Roatan compared to Cozumel?

[robint]

one of the biggest differences between CCV and FI has to do with the size and clientele. FI is booked by many vacationers, families with kids, and non-divers. It has alot of rooms and is much bigger than CCV. FI also has lots of beach activities (CCV doesn't have a beach or pool) and other things going on to keep people entertained.

On the other hand, CCV is small with only 26 rooms all over-water or waterfront and no kids allowed unless they are divers. There are no tvs in rooms at CCV, nothing to do but dive or talk about diving, or hang out in Clubhouse at bar or playing beer pong, etc. It is a very quiet, relaxing place with no late night partiers as everyone dives! Totally different atmosphere. There is a nightly "entertainment" right after dinner, local kids dance group or fire dancers, etc. But those last only about an hour and are gone. The exception is Friday night (since most people leave on Sat) where there is a party at the Clubhouse, mucho adult beverage consumption, limbo contest, dancing, singing, etc but most people are still in bed before 11pm. It just isn't a wild party place. Also, CCV is one of the most "returned to" destinations in the world and you find that over half of the people there each week have been there before, some are there yearly.

check out my photos here: CoCoView Resort, 2008

robin

 

[Doc]

Aint that just amazing "stuff" ?

There is a nightly "entertainment" right after dinner, local kids dance group or fire dancers, etc. But those last only about an hour and are gone. The exception is Friday night (since most people leave on Sat) where there is a party at the Clubhouse, mucho adult beverage consumption, limbo contest, dancing, singing, etc but most people are still in bed before 11pm.

Oh, I always thought at CCV "night life" was the NIGHT DIVE at 8pm (and off solo at 11pm while my wife waits in the starlight of the gazebo).

 

[CajunDiva]

one of the biggest differences between CCV and FI has to do with the size and clientele. FI is booked by many vacationers, families with kids, and non-divers. It has alot of rooms and is much bigger than CCV. FI also has lots of beach activities (CCV doesn't have a beach or pool) and other things going on to keep people entertained.
robin

So you've actually stayed at Fantasy Island? I ask because if this is true, it wasn't the case the 12 or 13 times I've been there

Life at Fantasy Island is pretty much on par with how you describe CCV...with the exception of the gorgeous beach and the nice new swimming pool you mentioned.

 

[leadweight]

Is this about the difference between Coz and the Bay Islands or the difference between Coco View and FIBR?

 

[CajunDiva]

Is this about the difference between Coz and the Bay Islands or the difference between Coco View and FIBR?

For me at this moment it's about the difference between truth and fiction. But forgive me for interrupting your pictorial escapades

 

[Doc]

..... pictorial escapades....

:worthless:

 

[Reef Tank]

..... pictorial escapades ....

:worthless:

Since he mentioned "being pursued by some buff 27 year olds" maybe those were pectoral escipades.

 

[seahorsey]

I second that! I want PICS of the buff 27 year olds. Suffering from pec withdrawal already after three weeks back in Canada.
Spent 9 weeks in total in West Bay and West End, 8 of them as solo traveler, female, who likes to walk at night. Not a one problem. Not even any bad/strange feelings, ever. Left all my windows open all the time, too, if I was there or not. Of course there IS a difference between West Bay and West End, which is a little wilder, but even there I felt safe. Not saying there is no crime and that I would walk anywhere anytime, I'm sure there is as much crime there than anywhere that you got pronounced inequality. But you gotta go by your feel of the vibe and the specific situation, and personally I would go back anytime to Roatan. North/drugs, yeah, different story, but doesn't seem to intersect much with your average tourists' life.

Coz vs Roatan: when I went to Coz after two trips to Roatan, I got culture shock. Too much culture. Eeek. Stores! By the mile! Hawkers. 57 T-shirt stores, with offers in execrable taste. People. Pavement. Starbucks. No, no, no, this is all wrong. I like main street to be a dirtroad, like in West End. Not a concrete promenade. That was the biggest difference, the top side feel. Roatan is exotic, yet still feels strangely like home if, like me, you live in the back country in Canada. It's a village. Cozumel is basically a North American mall. A city. Now I loved Scuba Club Cozumel, and the drift dives were very nice. Especially if you think the slow finning required for your average reef stroll is a chore. Which I don't. Both places have good viz and lots of life, so both should keep any diver happy. Coz had nurse sharks, Roatan's reefs are prettier. Roatan is more pleasant, relaxing - none of that 'hurry, hurry, hurry' that drift diving entails on the boat, not as stressful to keep the group together, not as much worries about boats when you surface in individual buddy teams. Ease of travel made me choose Coz, and drift diving can be fun now and then. But my most impressive drift dive ever was still Pablos' Place in West Bay.

 

[scuba e]

My wife and I have been to Coco a few times and will return in August. As you are mom's getting away from it all jsut to dive I would think it would be a great location for you. No kids is really nice when all you want is 4+ dives a day. As mentioned, not much else to do but that sounds like your plan.
I guess if you want to fly all those miles to take pictures of buff guys you are out of luck. But I'm sure you could save the airfare and stay home to do that. Hehehhe.

 

[kixy1]

We're off to CCV! It was hard to give up the pool, free beer and that nice beach at FIBR, but after a bit of research we just felt CCV had a few more amenities that would make our vacation more enjoyable. I know someone will ask.... specifically, the ease of shore diving, more consistent reviews of room and food quality and what sounds like a tad better service.

Now don't ya'll start another flame! I've never been to either place so I don't (and won't) know the "truth". I can only go by what I can glean from the 100's of reviews here and around the web. I don't believe that either choice would have resulted in anything but a great dive vacation.

Thanks to all for your input and advice. We're counting the days! Anyone else going to be done there Aug 14-21?