Scuba Club Cozumel

Guests park on the street and then access Scuba Club's entrance after checking in at the guard desk in front of black wrought-iron gates. The hotel opens onto a tiled courtyard decorated with potted flowers, small palm trees, and an orange and white fountain that wasn't turned on during our visit. A series of white and orange Spanish Colonial buildings meanders throughout the property, which abuts the Pacific Ocean. Room numbers and directions to the dive shop are stenciled in blue over arched doorways. There's a long stretch of artificial sand set with plastic white loungers and blue umbrellas. The water is crystal clear and sparkles blue, perfect for snorkeling or easy beach diving via a cement pier and ladder leading into the water. Thatch-roof palapas provides spots for shade and there are a rainbow of hammocks.

Unsurprisingly, the vast majority, if not all, of the guests here are divers. Groups and singles are common, as are families with older kids who dive. There's an element of camaraderie, as guests generally dive on the same boat and eat meals around the same time at the one on-site restaurant, which overlooks the ocean. 

Though most guests spend their entire visit to Scuba Club Cozumel on-site (or underwater), the hotel does have a convenient location for exploring as it's directly on the main drag of Avenida General Rafael Melgar. A sidewalk leads to San Miguel and there's a dive shop (surprise) directly across the street, that sells T-shirts, flip flops, and dive equipment.

• Six-minute walk to Dolphinaris Cozumel
• 10-minute walk to Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
• 13-minute walk to passenger ferry from Playa Del Carmen
• Eight-minute drive to Cozumel International Airport

Rooms at Scuba Club Cozumel are divided among three-story buildings without elevators. The layout and decor are consistent among each, with bed configurations available for single, double, or triple occupancy. Larger family rooms have two double beds and an additional sitting area with a twin-size bed. Each has white stucco walls, orange tile floors, and colorful bedspreads with matching curtains. Hand-painted floral tiles make up the headboards and bathroom fixtures. Air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and furnished terraces are standard, though TVs and telephones aren't provided. Large bathrooms have a huge vanity, basket of toiletries, and a large shower. Drying racks are mounted on the patio wall, for drying wetsuits. 

The vast majority of rooms have beautiful ocean views, though a handful face the street. Request a ground floor room for the fastest access to the artificial beach. 

Anything that you'd need for a successful dive trip is available at Scuba Club Cozumel. The hotel operates a fleet of seven well-maintained dive boats that depart for popular underwater sites in the National Marine Park right after breakfast. PADI certified staff run the trips and guests are assigned the same boat and guides throughout their stay, which is a nice perk. SCUBA certification is available on-site, as well. Full equipment is available to rent or buy, and there's a dedicated gear storage and rinse area. All guests can dive for free just off the hotel's pier. Packages can include night and twilight dives, too.

There's a small swimming pool, surrounded by blue foam sun loungers, that overlooks the artificial beach area and ocean. The fitness center is air-conditioned and open 24 hours, located in the same building as the restaurant. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. 

Technically, the price of a room comes with three meals a day, but there are restrictions and extra fees. Coffee, tea, iced tea, soft drinks, and alcohol cost more, and since the restaurant doesn't handle cash, guests have to open a bar tab with a credit card and settle up at check out. Past guests have complained about everything from being charged extra for guacamole, to poor food quality, to having to order dinner at breakfast. Tips are not included with the all-inclusive plan. Breakfast is served buffet-style and can include French toast, bacon, fresh fruit, and Mexican dishes. Diver's lunch is a pre-made spread set out at a specific time and includes a combination of Mexican, Yucatan, and native Mayan dishes along with burgers and fries. Dinner is a bit more formal, and guests choose from a seafood, meat, or vegetarian option. There's a beach party once a week with a Mexican buffet and piñata, though drinks still cost extra. Outside drinks are not allowed.