Great choice for your first real dive trip. I love diving in Mexico because the dive boat sets up all your gear for each dive. All you do is let them suit you up and jump in the water.
I stayed right next door to DelMar when I went to Cozumel last November, 2008. My favorite dive master was free lancing with Del Mar. His name is Mateo. You will love him. The best safest dive master I have ever had. He also can tell you all the neat places to go when your not diving.
I rented a moped, but you need to feel comfortable on them because they can be dangerous if you are not careful. Cozumel Town Square is 2-3 miles from Del Mar. It is a $8 taxi ride, 10 minute ride or 45-60 minute walk.
The Town Square has all the shops and authentic Mexican restaurants. There is one restaurant that serves a 3 course meal for $7 -$10 depending on what you get. I will have to send you the name later when I remember.
Playa del Carmen is a must. Just take the ferry from the Town Square, Carmen has hundreds of shops, restaurants and beach clubs to keep you busy all day.
Del Mar has it’s own beach club. This is where you get on the dive boat. If not diving, you can snorkel at the Del Mar beach club.
There are Mayan ruins on Cozumel. Well worth the visit. 5-10 miles east of the Town Square
Del Mar resort will keep you entertained all week. There is a night club that has free salsa lessons followed by dancing. It is walking distance from Del Mar (walk north towards town). There is a sign outside that says dancing on Friday. I think it is called Palpatio (Ask Mateo)
The only other place I think worth checking out on the mainland besides del Carmen, is the Cenotes (saa-noo-teys). Cenotes are spring water caves for diving. You do not have to be cave certified. You can only dive the Cenotes with a certified Cenotes dive master. Again, Mateo is the man. If Mateo can’t take you, he will make sure you have the next best person. Cenotes are huge underwater caverns with crystal clear spring water. Not much marine live, but the stalagmites are beautiful. The Cenotes I went to had guide ropes along the entire route and I don’t remember it ever being so dark that I had to depend on my flashlight, i.e., you can always see where you are.
Send me a note if I forget to send you the name of the restaurant. It is the best deal in town. They have a sister restaurant that is in an old