New member from SoCal looking for Honeymoon Destination

[KathyV]

Anthony's Key Resort on Roatan has already been mentioned but they are offering 2 for 1 specials in 2016, see the link below.

Keep in mind that not all of the rooms at AKR are air-conditioned and A/C costs more (but you really need A/C in the tropics IMO, especially since the no-seeums and mosquitoes can be really bad on Roatan). There will also be a 19% tax on your stay so figure that into your costs.

Flights to Roatan can be pricey but you still have time to shop around and AKR really is offering a cheap price for lodging, food, and diving.

October is the rainy season in Honduras and a lot of resorts close down, so you might want to look for a different time of year.

2 for 1 Travel Deal | Anthony's Key Resort | Roatan | Honduras

 

[DjDiverDan]

BTW, if Cozumel is your choice, you don't have to fly direct into Cozumel. Few airlines go into Cozumel, and airfares can get expensive. Often you can save $200 per person or more on a RT by flying into Cancun and doing what is called the "Bag Drag" - ADO bus direct from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen, about a 4-5 block walk to the Ferry Pier (and porters on tricycles will take your luggage for you for a nice tip), then Ferry ride to Cozumel, where you get off right in the middle of Downtown. It adds about 2 hours of travel time each way, but part of that is an enjoyable Ferry ride (with a beer, if you like), so it's not like being stuck on a plane. And with Southwest Air flying from Houston into Cancun, if you arrange SW all the way, you get two FREE bags per person - on American, those two bags would cost you $50 per person each way. The only warnings are (1) be sure to get into Cancun early enough - no later than say 3:30 or 4:00 - to get to Cozumel at a decent time, and (2) do NOT schedule an early flight home from Cancun, or you'll need to be on the Ferry to PDC at the crack of dawn, or overnight near the Cancun Airport. Check out Cozumel forum for threads on the Bag Drag.

 

[drrich2]

When people say that there is not much to do on Bonaire it always surprises me. There's not a lot of night life or attractions but it is such an unusual environment to visit IMO. There are mangrove swamps, a jungle park, salt flats, a flamingo preserve, stretches of desert and cactus, slave huts that are still standing, a pink sand beach, a donkey preserve, a windmill farm, and big hills made out of white salt. Not to mention a beautiful warm ocean and healthy reefs with lots of sea life. I think it is a great place to visit.

This is why it's important to consider what's important to the individual. I enjoyed a number of these things (though I'd call it an arid, bushy scrub park), but some people would drive past/through all that in a day & say 'That was it?' I'd call some of Bonaire's topside attractions rustic & quaint.

But there is kite-boarding & wind-surfing, and those are another story. One someone younger, leaner & more athletic than me can talk about perhaps?

Richard.

 

[KathyV]

This is why it's important to consider what's important to the individual. I enjoyed a number of these things (though I'd call it an arid, bushy scrub park), but some people would drive past/through all that in a day & say 'That was it?' I'd call some of Bonaire's topside attractions rustic & quaint. But there is kite-boarding & wind-surfing, and those are another story. One someone younger, leaner & more athletic than me can talk about perhaps? Richard.

You are right about considering what's important to the individual, but attractions like kite-boarding and wind-surfing can get pricey. You can also go gambling at the Divi Flamingo Casino but that can get expensive, too (although you don't need to be young, lean, and athletic!) But since the OP will be a newlywed on a budget I was trying to think of things to see and do on Bonaire that are free or inexpensive, but they may not be all that exciting (even though I like them!)

When my husband and I got married we drove from Chicago to Florida, with stops along the way in exciting places like Lookout Mountain, TN. We stayed in small motels and ate as cheaply as possible and saved money whenever we could. It was a long time ago and we weren't divers then, but it was a great trip - and the first of many wonderful vacation memories.

It is nice when you have money to spend but I can attest that in good company you can still have fun on a tight budget!

---------- Post added December 8th, 2015 at 06:39 PM ----------

It just occurred to me that since the OP is in Southern CA he and his bride could probably get to Baja and the Sea of Cortez pretty easily and cheaply. We did a trip there in late October several years ago and the water was in the 80s. We were on a liveaboard and it was expensive. I have never dived with a shore-based operator out of Cabo or La Paz but with some research you might be able find some good options within your budget. It was a beautiful location with great diving with lots of fish and sea lions! We didn't see any whale sharks though! :depressed:

 

[LiquidDivingAdventure]

Out of LAX, Cabo San Lucas is a quick and easy destination. If you are looking for something a bit more exotic, I get a number of all-inclusive packages to Fiji that include R/T airfare. These are often priced about the same as a trip to Cozumel or the Caymans for us.

 

[Charles2]

My wife and I stayed at The Best of Belize Hotels & Belize Resorts | Welcome to Hamanasi! several years ago. It seemed as if it would be a great place for a romantic (honeymoon) getaway. They have a very private treehouse accommodation that you might find very nice. Although the boat ride is a bit long, the diving is great and the on-site operator is one of the best. In addition to scuba, there are other guided excursions available such as Mayan ruins, jaguar preserve, birding, etc. All is included in the rate. And I might add that the dining was great. Every meal was a real treat.

Cheers
Charles

 

[stefanbob1]

The tyranny of choice can drive you mad.

Yes. This. Lots of this. Trying to narrow things down, I found that the more I searched the area, the more options I found. Your suggestion to pick one resort for each area was very smart. This helped me to compare at the 30,000 ft view (literally, with Google Earth).


But good news! Six months and much research later, along with much madness, we are excited to finally be booking our trip! We spent a lot of time looking at Belize -- we might come back in a few years -- but in the end we are aiming for Anthony's Key Resort on Roatan per the many favorable reviews I have been reading. I think it has everything we want. She is excited for the overwater bungalow and I like that the 2-for-1 package offers more activities than other resorts, including the horseback ride, dolphin swim, etc. We are both excited for the excellent diving and all-inclusive package. If we go on every dive the package offers (3 boat dives per day x 6 days + 2 night dives) we will get close to doubling our # of lifetime dives with this one trip.

We are looking at next Spring 2017.



Now I have a few more questions for the group.

We want to see whale sharks! Is this possible on Roatan and when is the best time to go? We are AAA members, and I'm waiting on a quote from them to nail down the exact date and pricing, but the agent suggested travelling March 28th thru April 4th which is between Spring Break March 13-17 and Easter April 16.

Based on what I'm reading, it sounds like that may be too early, what do you guys think?




Also, I found the AAA booking terms interesting. I understand the pricing is a moving target due to constantly fluctuating airfare and room availability due to the limited size of these resorts (56 rooms). That being said, I was told that when we are ready to book, AAA will "request" your date and you have 24 hrs to put down a large (50% or so) deposit to hold the trip at that rate. Is this typical for such a trip?

By contrast, if booked directly with AKR, the resort terms are $200 deposit within 14 days, then 50% at 90 days before trip (late December) and 100% at 60 days (late January)



Another question, how much "extra" do I need to budget for? I saw the 19% hotel tax that is not included in the online pricing, but what else are we going to spend money on? We will be renting SCUBA gear, taxi, shopping etc.

This is our first trip diving abroad - any traveler's tips or links to writeups would be great.


Anything else I need to consider?



Once again thank you everyone for the insightful posts. We are sooooo excited, this is going to be a huge step in our diving careers, and a great life experience that we will cherish forever. The information, encouragement and feedback I've gotten on this forum has been very helpful.

 

[diversteve]

The West End is a $10 or slightly less cab ride from AKR. Lots of shops/restaurants/bars there. Sundowners bar/grill is pleasant and on the beach. For nightlife the West End is the place. Other things you might want to do:

A few miles farther west is West Bay - the nicest beach on Roatan. Similar shops etc. but less of them. Gumbalimba Park has the zip lines if that's of interest.

Otherwise from AKR French Harbor or Coxen Hole should be about a $15 ride - typical Roatan towns - if you needed some special food items either has the big markets but I personally wouldn't make a special trip to either. If it's of interest the Iguana Farm is in French Harbor also.
There's also Woody's or Coconut Tree's store in the West End - either is Roatan's version of a smaller 7-11.

Or the Black Pearl Golf course near Pristine Bay - east of AKR. There's also Carambola Gardens - I believe just across the street from the AKR entrance. And there's a Butterfly Garden near the West End - I haven't been to either. Some other options also: Roatan Island Tourist Guide - Roatan Island, Honduras

Depending on your package/airline there's an Airport departure tax. Probably around $40 but some airlines include it. Plus as you've noted the 19% resort tax. Don't forget dive crew/staff tips also - you'll have the same boat and likely the same crew all week.

 

[KathyV]

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage and honeymoon on Roatan!

You asked about extra expenses so I am adding "travel medicine" to the list. I don't mean to be the voice of gloom (we loved our trips to Roatan!) But we always visited our travel med physician before going and that can get pricey and may not be covered by health insurance.

Before visiting Honduras we got boosters on our current vaccinations and received vaccines for Typhoid and Hepatitis A and we took anti-malarial medication before, during, and after each trip.

While we were there we also took serious precautions to avoid mosquito bites because of the risks of Chikungunya, Dengue, and Malaria. And since you will be newlyweds I will also mention the risk of Zika virus for pregnant women and their babies. I mention this because you said that you want to explore the island and visiting the jungle, mangroves, and river valleys will increase the likelihood of mosquito bites.

You should also take food and water precautions, especially when you are eating away from the resort.

Again, I do not mean to scare you, but these risks do exist (see the link below) but they are manageable as long as you take the proper precautions. To reduce the costs you should try checking with your local health department because they may offer free travel medicine consultations and free (or discounted) vaccines.

Roatan is a lovely spot and I am sure you will have a great trip!

Health Information for Travelers to Honduras - Traveler view | Travelers' Health | CDC