Flying from Cozumel MX to Belize city

[nuts4corals]

@ReefHound my expectations are not unreasonable at all. you went to caye caulker a very diff. Destination than the atolls. why dont you try pricing ny one of the turneffe resorts or the eco places on lighthouse and see for yourself. sounds like you dont have the exp. Being that you just went to caulker. let me fill you in. resorts at turneffe range from 3900 - 4500 pp door to door. thats with all expenses for transfers to and from airport to and from BZE to docks to and from atolls. lighthouse evo resorts are nothing more that glamping with compost toilets and they cost 3200 with all taxes and everything else mentioned above. diving package alone there is a whopping 900 for 15 dives lol. as i said im sure diving is nice but damn... and yeah check out the taxes in these places and you will see that they charge 12.5% BZE tax... then a 9% hotel tax... as if thats nit enough they charge a 10% service fee... yup my math has me at 31.5%... i call that insanity. my budget is not shoe string at all. i can go to lighthouse and spend 3200 but i choose not to because thats just wayyyy too much for the offering IMHO. And... i am an avid outdoorsman and camp out almost every summer as i own a recrational vehicle and travel the states during summers.

Thanks for making my point about cozumel having mainstream infrastructure ect ect... thats percisely why i dont feel the atolls should be charging that tax rate they do. otherwise i dont mind paying if i m getting infrastructure for 31.5% not compost toilets... glovers atoll seems to have one campground with decent rates and one tht i would consider in the future if i want to rough it on an island. for now i m all booked up to cozumel for this trip which is costing me 1/3 what the atolls would cost so i feel i am getting my $$$ worth and having already been to cozumel once the drift diving is exactly what i am looking for. Cozumel is fabulouse and i woukd have loved to expierienced BZE but it would take me 15 hours door to door to get there from NY and cost me three times as much for 3 times as little. No thanks... maybe next time glovers might suit me if i am in the mood to rough it.

 

[ReefHound]

What's unreasonable is lumping service fees with taxes to declare the country doesn't want tourists. The service fee is on the hotel. The 21.5% is a bit high but not too far from the norm in the Caribbean. Roatan is 19%. Cozumel is 16%.

What's unreasonable is declaring a country expensive based on the most expensive and remote destinations. That's like saying Mexico is expensive diving because it costs a lot to visit the Socorros. Or that Costa Rica is too expensive because trips to Cocos run $4500.

What's unreasonable is comparing the lowest priced area of one country with the highest priced area of another country and concluding the latter must not want tourists.

If you're booked for Coz I know you're getting your $$$ worth. I think I already said Cozumel is about the lowest priced destination in the Caribbean. And the fact is Ambergris and Caulker are not far behind. If you can't go beyond the Cozumel price point then just always go to Cozumel. Lots of people do that and are happy with it.

 

[nuts4corals]

I guess you just like to listen to your self argue. That's fine whatever makes you happy.

Fact remains and you stated it yourself Belize highly taxes its tourists and locals get a 2% tax so if that does not tell you something well believe what you want. However, they are milking the tourists. eco compost toilets cost more than some all inclusive resorts in other places in the area on the same reef. Also to the tourist, it matters not who is taxing you... what matters is the total amount getting taxed. so 12.5%+9%+10% will = 31.5% all day long. and 15 hours vs. 5 hours will still take you three times as long to get there. You even complain on your post how terrible the 11 hour bus ride took you from Coz but you seem to have amnesia now. and... ambergris and Caulker are far behind when comparing apples with apples not peanuts as you put it. although not as much as lighthouse its still quite expensive as compared to Coz. Have you even priced out all inclusive on ambergris? I don't think so or you would not have stated what you did. Perhaps you are comparing airbnb to all inclusive? who knows...

and to imply that Cozumel is the lowest priced area of Mexico is such a blatantly false statement. there are much cheaper areas in Mexico. and. ambergris and caulker are hardly the most expensive areas of Belize, the same with long Caye out at lighthouse reef. hardly the most expensive so there again blatantly false statements.

You just have to face it as I already did and booked elsewhere that Belize takes three times longer to get to even if just flying into BZE, its three times more expensive, carries high tax for everything from sales to hotel to service tax and air costs more too. would i go to BZE in the future? maybe glovers yes maybe long caye and maybe not but all I can tell you is my decision this time was against BZE due to all of the above. having said that i appreciate so many peoples advice here on the board because if it wasn;t for them I would have reached this conclusion in far longer time frame.

Honestly if prices don't change I would much rather go back to bonair, turks and caicos, and even try cayman brac... all seem to be priced pretty much the same as BZE and are still far less complicated getting to.

 

[ReefHound]

I guess you just like to lie and obfuscate to defend your unreasonable comparisons.

Fact. Your statement that flying into BZE costs three times as much is simply false. Looking at United from Houston, lowest fare to CZM is $538, to BZE $424. It's less flying into BZE unless you fly into CUN and do the "bag drag".

Fact. Your statement that flying into BZE takes three times longer is simply false. Looking at United from Houston, flight time to CZM is 2:14, to BZE 2:28. Another hour by water taxi or 20 minutes by puddle jumper puts you on Ambergris. Faster than the bag drag.

Fact. The 10% fee you keep incorrectly calling a tax is resort-specific. Don't stay at the handful of resorts charging it and you won't pay it. I didn't when I went.

Fact. Most if not all caribbean locations heavily tax tourists. 18% seems typical. It's not just the Caribbean. Same thing in many US cities. What taxes would you pay for a room in NYC?

Fact. Cozumel is one of the lowest priced dive destinations in Mexico. You might dive for a bit less across the strait in Playa del Carmen but you'll pay more in Cabos, Vallarta, Zihua, or Veracruz.

Fact. My 11 hours land transfer (5 hours on bus) was due to a combo destination trip. Using that to say it's difficult to go to Belize is retarded. I could have reversed my itinerary and it would have taken 11 hours to get to Coz. My transfer account has no relevance on whether to go to Belize OR Coz but may be relevant on whether to go to Belize AND Coz in one trip.

Fact. I paid $90 per dive trip in Caulker. Who you diving with in Coz and how much are you paying?

Fact. I paid $65 per night in Caulker for hotel. Who you staying with in Coz and how much are you paying?

Fact. You're a hamburger man complaining about the cost of a steak.

 

[nuts4corals]

This is quite amusing hahaha

Apparently YOU are the hamburger man since it was you staying on Caulker vs. heading out for steak on Turneffe and taking an 11 hour bus to BZE instead of a couple hour puddle jumper from cancun, MX. lol

Not sure where you are getting your pricing but I have already provided comparison between compost toilets in BZE long Caye, lighthouse reef and COZ.

since you are unable to comprehend easily. here is the synopsis. door to door for 7 night stay
BZE = $3200 with composting toilets and no land lines all taxes 12.5%, fees 19%, air, puddle jumper, taxi fare and transfers + diving 15 dives and takes about 15 hours to get to door to door
COZ = $1546 for resort with a pool and flush toilets and actual phones in the room If i would compare "glamping the cost would be much less but I like steak ... all taxes, fees, air (no puddle jumper req'd since COZ has a proper airport where the big boys land), taxi fares and transfers + diving 15 dives and takes about 8 hours to get to door to door.

Firstly, try flying out of NY not Huston since this is my thread and I am the OP your examples are using Huston which looks to be your home town. No one cares about Huston here? and to compare a different departure is pointless. Obviously you don't have enough exp. traveling to know that international flights require you to arrive in the airport 3 hours in advance, even from Huston LOL. Typically you spend about 1- 1.5 hours exiting through customs with baggage after international flights which you didn't take into account and I have been telling you door to door in my examples above but you seem obtuse.

You are a waste of my time and everyone else here. anyone can check the prices for a Belize trip and see how much things cost vs. Cozumel for the same time frame and similar accommodations. You are a waste of my time and everyone else here. I have nothing more to say to you but wish you well in your travels. I will be on the plane soon enough to COZ...

 

[Ralph Capeling]

I live in Belize and while I responded to some of your questions with the intent of providing some information and options, I find your latest comments on Belize to be very insulting and not in the spirit of ScubaBoard.
I don't think your "analysis" is helpful to anyone and your insults are uncalled for. The hamburger man looking for steak does fit with your questions and comments. You seemed to start asking reasonable questions and then going on the attack against a great destination for diving and so many other attractions.

This is quite amusing hahaha

Apparently YOU are the hamburger man since it was you staying on Caulker vs. heading out for steak on Turneffe and taking an 11 hour bus to BZE instead of a couple hour puddle jumper from cancun, MX. lol

Not sure where you are getting your pricing but I have already provided comparison between compost toilets in BZE long Caye, lighthouse reef and COZ.

since you are unable to comprehend easily. here is the synopsis. door to door for 7 night stay
BZE = $3200 with composting toilets and no land lines all taxes 12.5%, fees 19%, air, puddle jumper, taxi fare and transfers + diving 15 dives and takes about 15 hours to get to door to door
COZ = $1546 for resort with a pool and flush toilets and actual phones in the room If i would compare "glamping the cost would be much less but I like steak ... all taxes, fees, air (no puddle jumper req'd since COZ has a proper airport where the big boys land), taxi fares and transfers + diving 15 dives and takes about 8 hours to get to door to door.

Firstly, try flying out of NY not Huston since this is my thread and I am the OP your examples are using Huston which looks to be your home town. No one cares about Huston here? and to compare a different departure is pointless. Obviously you don't have enough exp. traveling to know that international flights require you to arrive in the airport 3 hours in advance, even from Huston LOL. Typically you spend about 1- 1.5 hours exiting through customs with baggage after international flights which you didn't take into account and I have been telling you door to door in my examples above but you seem obtuse.

You are a waste of my time and everyone else here. anyone can check the prices for a Belize trip and see how much things cost vs. Cozumel for the same time frame and similar accommodations. You are a waste of my time and everyone else here. I have nothing more to say to you but wish you well in your travels. I will be on the plane soon enough to COZ...

 

[ReefHound]

Firstly, try flying out of NY not Huston since this is my thread and I am the OP your examples are using Huston which looks to be your home town. No one cares about Huston here? and to compare a different departure is pointless.

Ok, we'll look at your area.

United, Newark to CZM,shortest travel time 7:14 (no nonstop), $465 RT
United, Newark to BZE, shortest travel time 7:08 (no nonstop), $476 RT

Minimal differences. We can compare from any other city that you'd like but the relative differences aren't going to change much. Fact is, you opened your mouth and spewed ignorance. Sorry I hurt your lil feelers by exposing your unreasonable comparisons.

I've been to Coz twice this year already and planning another visit in December. Been to Bonaire, Roatan (2), Cozumel (7), Grand Cayman, Belize, and Florida (8) in past 3 years. You're the lightweight posting questions on forums because you don't know how to plan a vacation by yourself.

 

[nuts4corals]

its the simple truth that its costs more for less to go to belize. if that is insulting to you than you are getting upset with the wrong guy...but can understand why you would side with the opposition here.

Everyone has a price... no problem. i dont have to pay that price though. if there are two shops selling the same exact item but shop 'a' lists the item for $200 and shop 'b' lists the same exact item for $100. i would buy from shop 'b' that just makes me a smart consumer. but hey i can assure you that i was just as insulted as you when I was asked to pay 31.5% tax and fees for less.

 

[nuts4corals]

who is comparing apples and peanuts now...? Newark is not my area thats NJ... you are comparing huston flights with NY...its a lost cause. Im not going to respond to you because you have no point... so go ahead you have the floor and you have absolutely no effect on me so go ahead with your insults... matters not.

 

[ReefHound]

its the simple truth that its costs more for less to go to belize. if that is insulting to you than you are getting upset with the wrong guy...but can understand why you would side with the opposition here.

Dude, how many times did I say Cozumel is the cheapest. The point here is that the difference is not nearly as lopsided as you are making it out to be with your unreasonable apples to peanuts comparison.

I can't believe you're paying $1600 for a resort in Coz. What a sucker. Go have an awesome dinner at El Pique for about $5 and compare it to what you're paying for trough food at an AI.

You continue to focus on the cost and time to get to an outer atoll. What's the time and cost to get to Zihuatenejo MX (go google it if you've never heard of it)?The appropriate comparison to Coz would be to Ambergris.