Looking for place to stay/dive in Belize- please help

[caileon]

I am planning a trip with a group of experienced divers to Belize in early March 2016. Can I please have some advise on where to stay. I have read many posts already and they don't touch on my concerns. If I list a few criteria can you guys point me in the right direction? I've dove all over the world, so would like to check Belize off the list.
1- We like to dive. We would like at least 4 dives a day, maybe a night dive or 2.
2- At least 1 trip to Blue Hole.
3- Accommodations don't have to be the best. We are divers not Honeymooners. Diving to us is the primary concern.
4- Nitrox a plus
5- All inclusive food/drinks would be nice, but food most important.
6- Reasonable price. Maybe 1200 per person for a week. Or around there.

Thanks
Eric

 

[jlevine]

Ok...I'll bite. It would be nice to know the size of your group since a volume discount might help your cause.

The $1200/person/week and the desire to do four dives per day are challenges (without knowing the size of your group). A liveaboard would give you the dive count but not at your price point. If you want to see the best diving in Belize most people would tell you to do a liveaboard or to go to one of the atolls. At that price point, that will be very difficult.

Ambergris Caye (and Caye Caulker) would be a more likely candidate for the price point. The reef is close so you won't spend as much on fuel. In those locations I would not do all-inclusive as there are lots of food options. Most dive shops on AC offer three dives per day. Ambergris Divers shows four (but I have no direct experience with them). For a large booking you might find that some of the shops will be glad to accommodate your needs. There are a few shops that do the Blue Hole trip at least once a week. For accommodations it will depend on the size of your group. In "downtown" (cough cough) San Pedro, some of the larger places would be Ramon's which has its own dive shop and the Sunbreeze Hotel which has an onsite operation as well. If you go north of "downtown" (past the bridge) there are some nice condo communities up there but you'd be further from other restaurants and night life. Elbert Greer owns the White Sands Dive Shop and often contributes here and serves that area.

Placencia might be another option for you but the reef is much further out so fuel costs will be higher.

I've traveled to AC a lot but would not call my self an expert by any means. I do think you may have to compromise on your criteria. I'd really like to see what others come up with. There's lots of great people who participate on this forum!

 

[katzgar]

San Pedro/Ambergris Caye is the center of diving in Belize. The blue hole and atolls are a little closer to Caye Caulker but those are expensive trips. There is no all inclusive in Belize, not sure but dont think there are any pee up bars either. There are some places that have meal plans but that is account of jungle isolation or out on the atolls. There is a well respected travel agent in Belize that might be a good way for a large group to go, let me know if you want her help. spend some time looking at the blue hole on youtube, not everyone likes it, shame to waste the money.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I'm with Levine. Your group size should be able to command group pricing, your own boat for local diving and group rate discount from your chosen hotel. Yes, the day trip out to the Atolls (Blue Hole ) will be expensive and you won't have your own boat for that. Regardless, I can assure you that if you're on Amigos del Mar boat for that trip, you'll be very comfortable nonetheless.

Get rooms with kitchenette to save on meals (and time) for breakfast and occasionally lunch, snacks etc. If you have room in your bags, bring your chosen snacks to help save money. Watch though not to exceed airlines baggage allowance or that will spoil any saving there.

There's so mean places to eat on Ambergris Caye you'll be spoiled for choice in every price bracket. Caye Caulker similar in this regard though on a smaller level.

Placencia is also a very cool place with enough restaurants to provide variety and price point preferences. While you'd likely only get 3 dives a day, they'll be very good dives and if you get to Glovers, some of the best on offer in Belize. The Blue Hole trip is harder to do from placencia but still can be done. Keep in mind that getting to Placencia on the puddle jumper planes is more expensive than to San Pedro or C.C.. I'd argue that it's worth the extra money. Contact Patti at Splash Divers for all of your needs in Placencia. You might just be pleasantly surprised by what Patti and Ralph can offer you.

I've some accommodation ideas for you in San Pedro if you decide to go there, let me know.

Again, I'd never take an all inclusive in San Pedro's, Caye Caulker or Placencia. You said food was important!!

---------- Post added November 22nd, 2015 at 02:11 PM ----------

By the way, how many in your group?