PADI Open Water Diver Course in Playa del Carmen
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 43 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is PADI Open Water Diver Course in Playa del Carmen worth booking?
PADI Open Water Diver Course in Playa del Carmen is a 76-hour experience in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, from $590 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 43 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 78 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (43)
- Duration
- 76 hours
- From
- $590 per person
The PADI Open Water Diver course is the world's most popular and internationally recognized scuba diving course. It will open an entirely new and adventurous world to you. The certification entitles you to discover the b
What you get
- Drinking water at center and on boat
- Professional PADI Instructor (Eng/ Spa/ other languages on request)
- Full scuba diving equipment
- 4 open water boat dives along the Riviera Maya
- PADI Touch e-learning registration & fee (all languages)
- 5 confined water sessions (pool)
About this experience
The PADI Open Water Diver course is the world's most popular and internationally recognized scuba diving course. It will open an entirely new and adventurous world to you. The certification entitles you to discover the beautiful underwater world in depths of up to 18m/ 60ft together with your dive buddy. You can complete theory and exam at your own pace from the comfort of your home, after we registered you with PADI e-learning.
What's included
Included
- Drinking water at center and on boat
- Professional PADI Instructor (Eng/ Spa/ other languages on request)
- Full scuba diving equipment
- 4 open water boat dives along the Riviera Maya
- PADI Touch e-learning registration & fee (all languages)
- 5 confined water sessions (pool)
- PADI certification
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Playa del Carmen
IMPORTANT!!! ScubaCaribe is located in Playacar's hotel zone. When booking, please state the full name of your hotel. Based on this information, we will provide you with the correct meeting point and time in Playacar.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
IMPORTANT!!! ScubaCaribe is located in Playacar's hotel zone. When booking, please state the full name of your hotel. Based on this information, we will provide you with the correct meeting point and time in Playacar.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- ScubaCaribe Mexico
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- PLEASE, CONTACT SCUBACARIBE AT LEAST 1 DAY PRIOR TO ACTIVITY
- Minimum age is 10 years
- Diving within 24 hours of flying is not recommended.
- Please preview ScubaCaribe's medical questionnaire to ensure that you are fit for diving, in case you require a medical statement from your doctor.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 43 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
43 verified traveler reviews for PADI Open Water Diver Course in Playa del Carmen. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
The perfect place to learn to scuba dive
Great experience! If you want to learn to scuba dive, this is the place. Our instructor, Jorge, was awesome. Super knowledgeable, very funny and made the experience great.
Response from the operator: Hi, thank you so much for your amazing review! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great scuba diving experience and that Jorge made it both fun and memorable. We'll be sure to share your kind words with him. We hope to welcome you back for more underwater adventures soon! Warmly, Customer Care Team!
via Tripadvisor
Outstanding open water certification experience with Scuba Caribe
My experience getting open water certified with Scuba Caribe was outstanding. Maria was very responsive online setting up my referral course and Rodri in the office was helpful in finalizing the courses and paperwork. My two instructors, Dany and Lot, were both excellent, knowledgeable and informative. Most of all, they were both very patient and encouraging, which made the dives fun as well as stress free. Plus Playa Del Carmen is a great place to get certified, with warm and calm water and many interesting dive sites nearby. Overall, a great experience with a team that is focused on making you feel welcome and comfortable.
Response from the operator: Hi! Thank you so much for your review! 🤿💙 We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed your PADI course with Maria and danny and that her professionalism, patience, and clarity made your experience excellent. We’re also pleased that the team and the boats lived up to your expectations. We look forward to seeing you again soon for more underwater adventures. 🌊✨Customer Care Team
via Tripadvisor
Best OW course!
Today we finished our Open Water course. Our instructor Jorge was fantastic and very educational in all stages. We felt very safe with him and all the staff at Scubacaribe in Rui Yacutan (Playa del Carmen) are very helpful and nice. So of course we booked 2 more dives with Jorge as new OW divers.😃 A big thank you from Mathias and Inka! 😃
Response from the operator: Hi Matias & Inka, Congratulations on your new certification we are very glad that you chose ScubaCaribe as your dive center to get certified, we are glad to know that you continued to feed back what you learned with new dives and that you felt safe at all times, we hope to see you soon and continue being part of this new stage as OWD. Warmly Customer Care Team
via Tripadvisor
SCUBA Diver Experience
Whilst on holiday in Mexico I had a try dive with Muni. It was a very relaxed, rewarding and enjoyable experience. I then followed this up with official Padi Certification. The reefs we visited were great, lots of fish, Moray eels and even a stingray! I definately recommend Muni as an experienced instructor, verycslm and reassuring manner.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing your experience! At ScubaCaribe, we believe that a top-notch introduction to diving can genuinely make a difference in gaining the confidence needed to take the next step... Congratulations on earning your PADI certification, Alan! Exploring those vibrant reefs with their rich marine life is an adventure in itself, and we’re thrilled that Muni's calm and reassuring approach helped guide you through this exciting journey. We’re proud to offer experiences that create lifelong memories and inspire new divers to continue exploring and improving their skills. Thank you for recommending Muni as an instructor, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more incredible dives!
via Tripadvisor
Great staff. Great material. Awesome dives
Great staff. Excellent coach made our kids confident with good learning curve and pleasure. Material in great conditions. Safety first and main concern of all scubamasters. Always enough staff and masters to support the binômes
Response from the operator: Hi Nico! We are delighted to read your opinion; our team is always friendly and attentive to our customers because your safety is paramount for us. We hope to see you again soon. Warmly
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 76 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 10+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 15
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 78
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
PADI Open Water Diver Course in Playa del Carmen: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Playa del Carmen.
How much does PADI Open Water Diver Course in Playa del Carmen cost?
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Prices start at $590 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Playa del Carmen usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does PADI Open Water Diver Course in Playa del Carmen take?
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Plan for about 76 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Playa del Carmen is not rushed.
Is PADI Open Water Diver Course in Playa del Carmen worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 43 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Playa del Carmen, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule PADI Open Water Diver Course in Playa del Carmen?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is PADI Open Water Diver Course in Playa del Carmen suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 10. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 76-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book PADI Open Water Diver Course in Playa del Carmen?
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Around 15 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Playa del Carmen can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Playa del Carmen and add a light layer if any part of the 76-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does PADI Open Water Diver Course in Playa del Carmen start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Playa del Carmen within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Playa del Carmen?
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On Outty we rank every Playa del Carmen experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include VIP Chichen Itza Private Tour, VIP Tulum Private Tour, Chichen Itza Private Tour VIP. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Playa del Carmen?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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