Aura Grand Resort - Cozumel, Mexico
This review deserves to start off with “a fantastic vacation and all around experience was found at Aura, Cozumel”. We couldn’t have asked for better weather for the duration of the trip. As equally impressive is the staff at Aura. Morning through the late hours, the staff is pleasant, personable, cordial and always patient and courteous.
After an extensive search and reading many reviews, we decided on the all-inclusive resort that offers only ocean view suites, some with swim up porches and others with private pools (not hot-tubs, concrete pools of the top floor above your suite). All options offer its own experience, we stayed in the suite with private pool. It is very cool, others we met had 2nd floor balconies and others had swim-ups – all were pleased. Rooms are neat and clean and pretty well maintained. Maybe a little dated on the furniture. The landscaping and beach areas were also well groomed.
We met many folks that were repeat visitors (years and years). This is an adult only resort (no kids allowed). Families are at their sister property (next door). Adults can share both properties. The bars serve all day and into the night. No dancing per say though – its what you make it – lots of good folks to hang with.
The food quality and selection at the restaurants at Aura is good. You won’t go hungry. Options are limited at Aura (one restaurant and bar food or room service 24 hours). You can go to Sabor and selection increases with a good Asian Fusion, Italian, buffet and grill, along with bar food. Reservations are not available and during our stay, the Asian Fusion had 45 minute wait times and stop adding to the wait list at 9PM sharp. Long pants and closed shoes are required for men eating inside at night.
The on-site dive shop (Dive Palancar) offers Discovery diving lessons as well as full dive trips, snorkeling, para-sailing, hobie-cats, deep sea fishing and jet ski rentals… In other words, you’ll never run out of things to do, unless you want to relax, then there are many ways to do that too. Our Dive Master (Fabien) was great, very patient and thorough for beginners and technical for the experienced. Luis (photgrapher from the dive shop) comes down, shoots your dive, edits pics and provides DVD for a nominal fee. His pics are included in this pictorial.
Tips for the trip – bring water shoes, thermal cups with lids (over-sized are OK, they will fill these and they are very convenient), lots of sun block, pool floats (they have a few, but JIC), bug spray.
Don’t’s for the trip: Unless you are interested in buying more vacation time in Cozumel or Cancun, don’t be fooled leaving airport Customs and security. They will lead you right to time-share sales folks that are good at what they do. They have good offers, but can consume ½ a day if you’re not careful. We spoke with folks that did get all the perks, but at a price…
Service at the resort is top notch...seriously! Food and drinks (top shelf) are good, and plenty of it. The staff is so friendly. Although tipping is not required, I suggest bringing a bunch of singles (and $5’s) to show your appreciation. Their English is very good too. You’ll learn the buzz words needed during your stay.
Oh and you’ll see in my pictorial that I like sunsets... Aura sunsets are amazing… Hope to see you there someday.
Read MoreAfter an extensive search and reading many reviews, we decided on the all-inclusive resort that offers only ocean view suites, some with swim up porches and others with private pools (not hot-tubs, concrete pools of the top floor above your suite). All options offer its own experience, we stayed in the suite with private pool. It is very cool, others we met had 2nd floor balconies and others had swim-ups – all were pleased. Rooms are neat and clean and pretty well maintained. Maybe a little dated on the furniture. The landscaping and beach areas were also well groomed.
We met many folks that were repeat visitors (years and years). This is an adult only resort (no kids allowed). Families are at their sister property (next door). Adults can share both properties. The bars serve all day and into the night. No dancing per say though – its what you make it – lots of good folks to hang with.
The food quality and selection at the restaurants at Aura is good. You won’t go hungry. Options are limited at Aura (one restaurant and bar food or room service 24 hours). You can go to Sabor and selection increases with a good Asian Fusion, Italian, buffet and grill, along with bar food. Reservations are not available and during our stay, the Asian Fusion had 45 minute wait times and stop adding to the wait list at 9PM sharp. Long pants and closed shoes are required for men eating inside at night.
The on-site dive shop (Dive Palancar) offers Discovery diving lessons as well as full dive trips, snorkeling, para-sailing, hobie-cats, deep sea fishing and jet ski rentals… In other words, you’ll never run out of things to do, unless you want to relax, then there are many ways to do that too. Our Dive Master (Fabien) was great, very patient and thorough for beginners and technical for the experienced. Luis (photgrapher from the dive shop) comes down, shoots your dive, edits pics and provides DVD for a nominal fee. His pics are included in this pictorial.
Tips for the trip – bring water shoes, thermal cups with lids (over-sized are OK, they will fill these and they are very convenient), lots of sun block, pool floats (they have a few, but JIC), bug spray.
Don’t’s for the trip: Unless you are interested in buying more vacation time in Cozumel or Cancun, don’t be fooled leaving airport Customs and security. They will lead you right to time-share sales folks that are good at what they do. They have good offers, but can consume ½ a day if you’re not careful. We spoke with folks that did get all the perks, but at a price…
Service at the resort is top notch...seriously! Food and drinks (top shelf) are good, and plenty of it. The staff is so friendly. Although tipping is not required, I suggest bringing a bunch of singles (and $5’s) to show your appreciation. Their English is very good too. You’ll learn the buzz words needed during your stay.
Oh and you’ll see in my pictorial that I like sunsets... Aura sunsets are amazing… Hope to see you there someday.
