You can actually dive Mexico all year round, although different seasons apply to different locations within the country.

Socorro is mostly dived between November and May, and the Sea of Cortez from July through November. Diving in the Caribbean is year round with visibility good all year. For some, August through September is the best period. The Cenotes are also year round with the best light effects visible from May through September.

If you want to have encounters with these creatures and more then you should look to Pacific coast liveaboards that operate itineraries to places like Socorro (sharks and mantas), Magdalena Bay (striped marlin, sharks and whales) and the Sea of Cortez (sharks, seals, dolphins and whales).

Most of the Mexico dive sites in Playa del Carmen, Cancun and Cozumel are suitable for beginners. And if you are a bit of a "dare devil" cage diving with the sharks in Guadalupe does not require you to be an experienced diver.

You will probably need some form of wetsuit or exposure suit but the style and thickness very much depends on where you are going in Mexico. With temperatures in places like the Socorro Islands and Guadalupe ranging from 66 to 73°F (19-23°C), a 5 or 7 mm wetsuit is generally recommended. Hoods are also commonly used here.

If you are scuba diving in the Sea of Cortez or the Caribbean, the temperature range is more like 75 to 86°F (24-30°C) so often a 3 mm wetsuit is adequate. The sensible thing to do is make sure you have enough gear and replacements to cover unforeseen events.

These are trips that provide cabin accommodations and onboard scuba activities. The boat is your home for the duration of the cruise. You eat, sleep and dive on/from the boat. Liveaboards usually remain at sea for the whole trip and return to port only at the end of the cruise. Therefore you can maximize your time at the best sites.

Cruises often open up first rate opportunities at Mexican dive destinations that are far beyond the range of standard day trip boats, such as Socorro.

On liveaboard trips, you can expect between 21 and 25 dives on an average week-long trip in the Pacific. For Guadalupe, there is no diving but you can look forward to around 31 hours of cage time on a typical trip where there are 3 dive days. In the Caribbean, you can expect between 2-4 dives a day depending on which resort or daytrip operator package you booked.

Except for 1 boat, the liveaboards in Mexico do not have a single occupant cabin type of accommodation and the only way to ensure that you have a cabin all to yourself would be to pay for 2 beds. There are big differences in the policies of the liveaboard boats - you can expect to pay a supplement of 25% to 100% of the published per-person price.

You have to be fairly experienced to dive at Socorro, as you will be challenged not only by big underwater creatures but also the conditions of the water. Magdalena Bay and Sea of Cortez trips however, are designed for snorkelers and free-divers, as well as scuba divers.

We want to sell what represents the best of each location. The Pacific Coast is all about the incredible encounters with large marine creatures and these tend to be more frequent and more awesome on dive sites that are only accessed by liveaboards. We figure if you want land-based diving in Mexico then the Caribbean Sea is the best place for it all things considered: beaches, island charm, scuba diving, general tourist activities, atmosphere...

Also, there are no Mexico liveaboards in the Caribbean since the dive sites are close to the shore. If you want Caribbean liveaboards then you can use our liveaboard search to find departures in Turks & Caicos, Cuba, Saba & St. Kitts, Cayman Islands and the Bahamas.

You need a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay as well as a return ticket. US Citizens and citizens of the following countries do not require a visa to visit Mexico: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Island, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Visitors are permitted to stay for up to 30 days and extensions may be granted when in the country. You may, although it is unlikely, be asked to prove that you have sufficient funds for your visit (USD 50 per person per day).

You will be asked to complete the Tourist Card, this will be handed to you by the airlines or you can obtain one from the Mexican Immigration upon arrival. This is a 'two part' document. It must be returned to the immigration department upon your departure. Make sure you keep it safe or even make a copy of it. You can apply for an extension on your card for up to 180 days.

You should always check with the appropriate consular authorities and check that you satisfy the relevant visa requirements. Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website for current details.

Geographically, Mexico is located in North America, bordered by the United States to the north, Belize and Guatemala to its south, the Gulf of Mexico to its east and the North Pacific Ocean to its west. As such it is a blend of old world and new, a bridge between continents and a nation rich in its own cultural heritage.

It is a large and diverse country with an enormous array of tourism activities. Many visitors flock here for the beaches, the watersports and the spring break style party atmosphere which exists in many of the coastal towns. However, there is much more to Mexico as a tourist destination.

The country is peppered with ruins from the ancient Mayan civilization such as Chichen Itza and the town of Tulum. Others come for the natural wonders such as the world-famous Cenotes or the underground caves of the Rio Secreto. From fun seaside frolics in places like Cancun and Acapulco, to the architectural wonders of the many Mayan ruins, Mexico has something for travelers of every age, budget and interest.

If you are in the country primarily for the purposes of joining a Mexican liveaboard, then it is likely your sightseeing will take place on the Baja Peninsula. The Cabo area is one of those where watersports and nightlife are among the attractions. However, you can also venture into the desert, even on an ATV tour. You can go hiking and climbing at Land's End or mountain biking into the East Cape back country. More sedate activities include pottering around the historic village of Santiago and visiting its hot and cold springs. Other nearby towns worth visiting include Todos Santos, with its market, art shops and artisanal crafts.

If you pass through Ensenada you can visit La Bufadora, the only marine geyser in North America, and travel the wine route where 90% of Mexico's wine comes from. If you are joining a liveaboard dive cruise that operates out of the port of Puerto Penasco you may have time to visit the volcanic crater of El Pinacate. If you have an interest in engines, you might be excited to know that outside the town is a bit of a mecca for 4WD vehicles and ATV tours.

For more ideas visit: The Visit Mexico website.

High speed internet is now widely available in Mexico, except in the more rural areas. You are likely to find plenty of bars and cafes with WiFi services, often free of charge. A number of stand-alone WiFi services are available, which may be especially useful if you are traveling or don't have access to a land-based high speed internet connection. Due to the remote nature of the liveaboard safaris in Mexico, very few of the boats provide a wi-fi service.

The international dialing code for Mexico is +52. To make an international call, dial 00, then the international dialing code for the country you wish to call, followed by the area code and local number.

Mexico's postal service can be used for letters, postcards, greetings cards. A letter or postcard will take about a week to get to the US/Canada, and between 1 and 2 weeks to make its way back to Europe or Australia. There are 'Oficinas de Correos' in most towns and every city.

Taking care with your food and drinks in Mexico is normally the key to maintaining good health. Avoiding untreated tap water and fruits that do not require peeling makes sense. You should consult your local doctor before planning a trip to discuss any vaccinations or malaria medication that may be advised.

Mexico is not a major malaria risk area, but there are mosquitoes, especially in the rural areas, and in the jungle in the south particularly during wet season. Long sleeves, trousers and socks and using a good repellent are recommended if you are visiting the jungle.

The worst that most travelers experience is the dreaded Montezuma's Revenge (diarrhea), named after Moctezuma II (1466-1520 BCE), the Aztec ruler defeated by the Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes. His revenge upon future foreign invaders being a bad dose of the runs.

There are several hyperbaric chambers throughout Mexico; at least one in each of Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Tulum and Merida. The tourist spots all have clinics and medical centers and are used to treating foreigners for whom the costs for minor treatments are generally quite inexpensive.

Formal clothes are not really necessary for people on vacation in Mexico. Choose lightweight, cool airy clothing such as breathable dri-fit sports shirts. Short skirts are a no-no for most travelers (except spring-break college girls when they want to cover up). Most tourists keep bathing suits for the beach and pool only (except spring breakers who consider it a must-wear all-day uniform). Protection from the strong sun is highly advisable: Slip (t-shirt), slop (sun cream), slap (hat), and wrap (polarized sunglasses).

It is customary in Mexico to tip in return for good service. Look out for signs telling you that service charge is included in the price of hotels and certain tours. In such cases no further tipping is expected. However, it is worth keeping small denominations of pesos to hand for small favors like hotel porter assistance.

Mexico is the same as United States Central Time (-6 UTC).

Power is 120/240 volts AC, 60 Hz - the same voltage as in the USA. Most electrical plugs in Mexico, including the liveaboard boats, have 2 flat prongs (US style). Some have a third, circular prong and these require adaptors for most sockets.

For Cozumel there are direct flights from US, Canadian and central American cities. If you are already on the mainland, you can take the 45 minute ferry from Playa del Carmen. Tickets can be purchased at the ferry pier.

Mexico remains a safe destination for liveaboard divers despite the country's well-publicized security challenges. The drug-related violence primarily affects northern border regions far from dive locations, with dangerous cities like Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa and Ciudad Juarez being nowhere near diving areas. Even tourist spots like Acapulco that have experienced issues are distant from our recommended dive sites. The Mexican government prioritizes protecting tourists, especially in major resort areas including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and Cabo San Lucas which maintain strong safety records.

* Personal Security Measures -
Travelers should follow standard safety precautions to minimize risks:
- Use ATMs only inside bank buildings for maximum security
- Carry sufficient cash for situations where cards aren't accepted
- Dress inconspicuously with pants and sensible shoes when away from resorts
- Avoid displaying expensive items like jewelry, watches or cameras
- Keep smartphones discreet and never flash wallets in public
- Maintain awareness, stay in well-lit areas and avoid walking alone at night

* Tourist Area Safety -
The government maintains enhanced security in popular destinations:
- Resort zones receive special protection for visitors
- Diving locations remain insulated from cartel-related violence
- Qualified guides should accompany any off-the-beaten-path tours

Our affiliated hotel reservation agents hotelscombined.com have accommodations in Cabo San Lucas (if diving Socorro and Sea of Cortez), and San Diego (if diving Guadalupe). Browse the resort and hotel choices on their website, use their live chat feature to ask your questions, and then simply use your bank card to make your reservation.



From top-of-the range international beach resorts to budget guesthouses, there's something to suit everyone's taste and pocket. And you can be sure that whatever option you go for, it is backed by their 'Low Price Guarantee' so you always get good value for money.