Dive Review of XTC Dive Center/Hotel Tierra Maya in
Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan/Xcalak

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XTC Dive Center/Hotel Tierra Maya, Nov, 2006, by Francis & Deb Bollag, NY, USA . Report 3214.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	We hoped, we prayed, we rose at the crack of dawn each day in anticipation. But strong winds blew up (no pun) every plan to visit Banco Chinchorro. XTC Dive was very sympathic, rescheduled the trip daily and took us on some fantastic local dives. The short boat ride to the sites was a bit cool and sometimes rough. The diving was spectacular with max bottom times. Outstanding sites were La Poza, packed with exciting finds, and La Chimenea, a deep, colorful gorge. We saw lots of eagle rays, tarpon, groupers and cero and were checked out by four dolphins at depth and a friendly brown booby at the surface. XTC uses its small boat for local diving. The boat is open and holds four tanks and a captain. DM's and boat captains are experienced and knowledgeable. Entry is by backward roll and exit is by ladder. All dives are drifts. The boat returns to the shop's dock after each dive. Since our first dives had heavy profiles, we took extra-long SI's to allow for more bottom time on our second tanks, which started at around 1 pm. XTC rinses and securely stores equipment. They prefer that divers retrieve and set up their own gear, which the shop staff delivers and loads onto the boat. The beachfront Hotel Tierra Maya is very, very nice. It offers air conditioning and the rate includes breakfast at the onsite restaurant. Due to the constant ocean breeze, we didn't need the AC. The restaurant is good -- too much food actually -- and serves as a one of the town's gathering places so we were able to learn from the locals. Our room was HUGE and contained three beds and a hammock, a tiled food-prep counter with fridge and bottled water, dining table and 4 chairs, large storage area with safe-deposit box and loaner books, bathroom with shower and a large patio with a table and chairs. All rooms face the ocean. The hotel also has a good snorkeling beach often visited by turtles, a dock and plenty of outdoor seating areas for reading, relaxing or visiting with other guests. They also have kayaks and other gear for guests. No matter where you stay in Xcalak, there are a few things you should know: You will receive a discount on diving and other services at XTC if you book lodging with bill-in-tulsa.com. Be sure to arrive in Xcalak with a full tank of gas, insect repellent and some groceries. There's a market in town but it might not have what you want and the nearest city is almost two hours away. Also, if you're there on a day when it's open, be sure to have dinner at the Leaky Palapa for terrific food and company.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	251-500 dives
Where else diving	Cayman, BVI, Saba, Dominica, St. Vincent & Grendines, Cozumel
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	windy, cloudy	Seas	calm, choppy
Water Temp	79-82°F / 26-28°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	40-75 Ft/ 12-23 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	[Unspecified]
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	None
Dolphins	Schools	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	None	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter	N/A	Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's	N/A	Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	[None]

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Dive Review of XTC Dive Center/Hotel Tierra Maya in Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan/Xcalak

XTC Dive Center/Hotel Tierra Maya, Nov, 2006,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of XTC Dive Center/Hotel Tierra Maya in
Cozumel and the Mexican Yucatan/Xcalak