Super Cheap Caribbean or Central America?

[DustyC]

My wife is getting to go to Israel next year, all expenses paid, and I can't go, so I get to take a trip later in the year, just me and a dive buddy(ies).

We'd looked at the Dive Hut on Bonaire, but we're going to Bonaire this year. We like the slower, more quiet places. Food that won't kill us, our own beds that won't give bugs, gas that won't make us sick. And good diving. Seems like I read about a place on Utila where you could stay and dive for a week for under $400 plus food? The dive hut is $590 pp for hotel room, gas, and truck for the week. What other options are out there?

 

[drrich2]

If you're after a cheap dive trip, I think you'll find posts bring up the Blackbeards live-aboard in the Bahamas, and you can get a lot of dives in fairly cheaply out of Key Largo with Rainbow Reef Dive Center.

T.C. has a great trip report on a Blackbeard's trip from May 2014 that's worth a read.

I've got a trip report for Rainbow Reef Dive Center out of Key Largo. I'm told they changed location, but not far, so won't make a lot of difference to you.

And back in 2012, I hit Dive Hut in Bonaire & did this trip report.

People often bring up Cozumel as a good budget option with quality drift diving. I've only dove there 1 day, 2 tanks on a cruise ship stop. They've got budget options.

I've heard mention of the 'hostel option' with Utila, but never been there. Others, or other threads, can fill you in.

Be careful comparing destinations. For starters, airfare cost varies widely. Expect a big difference between round trip airfare to Bonaire vs. Key Largo.

Dive Hut won't include meal prices, and food in Bonaire is somewhat expensive. Blackbeard's includes your meals in the cost of the trip.

If you hit Key Largo & share a hotel room, the cost/person for the trip drops a good deal because putting more people in the room likely won't run the cost up drastically.

A road trip to & from Florida from Little Rock is a big drive but if you're really cheap, and willing to trade shifts & maybe overnight coming & going in a cheap hotel, you can save airfare & baggage costs.

I suspect 19 - 20 dives offered on a Blackbeard's cruise will be hard to beat, if you can accept 'camping at sea.' A 2+ person road trip to Key Largo staying a bit further out at a cheaper hotel than I did could be a cheap option, with a punishing drive to/from. Airfare is the killer on Bonaire trips; if you are laid back and can handle 'looser' flight schedules, Insel Air has been cheaper than Delta when I've looked. I did Insel once; a bit nerve wracking (seems the planes work on 'island time') but I didn't miss any flights, & got my baggage.

Richard.

 

[DustyC]

Gracias! Blackbeards looks like a great deal. We'll check into that for sure.

 

[diversteve]

Dives on Utila run about 10/$350 so if there is a $400 package...you do the math. There are some really cheap rooms so $500 is probably possible. Bugs optional. Get a place with screens on the windows and bring something with Deet in it. Everything is here: Utila Official Site - Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras - Tropical Island Paradise

Price flights - in high season probably not much change back from $1K. Utila airport has no lights so you have to get to either Roatan (RTB) or San Pedro Sula (SAP) b4 dusk. Add $150/rt? for the puddlejump to Utila. Roatan always seems to cost around $7-800 in spring when we fly there. Check Worldwide Travel's Facebook page for deals on the local flights. https://www.facebook.com/wwtutila

One option on Utila is Coral View Beach Resort - Utila, The Bay Islands, Honduras - about 15mins. west of town. No idea on pricing. We stayed at an AI farther west but dove near there and it seemed in a quiet area. Town is a lot of DM trainees/backpackers with not a lot else to do except party so it's a little louder. (comaparatively speaking...lol)

 

[KathyV]

I don't know about super-cheap but keep an eye on the website for the Cayman Brac Beach Resort (formerly the Brac Reef Beach Resort). The resort is closed right now for major renovations and will reopen in November or December.

They keep posting hints on facebook saying that they will be offering great deals to introduce the newly remodeled resort. I am sure that it will be more than $1000 a week for food, diving, and accommodations, but the food and water are safe and the food is delicious, the rooms are clean and modern and air-conditioned, they have good mosquito-abatement, and it is a small diver-dedicated resort with an excellent valet dive operation - and you can usually get reasonably-priced flights to the Caymans. Plus the diving is great!

Cayman Island Dive Packages |Brac Reef Beach Resort | Cayman Brac

 

[KathyV]

OP, the same company that owns the Cayman Brac Beach Resort (and the Little Cayman Beach Resort) have just purchased the Cobalt Coast resort on Grand Cayman and will take ownership in December 2015. They may also be offering some specials to introduce their new property.

In the News

 

[robint]

My wife is getting to go to Israel next year, all expenses paid, and I can't go, so I get to take a trip later in the year, just me and a dive buddy(ies).

We'd looked at the Dive Hut on Bonaire, but we're going to Bonaire this year. We like the slower, more quiet places. Food that won't kill us, our own beds that won't give bugs, gas that won't make us sick. And good diving. Seems like I read about a place on Utila where you could stay and dive for a week for under $400 plus food? The dive hut is $590 pp for hotel room, gas, and truck for the week. What other options are out there?

Cozumel can be the least expensive place in Caribbean with great diving. Especially for us, coming from west, getting there is same price as going to Florida.... no way I would compare diving Cozumel to the Florida Keys! Cozumel diving wins hands down.

Caymans are expensive.... the OP asked for cheap.

Bonaire can be done cheap, as long as you get a room with kitchen and cook your own meals. Getting there is the most expensive part. If you can find cheap airfare, then go for it.