stiffany
Guest
This is a really general question, but stiffany and I (her boyfriend) have been kicking around where to go diving soon and we're really indecisive about it. If anyone would like to help us, thanks in advance! I'll tell you a bit about ourselves so you get a better idea of what we're looking for.
We're both graduate students, which means we're pretty much broke all the time. I've travelled several times to Western and Central Europe and Latin America (Guatemala, Honduras), but always by backpacking and always on the cheap. We both speak some Spanish, so it was no big deal for me to do things like travel much of Guatemala by myself. My first time diving was to get my Open Water cert. on Utila this past march and I loved it. We stayed and dived with Alton's for a week, which had its plusses and minuses, but honestly I think Utila is possibly my own vision of heaven. The diving was fantastic as far as I know (if a little cold) and the island was friendly and affordable. We also spent a few days on Roatan, and I especially was very unimpressed. I felt like we stepped up 3-fold in price and down in quality. Sure, the island was prettier and there was more snorkeling available, but I don't think I would go back unless I got a real job and could afford AKR or something.
So with all that background, here's the question. Where should we go for 2.5 weeks including advanced water certifications in the end of August/beginning of September? We've ruled out Asia to some degree because the flights are going to be well over $1,000 each, though I would really like to go to Thailand. Most of the spots we're looking at are in Latin America, though we're also considering some Carribean islands, Mexico, or Eastern Europe (Croatia). I would love to go back to Utila again, but it seems too soon since we just went a few months ago and I'd like to see more of the world (maybe?). Ideally, we're looking for lodgings under $20/night for the two of us without killer airfare from the east coast. Obviously, this doesn't get us creature comforts and honestly I don't mind.
To be more specific, does anyone have any input on spending 2.5 weeks on big and little corn island? Is it as safe as the other places and as easy to get to as Utila (we took the mainland route and ferry to/from Utila)? What about Caye Caulker in Belize? Would that vibe be like Utila's vibe? Maybe some of the places on the Mexican Mayan Riviera (I know, separate forum, but it's not that far!)? What else am I not thinking about? I do tend to get ancy if I sit in one place for too long, so I don't want to be too remote (other islands in the area I could jump to or mainland activities), but at the same time I don't want to be anywhere real touristy.
Thanks!
Eric
We're both graduate students, which means we're pretty much broke all the time. I've travelled several times to Western and Central Europe and Latin America (Guatemala, Honduras), but always by backpacking and always on the cheap. We both speak some Spanish, so it was no big deal for me to do things like travel much of Guatemala by myself. My first time diving was to get my Open Water cert. on Utila this past march and I loved it. We stayed and dived with Alton's for a week, which had its plusses and minuses, but honestly I think Utila is possibly my own vision of heaven. The diving was fantastic as far as I know (if a little cold) and the island was friendly and affordable. We also spent a few days on Roatan, and I especially was very unimpressed. I felt like we stepped up 3-fold in price and down in quality. Sure, the island was prettier and there was more snorkeling available, but I don't think I would go back unless I got a real job and could afford AKR or something.
So with all that background, here's the question. Where should we go for 2.5 weeks including advanced water certifications in the end of August/beginning of September? We've ruled out Asia to some degree because the flights are going to be well over $1,000 each, though I would really like to go to Thailand. Most of the spots we're looking at are in Latin America, though we're also considering some Carribean islands, Mexico, or Eastern Europe (Croatia). I would love to go back to Utila again, but it seems too soon since we just went a few months ago and I'd like to see more of the world (maybe?). Ideally, we're looking for lodgings under $20/night for the two of us without killer airfare from the east coast. Obviously, this doesn't get us creature comforts and honestly I don't mind.
To be more specific, does anyone have any input on spending 2.5 weeks on big and little corn island? Is it as safe as the other places and as easy to get to as Utila (we took the mainland route and ferry to/from Utila)? What about Caye Caulker in Belize? Would that vibe be like Utila's vibe? Maybe some of the places on the Mexican Mayan Riviera (I know, separate forum, but it's not that far!)? What else am I not thinking about? I do tend to get ancy if I sit in one place for too long, so I don't want to be too remote (other islands in the area I could jump to or mainland activities), but at the same time I don't want to be anywhere real touristy.
Thanks!
Eric
