Cenotes, Mexico
Image courtesy of Regaldive
Diving holiday specialist, Regaldive, has expanded its dive portfolio with the introduction of Mexico. With warm tropical waters and a wealth of world class diving on offer including the legendary inland Cenotes, Regaldive’s latest addition will no doubt be at the top of ‘must dive’ lists in 2014.
With a choice of two Mexican resorts to choose from; Cozumel and Playa del Carmen, this new destination offers the ideal medium-haul option for those looking to combine white sand beaches with plentiful reefs. Both resorts sit on the Yucatan Peninsula, located on the edge of the world’s second largest barrier reef, which stretches south for over 1,000 km’s. Fed by the nutrient rich currents, the reef is a teeming city of corals, sea fans, whips and sponges and is home to over 500 different species of fish.
Experienced divers staying on Cozumel, Mexico’s largest island, can explore the famous Planacar Reef, named by Jacques Cousteau as one of the best scuba diving spots in the world. The area also benefits from exhilarating drift dives and dramatic wall dives for those looking to take advantage of the nutrient rich currents surrounding the island.
For less experienced divers, Playa del Carmen offers a wealth of easy and relaxed dive sites. Divers can explore low walls with overhangs, mini caves and swim-throughs, while enhancing their skills. They can also admire reef tops peppered with hard corals, colourful sponges and sea plumes, as well as schooling snappers, angelfish, lobsters and electric rays.
Both resorts offer access to the world famous Cenotes. The chance to explore this incredible submerged limestone cave and cavern system is the reason so many divers head to this part of Mexico – and these are once in a lifetime dives that live up to their hype. The Cenotes are known as the jewel in the crown of Yucatan diving and allow divers to float in gin clear, fresh water amongst stunning formations of stalagmites and stalactites, bathed in shafts of light filtering through the jungle canopy above. Used as a source of fresh water by the ancient Maya, these distinctive geological formations offer some of the most exciting and unique diving to be found anywhere in the world.
Seven nights’ at the Allegro Cozumel Resort in Cozumel cost from £1,085 per person. Located on San Francisco Beach, the hotel is located just minutes away from Palancar Reef and the best dive sites of the Cozumel National Marine Park – considered one of the top five dive destinations in the world. The all-inclusive resort benefits from four restaurants, five bars, four swimming pools, three floodlit tennis courts, a multi-purpose sports court, fitness centre, Jacuzzi and sauna. The price includes flights, transfers and seven nights’ all inclusive accommodation.
For those tempted by Playa del Carmen, seven nights’ at the all-inclusive Allegro Playacar Resort cost from £1,085 per person. Located on the white-sand beach and surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the resort benefits from three swimming pools, two floodlit tennis courts, a basketball court, free non-motorised water sports and a full programme of day and evening entertainment. The lively resort offers the ideal base to discover the wide variety of nightlife and leisure options in Playa del Carmen. The price includes flights, transfers and seven nights’ all inclusive accommodation.
For divers looking for the ultimate in luxury, Regaldive’s new Royal Hideaway Playacar adult only resort offers a highly personalised and attentive service. Located on the white-sand beach at Playa del Carmen, the resort is within walking distance of the popular 5th Avenue, the area’s premier destination for shopping, dining and nightlife. The resort itself benefits from six specialty restaurants, three bars, 24 hour room service, two floodlit tennis courts, six swimming pools, a fitness centre, spa and nightly entertainment. Costing from £1,750, the package includes flights, transfers and seven nights’ all inclusive accommodation.
A six dive, dive pack in all of the above resorts costs from £184 per person, to include guide, air, tanks and weights.
For further information, or to book, visit www.regaldive.co.uk or call 01353 659 999.
