 1990.

I've stayed at the Presidente, La Ceiba, and Plaza Las Glorias. The Presidente, for me, is too far from town. And Diamond is WAY farther away. The Presidente is a first class operation, cheaper then Diamond and more expensive than Plaza Las Glorias.

La Ceiba is nice but needs a makeover - it's getting OLD. PLG is nice, lively, nice rooms, and close to town.

If you've never been to the island before, definitely don't stay at an all inclusive like Diamond. There are just too many good restaurants in town. The beach at the Presidente is excellent (I'm not a beach person so I don't care).

Good restaurants /eating places are: Morgans (to the left side of the main plaza) expensive but I stop there about once each trip.

The Sports Page - one block from Morgans. The best place to be in the Months of June - August - GREAT a/c, good steaks, and very good hamburgers. I'm not a sports fan, so I could care less about all the action on the 10 TV sets brought in by satellite. Dinner about $15.

Los Morros Del Morrito - About seven blocks back from the main plaza. Dinner for 2 about $17 on the high side. Excellent mexican food and cheap prices. When I was there in November, a group of 15 Mexican Air Force people were just leaving and a group of 14 tourists were arriving.

Ernesto's fajita Factory - gone are the days when 2 could eat at rnesto's for $10 (like in 1991). Now about $10 per person. DON'T go to the one downtown. The one across from the La Ceiba is good.

DO walk anywhere on the island in complete safety. When the time share hawkers bother you, just tell them you're a diver. They'll generally let you alone then.

The ferry is good. Take the water jet, walk up the steps to the square, and you'll find 4-5 rental places. About $35-40/day, more if you want a nicer vehicle. Avis has a nice choice. Head out to the main highway, make a left, go as fast as you like, and you'll be at Tulum in about 45 minuites, Xel-Ha sooner. You'll also see signs to Coba, which I haven't been to yet. As I said, forget the speed limit. Everybody else does. I did this trip again in November when the winds came out of the north and diving was a no-no for almost 3 days. If the weather's bad, get to Playa early or they'll be out of rental cars.

The one good thing is that, if you've forgotten something, you can get it on Coz. I usually bring some cold cuts like salami just for munching on. You can get good bread right off the main plaza one block from the Sport's Page. And there's also a deli in the area that makes good sandwiches. Don't forget the tanning lotion, it's outrageously expensive on Cozumel. And forget the jewelry stores on the main drag in town. They're catering too much to the cruise ship passengers and don't have the selection of uniquely made Mexican jewelry they did even a year ago.

Pizza Rolandi is a rip off for the price and the tiny portions they give you.

As I mentioned, I'm fat and have been my whole life. I look for a dive operator who can handle experienced divers and has easy entry/exit into the boat. I'm a heavy breather and usually dive with double 80's. I also dive with a large camera and flash, so I need room.

Rent a car for the nice 2-hour drive around the island. Go slowly and have a jeep if you want to go to the lighthouse at the southern tip of the island. The road to Punta Norte is almost impassable.

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