The dorm is $5/night... It's a good way to go while you find something else. You could stay there the whole time, but you might want a place with more privacy. All of Coconut Tree runs off a generator. You'll likely not even notice power outages.
Divemaster internship in Roatan
- Thread starter macsman
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kiwinomad
Registered
Heh, I was about to make a similar post, although I may not be getting out of my job till March and am considering Utila too, and will probably go with the "turn up and make some of fun dives / have a look round" plan as I'm going to have an undefined amount of time (however long about $10 - 12k lasts me) to dive and travel and stuff.
I've pretty much decided on the Bay Islands (diving looks awesome, I've never been to Latin America at all, have friends in Costa Rica I want to visit en route, and it'll probably help me upgrade my terrible Spanish to merely lousy)
One pretty important question for me is how reliable is the internet in the two islands?
I may be able to get a bit of consultancy work from my present employers which would be awesome as it would allow me to prolong my trip indefinitely - but it does require me to have a decent internet connection. Work is mostly uploading / downloading documents and emails but some running of reports on our servers (up to 15 mins) that I can't disconnect during.
I've pretty much decided on the Bay Islands (diving looks awesome, I've never been to Latin America at all, have friends in Costa Rica I want to visit en route, and it'll probably help me upgrade my terrible Spanish to merely lousy)
One pretty important question for me is how reliable is the internet in the two islands?
I may be able to get a bit of consultancy work from my present employers which would be awesome as it would allow me to prolong my trip indefinitely - but it does require me to have a decent internet connection. Work is mostly uploading / downloading documents and emails but some running of reports on our servers (up to 15 mins) that I can't disconnect during.
Give yourself a couple of days before a deadline to submit the work and you should be OK, worst case scenario if it does go down for a few days, you could always jump on a ferry and get to the mainland.
James Bond boat entry
Contributor
Kia Ora (NZ Maori Greeting)
Internet access on Utila can be good at times, depends on the bandwidth a cafe is using and what the other users are doing (streaming video, skype, uploading photos). The better the connection, the more it costs per time unit.
If you had you own internet connection in your accomodations, you could work at night when everyone else is at the bar getting drunk and the "pipe" would be clear. Note, someone is always looking for a website nerd on Utila, so you may be able to pick up some work in that area.
All internet access is microwaved to the mainland, there are some houses and businesses that have satellite but this has high latency. Also, the power supply on Utila is quite reliable, Roatan doesn't have enough generating capacity and has unannounced blackouts.
If you have any questions about divemaster training please PM, I can give you the dirt on the good and bad shops, the career prospects & the questions you need to ask, I have spent a great deal of time on these two islands and feel I am impartial as I don't live down there anymore.
Internet access on Utila can be good at times, depends on the bandwidth a cafe is using and what the other users are doing (streaming video, skype, uploading photos). The better the connection, the more it costs per time unit.
If you had you own internet connection in your accomodations, you could work at night when everyone else is at the bar getting drunk and the "pipe" would be clear. Note, someone is always looking for a website nerd on Utila, so you may be able to pick up some work in that area.
All internet access is microwaved to the mainland, there are some houses and businesses that have satellite but this has high latency. Also, the power supply on Utila is quite reliable, Roatan doesn't have enough generating capacity and has unannounced blackouts.
If you have any questions about divemaster training please PM, I can give you the dirt on the good and bad shops, the career prospects & the questions you need to ask, I have spent a great deal of time on these two islands and feel I am impartial as I don't live down there anymore.
kiwinomad
Registered
The "Give yourself a couple of days" comment has put the wind up me a bit. How common are multi-day internet outages? Mind you after looking at the ferry schedule it's not the end of the world if I do have to go to the mainland to get a few hours or even a couple days online.
Ka pai JBBE
I'm willing to sacrifice some nights of getting drunk if it (helps) fund my diving. I'm not a huge party animal anyway, so odds are I'll have a few nights in anyway even if I do wind up unemployed.
I'm not a website geek unfortunately. I know the basics and have had my own sites in the past but I'm actually a marketing weenie by trade (somehow, I'm still not sure how that happened). Still, I might remember enough to be useful to someone.
Ka pai JBBE
I'm willing to sacrifice some nights of getting drunk if it (helps) fund my diving. I'm not a huge party animal anyway, so odds are I'll have a few nights in anyway even if I do wind up unemployed.
I'm not a website geek unfortunately. I know the basics and have had my own sites in the past but I'm actually a marketing weenie by trade (somehow, I'm still not sure how that happened). Still, I might remember enough to be useful to someone.
They always happen when it really seems to matter!
They're not common but they happen, some Internet providers go down, so there's usual an alternative, or power can go out, maybe there's another cafe with an independent generator. If you're working to deadlines you need to factor in some room for maneuvering around these 'hiccups'. At least you'll still be working on an island in the Caribbean!
Warm regards,
Andy
kiwinomad
Registered
> At least you'll still be working on an island in the Caribbean!
That is the important thing. I'm usually pretty good about leaving myself wiggle room so that and a bit of good luck and tolerance from my boss and I'll be fine
That is the important thing. I'm usually pretty good about leaving myself wiggle room so that and a bit of good luck and tolerance from my boss and I'll be fine
hoophoop
New
While in Costa rica, you should go diving at Catalina island (I think that is the name) and see the manta rays. Water is cold and current is heavy but the Manta Rays are awesome.
How about bringing a blackberry. The 3G network here is getting to be a popular option. Just make sure it is unlocked and get a TIGO 3G account when you arrive.
bookofmaya
Guest
Hi, I joined this site in hopes to get some information about this particular subject that you've all embarked on. I am planning to head to Roatan to do my Divemaster internship. I wondered if I should do my advanced and rescue here in Houston with a local shop or going from advanced to DM in one trip to Roatan. I am a slow book learner so theory may take some time to marinate. teehee I'am also debating between subway dive shop, reef gliders, dockside... Too many places !!!
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