Roatan?

[Adventure Traveler]

I'm looking to take a week vacation from So Cal, looks like Roatan or Cozumel are the best options. I prefer chill hotels over resorts, it seems that Cozumel is more of a resort destination, so I'm figuring Roatan is the the better option.

I'd like to find a hotel with a balcony / deck, on the beach, a hammock to relax in, and a chill bar to have a few drinks at night. I'd also like a high quality dive operator on site for ease of use and challenging / interesting dives.

My last trips were to Fiji, Australia, Bali and Belize.

Any recommendations on where to go and stay?

 

[Doc]

What defines a "chill" bar?

Most bars in Roatan have ice, but air conditioning? Not so much.

I am so un-hip, but I'm really good at it.

 

[releck97]

Check out Coconut Tree Divers in West End. P.J., Gay and the rest of the crew will take care of you in true "island style". Accommodations in the area are definitely not "resort" style.

Here's to a chill vaca!

 

[Adventure Traveler]

Thanks for the reply. Any opinion on AKR or Splash Inn?

 

[dolesorchard]

I would recommend Bonaire if you are going any time soon. It is very "chill" and you can count on warm temperatures. We were in Roatan the last two weeks of November and the second week the highs were around 70 and surface intervals were very uncomfortable. If you go to Roatan, take a warm coat for the boat.

 

[RTBDiver]

Thanks for the reply. Any opinion on AKR ?

Your kiddin right? Didn't you say

I prefer chill hotels over resorts

?

AKR is only the single most popular resort destination in the Bay Islands, You may want to grab a drink of choice, kick back and read through scubaboard archives as well as doing a bit more research elswhere in finding just what it is you seek.

 

[godive19]

dolesorchard. You've got to be kidding. You go during the rainy season and have 1 bad week and you tell people to go somewhere else. Best to keep your inexperience with Roatan to yourself

 

[Ozwald]

Myself and a buddy are heading there on the 3rd of February for a week. Highs around 70F is nude sunbathing weather for us Canucks !

Just out of curiosity what are the temperatures, water and weather, like down there at the moment? I imagine a 3 ml is sufficient?

 

[drrich2]

Interesting. In January 2011 I got to dive 1 day in Costa Maya and 1 day in Cozumel; had a good time, and water temp.s were around 76 degrees (for me, that means no wet suit). In February '08, I think it was, an unusual bad weather front moved in & closed Caleta Harbor in Cozumel the one day our cruise ship stopped there, so we didn't get to dive that day.

Any thoughts on how Roatan & Cozumel stack up in terms of winter water temp.s & how likely bad weather is to ruin your (dive) day?

Richard.

 

[richh32]

when i was in roatan, i stayed at luna beach resort. it is tucked away on the beach within walking distance to west end. very quiet there, clean and inexpensive. they have their own diveshop.