Snorkeling recommendation for Yucatan area?

[TWallace]

I plan on taking a vacation this year, probably in April and good snorkeling is highest on my priority list. I'm leaning towards Yucatan (probably Mexico, though maybe Belize), but my girlfriend is trying to persuade me to go to Costa Rica instead. My belief is that Mexico will be quite a bit cheaper, but I could be wrong on that. We both do not want an all-inclusive resort, as we'd like to head out into the town and experience local life, including eating and shopping and not stay sheltered in the resort areas.

I went to Zihuatanejo (southern Pacific coast of Mexico) last August with friends and loved the resort (Club Intrawest) and the town was nice, too. Snorkeling in that area though leaves a lot to be desired. The water isn't very clear, very little coral, not much in the way of fish, though I did have a very cool experience with a group of Cortez Rainbow Wrasses. There was a group of 6 to 10 of them, all very curious about me and the other snorkelers. One of them swam to within a few feet of my face and just watched me for a few seconds.

I haven't done a lot of research yet, but so far I'm leaning towards Cozumel or Playa del Carmen (near Cancun) or some place in Belize. I prefer that there is snorkeling within walking distance of the resort if possible. That way I could do it whenever I want, but I realize a lot of good snorkeling requires a boat.

[TWallace]

I forgot to mention that I also have a Canon A710 IS camera and have recently ordered the waterproof case for snorkeling/scuba. I'm curious if anyone knows if this camera will take good photos while snorkeling.

[Atomikk]

Gone to Cozumel last December, and believe me, it was worth every penny. I don't dive, only snorkel, but I didn't feel like I was cheated. I did the all inclusive, and it was as good as pay-as-you-go. You can rent a vehicle for the day and visit the entire island. That is what we did. You can find your own dive/snorkel stops this way without going too far away from civilization.

[olin]

Either one will be nice, Playa might e a tad nicer for snorkeling, since much of Cozumel has strong currents which make for great drift diving, but difficult snorkeling in some areas.

The Canon will do a great job - I'm a semi-pro underwater scientific photographer, and about half of my pics are with a housed dSLR, the other half are with a Canon powershot a640. Wetpixel.com has a large group of photographers that use the housed Canons.

[TWallace]

Thanks for the replies, and good news about the housed Canons. I'm looking forward to using it.

[sharko88]

Papa Hogs in Cozumel. Eric is a great dive master.

[TWallace]

I don't plan on doing Scuba diving. I'm not certified and I don't plan to be. I'm just going to do snorkeling this time. But I'm kinda leaning towards Cozumel now. Seems it has better snorkeling than Playa del Carmen and is only a ferry ride away from it. I've read Playa has much better beaches than most of Cozumel.

Also, Cozumel has its own international airport, Playa del Carmen does not. So I'd have to take a bus/cab for 45 minutes to an hour from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen, which would be inconvenient.

[Canarygirl]

Hi Tom,

IMO Costa Rica (much as I love it) is not great for snorkeling. On the Carribean side and Pacific Side both it is common to find signs on beaches that say "No Swimming. Rip Tides and Sharks." Snorkeling is not one of the big ecotourist draws there.

Belize or Mexico would be much better. In Belize, you generally have to take boat excursions to the reef or to an outer island. The water's gorgeous though. Yucatan pen, I haven't been but David has...he said that Isla Mujeres is a great place and has an underwater park for snorkeling.

Sounds like fun. I'm hoping we do a similar vacation in the spring.

[David P]

Cenotes!!!!!!!!