Last minute travel recs

[sfdellas]

So I was all set to book a last minute trip to Roatan for the end of the month... but then I read a few unsavory reviews, then the lion fish discussion, then heard about the 'sand fleas'... hmm... is this place really good for diving?
I'm basically just looking to get away for some diving at the end of this month. And yes, on a budget - you know, the tight budget that still allows for a vacation and diving. Whatever, we all have our priorities.
So Roatan seemed to fit the bill... about $600 to get there (from California), $800 for a week of unlimited diving (two boat dives and shore dives from hotel), and the accommodations. (plus taxes and fees...)
But then I read some unsavory reviews.... my main concern is that I will be traveling solo (female). I was assured I'd have a dive buddy there so I wasn't concerned about that aspect. More about the alone at night in town aspect. So then I started looking at Grand Caymans. think that might be a good option? If not, any other place you recommend? I'm advanced, rescue, and a bunch of other specialties, and love all sorts of diving. Basically, no fear in water, more concerned about what's on land. That being said, I do travel alone a lot and am not an idiot. thanks for your help!

[DeputyDan]

Grand Cayman is one of the most expensive locations that you could choose.

Most of the islands have "bug" issues - how bad depends on the rainy season and the breeze off the ocean.

Cheap is cheap - to some extent you get what you pay for!

I am going to Roatan next May and staying at Coco View - third trip to that resort so I know what to expect.

Personally, If I were going on vacation and wanted to throw in a few dives, I would pick a different location than Roatan. However, I am going to dive (five a day) so Coco View is a good choice.

What do you really want from the trip?

[diversteve]

You would most likely be perfectly safe at any of the AI's - Cocoview, Anthony's Key, Barefoot Cay, Fantasy Island - there's others but the four I mentioned have restricted access (most are on small islands/cays) and security.

Personally I never felt threatened walking around the West End late at night. We stayed in a house about 1/2 mi. from town so I walked home - often by myself. However I'm a guy and 6'3. Two of my female friends stayed at Coconut Tree in the West End - neither mentioned any issues - they're both very self-sufficient.

You probably can't get away from the Sand Flies or Mosquitoes anywhere there. So bring something with Deet in it or an alternative. I also wouldn't sit on the beach much - although if there's a breeze it's ok.

There is both a Malaria and Dengue Fever potential so you may want to contact a travel doctor for an anti-malarial before you go. I got bit up early in the week pretty good twice, once just b4 sunset sitting on our deck and once at a outdoor restaurant - they were under the tablecloth. After that I applied Deet regularly and by the end of the week the bites were mostly gone.

+1 what DD said about Cayman. Priciest dive trip I've ever been on.

What hotel are you considering?

Fantasy Island has a $699 AI deal currently - I don't know if it's still available for booking. My friends are going there tomorrow. I can't think of many other places besides Cocoview where there is shore diving on Roatan. Neither are close to the West End so you'd only likely go there once or twice via cab. There's nothing in Coxen Hole at night and some areas likely wouldn't be safe.

[sfdellas]

Thanks for the responses. I must have looked at a 'deal' then on the cayman dive website i visited. First off, I'm all about diving. I couldn't care about much else 'to do' while there (wherever there will be). I think my main activity at night if I'm not diving is to go through the photos I took during the previous dives.
I saw a good deal advertised with Sunset House, but the other Roatan place I am considering is Reef House resort which is also an AI with unlimited diving. However, I did just click on the link for the $699 deal... it's gone up to $799, but the place sounds pretty amazing.

think I just got myself more confused and conflicted as to where to go...

I just want to dive, dive, dive and take photos along the way.

[Codiak]

AI in Roatan or Cozumel would seem right for you then..

[greylion]

Here's some deals. Click on the sales and specials button.

Island Dreams Travel scuba diving vacations, cozumel scuba diving, dive travel, dive resorts, diving trips

[Rhone Man]

People sometimes post without much thought as to how the casual reader might interpret something. Roatan is still one of the top Caribbean diving vacations available. Cayman is very good too, but as others have mentioned, quite pricey.

[sfdellas]

awesome. thanks again for the feedback. I'm hardly a 'resort' person and don't need pampering, or a spa, or any type of night life. I'm just looking for some great diving and a relatively safe area that I can call home for a week.
Think Roatan is def back on the list. thanks

[robint]

awesome. thanks again for the feedback. I'm hardly a 'resort' person and don't need pampering, or a spa, or any type of night life. I'm just looking for some great diving and a relatively safe area that I can call home for a week.
Think Roatan is def back on the list. thanks

there is a big difference between a "resort" and a "dive resort".
Resorts usually do have spas and pampering, fancy restaurants, and night life
Dive Resorts usually have dive boats, restaurants you can wear your swimsuit into and zero to little night life. You are paying for a top notched dive operation, not the plush stuff.

If you are on a budget, you should look at:
Does the package include all meals? (those place in Grand Cayman do not, and eating out is a huge expense)
Do I need to rent a car to get out to restaurants? Taxi costs? (something to consider in Grand Cayman again, this is why we are telling you it is expensive!)

An all-inclusive dive resort means you never have to leave the property. If you are traveling alone, it is probably a good bet for you. There are lots to choose from in places like Cozumel and Roatan. They are not all the same, some are fancier than others, some offer more diving than others, some have extra activities and some are just dive dive dive.

This time of year is hurricane season, which means more rain than other times of year, which means more bugs. So, yes Roatan has bugs, but it is a jungle island, you should expect that. Proper protection is needed, we like Cactus Juice as it is all natural and doesn't burn or smell bad.

I can personally recommend:
Scuba Club Cozumel Dive Resort
CoCo View Resort Roatan

both give ME what I like on a DIVE vacation.... I don't mind paying a few dollars more to get the quality of service and diving I get with both of them. I don't want any other activities, diving is my goal and they both make it completely effortless to dive dive dive. Food is above average at both places, too. Both are relative small resorts, so you get to know many other people there during the week and the staff gets to know you by name. Both feel very "homey". Both are gated with guards, so you feel completely safe. In fact, at CCV resort, most people don't even lock their rooms.
I plan to return to both.

robin

[WonderlustOji]

If you're worried about traveling alone on land at night and such, you could stay in the Bay Islands on Cayos Cochinos that has diving of the same quality or better than Roatan, and the island is relatively uninhabited. Only 1 dive operation/commercial enterprise in the entire archipelago. No need ever to get fearful, even if you're alone. They have bugs there too, and the weather may be rainy, so expect similar conditions as Roatan.

Plantation Beach Resort has winter deals that allow you to dive a week (2 boat dives a day, unlimited shore diving) for $700. Includes meals and accommodations.