aanro

Hi everybody!

I am going to Playa del Carmen next January and wanted to know the rental price of snorkel equipment. Since I will use it a couple of days I would like to know if it is better to buy it.

Does anybody know the rental prices?

Does anybody know where to rent that type of equipment?

I am planning to spend a day in Cozumel, going with the ferry to the isle. What would you do a full day there? I will be with my family (5). We would like to do some snorkeling (will be the first time for all of us). Is it worth renting a car for the day? Where are the beaches in relation to the place where the ferry arrives?

Thank you!!!

zootsi

You can rent snorkel equipment at any dive shop. We snorkel at Akumal, and the beachfront has several places you can rent equipment. I suspect Cozumel would be the same. We bring our own stuff, but I think it's about $20 - $30 a day to rent (including vest).Also, the Wal-Mart and other places in Playa sell inexpensive snorkel equipment. For first timers, I would recommend going to Yal-Ku lagoon in Akumal - very easy, safe, tons of fish. They will rent you gear, and the admission is about $12.
You can rent a car in Playa for a day and drive to Akumal - piece of cake.
Go to locogringo.com for more info.

aanro

Thanks zootsi, }

by the way, does the rent always include the vest? What about the hourly rental without vest? do you know how much?

thank you again

zootsi

I don't rent so I'm not positive, but I think rentals are by the day or half day. I'm not sure about the vest, but as beginners, I strongly suggest you use them. It might not be a bad idea to purchase this gear ahead of time - there are some good deals on Ebay and such, and they don't take up much room in your luggage. Once you've tried it, I can guarantee you'll want to snorkel again next year! You would probably get more answers on this kind of stuff at the locogringo.com forum.

jamie99

You can rent gear without the vest. A snorkel vest (as opposed to a life vest) is a good idea if you are not experienced and they are inflatable so if you want to dive down you just let out air.

aanro

Thank you Jamie.....I didn't know about the air....good to know

Does anybody know where to go for free snorkel in Cozumel?

TC

If you have never snorkeled before, I wouldn't worry about diving down. You won't be doing much of that. I can't speak for Playa, but I spend every winter in Cozumel.

You will get off of the ferry in downtown San Miguel (Cozumel). There are no dive shops there to rent equipment, because there are no snorkeling beaches in town. You can rent equipment once you get to a beach.

You can snorkel for free anywhere in Cozumel. If you are at a beach bar, they would like for you to order some food or drinks, rent equipment or a locker -- but its not manditory.

A couple of good choices would be the <u>Money Bar or Buccano's Beach Club</u>. Both are good places to spend a day and have very nice amenities. Get off the ferry, walk to the street and you will see the taxi line. Any taxi can take you to the Money Bar or Buccano's. There will be plenty of taxis there to bring you back to the pier later in the day. Its cheap.

Know that there will be some current where you snorkel. <u>You will need fins.</u> Especially at Money Bar. Its quite easy to drift with the current while snorkeling. You won't really even notice that you're doing it. Then when its time to return to your start, it will be much more difficult to swim against the current. Its nothing to be afraid of.....you just need to rent the fins!

I alway tell friends who are new to snorkeling.
-Get your gear and try it out in the swimming pool first.
-You want to make sure that the mask fits and doesn't leak salt water into your eyes.
-You want to make sure you have the tube connected properly to the mask.
-You want to de-fog your mask (spit on the glass a lot, rub it around with our finger, rinse in water).
-If you're using a vest -- make sure it has no leaks before you go into the ocean. Not cool to have your vest deflat while you snorkel.
-<u>Don't put your fins on to walk to the water</u>. Not only will you look like a dork, but you'll probably fall down and really hurt yourself. If there is no place to sit at the water's edge to put them on, then enter the water holding the fins in your hands and put them on right after in shallow water.
- <b>DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING!!!</b> Those black spiney things all along the entry points are sea urchins. Their spines are very sharp and will give you a nasty infection if you get stuck.

Be safe. Enjoy! Its a beautiful world under the water.


http://www.moneybarbeachclub.com/

http://buccanos.com/Buccanos-Bar-Grill.htm

Package pricing at Money Bar:
http://www.moneybarbeachclub.com/daypackages.htm