PADI Courses in Mexico: Our 8 Best

1.Learn to Scuba Dive in Cabo San Lucas with PADI

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 157 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $129Our pick

Start with PADI safety instruction and practice in a shallow pool before boarding a 45-foot boat for a 30-minute ocean session near Pelican Rock and El Arco. The small-group format, nearby instructors, bathroom onboard, snacks, and water make this a practical first scuba experience in Los Cabos. Extra fees apply.

“The best beginner's dive experience ever! They really care about preparing you before your ocean dive. You train in a tank before you actually go to your dive site. The details that they put into it is far more than I've seen with other companies. We had 10 people in our dive and there was an experienced diver with each person. My two daughters had a blast!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Scuba Diving with a 5-Star PADI Center in Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 135 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $119Best value

Join Vallarta Adventures for a two-tank scuba outing in Banderas Bay with a PADI-certified guide, equipment options, snacks, water, and lunch. Sites may include Las Caletas, Los Arcos, or the Marietas Islands. Certified divers need a valid card and a logged immersion within the past 12 months.

“Didn’t get to participate. I didn’t realize the trip was for certified divers and not as a scuba training course. I contacted to cancel. One person said I could cancel and get my money back while another told me that I could not after the original person told me I could. The second person was not friendly about the exchange and not getting my money back. Would not recommend as it is too difficult to cancel or even contact anybody as they make you speak with multiple people/companies to get anything done.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.PADI Discover Scuba Diving for divers without certification

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $169Top rated

Join Pocna Dive Center in Isla Mujeres for a five-hour PADI Discover Scuba session with instruction, safety training, and two underwater outings. You’ll visit MUSA’s 400 submerged statues, then Manchones Reef, where turtles, rays, eels, and other marine life may appear. Guides Mariano and Pepe may lead the experience.

“This was my first time scuba diving and it was so awesome. I found it so relaxing and meditative. One of the best parts was this amazing sea turtle we found that I took pictures with. It was also super easy to do. I would recommend this to anyone always.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program in the Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $126

Start with a short classroom briefing and pool session at Pro Dive International, then head by boat to a Riviera Maya reef with an instructor beside you. Guides such as Alex, Nicole, Anna, Jordan, and Toby have helped first-timers gain confidence, including children age 10 and up. Hotel pickup is available in much of the Riviera Maya for an extra fee.

“An incredible experience. With a clear structure and emphasise on safety at no point did I have concerns. The team were welcoming and friendly and Nicole was a great dive leader. A small group size made sure we were supervised all the time and it was clear that we had to be able to complete safety drills in the pool before we were going to go out on the dive boat. The reef was incredible and I would recommend putting your hand in your pocket and buying the video and images taken off your dive as they are a great quality and memory of a fantastic morning.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.PADI Discover Scuba Diving in Playa del Carmen

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 61 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $135

Meet at Hotel Riu Yucatan for a short PADI theory lesson, pool practice, and a boat trip to a local reef. An instructor stays with you throughout the ocean session, where you can see tropical fish, turtles, octopi, and sea anemones. No prior scuba experience is needed, but comfort in the water matters.

“Terrible experience. The training is for less than an hour and is very rushed. The practice "tank" is actually a 3ft resort pool in which we were taught to breathing and hand signs for about 20 minutes. There was no pool lesson on equalizing pressure etc. We spent more time waiting for the boat to arrive than on the lessons itself. I felt very uncomfortable after the lesson and chose not to go into the ocean. My husband went and within 10ft in the ocean felt ear pain and couldn't complete it. This would've been identified if the practice tank was deeper. We spent a lot of money for nothing...…”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Scuba Diving Adventure WITHOUT CERTIFICATION! Try it today!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $160

Start with a 30-minute lesson and shallow-water practice, then take a boat to MUSA and Manchones Reef for two supervised underwater sessions. Aqua Adventures instructors such as Nina, Danny, Pedro, Dani, and Jonathan work closely with beginners. Equipment is included, and the program can count toward later PADI Open Water training.

“What an incredible group of people. from the instruction to the actual dive, it was all great. Our safety was the most important thing to them and really exposing us to the enjoyment of diving. I would do this exact tour again it was that enjoyable. we are even going to get certified now. Don't miss out on this adventure. We saw sea turtles, 1000's of fish even some big puffer fish. we had two dives that were over 45 minutes each and some good snacks in between. Thank you, team, for a great time.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.PADI Open Water Diver Course in the Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $602

Train with Pro Dive International in Playa del Carmen through five self-study chapters, five pool sessions, and four guided boat trips. Your course includes gear, certification fees, and reef time near southern Cozumel. Instructors may include Boris, Esteban, Erica, or other multilingual staff. Pickup is available for an extra fee.

“My 11 year old son and I met Alexia and Diana at the Occidental Xcaret. After a trial run with them we wanted to go further and get our certification. What an amazing experience. Karim was very patient with us and helped us learn so much. All the instructors were very friendly and made us feel very welcome. We were lucky enough to see a bull shark on our third dive. My son had a blast and won't stop talking about it. Anytime I'm in playa I will be diving with these folks again. Even if I never dive again, it was worth it. I was scared to even snorkel…”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Discover Scuba Diving Course in Playa del Carmen with Two Coral Reef Dives

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $169

Spend the morning learning scuba basics at Scuba Libre, then make two 40-minute shallow reef descents with a PADI professional. You will use all equipment provided, see coral and marine life, and receive water throughout the day. The course suits beginners age 10 and older, but requires reasonable physical health.

“The instructor Sam was amazing. His explanation of equipment, skills, etc. were amazing. In the actual dive I did not perform very well and it became stressful for me. I was breathing to hard and it was difficult to find neutral buoyancy. However, the ocean was beautiful. My bad, not the instructor and guide.”

Check availability →Read our full review