Dive
Centers & Accommodations
General
Information
 Best
known as the Mexican Riviera, the
Pacific Coast boasts some of the most
beautiful beaches in the world. Bu
t don't believe there is no diving
here. There are a number of excellent
dive centers with the local knowledge
to team you up with a great experience.
The best season to dive in Mexico's
Pacific coast is between August to
February. From March to July the visibility
is reduced from plankton blooms.
Southern Coast - Acapulco to Salina
Cruz
There are many interesting places
to dive in this region such as sunken
ships, walls, sea mountains, Roqueta
Island (shallow & calm dives near
Acapulco), caves (rock formations)
and more. You can find sandy and rock
bottom with small coral formations,
sea fans, barnacles, gorgonians,  sea
stars, trumpet fishes, jacks, mackerel,
sea horses, eels, sea snakes and sometimes
turtles, whale sharks and mantarrays
depending on the season.
Northern Coast - Mazatlan to Manzanillo
Los Arcos is an underwater park and
eco-reserve in the Puerto Vallarta
area that sports some of the best
twilight diving along the coast of
Banderas Bay. During the day, the
paradise hideaway of Las Caletas combines
scuba diving with the luxury of relaxing
on one of Mexico's most beautiful
beaches. Just off the northern coast
of Banderas Bay, the Marietas Island
Marine Reserve is one of the most
popular areas in the Mexican Pacific
for both experienced and first-time
scuba divers. The blue waters of the
Pacific also offer certified divers
the opportunity to dive the caves
and tunnels of El Morro, and to explore
the arches and steep walls of Corbeteña.
Climate - year round averages:
High 89F 31C Low 78F 25C
Water Temp:
78 - 83F 25 - 28C but thermoclines
can be found with temperatures as
low as 65F 18C
Visibility 50 - 80 ft 16 - 27m
Getting
There
| Air
Travel |
| |
| Puerto
Vallarta |
| The
Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International
Airport is located four miles
north of downtown (centro).
There are frequent taxi or van
transfers from the airport at
reasonable rates. Pay at the
taxi booth and they'll assign
you to a taxi/van that will
take you to your destination.
Proof of citizenship is necessary
to cross the border into Mexico.
Upon arrival, visitors are given
a Tourist Card which must be
turned in upon departure at
the airport. At that time, a
departure tax is charged and
payable in U.S. dollars or Mexican
pesos. It's very easy to get
to Puerto Vallarta, in high
season there are more than 450
flights arriving weekly. |
Aeromexico
America
West
American
Continental
Delta
LTU - German Airline
Mexicana
TWA |
| |
| Acapulco |
Acapulco
is well connected by air, sea
and road. The Acapulco International
Airport is located 22.5 kms
southeast of Acapulco Bay and
the hotel areas. The airport
is tourist friendly and has
numerous counters for car rentals,
restaurants, bars and shopping
arcades, including a good duty-free
shop.
There are easily available van
transfers, limos and rental
cars for airport transfers.
It takes about 20-30 minutes
to get to the hotel areas, unless
you are staying at the Playa
Revolcadero area, which is the
domain of the Acapulco Princess,
Pierre Marques and Vidafel resorts.
These areas are only a 10-minute
ride from the airport. The cab
fare is approximately US$6,
depending on where your hotel
is located. A four-lane highway
called the Boulevard of Nations
takes you to town from the airport. |
Aeromexico
Alaska
America
West
American
Aviacsa
Continental
Mexicana |
| |
| Manzanillo |
| The
Manzanillo Airport is located
several miles northwest of Manzanillo
on Hwy 200. Turn off the highway
at the 38 Km marker. It's 20
minutes from Barra de Navidad
and Melaque, 40 minutes from
Manzanillo. A taxi to Melaque
is about US$22 , to Manzanillo
about US$27. |
America
West
Aeromar
Alaska
Airlines
Mexicana
Aero
California
Alaska
Airlines |
| |
| Mazatlan |
| General
Rafael Bueina International
Airport is located 15 miles
south from Mazatlan´s
hotel zone. Airport shuttles
are available at $19.00 - $25.00
per person depending on your
hotel location. |
Aeromexico
America
West
Continental
Delta
Mexicana
Aero
California
Alaska
Airlines |
| |
Entry
Requirements
Valid Passport and Tourist entry
visa or card.
The Tourist card - Form FMT
or the Tourist entry Visa are
necessary if is intended to
travel farther the border zone
and when is intended to stay
in Mexico for more than 72 hours.
Citizens of certain countries
do not need to transact with
anticipation a Tourist entry
Visa, therefore it will be enough
to have a Tourist Card at their
entry to the country. To obtain
it, it's enough to present a
citizenship identification in
the Mexican consulates, in the
border migration offices, in
the official entry points, in
the tourism offices of the Mexican
government or in any of the
air lines that travel to Mexico.
The Cards and the Tourist entry
Visa are free. The entry card
has a validity only of 90 days
and it should be returned to
migration authorities at the
moment of leaving Mexico; the
exact time of its validity is
determined by the Mexican migration
agent.
While the tourist is in Mexico,
he will have to carry all the
time the Card or Tourist entry
Visa with himself, otherwise,
he will deserve a fine. In the
event of lose it he can attend
at once to the local migration
authorities to obtain a duplicate. |
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