West End Roatan - April2009

[mlbman]

2 experienced dive buddies using some frequent flyer miles for an inexpensive dive trip next April. Looking for any input on the dive operations (we prefer the smaller operations if they are good) and inexpensive but clean places to stay. We were even thinking of dropping bags at a dive shop and walking to check out rooms. Is that practical in April? How busy is the diving that time of year?

We will also need to spend a night near the airport at San Pedro Sula, so any suggestions? We have the international flights booked, but how long in advance do we have to book the flight over to Roatan?

Thanks for any input,
Mike

 

[cocoloca]

Semana Santa (Holy week) is one of the biggest Central American holidays it starts the week of 3rd of April and runs thru till the 12th April. It is virtually impossible to find accomodations this week and reservations are strongly advised. The weeks following Semana Santa are usually pretty quiet, as long as they do not coincide with US Spring breaks and you should be fine to drop your bags off at one of the shops and check out accomodations. You should be fine booking the flight from SPS to RTB the week before. A good hotel to check out is the Metrotel Express (formerly the Microtel) They will even pick you up from the airport. onlinereservation@hotelhonduras.com +504 559 0300 Fax. +504 559 0303

 

[Dive&Ski]

My wife and I stayed at Casa Calico. It's a B&B, owned by an american and recently remodeled. It runs about $50/night and well worth it. The breakfast is great. We dove with Coconut Tree and can't say enough good things about them.

 

[mlbman]

thanks for the info, you saved us. we were able to move the trip up to the end of March

 

[diversteve]

I second Coconut Tree. Great group of people to dive with, they go out of their way to accommodate you. One dive we there were 3 of us and 4 DM's in training on the boat. Would've been hard to get lost on that dive...lol.


If you're looking for inexpensive, check out Coconut Tree Cabins behind the diveshop. Clean, older but with all the amenities including cold A/C. My friends stayed in the 2BR it had a full kitchen with a big refrigerator. Quiet too, they're behind the restaurant/store/diveshop so it blocks the little street noise there is. One of the few places in town where the generator always seemed to kick on immediately when the power failed. (almost nightly) We also liked the look of Posada Arco Iris but they were full.

 

[halocline]

Casa del Sol is okay and very reasonable. Coconut tree is a great dive shop, by no means the smallest in the west end, but still very much a "family" type atmosphere. There's even an uncle Fester character hanging out guarding the turtles.