We just returned February 14 from a 2 week stay at the Barracuda. I wanted a room on the water with a balcony like that of Caribe Blu where I stayed last Christmas. I would have stayed at Caribe Blu, but their hotel was full. Still, at the Barracuda, which provided a balcony for every room, I got the very best deal through Travelnotes at $85 per night plus tax. The hotel's rate is $99. I really appreciate the help and information Jidan provided on the front end! Thanks, Jidan!

The Barracuda Pros:
The room was basic but clean. Dive boats can pick you up right at the Barracuda Hotel dock. The swimming pool is attractive and has a swim-up bar. The rooms are a good value. Where else can you get a view room on the water for $85 in Cozumel? It is close to Chedraui, the local supermarket. And being so close to town, is a $2-3 cab ride to most of the best restaurants. Our room's balcony was wonderful, providing a 180 degree perspective of activity on that exquisite azure Cozumel ocean, including the transit of cruise ships daily except Sundays. Wireless internet was available at the No Name bar that sits between the hotel and the ocean next to the pool, allowing us to keep in touch with family and friends and work.


The Barracuda Cons:
The shower had almost no water pressure, but was scalding hot and difficult to control the hot/cold ratio that dribbled out, but hey, we did fine just the same, it just took longer to shower. The Barracuda has those famous rock hard beds we read so much about in Cozumel. It was only slightly better than sleeping on the floor. The noise from the bar floats up to the rooms during the day, but seems to carry worse at night. The bar generally shut down by about 11:00pm or so, so for those who were getting up for a 7:30 dive boat pickup, the bar music and the loud voices could be bothersome. But for me the balcony view was worth the bar chatter. I suggest simply taking ear plugs if you must go to bed before 9pm and noise is a problem. To some degree the air conditioner helped muffle some of the sound.

General Cozumel Comments:
One of the very best things about Cozumel is the wide variety of food choices, both in price and in culinary styles. From roadside taco vendors to elegant fine dining was offered. Unless you want to hole up in some all inclusive and never go anywhere but your resort, an all inclusive is fine, though questionably worth the hefty add-on for the generally mandatory all inclusive fee. With all that Cozumel offers in terms of food, however, it is almost a crime to use an all inclusive on Cozumel, especially if one either is on a budget or enjoys trying new food.

I enjoyed Rock-n-Java, which is 100 yards from the Barracuda, a little cafe that has coffee drinks, sandwiches, HUGE salads, and a great trading library. They also are a "front" for the Cozumel Humane Society, and appreciate folks who bring books or good clothes to donate so they can raise money to fund the Humane Society. But the piece de resistance is the peanut butter milkshakes they make. Mmmmm good!

Had a very enjoyable time at Barracuda. The staff was very accomadating and the rates were great. The rooms were average but they did have air con and a fridge which is nice after spending the whole day in the sun. As for security and leaving your valubles in the room, I had no problem leaving it there. You can also put your stuff in the safe at the front office if your not to sure about it. Everyone that we meet that came through during our stay were awesome, lot's of nice people from around the globe, it's very enjoyable when you meet people that are there for a good time and some relaxing times. I will stay there again and i will recommend Barracuda to others.
Looking forward to our next trip there. See you soon.
Roy Klohn
Vancouver, Canada

Really Good:
The 3rd story balcony view alone was worth the price of the room! The view really makes it seem like a special vacation. Easy walk to town and to the local supermarket, close to Rockn Java. The staff was friendly and helpful. The cleaning staff did a great job with our room. For the first time in about 15 trips to Cozumel the shower had an unlimited supply of hot water. Cold AC. Small refrigerator, ceiling fan, cable tv. Your dive boat can pick you up right at the hotel dock.

Seems good on the website, but.......:
There is great shore access for snorkel and diving with a nice shallow area, steps and rails. I assume Dive Paradise will rent a tank. But there is usually floating debris on the surface which makes for icky snorkeling. The ocean's bottom covered with concrete debris and dangerous looking rebar in this area makes me nostalgic for lake diving, I guess the hurricane did some sandblasting here removing live ground cover. The night diving was best, we quickly found lobster and octopus right next to the dock.

Nice oceanside sandy lounging area and pool, it's public access, which is nice when it comes to the beautiful local girls who come to tan, but we did see a naked toddler peeing into the pool. As we didn't use the pool that was amusing. I liked the fact that the pool and lounging area had alot of activity. If you want peace and quiet go to Villas Las Anclas.

Can't really review the no-name-bar. Although the place put out a good vibe, we had a horrid round of margarita's the first night and never went back. (I know too many great inexpensive places to eat in walking distance and we had snacks and could make much better drinks in our room) The menu seemed pretty expensive by Cozumel standards, but the place seemed to do a brisk business and their customers always seemed to be having fun.

The Bad:
Ok, the worst thing is the rooms are very insecure. Any handyman could get into the room faster without a key faster than with one. No room safe. (Both not that uncommon in inexpensive Cozumel hotels) The staff told us that a first story room had been broken into. Next worse. Every day the 'new sheets' had gross permanent stains. When it rained, water from the balcony washed into the room, you had to shove a towel under to slow it down. Dive lockers are advertised somewhere, but they are only for Dive Paradise customers. No morning coffee. No room phones. No drinking water. The room is a bit on the small side. The toilet needed a little finesse for a good flush.

All added up:
I had such a good time that I hate to give the place only two stars. Next trip I'm likely to return. I'm now addicted to having a room with a view. But I sure wish they would fix some of the more glaring problems. I will definitely be bringing my own sheets.

I had not stayed at this hotel since my first trip to Cozumel 15 years ago. For the most part, it has not changed all that much. The rooms are adequate and clean, with small refridgerators, A/C and cable tv, but NO phones. The hotel is a short walk from town and great food, shopping. The best part is that you don't ever have to leave the hotel if you don't want to. There is a lovely pool with a swim up bar and restaurant (great food at decent prices), a sandy man-made beach, and fantastic snorkeling right off the back of the hotel. There is also an excellent car rental place called Less-Pay that is in the front of the hotel (check there site for discounts on cars-if you rent from them you also get free calls to the US.) I would most definently stay there again. Call or e-mail the hotel for discounted rates!