Looking for a dive vacation.

[WetFatCat]

I'm looking for a family dive vacation in Caribbean in March 14-21. Not liveaboard, just relaxing resort vacation with 5 2-dives day and couple night dives. We are family of 3 divers. Money matters.
I'll highly appreciate any advice, that's first time when I'm trying arrange dive trip by myself.

 

[robint]

I'm looking for a family dive vacation in Caribbean in March 14-21. Not liveaboard, just relaxing resort vacation with 5 2-dives day and couple night dives. We are family of 3 divers. Money matters.
I'll highly appreciate any advice, that's first time when I'm trying arrange dive trip by myself.

look at Cozumel and Belize.

Cozumel might be the least expensive, especially if you go with an all-inclusive. With kids (the third person is a teen, right?) an all-inclusive usually works well as they are walking stomachs and always hungry. But either way, Coz has cheap food in town. So if you pick a hotel near San Miguel you can eat pretty cheaply. AI's are easier as you never have to leave the resort to find food.
Cozumel Scuba Diving at Scuba Club Cozumel Dive Resort and Scuba Cozumel Dive Shop
or
Cozumel vacation, Mexico resort hotel rates - Bay Adventures
good places to start.

What other activities are you looking for after your 2-tank dive each day? Sitting around pool? Sightseeing? Tours? Shopping?

Belize, Ambergris Cay area in particular, has lots of other things to do besides dive. Prices are a bit higher overall there though.

robin

 

[BTravlin]

Coz is probably going to be your best value and the diving is great too.

 

[WetFatCat]

Thanks a lot for your replies.

The third one is not a teenager already (22), but still is a walking stomach
I looked at Villa Blanca and found that $559 pp package with 2-dives daily with Papa Hogs sounds good (may be i need to look for a catch though).
My wife and I were in Cozumel last August and we had the best dives we ever had, so Cozumel seems to be a good choice.
At the same time I'll appreciate info about other destinations in Cozumel's price range if there is any, it's always good to try a new place. We are not picky about logging, the clean room with AC and private shower is good for us. Preferred non-diving activities are sightseeing and touring, not shopping and eating.

 

[robint]

Thanks a lot for your replies.

The third one is not a teenager already (22), but still is a walking stomach
I looked at Villa Blanca and found that $559 pp package with 2-dives daily with Papa Hogs sounds good (may be i need to look for a catch though).
My wife and I were in Cozumel last August and we had the best dives we ever had, so Cozumel seems to be a good choice.
At the same time I'll appreciate info about other destinations in Cozumel's price range if there is any, it's always good to try a new place. We are not picky about logging, the clean room with AC and private shower is good for us. Preferred non-diving activities are sightseeing and touring, not shopping and eating.

cozumel is probably the cheapest place to go in the Caribbean arena. Villa Blanca is kinda rustic, not fancy at all, I have heard good and bad. If you stay there you will need to take a taxi to and from town or rent a car. It is too far to walk, especially after a day of diving. Papahogs Hogtown Cafe is right next door and serves awesome breakfasts and lunches but is closed for dinner, so you need to go to town for food after 4pm. There are a few restaurants just south of there, at Casa del Mar and El Cid but those are 1/4-1/2 mile walk. I would go into town for more selection. We haven't been there since the hurricane so I don't know what restaurants have been rebuilt in that area, several places were destroyed.

If you don't want to rent a car, then I would stay closer to town. If you want to dive with PapaHogs, they will pick you up as far north as the pier downtown (last I heard). We always rented a car and drove to Papahogs each day, as we always ate breakfast at Hogtown Cafe before diving, then lunch there afterwards. We also did an afternoon boat dive with them some days. The DMs just wait until you are done eating, then load up the boat.

As far as hotels, we have stayed at Cabanas del Sol (I don't think they are around anymore), El Cid La Ceiba, Casa del Mar, Plaza las Glorias (now the Cozumel Palace downtown), and Hogtown Hotel. Our next trip we will probably do Scuba Club. Nice thing about Coz, is all the choices!

The other place I would recommend for you is Belize but prices are a bit more. Ambergris Cay would be nice, lots of land tours, and no need for a car as everything is walking distance (and they don't have cars, only golf carts).
Bay Adventures :: Dive Adventures and Island Vacations :: 888.599.3483

price comparison:
Belize: http://www.caradonna.com/Product/WhatsNew/ExoticCayeBeachResort.aspx (quad price $903pp, includes airfare from Belize city to Ambergris, no meals, 2 tanks per day for 5 days)



Since you are looking at Spring Break time, I would book asap.

robin

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

I've heard recently that folks have gotten flights Newark to Curacao for $385 including all taxes in February on Continental. You might want to research some flight options. We live in Westpunt and our apartment is booked that week but, All West Dive Apartments rent for about a hundred dollars a night. They have rental vehicles and tanks on premises for easily done shore diving. Their shop, Ocean Encounters West, is a half mile away. Top side, in the west there is a lot of hiking trails and beaches. Willemstad is a 40 minute drive away with casinos, museums etc. Let me know if you would like more info on Curacao.
Just to add a new destination to the mix
Sunshine
curacaosunshine@gmail.com

 

[TheDiveBus]

I second Sunshine with Curacao as your best bet. Especially with the Curacao Now! offer that's running via the Curacao Tourist Board.

You can find out more about that on our website here:
The Dive Bus - Save $$$s on your Curacao dive vacation with Curacao Now! and The Dive Bus

Or on the Curacao Tourist Board website here:
Welcome to Curaçao!

Happy planning )

Suzy
The Dive Bus - HOME

 

[oly5050user]

Thanks a lot for your replies.

The third one is not a teenager already (22), but still is a walking stomach
I looked at Villa Blanca and found that $559 pp package with 2-dives daily with Papa Hogs sounds good (may be i need to look for a catch though).
My wife and I were in Cozumel last August and we had the best dives we ever had, so Cozumel seems to be a good choice.
At the same time I'll appreciate info about other destinations in Cozumel's price range if there is any, it's always good to try a new place. We are not picky about logging, the clean room with AC and private shower is good for us. Preferred non-diving activities are sightseeing and touring, not shopping and eating.

I have a group going to Bonaire May 31,airfare / unlimited diving/hotel/car/breakfast/nitrox/ 6 boat dives, included for $1800.I know that is not in your time frame though.. You may contact me if you like via PM and I'll see what I can get you for a quote on the time frame you wish to go.