Visit Date: August 2009

I am from California, and thought it was time to finally get my PADI certification. After searching all over the Yucutan peninsula, I found Pluto Dive. Alberto and Barbara are co-owners of this amazing dive shop. They are part of a large ex-pat Italian community in Playa del Carmen. As an instructor, Alberto was smart, patient, and very fun to work with. He reviewed (and re-reviewed) my closed/open water buoyancy techniques, emergency ascents, and more, until I felt comfortable. He even calmed me down, when I freaked out several times underwater. Alberto went over my PADI quizzes and tests with me, helping me to correctly interpret the recreational dive planner data.

We did 4 open water dives by the reefs, seeing the most beautiful aquatic life. I felt like a world had been opened up to me. Green moray eels, giant sea turtles, baracuda, lion fish, sting rays, and schools of fish that I can't name. The ocean was so blue, I felt that I had walked into a post-card. It was life-changing. With Alberto helping me, I felt very safe. He helped me relax, corrected my technique, and breathe correctly. I also met several other American divers who had returned to Mexico to take advanced diving classes with another instructor, Alexandro.

I'm definitely coming back to Playa to work with Pluto Dive. Tips: bring lots of sunscreen (it is very hot and bright), extra hats (I lost mine), and an underwater camera. I only had my regular digital camera, so I only have a few above water shots.

Visit Date: August 2009

My husband and I took our Open Water Diver certification course with co-owner Alberto Salvini at the Pluto Dive shop in Playa del Carmen the first week of August 2009.

Alberto and partner Barbara, along with divemaster Alessandro, run a very good operation. They are friendly, professional, courteous and efficient. We were the only two students, so class sizes are small and the atmosphere is friendly. We never felt like we were nameless, faceless clients like you do with some dive shops who have crowded boats and trips- it was very nice.

Alberto was a very good and thorough teacher and exhibited much patience with us, even when we had problems like I did in the pool with my mask clearing- he got me to stay calm and repeated the exercise in the pool and the ocean until I had it mastered.

We enjoyed diving with them all week so much that we also went on two cenote/cavern dives to Dos Ojos with Alessandro (Alex) on the Friday, which was an amazing and fun, not-to-be-missed experience.

We will definitely be diving with them again in the future, and highly recommend them!

Maggie and Don Neufeld

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Visit Date: July 2009

We just returned from a scuba diving trip to Riveria Maya, Mexico. We did all of our diving with Pluto Dive shop, I highly recommend them to anyone no matter what level of certification you may have. Their type of service was unmatched by any other dive shop I have had the pleasure of diving with. They stored, cleansed, hung up and packed our gear for us each day. The 2 gentleman who handled the boat were courteous and friendly and made sure our gear was hooked up. The cavern dive experience with Alessandro as our guide was awesome. I strongly suggest that you dive the Cenotes if you get a chance.

Visit Date: May 2009

I researched a lot of dive shops before my trip to Mexico on the 16th of May. I can't tell you how impressed I am with the professionalism of Pluto Dive Shop. They went above and beyond from the first email until my trip was over. All members, Alberto, Barbara and Andre are with out a doubt not only the best at what they do, but very accomodating. I will be returning to Playa in the future and won't use any other dive shop for all my arrangements. Beautiful location in the ocean (away from all other dive boats) and If you haven't dove in the Cenote's, then this is the group that will make it happen for you!!

Visit Date: March 2009

Just came back from Playa Del Carmen and had a great time. Did 2 dives at Cozumel and 2 dives at the Cenote with Pluto Dive., The trip was a last minute decision, and we were kind of lost being the first time to Playa Del Carmen, and have previously been diving at Cancun and have been running around trying to find dive shops that will take us diving or just simply returning our emails.

Barbara Biasi at Pluto Dive is great, she always returns our email on a timely basis. Plans the arrangement for us even at short notice. Provide us with all the information needed. The service she provided was friendly and personal.

The dives she arranged was 100% to our satisfaction, nothing fancy, but a trip that was well planned, and the price was just right. About half of what we have to pay at the resort dive shop, not to mention the resort dive shop do not have the date that we wish to go. She really looks after us.

I have to mention about the Cenote Dives. We were lucky to have Dario Todesco as our dive master, a good looking, happy going Italian, good English, with lots of information about the dive, about the place, a fun guy to be with.…. We spent a wonderful day learning so much from him. (Still I do not agree with his keeping a Pit Bull dog, but hey, it’s a free world out there.)

All in all, Pluto Dive has made our trip a wonderful and memorable experience. I have no reservation to recommend Pluto Dive to any fellow divers. Free feel to contact me if you need further info.

Barbara and Dario, thanks once again for all your helps, we will definitely call you again if we ever come down to Mexico.

Allen, Toronto, Canada – Advance PADI Open water diver