Frequently Asked Questions

Below you can see some of the questions we get asked frequently. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us through the form here!

How does the price list work?

The daily training rate price list includes all expenses that occur in a particular training program. All transportation is included to and from the dive site and the shop. All breathing gases, except helium, are based on full tanks each diving day. For Rebreather divers, a fresh Co2 absorbent fill is included for each diving day. Entrance fees for cenotes and the teaching fee are included as well.

We did not include the workbook and manual in the cost of the course because we have many students who order the materials before arriving in order to pre-read them. We can send the materials to you prior to your course start date. We do not include the c-card in the daily rate because all courses are performance-based and certification must be earned. Boat rental and helium based breathing gases are charged as needed for training programs.

Is the daily rate the final price?

No, the additional costs to a course or service depend on a variety of factors and the carachteristics of the specific course. The additional costs may include special gas mixes, absorbent, boat costs (in case of boat dives), certification costs and material costs. All of these are found in our price lists, please enquire about the total cost of your class when requesting booking information.

How do I book my dives or training?

Once you decide you want to book dives or training with us, we need a deposit from you via paypal for booking confirmation. Once we have received a deposit and confirmed that we have you on our schedule, we will guarantee your training time. We use paypal for consumer protection. Your protection. We do not take credit card information over the phone or via email.

How can I pay for my dives or training?

You can pay your deposit by wire transfer or pay pal. Once you are here, you can pay the balance with credit card (Visa, Master Card and American Express), USD cash or paypal.

What if I need extra training days?

Extra training days may be necessary to complete your training and are not included. Extra training days are charged at our daily training rate. We strongly recommend you plan ahead and bring enough to cover one or two extra days of training prior to your scheduled departure date. See the individual course description for information on the minimum training days required for each training program.

What about diving equipment?

We encourage divers and students to own their own equipment in order to participate in diving or training programs. For those divers with lost luggage upon arrival, divers who need to travel light or divers who do not yet own their full kit of dive gear, we do have a selection of rental gear available. For our students who would like to purchase diving equipment, we have a full line of technical, wreck and cave diving equipment available in our retail section. You will need to bring your own 5mm wetsuit, hood, booties, fins and dive computer.

What about Co2 absorbent for Rebreather divers?

The daily rate price list is based on the fact that we change Co2 absorbent prior to manufacturer recommended absorbent duration for each particular Rebreather to allow plenty of dive time during each diving day, including ample reserves in Co2 absorbent time. We believe it is prudent, safe Rebreather diving technique to do so.

What is expected from me as a student?

We expect our students to be on time, awake and with a good attitude toward the training they are going to receive. We discourage smoking altogether and particularly prior to diving. We understand that you are on vacation, but if you arrive on our premises smelling of alcohol, the diving day is over for you. We ask our students and divers to be gentle with our dive gear and vehicles. We hope to maintain our rental dive gear in good working order for the next student or diver. All our vehicles are private vehicles. Please be gentle, they are not rentals.

How about safety?

We excel at providing a positive and safe environment in and out of the water, during training or during fun dives. We err on the side of caution and our extensive experience backs our decision making regarding safety and conservation. Our dive plans include additional voluntary safety measures at all levels of diving and training. When we go diving, we (and you) agree that it is safe to dive. If there is any doubt about the safety of the dive, it is called and aborted, whether that is prior to or during the dive. Anyone can call the dive for any reason.

What exposure protection is needed for diving in the Cenotes?

The water tempreature is 26 °c/78°f year round.

We suggest you use a 5mm wetsuit with hood as a minimum. But we recommend diving a drysuit (preferably with p-valve) and thin undergarments. Diving a dry suit allows you to preserve energy through long days and aids with refining buoyancy and trim.

Do you need any special vaccinations when traveling to Mexico?

No, there are no specific vacinations needed when visiting Mexico. There is also very little to no risk of malaria in Mexico. Antimalarial tablets are not currently recommended for travellers to Mexico, though you should practise insect bite avoidance.

Is it safe to visit Mexico?

Whilst there are high crime rates in certain areas of Mexico, it is extremely safe throughout the state of Quintana Roo, where both our stores are located. We find many of our guests are surprised by how relaxed and safe they feel in Mexico, in comparison to what their previous impressions may have been.

What currency is used in Mexico?

The national currency is the Mexican Peso, however US dollars are widely accepted throughout the country. At ProTec we accept both of these currencies aswell as Euros. Money exchange kiosks can be found within a 5 minutes walk from either of our locations, should you need to exchange any money during your stay with us.

What electrical system is used in Mexico, 110V or 220V?

The electrical system in Mexico is 110 volts AC (60 cycles), as in the United States and Canada.

When is the best time to visit?

ProTec dive centers is open 365 days a year to cater to all of your diving needs. The cenotes are not affected by the weather as the ocean is, so we are lucky enough to be able to offer swimming pool like conditions with amazing vizibilty all year round. The dry season between December and April. The coolest months are between December and February, although temperatures can still reach averages of 82°F during the dry season. The wet season begins in the south in May and lasts until October.

Can you help me with booking my accommodations?

Yes we can. On the second floor of our Tulum facility you can find “The BaseCamp”. Comfortable and affordable air conditioned rooms with free wifi, designed by divers for divers.

Our Playa Del Carmen facilitiy is located next door to Moms Hotel. A family ran hotel in the center of town offering basic accommodation with free wifi and air conditioning.

Should our on site accommodations not meet your requirements we are happy to help you in your search. There is an abundance of hotels, hostels, apartments and villas, in both Playa Del Carmen and Tulum, to suit all tastes and budgets.

What does a typical day of training look like?

Training with us will vary from day to day and course to course. But typically your day will be filled with a mix of theory sessions, land based exercises at the cenote, confined water training, openwater dives or overhead dives.

Theory sessions take place in our state of the art multimedia supported, air conditioned classroom on site in both of our facilities. We have complimentary coffee for all guests throughout the day to keep those minds focused!

Land drills will generally take place at the cenote dependant on weather conditions.

With swimming pool like conditions all year round and amazing cristal clear water, we do all of our confined water training in the open water area of the cenote itself.

At the end of each day you and your instructor will discuss your progress and analyze any training videos taken during the day.

We pride oursleves on our high standards of teaching and this will shine through with our team. Each in water session, confined or other will start with a thorough briefing outlining clear and measurable objectives whilst focussing on team diving and safety. After each session you and your instructor will debrief the dive and not only highlight your short comings – but explain to you why you are doing it and what you need to do to fix the issue.

We provide a safe and controlled learning evironment in order for you to reach your diving goals.

What does a typical day of guided diving look like?

Our team of professional cave diving instructors will be able to show you some of the best dives the area has to offer!

We will meet at the shop in the morning to prepare tanks and equipment for the day. Your guide will be able to help you with any equipment you might need, either from our retail section or fully stocked rental department.

Depending on where we dive the drive to the cenote will be between 5 – 55 minutes long. Once at the cenote your guide will give you a site briefing, highlighting various points of interest and potential hazards along the way. Once all the equipment is prepared for the dive, your guide will give you a detailed briefing of the dive outlining emergency procedures. If you are diving in the overhead environment your guide will use a map during the briefing. The duration of the dive will depend on the type of dive we are doing and your gas consumption.

During the surface interval we will have a nice relaxed break and enjoy some food and drinks. Your guide will bring a large cooler with them everyday for you to use.

Another detailed briefing followed by an afternoon dive, either at the same site or we will drive to another one which is dependant on the level we are diving at.

If you have an specific time you need to be finished by just let us know – we can move with a prupose, of course without rushing your special day!

How do I get to the shop?

ProTec Playa Dive Center is located in the downtown area of Playa del Carmen on Calle 4 at the corner of Avenida 30, inside Mom’s Hotel and opposite an OXXO convenience store. In close proximity to 5th Avenue and the Cozumel ferry dock.

ProTec Tulum is located in the downtown area of Tulum on Avenida Satelite and corner of Calle Tun-Kul, close to the CocoPesa Hardware Store.

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“This is the fourth time that we have used ProTec Dive Center in Tulum and they remain absolutely superb.”

Jonathan A.