Catalonia Riviera Maya Resort & Spa

Both the well-developed beachside city of Playa del Carmen and the sophisticated lifestyle resort of Puerto Aventuras offer a wealth of easy and relaxed dive sites that are well suited to all levels of experience.

The majority of the dive sites are just a short 10-15 minute boat ride away and the reefs here typically feature low walls with over hangs, mini caves and swim-throughs. The reef tops are peppered with hard corals, colourful sponges and sea plumes. Schooling snappers, vibrant angelfish, spiny lobsters and electric rays are commonly seen. For guests staying at Playa del Carmen, boats depart directly from the shore along the beach and from Puerto Aventuras the boat leaves from the marina.

Tortugas Reef

It takes a 10-minute boat ride to reach the Tortugas Reef between Playa del Carmen and Puerto Aventuras. This is one of the most exciting deep dive sites in the area (max depth is 26m) and a well-known habitat for turtles (tortugas), hence the name. There are usually masses of turtles to be found here, munching their way through the sponges that cover the surface of the flat reef plateau. There’s also plenty of fish life to spot here – from barracuda to jacks of many species, cubera snappers, stingrays, green and spotted morays.

Wreck of the Mama Vina

The Mama Vina is an old shrimp boat that was sunk intentionally in 1995 to create an artificial reef. The boat lies almost intact at around 28 metres, with its bow facing the predominant south-north current head on. The strong currents can make for a challenging dive here. There is plentiful coral growth and a wealth of interesting inhabitants including barracudas, stingrays, green and spotted morays and large schools of tropical fish hanging in the blue.

Bull Shark Diving

This incredible experience is only available during the Winter months (November – February) and is a special excursion. Dive with these incredible solitary hunters with specially trained Instructors. This is most definitely a dive for advanced and experienced divers only.

Diving the Cenotes

A chance to dive the Cenotes is the reason so many divers head to this part of Mexico, and these majestic limestone caverns can be reached in just over an hour’s drive inland from Playa del Carmen and around 30 minutes from Puerto Aventuras. The Cenotes is a vast network of subterranean rivers, caverns and sinkholes (cenotes) that extend literally for miles inland. 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. Read more about Diving the Cenotes here

Diving in Cozumel is also possible as a day trip from Playa del Carmen. Find out more about the diving in Cozumel here

Dive Courses

The centre's range of PADI courses includes everything from beginner programmes, such as the PADI Open Water Diver, to advanced specialities like deep and cavern diving certifications. The experienced and friendly team of instructors ensures every course is thorough, professional, and fun, giving you the confidence to dive into new challenges.

Extras in Resort

• Mini Cenotes Trip/Riviera Maya
• Single Tank Dive/Riviera Maya & Cozumel
• Yucatan Explorer/Riviera Maya
• Bull shark excursion

With great all year round diving conditions, Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula is an ideal destination for those looking for a mix of different types of diving. If you want to combine diving with relaxing on beautiful beaches and visiting historical and tourist attractions topside, Mexico is hard to beat.

Getting Around

Mexico’s well-established tourist infrastructure and its proximity to the USA means that getting around here is relatively simple. Cozumel is reached by a regular 45-minute passenger ferry that departs from Playa del Carmen every two hours. Taxis are plentiful and relatively inexpensive in Riviera Maya and Cozumel. There are many well established tour agents that can provide excursions to the areas wealth of historical attractions.

Climate

Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula has a warm tropical climate with an average temperature between 24 and 30°C throughout the year. There are pronounced wet and dry seasons. Most of the country experiences a rainy season from June to mid-October and significantly less rain during the remainder of the year. Mexico lies squarely within the hurricane belt, and all regions are susceptible to these storms from June through November.

Water Temperature and Underwater Visibility

Water temperature tends to mirror air temperature ranging from 24–30°C. Visibility is generally excellent all year round and in excess of 40m is the norm. Diving in the fresh water of the Cenotes is considerably cooler after diving in the balmy Caribbean Sea and a 5mm semi-dry wetsuit is advised.

Time

Mexico is 6 hours behind GMT

Currency

The official currency is Mexican Peso ($), however US Dollars are accepted almost everywhere. Please note: the $ sign is used for both Pesos and US Dollars. This can cause a lot of confusion so always ask for clarification if you are unsure or if something seems unusually cheap, or far too expensive.

Language

Spanish is the national language but English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

Telephone and Internet

In Mexico, the predominant cellular service company is called Telcel. Most UK service providers will work on this network but roaming charges can be very expansive. If you have an unlocked GSM compatible phone it is possible to purchase a pay as you go Telcel Mexico SIM card. Wi-Fi internet is widely available; however, it is comparatively expensive, so a holiday in Mexico could be the ideal opportunity to completely disconnect!

Activities

Mexico is both vast and fascinating. A rich tapestry of history and a well-established tourist infrastructure, coupled with superb natural resources make it perfect for holidays of all kinds. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site and sacred Maya city of Chichen Itza, dine on fine Mexican cuisine in the historic colonial town of Valladolid, explore the ancient coastal walled city of Tulum, or simply relax on perfect white sand beaches lapped by enticingly warm, turquoise seas.

Flight Information

Cancun (CUN) is the gateway for UK visitors visiting the Caribbean coast of Mexico and is well served with regular direct flights from London and Manchester, and regional departures may be available seasonally.

Flight times: 9.5–11 hours.

Departure tax: Charter flights are subject to a departure tax – payable locally in cash only.

Transfers: Playa Del Carmen Hotels - 45–60 minutes, Puerto Aventuras Hotels – 60–80 minutes. Cozumel Hotels - 45 minutes by boat from Playa del Carmen, 12 services daily from 6am until 10pm.

Twin centre: Mexico makes an ideal twin centre destination and you can split your holiday between both Riviera Maya and Cozumel. Please ask one of our sales executives for more information.

Visas

Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

Passports

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.

Vaccinations & Health Advice

Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.

We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.

For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice, Masta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.