Don't make the mistake in Costa Maya that far too many people make. Don't stay in the compound !!
To be fair, Costa Maya has one of the nicest compounds you will find in the Caribbean. It is new, clean, big and has the big swimming pool and swim-up bar. But if you choose to stay there you will never discover the beautiful beach at Mahahual and you will pay waaaytooo much for everything.
Just grab a cab and drive the 7 minutes to Mahahual. We always go to the Krazy Lobster but there are plenty of other restaurants with the same amenities. There are nice beach chairs, tables, loungers, hammocks with $1 Coronas and delicious food at a reasonable price. It's not a luxury resort but if you want a nice day at the beach for literally nothing, that's a good way to do it.
They also have massages on the beach which are heavenly ! But beware ! If you decide you want a massage, arrange it yourself. Do not allow someone else to arrange it for you or it will cost you double the price ! There are massage tables set up all along the beach. They are easy to find. Just approach one of them and tell them you want a massage but make sure you're talking to one of the masseurs...(they are usually female but I have seen a man or too on occasion). We have ALWAYS paid $20 for an hour massage. They will ask for more, but just tell them you always pay $20 and they will accept it...but if you do get a $20 massage, you should give a generous tip if you want to be fair. That is an incredible price and it is worth EVERY penny. I usually end up giving them an additional $10 so it comes out to pretty much what they ask for in the first place.
The single problem with Mahahual beach is the roving peddlers. They are everywhere selling their trinkets. They are not aggressive though. Just politely tell them you are not interested and they will move on....but it's a constant onslaught. I will freely admit that.
Costa Maya is one of my very favorite ports and one I actually continually look forward to visiting. I cannot say that about all of the Caribbean ports.
I feel Grand Cayman is the most beautiful island we have seen. Also, it feels to be safest. With that said, it's probably the most expensive to visit. Now, if you just want to head to the beach and rent some chairs then it won't be too bad. But, if you expect to have a few drinks and maybe something to eat then look out. Which is the way we do a beach day so it adds up. The place is so beautiful that it makes higher prices seem to be more tolerable. In Cozumel, we do All inclusive beach day at Mr. Sanchos. Which is priced reasonably imo. There are a few beach breaks in Cozumel to choose from that sound similar and seem to get good reviews.
I have never done the Crystal Caves so I cannot give you any feedback on that. We did the Turtle Farm once and I really enjoyed it ! It was a much bigger operation than I ever imagined and I really enjoyed the tour. It is, unfortunately, on the opposite end of the island from where we were snorkeling so I don't know that you could do both in one port call unless you are there a very long time and have lots of energy !
So...if you want to do some excellent snorkeling for a VERY low cost, here are the details.
It is a very walkable distance from the port/compound or you can have a taxi take you (tell them you want to go to Paradise)....but we always walk.
You will be going to Paradise. How nice, right ? Just think....you can visit both Paradise and Hell in 1 day !
Turn right, out of the port/compound and stay on the sea wall road. You will pass Margaritaville, and The Hard Rock and eventually you will see the Harley Davidson distributor (these are all on the left hand side of the road across the street from the sea wall). Start looking (ocean side of the road) for a building with a green roof. It will be Paradise dive shop and Paradise Restaurant.
Go up to the dive office and tell them that you want to rent snorkel gear. It cost us $18/pp and included standard stuff - snorkel, mask and fins. Not sure if there is a children's rate or not. I think they gave us BC vests too but we didn't use them. Along with the snorkel gear, your $18 gets you a very nice table in the shade from which to operate. I think they have lockers (probably for rent) but honestly, unless you have some expensive camera equipment or something, your stuff will be fine just left near your table. There are always people in and out of the water and I just asked a nice lady if she could keep her eye on my stuff while I went in the water and I did the same for her when she went. I was never afraid of someone taking anything.
There are some steps down to the water and a very sturdy ladder to get back out of the water. It was very accessible.
There are 4 - 6 foot tarpon that just hang out right there by the restaurant (I'm sure they get fed plentifully and that's why they hang out there !). The tarpon are BIG but harmless and make for a very interesting snorkel right there at the foot of the ladder !!! There are thousands of little sun fish or clown fish...not sure what they are...but they're very cute and if you bring some dry cereal from the boat, they will eat it. The tarpon are too snooty to bother with dried cereal but the little ones love it !
So the guy at the dive shop (I can't remember his name at the moment but very nice guy) will give you pointers on where to go...but I will tell you now that the BEST snorkeling is out towards the "white" buoy. If you assume 180 degrees from left to right, the "white" buoy is about 90 degrees from the point where you enter the water...basically almost directly in the direction towards the cruise ships. The swim is a couple of 100 yards or so (I'm not very good at distances... but it's an easy swim). There was virtually no current whatsoever when we were there and we swam all over that area. There are thousands of fish, an interesting shelf (NOT "The Wall" that you hear so much about at GC...but a nice little drop-off) and that's where Dan saw the nurse shark. Very nice snorkeling. AND you will find that the people that purchased the expensive snorkeling excursions will be pulling up at the same exact buoy with their boats. You're getting the same thing they are getting for a fraction of the cost !
Then when you get back and want to take a break, the waitress will bring you a menu and you can enjoy some good food. Not GREAT food, Not CHEAP food, but good enough. It's considered good luck to eat conch when you're on GC so you should try the conch fritters. At least you can say you had some conch !
Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have a wonderful time ! I spent a week diving in GC more than 30 years ago and it is indeed one of the best diving and snorkeling places in the world.
