There are many reasons I love the Iberostar Resort in Cozumel, Mexico. As scuba divers, we love the amazing reefs and fish that cannot be beat in the Caribbean.
Here are some reasons you should give the Iberostar a try:
- Great dive operation through Dressel Divers on site dive shop
- Located on the south side of the island so close to the reefs!
- Reasonable prices
- Cute bungalows – not a big hotel look and feel
- All inclusive
- If you don’t want to go to town to shop or party – this place is the place!
- Beautiful gardens
We love to go diving in Cozumel because, for us, it’s about a 4 hour flight out of Denver and we are there! You can catch flights in the morning and enjoy a beverage on the beach at sunset that same day!
We have found the diving in Cozumel to be incomparable. Even as we talk to people that dive all over the world, Cozumel is compared only to The Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Red Sea in Egypt as some of the most spectacular reefs and variety and size of sea life.
Hotel
The Iberostar is our choice because it is a great value for the money. We are hooked on all-inclusive resorts and this meets our needs every time. It’s close to the reefs so you don’t have 1 hour +/- boat rides to and from the dive sites. Some are as close as 5 minutes straight out from the dock. Their on-site dive shop – Dressel Divers does a great job. They have a very professional staff, nice boats, good equipment and are a joy to converse with as they are from all over the world.
The food is pretty good. We tend to go there in either April or November just before or after peak season, when the resort is not full. This means that not all restarurants are open at all times and the variety of food is not as great as when they are filled to capacity. Is this a big deal? Certainly not! We don’t go there for the food – we go for the diving!
The rooms are also nice. These little 4-plex bungalow type units give the place a smaller resort feel. No need for elevators as they are only 2 story. The beds are comfortable, the rooms are clean and there are plenty of units with a nice view of the water. Always ask about the location and if there is a view of the ocean. If they aren’t full they might just move you to a better view!
The grounds are very tropical. After getting nearly wiped out a few years ago due to a major hurricane hovering over the island for 3 days there wasn’t much left for flora and fauna. I want to give the Iberostar 5 stars for a very quick rebuild of the buildings and gardens. We were there 6 months after it being nearly destroyed and we were touched that this Iberostar chose to *not* wait for insurance money to arrive. They fronted the money, kept their staff employed and were up and running in just a few months – way ahead of most of the other resorts.
We’ve stayed at other places in Cozumel – but his is our place. So
much so, that when we retook our wedding vows a few years ago.
we chose the Iberostar for this event. We brought our son who was about 24 at the time and he loved this place, too. Check out the Iberostar in Cozumel. If you love to dive and love a casual atmosphere, this could just be your place!!!
One thing with Sandals is a wide variety of room choices. You need to do your homework to understand the terminology and what comes with that choice for the money you are paying. Not every room has a stellar view. Big rooms/suites may be close to the pool and noisier than others. Our advice is to determine what is most important to you – is it the view – a larger room with butler service – or just being there and on a budget.
All throughout the property you will notice that it is clean and tidy. Staff members are always on the lookout for trash are grooming the beach and picking up empty dishes. Everywhere you go it shows that they are meticulous about keeping the grounds in tip top shape.
There are ten restaurants at this Sandals Resort; each with its own style and ambience. They range from the very casual to elegant but the service at all of them is special. They serve conch in so many different ways that it becomes a game to figure out what other possible ways there could be. Don’t miss the Baccarat for either breakfast of eggs benedict and caviar to dinner of duck and lamb. There are a wide variety of choices at every meal and remember – it’s all inclusive so don’t be afraid to ask for a little of this and a little of that!
Just a 5 minute boat ride away is the Offshore Island. Don’t miss this. While the whole island is not Sandals property they have all you need for a great time. There is a restaurant, bar, pool, a nice beach, fun music and the spa. Take time to walk thru the gardens and trails to the point of the island to see all the little thatched cabanas. You can make an appointment for your spa treatment and enjoy it right on the island with an amazing ocean view, up close and personal! The boats come and go every hour so you can stay just for lunch, a walk or stay all day and enjoy the seclusion of your own spot on the beach.
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