PADI 5 Star - Banderas Scuba Republic - Malecon area image

PADI 5 Star - Banderas Scuba Republic - Malecon area

Diving center Dive shop Scuba instructor Scuba tour agency Dive club

One of the Top rated Diving centers in Puerto Vallarta


Address

Colombia 1225, 5 de Diciembre, 48350 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

Website

www.banderas-scuba.com

Rating on Google Maps

5.00 (68 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday: 9 am to 2 pm
  • Sunday: (Christmas Eve), Closed, Hours might differ
  • Monday: (Christmas Day), 9 am to 5 pm, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Wednesday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Thursday: 9 am to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: dive (49) Cesar (33) great (22) diving (22) experience (20) shop (16) divers (15) dives (15) time (14) Arcos (11)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Aaron E. 7 months ago on Google
    Wow! What a great experience. As an American visiting PVR and staying at a resort, I wasn't sure the best way to contact a dive shop and book something. I went ahead and contacted this shop via Google maps chat feature a couple days before the dive and spoke in English with Cesar. He helped me book everything simply via the Google maps chat feature. I didn't have to call or anything. It was incredibly convenient. All I had to do was place a 500 MX pesos deposit via PayPal, which came out of the overall price of 2,800 MX pesos. The day of, I got an Uber to the dive shop and arrived a bit before 8 in the morning. Cesar helped me check in and sign the paperwork. I hung out with Eric for a while as he helped me get gear. All the staff at the dive shop were welcoming, friendly, and kind. I rented all the necess There were four divers total on our trip to Los Arcos. We left from Los Muertos pier and had a 20 minute boat ride to the dive site. We saw SO many creatures. Holy cow. Sights included: Hubbs Octopus, Green Sea Turtle, Cornetfish, Urchins, school of Mexican Lookdowns, Jewel Morray Eel, Green Moray Eel, Tiger Snake Eel, Sea Stars, King Angelfish, Giant Damselfish, Cortez Angelfish, Spotted Boxfish, Stone Triggerfish, Moorish Idols, Yellowtail Surgeonfish, Nudibranch and very quick Spotted Eagle Rays The Puffers 🐡 - Guineafowl Puffer - Giant Porcupinefish - White Spotted Puffer - Spotted Porcupinefish I had the option to book with Vallarta Adventures or Banderas Scuba, and I chose the latter because they did not require me to do another review diving class. I have my advanced open water with PADI, and I generally do one two tank dive per year. Having to pay another $50 USD to review each time with Vallarta Adventures is a bit ridiculous in my option. Go with Banderas and hope you get Eric! He was the BEST dive master I've worked with in years. You won't regret it. Enjoy!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jyoti A. 5 months ago on Google
    Look no further! This is the best scuba centre to gain your certification for Padi. The facilities, organisation, and equipment all excellent! Very professional and we felt safe at all times. It’s amazing value and we highly recommended Banderas for all your scuba activities. In October 2023, my husband and I did the open water diver Padi scuba course organised with Cesar, dive master, and his excellent team of instructors! From the moment of enquiry Cesar was great at explaining the course days and expectations, and answer any worries we had! He’s very enthusiastic and clearly is working with passion whilst welcoming new divers into the community! I’m pretty scared of drowning, and my anxieties got the best of me on the first day of diving in the ocean, as my masked filled up when I began to descend and I cleared it successfully but got into my head, and into a bit of a funk, so unfortunately I couldn’t calm myself mentally, so got out of the water as that felt best for me, and I stayed on the boat day 1. Los Arcos is stunning so I kept busy while the others were under. My husband had a great dive 1&2. For me, it was really impressive to see how many divers have experienced something off from time to time, and how supportive the community is. No one in my group nor any instructor was pushing me beyond my own limits, and instead everyone made me feel confident that I was not abnormal, or silly, and that every diver has been in the same boat at some point before (pun intended). My confidence grew listening to the other divers in my beginner group too, and experienced divers around the centre. Cesar took the time to give me a few pep talks along the way which really boosted my confidence too (thank you!). I dived successfully, and calmly the next day and it was the most magical experience. We saw many puffer fish, sea snake, sergeant fish & many more tropical fish and eels! Given I missed the first day of diving, it was easy to book a second day for just me and my husband so I could finish the open water certification, the following week. I want to especially highlight Max who was our instructor; he was very patient, super kind, encouraging, and overall a very lovely, chatty, fun chap to be around! I had full trust in him and felt safe throughout all my dives (even when I bottled it!!). Massive thanks to Max for everything, you’re an excellent teacher and we couldn’t have done it without you. Shout out to Eric who was amazing too (but was with us only day 1 in the pool!).
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Megan W. 1 year ago on Google
    The guys at Banderas dive shop were extremely professional, organised, and most importantly nice and fun to dive with for the day. They handled all of the equipment and setup. Max was a great, calm dive master and we had a really fun day. Cesar also helped me pick out a new dry bag at the shop as the one I had wasn’t really keeping anything dry lol. This one works perfectly though! Highly recommend diving with Banderas.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hannah C. 2 years ago on Google
    This was such an amazing experience, and it wouldn’t have been so memorable had it not been for Cesar and his team. Max was an incredible instructor who’s humor really helps with creating a safe and fun space to prepare for your first scuba diving experience. It’s so important to remain calm and he’s really there to support you throughout the training and diving experience. We also got to meet Arno, another instructor, who’s also funny and kind, and was in the same boat as us. Cesar is so passionate about marine/aquatic life and it’s so admirable and we had such a joy in getting to know him. I highly recommend this experience, for both beginner and experienced divers. This was definitely a highlight for my birthday trip, and I’m very thankful to have met such amazing people in creating a wonderful time for our stay in Puerto Vallarta.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Paulina H. 6 months ago on Google
    Highly recommended!! I found them on Google Maps and I saw their impecable 5 star rating reviews. From the initial contact, I could tell I was in good hands and they didn’t disappoint. Cesar and his team are amazing. I was a bit rusty but Erik(the dive master) made me feel so at ease and made sure to answer all my questions. David was ready to give us water and sandwiches upon return and Max was great too. I really enjoyed my diving experience all throughout, so much so, that I’m coming back next week. Look no further, they are the BEST! Thank you Cesar and team 🌸
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Crystal A. 1 year ago on Google
    My husband dove with Banderas last year and encouraged me that this would be a great place to get my initial certification. As a new diver, I can’t recommend these guys enough. Cesar is so welcoming and made me feel comfortable right off the bat. I took my online class and then did three days with Banderas to get my PADI open water diver (1 day in the pool, 2 days out diving at Los Arcos). My instructor Max was incredibly patient and helped me every step of the way. They provided drinks and a sandwich for lunch. You get to launch from the pier at playa de los muertos which I thought was cool. I got to see whales (and baby!) on our way out to los arcos and during my dives I got to see a lot of marine life - turtles, fish, eels, octopus, many eagle rays, and most notably an almost 20 foot black manta ray! Can’t wait to come back for future dives ☺️
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nico A. 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent small dive shop in the heart of Puerto Vallarta. I dove here last year with Cesar and loved it so much that I bought a certification course for my wife and we came back together this summer. She had a great time and got her Open Water certificate without issue. The master divers we dove with were very patient, professional, and kind. On our second day diving at Los Arcos, we saw two(!) nearly 20-foot manta rays! We will be back to dive with Cesar and his crew.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Stefanie E. 9 months ago on Google
    It was my first dive in three years, Cesar and his team made me feel extreamly comfortable, confident and safe! The gear was in great shape and the communication between everyone was so easy. The dive was extremely fun, we saw lots of different marine life, even a manta ray!! Will absolutely go back! A special thanks to Eric for being the best guide!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Peter R. 8 months ago on Google
    Had a fantastic time diving with Eric! Headed over to the shop after being underwhelmed with Vallarta Adventures that just seem to want to take your money before you can make sure you are comfortable diving with them. Spoke to Cesar and immediately was put at ease as a relatively new diver i like to make sure i'm comfortable with the organisers and the gear which i definitely was. On the dives being reasonably new i was looked after really well by Eric providing useful feedback on my trim, bouyancy and gas consumption and meant i could enjoy the diving and become a better diver. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this dive shop to anyone both newbies and seasoned divers. They are kind, respectful both of you and the ocean, safe and just all round great!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eric P. 1 year ago on Google
    it was our first time in PV and it was an amazing time diving / snorkeling at Los Arcos. Cesar was so kind and helpful providing information prior to the trip and answering all the questions. His diving shop is very easy to find, and readiness welcoming us the day of the trip. Max, our dive master was very helpful, gearing us up, bringing them along to the piers, boat etc. it has been awhile since our last five and he patiently looked after us to let us get used to the diving again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dave C. 1 year ago on Google
    Did open water in Winter 2020, came back this year in 2022 and did ten more dives. Cesar, Oswaldo, Max and David are a great team and it was a great experience.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Darren C. 4 months ago on Google
    Such amazing service and guides. Eric and Max were excellent guides and took us to where the awesome sights were. We dove with them for 4 days and Eric was attentive and asked where we want to go and what we wanted to see. Eric can also can answer any fish questions you have or find the answer to it. They also gave us excellent advice on what to check out above ground. After the dive, you can get an indepth email regarding the dive profile and fish highlights! Our boat driver, David, was excellent and was very helpful. The sandwich lunch he provided were light and delicious Be aware that the boat is small and cozy (like all boats here) but the service is individualized You have the option of setting up your own gear or having them set it up for you. Make sure to email them ahead of time to see what the temperature is and to prepare for the proper exposure suit. (I used a hooded vest but my wife used a full 3 mm suit). If you are able, I recommend checking the beaches beyond Los Arcos as well like playa majahuitas to check out the variety! We were able to see turtles, hear whales and watch garden eels (and a whole bunch of other fish and eels as well). Watch the garden eels here https://youtu.be/atXszeq-zCc

  • 5/5 Lyra B. 2 years ago on Google
    We dove with Arno today and he was WONDERFUL. Super knowledgeable, friendly, professional, and warm. He did a great job matching our experience level and working with all the divers on our trip. His communication is excellent and better than many dive masters we’ve worked with. The visibility wasn’t great but he took us to a place where we got to see a family of eagle rays, two turtles, as well as some great tiny life (he has an amazing ability to spot sea life). Would dive again with Arno anytime! Cesar at the shop worked with us to make sure we had all the gear we need (I wear two wetsuits because I get so cold), seems to keep his gear in good shape, and was really great about COVID protocols and cleaning which made us feel comfortable.

  • 5/5 Bob M. 1 year ago on Google
    Did a 2-Tank dive at Los Arcos with Oswaldo and had a great time (Saw my first Manta Ray!). It had been 5 years since my last dive. Oswaldo did a great debrief before our first time and was comfortable back in the water from the start. Equipment was in good shape, and everything was very clean. If I'm ever back in PV I won't look anywhere else for my SCUBA needs.

  • 5/5 Chad B. 1 year ago on Google
    Better than all other dives shops BY FAR. Cesar, Oswaldo, and Max genuinely care about helping me continue my learnings so I can advance my level of certification.

  • 5/5 Mackenzie S. 1 year ago on Google
    We had a blast! Max was amazing at keeping me calm and feeling comfortable after not diving for a little bit. Cesar was very informative.

  • 5/5 Andreas K. 1 year ago on Google
    I had a great experience with Cesar, Oswaldo, Max, and David - from check-in and gear check to diving and the beautiful diving at Los Arcos. Highly recommended!

  • 5/5 Shawn W. 1 year ago on Google
    Best dive shop I have been to in 35 countries. Cesar is a true professional and Max and the team are outstanding on and in the water. Cannot recommend this dive shop highly enough.

  • 5/5 Steve M. 1 year ago on Google
    Taking a holiday in PV my wife and decided to try a few dives with different dive outfits, checking on prices they had to offer as they all pretty much dive the same sites but the prices vary. We had previously emailed Ceaser (the owner) from the UK before we departed, he replied promptly and was very helpful. On arrival at PV we walked to his dive centre and met him and his staff before choosing to go ahead with booking, Ceaser and his staff were both very knowledgable but also very helpful. We decided to book for a 2 tank dive to Los Arcos. My wife and I can both say that from the moment we met with the guys at the dive centre they excelled with their customer service, knowledge and desire to help. The dive site was a short boat ride off shore and generally ‘an easy dive’ for all levels but entertaining enough for divers with 5 dives or 500 dives. Ceaser is meticulous with his attention to detail and it was pleasing to see our cards and credentials checked before we were permitted to dive with them (my wife and I are both PADI Rescue with around 390+ dives each), some other divers on the boat were less experienced but they were very well catered for and Max our dive guide was a superb guide, giving us a detailed, informative briefing, he took time to ensure we all descended safely and in our group he frequently carried out ‘safe and well’ checks and probably new better than us us what air we had as he frequently checked on us. Max is a great dive guide and a credit to the industry! We did two dives on Los Arcos both excellent dives catering for all levels of certification and experience. Having dived all over the world my wife and I would both put these guys at the top end of a dive outfit - well done guys keep up the good work

  • 5/5 Jack S. 1 year ago on Google
    I recently had the pleasure of my second dive excursion in Puerto Vallarta with Banderas Scuba Republic. Before I arrived at the shop, Cesar made it super easy to book and the communication was quick and detailed. Our divemaster Oswaldo was incredibly thorough with our briefing and what we could expect on our dives. While conditions were not ideal that day, Oswaldo still provided a great experience, leading us to see what Los Arcos had to show us that day. I look forward continuing to dive with Cesar and his team every time I am in Puerto Vallarta.

  • 5/5 Kai K. 1 year ago on Google
    Great experience. Got my PADI certification done here. The school was professional and very friendly from first contact all the way to the certification. Very smooth and pleasant process. The diving instructor was actually amazing and got me up to speed very quickly.

  • 5/5 hailey m. 2 years ago on Google
    We had a great experience with Banderas Scuba! Cesar was excellent with communication and planning. Very friendly and professional staff. We enjoyed diving with them and would highly recommend!

  • 5/5 joseph v. 2 years ago on Google
    Great experience! We were lucky and saw a couple giant mantas, they swam up super close to us a few times, like within 10 feet or so. Also saw a sea turtle, barracuda, eels and of course tons of fish. Really fun day, thanks Cesar!

  • 5/5 Darcy C. 2 years ago on Google
    We dove with Cesar and Arno for 3 days last week, some of us were advanced divers, and some did a discover scuba course with them. I must say that it was an incredible experience for every person in our group. Cesar was quick to respond to messages.. even when they were closed. And Arno was an incredible guide to us more experienced divers, and was able to help a couple new divers overcome some serious anxiety with his calm demeanor. I was very impressed with their professionalism, as well as their fun and friendly nature. The gear was all in very good condition, they provided sandwiches at the end of each dive day, and were a pleasure to deal with in every aspect. We also saw tons of life, including turtles, sting rays, eagle rays, a school of mobula rays, several different types of eels, lobster, nudi's, an octopus, and tons of different fish species. We were fortunate enough to also hear whales singing throughout several of dives. It was a very memorable experience, and we will definitely dive with banderas on our next trip to vallarta. Thank you very much for running such a fabulous dive shop, and also for being so passionate about what you do.

  • 5/5 Mark A. 2 years ago on Google
    Wonderful experience with excellent guides, especially with this being my first set of open water dives to earn my PADI certification. I highly recommend Cesar and Arnold. They are patient, professional and fun to experience diving with. We dove around the PV Arches and saw octopus, stingray, lobster, and lots of eel and beautiful fish. Thank you Arnold and Cesar for helping me obtain my certification and for an experience of a lifetime. I will highly recommend you to my friends and family.

  • 5/5 Samantha L. 2 years ago on Google
    We loved our diving trip with Cesar. This is an experienced, professional diver who’s passionate about the sea life as well as your safety and well-being. His briefing was detailed and he made sure everyone on the boat - regardless of level - knew what to expect. The spots were alive with marine life and we saw eagle rays, smaller sting rays, hawksbill turtles and several grumpy Moray eels. Cesar runs a tight ship and by choosing his shop, you’re avoiding the big conglomerates and opting for a smaller, local provider. Would dive with him again.

  • 5/5 Katie Z. 2 years ago on Google
    What a great company! Cesar was a breeze to work with in regards to booking. He made it quick and easy. Prices are very fair for a 2 tank dive. The dive groups are small with just 6 divers and a dive master on a boat with only your group. If you can, book a dive with Max! He was kind, Knowledgeable, and showed us some amazing things underwater we wouldn’t have been able to find ourselves! Cannot wait to come back to dive with them again!! Just don’t forget to take care of your captain and guide and tip!!


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