PERSPECTIVE
This will be long report since we took advantage of the Too Good to Be True package, one week at CoCo View and a week at Utila Lodge. Plus I want to post a lot of pics! I will break it down to a review of each resort, the comparison of the two everyone always want, and a comparison of CoCo View vs. AKR since we stayed there last year.
Lets start with saying we had a great trip! Diving, company, facilities were all fantastic. At both locations it was their slowest weeks so far this year. CoCo View, I estimate, can handle about +65 divers we had 15 split between two dive boats. At Utila Lodge only 6 divers, including my wife and I. In essence it was like having private resorts. So our experience might be a little different than if the resorts were full. Comparing these various operations is like comparing Van Gough to Monet, both are wonderful but we all have our personal favorite.
CoCo View ARRIVAL/LODGING/FOOD
DONT wait in the Customs line, find Nora, give her your Passport, etc and go wait for your bags. CCV is on its own little island so after a short bus ride you get picked up by the dive boat and taken over. It is a beautiful setting and you feel insulated from the world.
We had Bungalow A, which was over the water, spacious and to our surprise air-conditioned. There was a King bed which was very comfortable; there was plenty of storage room and a little fridge for drinks. They are basically a duplex so you share a wall and deck with a neighbor. Bungalow A is the closest to the Bar so it could be a little loud at times. (FYI we are an early to bed, early to dive couple). If we had it to do again we might pick Bungalow D which is the farthest from the bar looking out over the Key.
The main facility/dinning hall is large, with a pool table and plenty of board games. There is nice entertainment center upstairs. It was fun to hook up the various laptops and camcorders and review dive pictures and videos taken each day. The food was good and varied. Breakfast was just about anything you wanted and lunch and dinner there was always a choice of main courses. Dont expect gourmet, its pretty simple fare and if you are a vegetarian you might have a fairly limited menu.
This will be long report since we took advantage of the Too Good to Be True package, one week at CoCo View and a week at Utila Lodge. Plus I want to post a lot of pics! I will break it down to a review of each resort, the comparison of the two everyone always want, and a comparison of CoCo View vs. AKR since we stayed there last year.
Lets start with saying we had a great trip! Diving, company, facilities were all fantastic. At both locations it was their slowest weeks so far this year. CoCo View, I estimate, can handle about +65 divers we had 15 split between two dive boats. At Utila Lodge only 6 divers, including my wife and I. In essence it was like having private resorts. So our experience might be a little different than if the resorts were full. Comparing these various operations is like comparing Van Gough to Monet, both are wonderful but we all have our personal favorite.
CoCo View ARRIVAL/LODGING/FOOD
DONT wait in the Customs line, find Nora, give her your Passport, etc and go wait for your bags. CCV is on its own little island so after a short bus ride you get picked up by the dive boat and taken over. It is a beautiful setting and you feel insulated from the world.
We had Bungalow A, which was over the water, spacious and to our surprise air-conditioned. There was a King bed which was very comfortable; there was plenty of storage room and a little fridge for drinks. They are basically a duplex so you share a wall and deck with a neighbor. Bungalow A is the closest to the Bar so it could be a little loud at times. (FYI we are an early to bed, early to dive couple). If we had it to do again we might pick Bungalow D which is the farthest from the bar looking out over the Key.
The main facility/dinning hall is large, with a pool table and plenty of board games. There is nice entertainment center upstairs. It was fun to hook up the various laptops and camcorders and review dive pictures and videos taken each day. The food was good and varied. Breakfast was just about anything you wanted and lunch and dinner there was always a choice of main courses. Dont expect gourmet, its pretty simple fare and if you are a vegetarian you might have a fairly limited menu.