Belize, Cozumel, or Thailand

[katzgar]

this is where the hair splitting comes in. REEFCI has a meal plan, as you point out food is not included on the weekend and liquor is on the honor system so no it isnt an all inclusive in that liquor is extra and only one "restaurant" with no food on weekends.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Jake11 and I agree on so many things and I can't comment on land activities in Costa Rica, but as for diving, I must ask jake11, "have you been diving out at the Atolls?".

I think the diving out at the Atolls in Belize is really really good and can be amazing (for the Caribbean )!! The local diving off of San Pedro is merely good (no not Cozumel good ) but it's not drift diving, at least not so's you'd notice. New divers will like it just fine especially with the large groupers, nurse sharks, moray eels, reef and bull shark sightings, occasional dolphins coming around to check out the divers, and the other day a manta ray! !

 

[katzgar]

here is an old thread that discusses both locations.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ge...ion-discussions/216435-cozumel-vs-belize.html

from a prior post...

[h=2]from Ambergris Today/ Mooring buoys at Mexico Rocks[/h]

"A total of 20 mooring buoys were donated to the San Pedro Tour Guide Association to assist in the establishment of the recreational area at Mexico Rocks, which was recently annexed to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The Mooring buoys were donated by Canary Cove and presented to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve on October 20, 2015 by Gil Nunez on behalf of Canary Cove and The San Pedro Tour Guide Association.
Marker buoys have been installed to demarcate the no-take zones of Mexico Rocks and the mooring buoys will be installed in early November to have it ready for the 2015 start of the tourist season. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve management has also scheduled to commence management with the presence of a Park Ranger by late November. For further information please feel free to contact the Hol Chan office on Caribbena Street, San Pedro Town, phone 226 2247. Dive shop owners are encouraged to schedule a "Responsible Tour Guiding Seminar" to become updated with all the rules and regulations of the newly annexed zones of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
We take this opportunity to express our sincere Thank You to Canary Cove for their kind donation. They have also expressed their interest to continue support coral reef conservation programs undertaken at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve."​

 

[jake11]

Jake11 and I agree on so many things and I can't comment on land activities in Costa Rica, but as for diving, I must ask jake11, "have you been diving out at the Atolls?".

I think the diving out at the Atolls in Belize is really really good and can be amazing (for the Caribbean )!! The local diving off of San Pedro is merely good (no not Cozumel good ) but it's not drift diving, at least not so's you'd notice. New divers will like it just fine especially with the large groupers, nurse sharks, moray eels, reef and bull shark sightings, occasional dolphins coming around to check out the divers, and the other day a manta ray! !

Hi ChillyinCanada! When we did Belize it was on the Sun Dancer LOB. It was a nice trip and the viz was great. I am not sure if we went to the atolls or not?? They had mentioned that they wanted that week on land so that is why I suggested Costa Rica. I loved the diving in Costa Rica as well with eagle rays, bull sharks, harlequin shrimp, etc. although the viz was not as great as Belize. Have fun in the Maldives!!!

 

[Downing]

If the definition of all inclusive is meals, lodging and dining, there are a ton of them on the cases. Turneffe Island Lodge, Blackbird Caye, Turneffe Flats, Hatchet Caye, to name just a few. All are expensive but not so over the top if you consider everything's included in one bill.

There are just a bunch of choices if you're going to do one week diving and the other on the mainland. You'll probably want to head for the Cayo District like most folks but consider Toledo if you're ok with a more primitive-type trip (Bel Campo being the major exception). Toledo could really use the money.

 

[katzgar]

all inclusive is normally understood to include liquor, hence the word all. the resorts you list call themselves all inclusive but do not include liquor or even snacks. People need to be aware that everything isnt included on one bill.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Reread the OP to refresh my memory on original desire. In that regard, I recommend a Belize liveaboard out at the Atolls.
further, I always recommend that the land portion be done first.

Please be sure that your land portion includes the ATM cave!!

 

[Downing]

further, I always recommend that the land portion be done first.

And why is that, oh Wise But Chilly Lady From The Frozen Tundra?

Katz: Alcohol, got it. I'm not much of a drinker typically so I forget about alcohol.

 

[katzgar]

np, it is a point of pride sort of that there are no AI's in belize. I suppose they are coming one day though.

 

[Edward3c]

np, it is a point of pride sort of that there are no AI's in belize. I suppose they are coming one day though.

It's a sad day when alcohol is the basis of a holiday. The last time I dived with ReefCI I didn't drink, therefore it was an all inclusive for me.