Playa del Carmen

On the SLR, I bounce between the D300, D40, D60, the XSi, 40D, 5D ... I'm all over the road and nowhere near making a decision. I have no investment in lenses (actually not true ... I have several old OLY OM-mount lenses from my OM-2S days) so I'm totally an open book.

I did the same thing, have older Zeiss lenses for Contax cameras, so went in with no mind one way or the other. Tried the Nikon D40 but got a bad one and returned it within return period and they were blowing out a Canon 30D for less than a Rebel. Decision made then and there. Would love some of the higher end bodies and also the portability of the smaller ones, but I like having a seperate control for Aperture and Shutter without a menu. Really like shooting it. Started lens collecting and looking right now for a WA, going through the internal debate right now

Any favorite operators in the Puerto Aventuras area? Sounds like a cool spot with some nice shallow dive spots. What's the water temperature usually like in early June?

Check out www.diveaventuras.com They are very photo friendly and have 4 small boats that go out 4 times a day for single tank dives so the dive schedule is very convenient. They offer cenote diving daily at 9am and 1pm. They are located right in the heart of Puerto Aventuras. Water temp is 81 in the ocean and 76 in the cenotes.

I have been diving from Playa del Carmen for tha last 3 years making 3-4 trips /year. You can't beat the convience of flying into Cancun and diving the same day from Playa! The cenotes dives are certainly the most unique dives on the Yucatan ! Not everyone finds the cenotes environment to their liking but you should try them at least once. There are about 10 cenotes that are regularly dived and they each have very unique personalities. Gran Cenote near Tulum is probably one of the best to initially try as it has some wide open areas as well as cavern areas. One can dive many Playa- side sites in the ocean as well that are quite good. Tortuga is always worth it for the turtles ( usually 6-10 turtles per dive). Other sites such as the "Arches" have healthy reefs and rival Cozumel. From Playa , Cozumel is only a 45-60 minute boat ride with Playa dive operators. I have had great diving (cenotes, playa ocean, cozumel, and night diving) with Tank-Ha Dive Center which is located on the main pedestrian street "5th Ave" (www.tankha.com). My next trip also in June will include the snorkeling trip to Holbox in search of whale sharks. I have of Playa dive pix at www.meinig.com which will give you some idea as to the diving and photography possiblilities...Rick Meinig

te name='TheRealDrew' date='Apr 11 2008, 12:32 PM' post='165603']

FWIW Mayakoba is a bit North of Playa I think.

Anyway the Cenotes are fun to try, you can go with Hidden Worlds or other general operators or can hire a private guide, I have done both.

Across the way from Playa is Cozumel and there are many great sites there if you want to go across early one day.

There are some areas between Cancun and Tulum on the Playa side which has diving, some areas better than others depending on how well they are protected. Some sections are dying out, I have seen it gone down hill alot unfortunately as the "Riviera Maya" has grown.

Off Playa there is one site called Tortugas which is sort of like a retirement home for turtles, huge big old ones just lying there. Many people like that site, though I did not care for it much, though there was alot of surge and circular currents the day I went. Very strange.

Isla Muejeres (from other ports in the area about 40 minutes drive) and 15 minute ferry ride has some nice sites and home of the sleeping shark cave, though I heard that they are not as many as there used to be.

I have been diving from Playa del Carmen for tha last 3 years making 3-4 trips /year. You can't beat the convience of flying into Cancun and diving the same day from Playa! The cenotes dives are certainly the most unique dives on the Yucatan ! Not everyone finds the cenotes environment to their liking but you should try them at least once. There are about 10 cenotes that are regularly dived and they each have very unique personalities. Gran Cenote near Tulum is probably one of the best to initially try as it has some wide open areas as well as cavern areas. One can dive many Playa- side sites in the ocean as well that are quite good. Tortuga is always worth it for the turtles ( usually 6-10 turtles per dive). Other sites such as the "Arches" have healthy reefs and rival Cozumel. From Playa , Cozumel is only a 45-60 minute boat ride with Playa dive operators. I have had great diving (cenotes, playa ocean, cozumel, and night diving) with Tank-Ha Dive Center which is located on the main pedestrian street "5th Ave" (www.tankha.com). My next trip also in June will include the snorkeling trip to Holbox in search of whale sharks. I have of Playa dive pix at www.meinig.com which will give you some idea as to the diving and photography possiblilities...Rick Meinig

 

 

te name='TheRealDrew' date='Apr 11 2008, 12:32 PM' post='165603']

FWIW Mayakoba is a bit North of Playa I think.

Anyway the Cenotes are fun to try, you can go with Hidden Worlds or other general operators or can hire a private guide, I have done both.

 

Across the way from Playa is Cozumel and there are many great sites there if you want to go across early one day.

 

There are some areas between Cancun and Tulum on the Playa side which has diving, some areas better than others depending on how well they are protected. Some sections are dying out, I have seen it gone down hill alot unfortunately as the "Riviera Maya" has grown.

 

Off Playa there is one site called Tortugas which is sort of like a retirement home for turtles, huge big old ones just lying there. Many people like that site, though I did not care for it much, though there was alot of surge and circular currents the day I went. Very strange.

 

Isla Muejeres (from other ports in the area about 40 minutes drive) and 15 minute ferry ride has some nice sites and home of the sleeping shark cave, though I heard that they are not as many as there used to be.

Hello guys,

I'm planning on going to mexico in may, but can't decide where to stay. What would be preferred? Playa or Cozumel?