Explore Mexican Caves and Cenotes with Advanced Diver Mexico (Playa del Carmen)

I first tried diving in the cenotes in 2009 while getting a PADI Cavern cert. Since then, having gotten the cave bug, I have gotten Full Cave certified, as well as three or four advanced certs. All certifications from Full on have been with Marcia at Advanced Diver Mexico. He is beyond fantastic, and extremely knowledgeable. In addition, he will make you feel like you are a close friend- while training you to do one of the most dangerous sports in the world. I have been involved with several other instructors in the Yucatan and can say he is the one I asked to train my son, as well as two of my close friends. He will get them trained safely. Give him a try!

USA

I got there through a reference from an Austrian guide in Playa del Carmen as he was not certified for full cave training. So i went to "Advanced Diver Mexico". Having no clue how this is going to be I had to answer the first question of Marcia (boss of Advanced Diver Mexico) right away without being prepared: "Why do you want to do this ? It's dangerous !". I guess my answer was "good enough" as Marcia started to train me step by step to become a "Full Cave Certified" Diver (+DPV, +Sidemount, +Nitrox, ...). Not in one session of course, but over time. The training was unexpectedly tough and every single debriefing you get the feedback right in your face, usually it ends like "...and that’s how you die!". As i am writing this review i didn't die yet, so his training was successful :) As Marcia is a local he is well connected and knows every single location down there which is very helpful, also for the timing to get to the location before all the "tourists" are arriving. All cave dives (after certification) with him were totally relaxed without having any time pressure. The breaks in between are being used for either additional information and/or feedback (also outside of a course) which is not the standard down there. Another advantage is that he is letting you do your mistakes (as long as they are not too dangerous) just to put you in situation where you realize by yourself that you should have done it right/different from the beginning (during the briefing/preparation phase). As the training requires you being self-sufficient afterwards that's the only way you learn I guess: making and solving your own mistakes under Marcia's supervision. An additional big plus is his availability in case you have a question afterwards, you may always contact him and he will help you if he can (e.g. new equipment configuration). Pricewise all companies down there are on the same level therefore there's not much to rate here. Overall my rating is 5 stars if you are looking for very good/intense cave training in a relaxed and family-like atmosphere where you actually get a lot (experience adn support) for the money you spent. Hint: If you go there due to my review just say hello from me (Adrian) and he might provide 1 Corona for you :)

Germany

Tomé la IANTD Cavern & introducción a campo de cueva con ADM en 2015 Marzo con MARCIA como el instructor. Me quedé muy impresionado con el nivel de instrucción. Aquí se hace hincapié en la capacitación y cumplen con los estándares, y no en conseguir un certificado lujoso. Así que se paga sin embargo muchos días, se requiere para que cumplan las normas de ser un buceador seguro de la cueva. No es fácil, pero si lo que quieres es con seguridad participar en el deporte, es la única manera de ir. Después del curso, pasé 2 días en inmersiones guiadas con MARCIA y lo pasamos fenomenal vez poner en práctica las habilidades que aprendimos. MARCIA era genial por ser paciente y hizo que la experiencia sea agradable, aún así nos dio recomendaciones sobre cómo mejorar como buzos de la cueva. Además, después del curso MARCIA hizo todo lo posible para ayudarnos con nuestros planes futuros de viajes!

España