If you're planning a scuba diving vacation, Mexico is the perfect destination. In Mexico, there's an amazing variety of destinations to choose from, prices are reasonable, and there's plenty to do out of the water as well.
In Mexico, you can choose among the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez for your scuba trip. You'll need a short wet suit for the warmer, summer months and a heavier . 3 to 5 mm . full wet suit for the colder months of the year. It's possible to dive pretty much all year round in Mexico, although visibility is greatly affected by plankton blooming during April, May, September and October. In addition, the warmest months are June to September, while the coldest are December through February.
As far as destinations go, scuba diving in the Yucatan is very popular and offers the opportunity to see a number of different types of wildlife. You can see whales there almost year around or, if you'd like the opportunity to see a great white shark up close, consider a cage dive at Isla Guadeloupe. You can also see hammerheads, whale sharks and mantas on the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula. If you prefer your wildlife a little more tame, there are plenty of sponges and turtles to capture your attention at Playa del Carmen.
Also in the Yucatan peninsula, you'll have the opportunity to dive in a cenotes. Cenotes, which means .sacred well,. were considered to be sacred to the ancient Mayan people, as they were often the only sources of fresh water in the jungle. The cenotes were important in Mayan mythology and were traditionally thought to be entrances to the underworld. You can dive in these amazing underground caverns and you may even see artifacts left behind many years ago during Mayan rituals. You'll need special certification for the caves, but to dive in the cenotes, you need no advanced training.
The Chinchorro Bank . a huge coral reef surrounding a lagoon . is another popular scuba destination in Mexico. The reef itself is about nine miles wide and 29 miles long, making it the second largest in the world. There are also more than 20 ships that have been claimed by the reef that make for some fascinating wreck diving. Stay nearby in Xcalak and Mahahual to really get a feel for Mexican culture.
Another diving option is Puerto Vallarta, where you can snorkel with sea lions. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about these amazing animals and to see first-hand some of the other animals that make up the rich marine life of Banderas Bay.
If you're interested in scuba diving, but aren't yet certified, don't worry. There are more than a few dive shops in Mexico that offer instruction and can have you certified and ready for open water dives before you know it. When you take that into consideration, there should be nothing stopping you from planning your perfect diving vacation in Mexico!
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