We here at Village Tan Kah and Scuba Shack Cozumel have always strived to give you personal service, however, at times we can only be in so many places at once.  With all the changes and updates related to COVID-19, we thought we’d try to put together this FAQ page to try and give you answers to your questions.  We’ll do our best to update information as it changes and add new information as we get it.  If you have contacted us with questions about planning your trip and were referred to this page we hope you understand that this was done to provide you with the most comprehensive information.  If you’re still not finding an answer to your question(s) please let us know and we’ll get back to you.

Planning your trip

Q: What is with this whole color rating system?  What is meant in the Newsletter when you say, “We are still in the Orange…”?

A:  We have a full page here on our website devoted to this, CLICK HERE for the COVID status page.  What it means is, Mexico has a new system that is an indicator for everyone as to the status of Covid in each state.  For both hotels and scuba diving, they have designated the following capacities: RED=15 %, ORANGE=30 %, YELLOW=60 %, GREEN=100 %

Q:  Are there travel restrictions to or from Mexico that would prevent me from flying to Cozumel?

A: No.  There has been a lot of misinformation in this area because the U.S. Mexico LAND border crossings do have restrictions.  Those restrictions do not apply to airline travel.  There are also no CDC or WHO restrictions that would prevent you coming from or returning to the United States (and most other countries).  CLICK HERE to go to our separate travel information page.

Q: Do I need Trip Insurance?

A: Unfortunately there is not a Yes/No answer to this question.  This is really something you must look into and decide for yourself.  However we did put together a little article to explain more and hopefully help guide through this confusing process.  CLICK HERE to learn more.

Q:  Are airlines flying to Cozumel.

A: Yes, however there have been a lot of changes to the airlines schedules and even which airlines are flying direct into Cozumel.  We have put together a separate Airline Information page, CLICK HERE.  This information changes frequently so be sure to check with your airline directly.

Q: Are you open?

A: Yes we are open!! YAAAYY!!  The Mexican health authorities have come out with an indicator system for the capacity that all businesses can operate at.  There is a color scheme that indicates the percentage to capacity that we can operate at.  CLICK HERE to be taken to our page that shows the current status as well as additional information.  We also post this information to Facebook so if you are not already, follow us on Facebook HERE

Q: Is everything else in Cozumel open?

A: The information changes weekly, depending on the “stoplight” color rating system.  For some businesses this can vary daily, depending on when the owner wants to open.  Right now, tourism is considered essential business so things associated with tourism can be open – hotels, restaurants, diving… things like that.  So beach clubs are not open.  Neither are bars.  If you are staying at an all-inclusive resort, they will have their own rules but I imagine they will serve liquor since they have a restaurant. that serves food.  

All businesses on the island are required to operate within the government’s mandated capacity requirements.  CLICK HERE to see more information on those requirements.   Almost all  restaurants are open at least for carry out.  Many of them are open for dine in.  Many other tourist attractions on the island are beginning to open but they need to operate within the capacity restrictions.  Souvenir shops and things like that are not yet open.  But will open when we turn to yellow.

Scuba Shack

Q: Do you still rent gear?

A: Yes, we have a full section of rental gear to suit your diving needs so if you don’t have your own gear, or just don’t want to haul it with, we have you covered.  

Q: Do you sanitize rental gear?

A: Yes.  We are washing/scrubbing with soap and water with a drop or 2 of bleach.  For regulators, we will rewash right in front of you or you can purchase/bring your own mouthpiece.

Q:  Can I rinse my own gear after each dive without risk of contamination?

A:  Yes. I have added in more spigots at the rinse tank but that is not really working.  Today we are putting a private container under the spigot so that each person will have their own mini rinse tank.  The water will be tossed after the diver is finished using it.  

Q: Do you have update procedures for dive boats regarding capacity and gear handling.

A:  Yes, there are some different procedures for operations on the boats.  The boats must operate at the capacities based on the government’s current status requirements.  CLICK HERE for more information on those standards.  You will be fully briefed on boat operations upon your arrival and each day before your dive.  Here are some of the highlights:  * Boats are operating at reduced capacity to allow for social distancing.  *  The crew will no longer handle your regulators, divers will be required to complete their gear assembly prior to each dive.  The crew will help you with the lifting of tanks, weights and heavy BCDs if needed.  *  The crew will no longer handle your mask.  Yes we can give defog.  If we do indeed need to touch your mask or reg while on the boat, we have soap and water on the boat so that we can all wash after that.  Our crews are still available to assist you entering and exiting the water, and providing the best, most safe, dive experience we can while still adhering to restrictions imposed due to COVID.

Q:  Do you still offer beverages and your world-famous cakes during surface intervals?

A:  Short answer Yes to both.  Beverages are still available.  We have reusable, Scuba Shack souvenir refillable water bottles on the boat each day for each diver.  This is actually a practice we enacted a couple years ago to eliminate single use plastic bottles, cups and other waste.  

There is also, still, a large water jug on the boat to refill your water bottle if need be.  Special handling precautions are in place for refilling your water bottle, please ask your boat crew.  Napkins are on the boat so that the crew will not touch the bottle or can of soft drink.   And, yes, the cakes are still available as a little snack during your surface interval.  We have added little tongs to the containers so that each person does not have to reach into the container, a member of the boat crew will hand out the bread.

Village Tan Kah

Q: Is Village Tan Kah open?

A: Yes we are!!! We are allowed to operate at capacity as set forth by the government.  CLICK HERE to see our page on the government requirements for operating capacities.  We have new cleaning procedures in place for all rooms before you arrive and throughout your stay.  

Tables and counters are washed multiple times a day.  We are looking into organic cleaning/disinfecting products to minimize the use of harsh chemicals but yet still keep things cleaned and sanitized. 

Q:  Are the rooms sanitized after one set of guests leaves and before another arrives?

A:  Yes. The housekeeping staff  have been trained on how to clean EVERYTHING !! – door knobs, light switches, fridge handles, microwave handles, etc etc.  Rooms are sanitized every month.  And with occupation low, we are leaving days in between reservations so that we can clean thoroughly.  All curtains and sofa cushions are washed after every customer change.  We even wash the hammocks.

Q:  Do you still offer continental breakfast buffet in the morning?

A:  Yes, we still offer breakfast in the morning.  We still have “Mr. Coffee” makers in all the rooms, so if you are a coffee drinker you can make coffee in your room in the morning.  There is not a communal coffee pot at this time.  We do have breakfast and the cereal as before, but there is a gel bottle right next to it.  Guests are encouraged to use good sanitation practices and be mindful of other guests.  Yogurt, jams, and that stuff are now in individual containers that you take and use.  There are tongs for each person so that people can have their own to serve themselves fruit and bread.   Juice and milk are in individual glasses that you grab.  So much more stuff to deal with.  

Did find the answers you were looking for?  Have additional questions?  Click the button below to send us a special email from this page and we’ll get back to you.  We may even find that your question(s) will help others and add them to this page.

If the button doesn’t work for you email us at: Roberta@scubashackcoz.com