Going to Utila. I spent 2.5 months in Roatan a few years ago, never made it to Utila, want to try it. I think the diving in Roatan was, overall, pretty darn good, so I'm looking forward to Utila (which I imagine wont be significantly different).
2 weeks.
Debating between:
Laguna Beach Resort:
http://www.utila.com/
$121 pp per day + 16% honduran tax. Includes 3 dives, accomodation, food, 2 night dives per week, unlimited shore.
Thoughts: Looks like the nicest of all from what I can tell. I hear its seperated from the mainland by water though, so going into town to do something could be difficult? No information on whether or not they offer free trips into town, or at what cost. (I'm sure I will want to go out for dinner at least one or twice). Pretty decent looking newton boats. The vast majority of reviews avaliable on undercurrent are positive. Everyone said dive operation was top notch. Two complained of food, eight said food was good to excellent.
Deep blue Utila:
http://www.deepblueutila.com/
$120 pp per day + 16% honduran tax (maybe slightly less as it straddles their standard and low season prices, so itll probably average to $110 or so). Includes 3 boat dives, 2 night per week, food, unlimited shore.
Thoughts: Also seperated by water. They do offer 3 afternoon trips into town per week free of charge. Evening trip at a small cost. Maximum 20 guests. Few photos of rooms.. but they look nice. No information on their boat. Very short review on undercurrent, just says its a good choice. Found some trip report here:
http://www.zendiving.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2372
Mango Inn: (does not have avaliabity for all 2 weeks, but could do 1 week here)
http://www.mango-inn.com/
$97 pp per day (inclusive of tax I think), includes 3 dives, accomodation in a deluxe room, food, one night dive. No mention of shore diving.
Thoughts: Cheapeast option, looks the least secluded, but in Utila, that probably means three other people live nearby. In town, but I think its not on a beach - "within walking distance of all amenities and beaches". Only site that tells me something about kind of food I'll be getting. Some things look good, some look uhm, very out of place for honduras: "Beef Stroganoff" (??). They have a nice 40ft boat. ( http://utiladivecenter.com/utiladiving/dive_shop.htm ). Reviews on undercurrent good, but describe a decidely less pretty location than Laguna Beach.
so.........
Are there others I should be aware of?
Are there any restaurants on Utila worth visiting?
Any comments, concerns, advice on any of the above locations? My inclination right now is either Deep Blue or Laguna Beach.
2 weeks.
Debating between:
Laguna Beach Resort:
http://www.utila.com/
$121 pp per day + 16% honduran tax. Includes 3 dives, accomodation, food, 2 night dives per week, unlimited shore.
Thoughts: Looks like the nicest of all from what I can tell. I hear its seperated from the mainland by water though, so going into town to do something could be difficult? No information on whether or not they offer free trips into town, or at what cost. (I'm sure I will want to go out for dinner at least one or twice). Pretty decent looking newton boats. The vast majority of reviews avaliable on undercurrent are positive. Everyone said dive operation was top notch. Two complained of food, eight said food was good to excellent.
Deep blue Utila:
http://www.deepblueutila.com/
$120 pp per day + 16% honduran tax (maybe slightly less as it straddles their standard and low season prices, so itll probably average to $110 or so). Includes 3 boat dives, 2 night per week, food, unlimited shore.
Thoughts: Also seperated by water. They do offer 3 afternoon trips into town per week free of charge. Evening trip at a small cost. Maximum 20 guests. Few photos of rooms.. but they look nice. No information on their boat. Very short review on undercurrent, just says its a good choice. Found some trip report here:
http://www.zendiving.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2372
Mango Inn: (does not have avaliabity for all 2 weeks, but could do 1 week here)
http://www.mango-inn.com/
$97 pp per day (inclusive of tax I think), includes 3 dives, accomodation in a deluxe room, food, one night dive. No mention of shore diving.
Thoughts: Cheapeast option, looks the least secluded, but in Utila, that probably means three other people live nearby. In town, but I think its not on a beach - "within walking distance of all amenities and beaches". Only site that tells me something about kind of food I'll be getting. Some things look good, some look uhm, very out of place for honduras: "Beef Stroganoff" (??). They have a nice 40ft boat. ( http://utiladivecenter.com/utiladiving/dive_shop.htm ). Reviews on undercurrent good, but describe a decidely less pretty location than Laguna Beach.
so.........
Are there others I should be aware of?
Are there any restaurants on Utila worth visiting?
Any comments, concerns, advice on any of the above locations? My inclination right now is either Deep Blue or Laguna Beach.
