Locker Room
Secure storage for personal belongings while you are diving or training.
PADI 5 Star Dive Center · Playa del Carmen
About Xico Dive Center
Small-group diving, professional training, experienced local operations and a real dive center close to the beach and boat pickup.
PADI 5 Star Dive Center
PADI Center S29477
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Your Dive Center in Playa del Carmen
A real base for diving the Riviera Maya
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. Our training programs range from first scuba experiences through continuing education and professional development.
Our approach is practical: clear logistics, personal service, well-maintained equipment and dive plans matched to each guest's certification, recent experience and comfort level.
Recognition
PADI 5 Star
Center number
S29477
Fleet
4 boats
Open
7 days a week
Why Xico
Built around better dive days
The practical details of a dive center matter. Xico combines training, facilities, boats and local logistics in one operation.
PADI 5 Star Dive Center
Training, facilities and diver support from an official PADI 5 Star Dive Center in Playa del Carmen.
Real Dive Center Facilities
Lockers, showers, rental preparation, cleaning, maintenance and guest areas are part of the operation you actually use.
Close to Beach & Boats
Our Playa del Carmen base keeps local dive-day logistics simple, with the beach and boat pickup close to the dive center.
Reefs, Cenotes & Cozumel
One base connects divers with Playa reefs, Riviera Maya cenotes, direct Cozumel diving and continuing education.
The Dive Center
Facilities before and after the dive
Dedicated areas for guests, equipment preparation, cleaning, maintenance and dive-day organization at our Playa del Carmen base.
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.
People Behind the Operation
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 · Spanish & EnglishOriginally from Tres Lomas, Argentina, Santiago brings experience, energy and a calm teaching style to divers from first-time programs through continuing education.
Morgan
Dive Instructor · Spanish, English & PortugueseOriginally from Misiones, Argentina, Morgan teaches and guides while also supporting equipment repairs and regulator servicing.
Lukas
Divemaster · Spanish & EnglishFrom Arica, Chile, Lukas brings focus, enthusiasm and a strong connection to the ocean to guided dives and guest support.
Cirilo
Captain · Spanish & EnglishOriginally from Veracruz, Mexico, Cirilo combines years of experience at sea with strong local boat knowledge and a friendly, professional approach.
Henry
CaptainOriginally from Chiapas, Mexico, Henry brings energy and solid boat-handling skills that help keep departures smooth and organized.
Faustino
Captain · Spanish & EnglishOriginally from Oaxaca, Mexico, Faustino has extensive experience at sea and knows the waters around Playa del Carmen extremely well.
Geremias
Captain · Spanish & MayanFrom Yucatán, Geremias brings decades of experience on the water, calm boat handling and deep local knowledge of the Caribbean coast.
Toni
CaptainOriginally from Yucatán, Mexico, Toni brings years of experience at sea and a professional, welcoming attitude to diving and snorkeling operations.
Boats & Logistics
The operation behind the dive day
Different group sizes, dive sites and activities need different boats and transport. Our fleet gives the team flexibility instead of forcing every day into one setup.
Our Boats
Four boats for local diving and private outings
Boat choice depends on the day's route, group size and operation. This lets Xico use a setup that fits the actual dive day.
Julia
Well suited to smaller dive groups and private snorkeling trips, with partial shade and back-roll water entries.
Leia
Our largest boat, used for many Playa del Carmen dive departures and larger private groups, with partial shade and comfortable working space for divers.
No Limit
A versatile boat for Playa del Carmen diving and private snorkeling, with partial shade and back-roll entries.
Fräulein
Used primarily for relaxed private snorkeling trips and smaller outings, with partial shade and cushioned seating.
Cenote Transport
Moving divers and equipment beyond the coast
Cenote diving requires dependable transport for people, cylinders and equipment between Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya dive sites.
Chevrolet Colorado
One of our main vehicles for cenote diving, carrying divers, tanks, equipment and coolers between Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya sites.
Chevrolet Cheyenne
Known around Xico as the Monster Truck or Panzer, it adds capacity for cenote logistics, equipment and dive-day transport.
The Xico Story
The story behind the name Xico
The name Xico was inspired by Xicohténcatl, a name we associate 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 very different from the one above the surface.
Whether someone joins Xico for a first dive, a PADI course, a local reef day, a cenote or a complete dive vacation, the goal is the same: make the experience professional, personal and memorable.
Real Google Reviews
What guests say about Xico
★★★★★
We did a two-tank local reef dive with Santi and had a great time! Everything at the dive centre was very well organised. Santi was a fantastic instructor, the briefings were clear and even though the conditions weren’t great on the day (very low visibility),… Read full review Show less
We did a two-tank local reef dive with Santi and had a great time! Everything at the dive centre was very well organised. Santi was a fantastic instructor, the briefings were clear and even though the conditions weren’t great on the day (very low visibility), he made sure we were all safe and still had an enjoyable dive. We also saw a bull shark, which was amazing! Would definitely recommend Xico if you are looking to dive in Playa del Carmen!
★★★★★
Fantastic Dive centre with super friendly staff and perfect facilities.
Dive master Santiago, along with his boat crew, was exceptional in creating the most relaxed, enjoyable and informative dives.
I did 3 reef dives and the Bull shark Dive too . Saftey was extremely high and the equipment was of a high standard.
I would 100% recommend!!
+3
★★★★★
Excellent experience, everything went smoothly, had two dives with a very dedicated and knowledgeable guide, Manuel, who made every turn safe and cool. Thanks man!