FAQ

We know you have many questions before starting your training
We have summed up our top 10 questions received over the last few years.

I'm just starting with Diving, can I still enroll?
What is the difference between PADI IDC and PADI CDC ?
Where is your CDC trainings Center?
Were do I stay? prices and how do I get there ?
How is my return on investment ?
How are the medical facilities and conditions of living ?
How politically stable is the country and what about work permits and Visa ? ?
Is Equipment Included in my training?
Can I prepare before my IDC with Pro Dive Mexico?
Why does the IDC training at Pro Dive Mexico takes 14 days and other centers only 9 days ?
Who teaches the IDC ?
What if I fail the PADI IE exam ?
What if I have to cancel my training, do I loose my money ?
Is there a job guarantee or how are my chances to get a job or hands-on ?

I'm just starting with Diving, can I still enroll?

Yes, we provide full training from beginners to Instructor. You can do all modules separately or better yet choose one of our special "Zero to Hero" or "Career Change" programs. (saves up to 1100us$)
These are tailor made to kikstart your professional career !
We only employ Instructors to guide our guests, so you will be learning from the Best.

What is the difference between PADI IDC and PADI CDC ?

The PADI 5 Star Career Development Center (CDC) classification is awarded to PADI 5 Star IDCs that conduct additional instructor-level training and meet requirements for assisting dive leaders in reaching their educational and professional goals.

PADI 5 Star CDCs offer career-oriented training to prepare dive professionals for employment in the dive industry as well as offering job placement assistance for program graduates. PADI 5 Star CDCs are committed to training dive leaders and conducting career development programs.

The PADI 5 Star Career Development Center (CDC) award is given to PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centers (IDC) that dedicate their businesses to professional development beyond regular instructor training. These businesses offer vocational oriented continuing education training to prepare individuals for dive industry careers and provide job placement services within the dive industry. PADI Members and the dive industry at large benefit from the PADI 5 Star Career Development Centers’ commitment to professional development and excellence, and their unique ability to provide qualified candidates to fill industry employment needs.

Where is your CDC trainings Center?

We have several 5-Star National Geographic Resort based dive Centers along the Riviera Maya & Cozumel.
Our main CDC center is based just 10-15 Minutes north of Playa Del Carmen inside Catalonia Playa Maroma beach and Spa Resort. (awarded as most beautiful beach of Riviera Maya).
Our Career Developmente Center (CDC) is the ONLY CDC center in Mexico due to our high standards.
We are very close to all major attractions and also have fresh water cenotes, Cozumel National Marine Park. Second biggest reef in the world. Truly the best place for diving like Palancar Reef ....

Were do I stay? prices? and how do I get there ?

Part of our service is that we have local rental agencies and direct special agreements with several hostels, condo's, apartments, resort and hotels... You may look at some websites like www.andale.com.mx or www.YouMercado.com, but many times we have special rates and long term agreements in place.
This is part of our service, and we don't want any commissions on this, we will put you in direct contact with the landlords and hotels, and you may fine tune your needs directly.
Most of our students/candidates stay at one of our smaller condo's in Playa del Carmen, for less then 450 US$/month.
Please look at our "housing" web page for our offerings.

Playa del Carmen is a vibrant young city and has everything you want. There is absolutely no other place that can beat the atmosphere of this dynamic small city. It has culture, discotheques, restaurants and tourists all year long. It's save to walk anywhere you like, and basically all is within walking distance, or by cheap taxi's.
There are many beautiful beaches like Mamita's beach and Shangri La beach. On weekends, you often find beach football tournaments going on, live music in the restaurants and more.
It also offers spanish language schools and a spectacular nightlife. Life is very cheap here compared to most other countries. Getting here: Mexico is easy to reach via Cancun. There are daily flight operators flying into Mexico.
At the airport there are "ADO" busses going to Playa del Carmen every hour for only us$12 (very comfortable).
Once in Playa del Carmen, you may walk around and find your way or get a taxi to your apartment/condo

How is my return on investment ?

Every professional training or career change starts with an initial investment.
The moment you receive a job opportunity your return on investments starts, and with an average start salary of us$1000 this is earned back within a couple of months!

But bear in mind when you pass the PADI IE, many others also pass the PADI IE, and they all are looking for a jobs!
This is were you Scuba academy choice is so important!
After every PADI IE our human resources department is overwhelmed with new applcations...guess who we choose ?

So, maybe you saved a couple of hundred dollars initially, but becoming part of our team and your first salary will wipe this out immediately...So invest clever

How are the medical facilities and conditions of living ?

Certainly you would like to know how it is to live in Mexico? Well, be positively surprised ;-)
Pro Dive Mexico offers free medical consultations for all our employees, through our affiliation with our hyperbaric chamber clinics at the mainland and on Cozumel.
So, in case you need to see a doctor the visit is for free and you only pay your medication or other costs.
Please still do have a quality medical insurance in place for more serious emergency reasons.
Mexico offers "state of the art" American medical care standard, through one of the many private clinics.
They have several price “levels”, but usually for people living in Mexico there is a big discount in place. Please ask for this.
Dentist care is also state of the art, and it’s no wonder that many people have their surgery or treatment in Mexico instead of USA.
There are many American doctors living and working in Mexico. Also Mexican universities are very famous....
Mexico living standards are really fine and depends on what you like to spend.
Electricity everywere, internet access, cell phones, schools, universities and cheap living conditions.
Main meal about 80 pesos (USD6), beer 25 pesos (USD2).

How politically stable is the country and what about work permits and Visa ?

About stability we can be very clear, just like anywere in the world there is a government, president and free elections....
Mexicans are truly family loving christians and very, very friendly. Also Playa del Carmen is very open, safe and friendly.
You will receive a visa from your air provider when you arrive and in most cases this will be valid for 6 months.
So you may stay 6 months in Mexico for training, internship training, Courses or pleasure.
Please do ask us about our DM interships!!
After your training you may want to start working here in Mexico, and yes this is possible, but you should apply for a working visa first.
We at Pro Dive Mexico have a HR department and once we offer you employment WE will take care of all the papers for you!
Our lawyers will start the process and this cost you nothing extra. We will handle the process for you, and once we receive the papers you will only pay the work permit fee's directly. Please do ask if  OTHER centers have this available and you will see not many do!
This will and has given many instructors some problems as immigration will without pardon put you on board of the next airplane back home!
Look ahead and choose a training center that offers above.

Is Equipment Included?

In all our trainings upto Divemaster full equipment is provided. We only use the best gear (ScubaPro). From DiveMaster and up, it is mandatory for any professional to have their own professional equipment. We can rent equipment to you for a special reduced price for a certain amount of time, but as we are SCUBAPRO dealer we have the BEST deals for our candidates.
Please ask your Course Director...

Can I prepare before my IDC with Pro Dive Mexico?

As we only have Instructors employed you will have professionals around you all day long. we also have our IDC Prep courses right before the IDC training. Furtehrmore we have an ONLINE student portal woth the newest Video's, training, guidelines and everything you need to prepare for your upcoming training..FREE of charge!

We also have a PAID DM intersnhip for Divemasters who are taking their IDC with us!
New is also our OWSI interrnship after the PSDI IE.
PLease ask terms and conditions. Unique in Mexico and the Caribbean!

Why does the IDC training at Pro Dive Mexico takes 14 days and other centers only 9 days ?

At Pro Dive Mexico we offer a 14 day IDC (incl: EFR-I), with plenty of time for private counselling and personal attention.
We would like to prepare you not only for passing the IE, but for your upcoming professional career.
Being an instructor is a fabulous opportunity, but also brings major responsibilities, as you will lead dive groups and will be seen as a role model for other divers.
Being trained at Pro Dive Mexico means that you have an advantage over others, as we are known all over the world for our Quality of training.
Your IDC training with us gives us the opportunity to get to know you better, and get a feeling about your communication skills, sales talents and other skills as we are always looking for quality staff for our centers.

WE NOT ONLY CERTIFY, WE START YOUR CARTEER!

Who teaches the IDC ?

My name is Anders Heegaard (Denmark) and I teach the IDC. I am a PADI Course Director, with many years of experience and  have taught hundreds of instructors from all over the world. Along with my highly qualified IDC team, we make sure that you advance as a dive professional and receive only the utmost quality training!
I am happy to say, that we as one and only Career Development Center in this area, always have the highest passing rate at the IE (100%) and highest scores here in the Riviera Maya.
This is a fact that can be checked with all our former candidates, as we prepare you very well...

My job starts as soon as you inquire with us, personally greet you when you arrive, assist you with housing, setup your online portal, make sure you feel comfortable, plan your whole training with us, personally train and guide you, assist you at the IE and help you with your job applications inside or outside the company, write reference letters if asked for and will be at you service as a dive professional for the rest of our live......All the way I am here for you.

What if I fail the PADI IE Exam ?

To be honest....changes are very slim as we have 14 days of training, instead of 9 days and FREE online Student portal!
Also our Course Director knows exactly who needs extra teaching or not before going to the IE.
The module "standards" is something which is just a matter of learning how to use the manual, nothing else.
You may use your manual during the IE...

We do offer a pass-guarantee:
In the very unlikely event that you are unsuccessful in the PADI IE. Our Course Director will talk with you about were the next PADI IE is and will work towards this date with you for FREE, so you will pass for the modules your failed.
Many times we saw the the next PADI  IE was a few days later very close by!
Until today we are proud to say that 99% direct passing rate has been achieved due to our quality of training and only 2 redo's within 5 days after our regular PADI  IE.  So 100% passing rate that same PADI  IE week!!

What if I have to cancel my training, do I loose my money ?

Try to find "refund & cancellation" procedures with others?    Hard to find..isn't it .
You will not be the first one, who lost some money due to academies, travel agents or shops closing down.

Please have a look at our clear and honest refund & cancellation policies

For all professional courses (other then IDC Course) when cancelled 30 days or more before starting date, we will refund your deposit money! (minus small cc charges we have) or we re-schedule your training without extra costs!
For the IDC training as we ordered crewpacks, material and reserved spaces in our classroom we will charge only 50% of your deposit! Or you may send someone else, or you may re-schedule... No problem at all.
(We are dedicated to serve you! which is why we are number 1 on tripadvisor.com, and also have the PADI Excellence Award!

We will also contact your rental agency (housing), and re-schedule your stay or cancel your reservation without extra cost.

Is there a job guarantee or how are my chances to get a job or hands-on ?

There are no guarantees!
Still, it's all in your hands, as we have offered job opportunities to over 50% of our candidates last year.
But to be honest WHICH Career Development Center can say they have over SEVEN  5-STAR Scuba Dive Centers and are in need of quality staff whole year long....
Furthermore: We have calculated that there are 4 dive centers every square mile here in Riviera Maya and Cozumel.
Nowhere else you find this potential then with us and in Mexico.

We have a separate HR team looking into all applications, and of course our Course Director and his team will advise us after the IDC, as we will never let a qualified multilingual instructor with great qualifications go!
But it all depends on you!

We also have DM and OWSI internships available for potential IDC candidates.
This works both ways, talents can be spotted and guided by us at an initial phase, and you will already learn how it feels to work as a DM/OWSI in a busy Resort based dive center (only 3 seats available/quarter)

There are many possibilities...but it all starts with the right decision and CDC choice...