Diving in South America-advice?!

[MarianAnn]

Hey Everyone,

Have just spent a few mind-boggling evenings on the net researching diving in South America. We are doing a six week trip from rio de janeiro to lima, peru and want to fit in a week of diving. The plan was to do the diving in belize, the bay of islands or even north brazil in the national park (Fernando de Noronho) however this is pushing the price of flights up by €1,400 at least. Dublin-rio, lima-dublin working out around €1200, add in belize or recife(north brazil) and add on €1,400 and that's just the flights. So then decided to make the best of diving around rio but it really doesn't sound that great. We're heading in July/August. Any advice in general on diving in south america? Or is there anywhere up around central america (where diving appears to be far better) that we can dive without breaking the bank!??

 

[landonnin1]

I don't know if you would be willing to stop by Venezuela but Los Roques is amazing.There are a few posadas (Small Hotels) that you can stay in.The main island is called Gran Roque this is where everything is. I was told that there is 300 islands total.There is lots to do in the way of exploring ( if you go you have to see the place they call the pool ) hope this helps
Matt

 

[tadeotadeo]

I would check into some of the diving in Colombia. I am not sure on the expense getting to some of these places is going to be for you but the cost of diving in general is some of the cheapest in South/Central America. By far the est diving is San Andres and Old Providence, I would also look into Santa Marta, Rosario just west of Cartagana, and some of the more remote places are Taganga, Gorgona(pricey), and Old Providence.
Hope this helps and doesn't add to the mind-boggling

 

[laurenceh]

in central america the cheapest and best imho diving is around the island of utila in the honduran bay islands. look into it

 

[Arturo]

Being in Lima, the best (and probable one of the cheapest) option would be Galápagos. Galapagos represents a world class diving experience and is quite different than any of the other possible destinations mentioned. Besides, it only takes two short flights to get from from Lima to Baltra, the capital of Galapagos islands. First fly Lima-Guayaquil and then Guayaquil-Baltra. Of course, if you are on a tight budget, you won´t make to Darwin & Wolf but still there are plenty of sharks, rays, penguins and sea lions in the southern islands to provide memorable dives.

 

[Playa Tranquilo]

As my friend above states...you should definitely check out San Andres and Old Providence in the Caribbean. Check us out at Playa Tranquilo San Andres - Colombia on San Andres, and www.diveoldprovidence.com on Old Providence. Spectacular!

 

[MarianAnn]

Thanks guys for all the advice. Going to follow up a couple of options and see what turns up. Thanks again.