PADI 5 Star Dive Center · Playa del Carmen
About Xico Dive Center
Xico Dive Center is an official PADI 5 Star Dive Center in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. We combine small-group diving, professional training, experienced local operations and an easy location close to the beach and boat pickup.
A PADI 5 Star Dive Center in Playa del Carmen
Xico Dive Center is an official PADI 5 Star Dive Center in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Our PADI Dive Center number is S29477. We welcome first-time divers, certified recreational divers, families, returning students and experienced divers looking to explore more of the Riviera Maya.
From our Playa del Carmen base, we organize local reef diving, cenote diving, direct Cozumel trips, night dives, seasonal bull shark experiences, private snorkeling and multi-day dive itineraries. For new and continuing students, our PADI training programs range from Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water through Advanced, Rescue, specialties and Divemaster training.
Our approach is simple: clear logistics, personal service, well-maintained equipment and dive plans that match each guest's certification, experience and comfort level. We want divers to spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying the water.
What Makes Xico Different?
We built Xico around practical details that make a dive vacation easier, safer and more personal.
Small-Group Focus
More direct communication, easier planning and dive profiles matched to the people actually in the group.
Close to the Boat
Our Playa del Carmen dive center is close to the beach and local boat pickup, keeping dive-day logistics simple.
Modern Rental Gear
We maintain a dedicated rental, cleaning and repair setup so equipment can be prepared and checked properly.
Reefs, Cenotes & Cozumel
One base gives divers access to Playa del Carmen reefs, Riviera Maya cenotes and direct Cozumel diving.
Training for Every Stage
As a PADI 5 Star Dive Center, we support first dives, full certifications, continuing education and professional development.
Real Local Operations
Our boats, captains, instructors, equipment areas and transport are part of the operation guests see and use every day.
Dive Center & Facilities
Visit our PADI 5 Star Dive Center in Playa del Carmen, with dedicated areas for guests, equipment, cleaning, maintenance and dive preparation.
Locker Room
Secure storage for personal belongings while you are diving or training.
Rental Gear & Cleaning Area
Dedicated equipment storage, rental preparation and cleaning facilities.
Showers & Changing
Freshwater showers, changing space and towels after your dive.
Outdoor Seating
A comfortable place for briefings, surface-interval conversations and post-dive time.
Office & Refreshments
Our booking and check-in area with complimentary drinking water and coffee.
Repair Room
On-site space for equipment maintenance, servicing and routine fixes.
Meet the Xico Team
Our instructors, divemasters and captains bring together training experience, local knowledge and years of work on the Caribbean coast.
Santiago
Head Instructor
Originally from Tres Lomas, Argentina, Santiago brings experience, energy and a calm teaching style to our training team. He teaches in Spanish and English and works with divers from first-time programs through continuing education.
Morgan
Dive Instructor
Originally from Misiones, Argentina, Morgan is a multilingual instructor who speaks Spanish, English and Portuguese. Alongside teaching and guiding, he also supports equipment repairs and regulator servicing.
Lukas
Divemaster
From Arica, Chile, Lukas is a bilingual Spanish-English Divemaster who brings focus, enthusiasm and a strong connection to the ocean to guided dives and guest support.
Cirilo
Captain
Originally from Veracruz, Mexico, Cirilo brings many years of experience at sea. He speaks Spanish and English and combines strong local boat knowledge with a friendly, professional approach.
Henry
Captain
Originally from Chiapas, Mexico, Henry brings energy and solid boat-handling skills to our team. He helps keep departures smooth, organized and enjoyable from the moment guests step aboard.
Faustino
Captain
Originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, Faustino has extensive experience working at sea and knows the waters around Playa del Carmen extremely well. He speaks Spanish and English.
Geremias
Captain
From Yucatán, Geremias brings decades of experience on the water. Fluent in Spanish and Mayan, he combines calm boat handling with deep local knowledge of the Caribbean coast.
Toni
Captain
Originally from Yucatán, Mexico, Toni brings years of experience at sea and a professional, welcoming attitude to every trip. He supports both diving and snorkeling operations.
Our Boats
Different group sizes and activities need different boats. Our fleet gives us flexibility for local diving, smaller groups and private snorkeling trips.
Julia
Julia is our 25-foot Argo powered by a Suzuki 140. She is well suited to smaller dive groups and private snorkeling trips, with partial shade and back-roll water entries.
Leia
Leia is our 36-foot boat powered by twin Yamaha 300 engines. She is our largest boat and is used for many Playa del Carmen dive departures and larger private groups, with partial shade and comfortable working space for divers.
No Limit
No Limit is a 28-foot boat powered by a Yamaha 150. She is a versatile option for Playa del Carmen diving and private snorkeling, with partial shade and back-roll entries.
Fräulein
Fräulein is a 26-foot Imenza powered by a Yamaha 115. She is used primarily for relaxed private snorkeling trips and smaller outings, with partial shade and cushioned seating.
Cenote Transport
Cenote diving requires dependable transport for divers, tanks and equipment. Our vehicles support the daily logistics between Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya dive sites.
Chevrolet Colorado
Our Chevrolet Colorado is one of the main vehicles used for cenote diving. It provides comfortable transport for divers while carrying tanks, equipment and coolers securely.
Chevrolet Cheyenne
Our Chevrolet Cheyenne, known around Xico as the Monster Truck or Panzer, gives us additional capacity for cenote logistics, equipment and dive-day transport.
The Story Behind the Name Xico
The name Xico was inspired by Xicohténcatl, a name associated with strength, courage and determination. Those ideas matched what we wanted the dive center to represent from the beginning: confidence, exploration, respect and responsibility.
Diving is not only about seeing what is underwater. It is about learning new skills, trusting your team, respecting the environment and becoming comfortable in a world that is very different from the one above the surface.
Xico has grown around those values. Whether someone joins us for a first dive, a PADI course, a local reef day, a cenote or a complete dive vacation, our goal is the same: make the experience professional, personal and memorable.
Dive With Xico in Playa del Carmen
Explore local reefs, cenotes, Cozumel and PADI training with an official PADI 5 Star Dive Center.