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We flew from Seattle through Houston on Continental arriving at RTB on time Saturday afternoon. Getting through immigration/customs took about 40 min and we were about half way in line. There are only 2 immigration officials but if you are in the back it looks like there are 4 lines, so pick accordingly. No problems getting through though. Headed right out of the terminal to get a taxi, tried to say it would cost $20 to get to West End, but we all know its no more than $15.
Cocolobo looks even better in person than the pictures online. The rooms, grounds, pool were all clean and new. From what I saw it is the nicest place in WE. There is a minifridge, and safe in the room and the grounds are patrolled all night. I never felt unsafe in Roatan (except coming face to face with Barracuda Bob). The free breakfast everyday consisted of fruit and cereal with changing hot plates everyday (bacon, eggs, beans, toast, burritos, pancakes). All of it was delicious. The feel of Cocolobo was more of a bed and breakfast, Rory and Claire live there and can help with probably anything you could need. I am defiantly recommending Cocolobo and look forward to going back. The power went off only 3 times while we were there and the generators ran the entire time. This only runs basic systems though, lights, water, fan. We did not run the A/C ($10/day) but it was HOT. The Flowers room we stayed in looked like it had the only windows that had screens on them.
I did look at other establishments while I was there, Seagrape, Chilies, ILR, CCT cabins, Pura Vida. All looked adequate.
West End is a great little town, again it looks just like the pictures. The walk from Cocolobo is 5 min. Snorkeling in the bay is decent, we even saw an eel. It does get a little weird when the cruise shippers come in but they dont stay long. There are no pushy people selling things like in Mexico, every taxi you see will ask if you need a ride though.
Diving. Keep in mind that this is our first dive trip so I have nothing to compare ops to. We reserved a spot with Coconut Tree Divers before we left. When we arrived on Saturday and stopped by the shop, PJ had already had us in the computer and had signed us up for the first dives in the morning. I was a bit nervous, new to diving and going on the 2 advanced morning dives, even being very confident in our skills. The next morning we got what gear we needed at the shop and loaded the boat. Their rental gear is all in good shape and if there is an issue, it was top priority to pull the gear out of use and fix it immediately (I had a leaky gauge cluster on one dive, but they kept a spare set of gear on the boat so they just changed it out). I enjoyed the first dive the least out of all, even though it was successful, whether it be nerves, or something else. All the other dives after that were a blast! For those who are new like us, I do not think that the morning dives are for advanced divers only, they are just a bit deeper (my deepest logged was 112). Current was only an issue on one dive.
Will add the list of dives later, dont have my log in front of me
We had 3 different DM through the week and though all were competent some were more enthusiastic than others. All the dives were about 50 min. One person tried to go free diving during a surface interval after a +100 dive (why would anyone with training do this?) :no but the dive master stopped that right away.
I have heard many reviews of CCT describing it as a family. I would say more like a good group of friends. If you are expecting to automatically get coddled, this may not be the best choice. If you need information or direction all you need to do ask. The people there are more than helpful, friendly and very knowledgeable. I just know on the first day I was a bit confused looking at the organized chaos for the first time, then I started understanding how the shop worked. All said, I have zero complaints and look forward to diving with CCT again. I listened in on a couple AOW classes and the instructors seem very knowledgeable and professional.
I also peaked into the other major ops while I was there, West End Divers would probably be my next choice after CCT. Their boat was the biggest I saw in the WE and the people also seemed nice. All the other major ops also seem professionally run as well, but they are running much smaller boats and they looked packed in tight.
Dining: Every meal we (2 people) ate was about $20-$35 including a couple beverages.
Lighthouse- Ate here 3 times. All of it good, shrimp, burgers, sandwiches. They have good seafood but probably the best menu for non-seafood as well.
CCT restaurant (not sure what the official name is, about CCT divers)- heard the stews are fantastic, sandwiches, fish
Mavis & Dixies- seafood, seafood, great plate lunch with fish for $6
Half Moon Bay Cabins-Good variety like lighthouse
Pura Vida- not the best pasta or pizza, but edible and large portions.
The Bakery- Sandwiches
I will have no problem eating anything at any of the above places, but you need to be careful of where you go if you dont have a strong stomach.
Cannibal Café- DO NOT EAT HERE, everyone I heard that ate here did not end up feeling well. It took me out for a day.
Be aware that it takes forever to get a bill everywhere we went except at the lighthouse.
As others have noted bring cash, we did not use credit once. This is what our trip cost, and I know it can be done more inexpensively:
Flights from sea: $750 each
Hotel: $520
Diving: $600
Cash for the week (food, liquor, souvenirs, and everything else): $650
Did a day trip to West Bay Beach, this has a totally different feel to it, we like the WE better. Great snorkeling on the far West side of the bay. We did walk on the way back (50 min) and wish we would have taken the water taxi, it was just too hot!
If you dont apply bug repellant when ever you go out, you will get eaten (no seeums, few mosquitoes)!
We are already talking about going back and I would not change a thing. Though we may end up in Belize this time as we have not been there either!
Cocolobo looks even better in person than the pictures online. The rooms, grounds, pool were all clean and new. From what I saw it is the nicest place in WE. There is a minifridge, and safe in the room and the grounds are patrolled all night. I never felt unsafe in Roatan (except coming face to face with Barracuda Bob). The free breakfast everyday consisted of fruit and cereal with changing hot plates everyday (bacon, eggs, beans, toast, burritos, pancakes). All of it was delicious. The feel of Cocolobo was more of a bed and breakfast, Rory and Claire live there and can help with probably anything you could need. I am defiantly recommending Cocolobo and look forward to going back. The power went off only 3 times while we were there and the generators ran the entire time. This only runs basic systems though, lights, water, fan. We did not run the A/C ($10/day) but it was HOT. The Flowers room we stayed in looked like it had the only windows that had screens on them.
I did look at other establishments while I was there, Seagrape, Chilies, ILR, CCT cabins, Pura Vida. All looked adequate.
West End is a great little town, again it looks just like the pictures. The walk from Cocolobo is 5 min. Snorkeling in the bay is decent, we even saw an eel. It does get a little weird when the cruise shippers come in but they dont stay long. There are no pushy people selling things like in Mexico, every taxi you see will ask if you need a ride though.
Diving. Keep in mind that this is our first dive trip so I have nothing to compare ops to. We reserved a spot with Coconut Tree Divers before we left. When we arrived on Saturday and stopped by the shop, PJ had already had us in the computer and had signed us up for the first dives in the morning. I was a bit nervous, new to diving and going on the 2 advanced morning dives, even being very confident in our skills. The next morning we got what gear we needed at the shop and loaded the boat. Their rental gear is all in good shape and if there is an issue, it was top priority to pull the gear out of use and fix it immediately (I had a leaky gauge cluster on one dive, but they kept a spare set of gear on the boat so they just changed it out). I enjoyed the first dive the least out of all, even though it was successful, whether it be nerves, or something else. All the other dives after that were a blast! For those who are new like us, I do not think that the morning dives are for advanced divers only, they are just a bit deeper (my deepest logged was 112). Current was only an issue on one dive.
Will add the list of dives later, dont have my log in front of me
We had 3 different DM through the week and though all were competent some were more enthusiastic than others. All the dives were about 50 min. One person tried to go free diving during a surface interval after a +100 dive (why would anyone with training do this?) :no but the dive master stopped that right away.
I have heard many reviews of CCT describing it as a family. I would say more like a good group of friends. If you are expecting to automatically get coddled, this may not be the best choice. If you need information or direction all you need to do ask. The people there are more than helpful, friendly and very knowledgeable. I just know on the first day I was a bit confused looking at the organized chaos for the first time, then I started understanding how the shop worked. All said, I have zero complaints and look forward to diving with CCT again. I listened in on a couple AOW classes and the instructors seem very knowledgeable and professional.
I also peaked into the other major ops while I was there, West End Divers would probably be my next choice after CCT. Their boat was the biggest I saw in the WE and the people also seemed nice. All the other major ops also seem professionally run as well, but they are running much smaller boats and they looked packed in tight.
Dining: Every meal we (2 people) ate was about $20-$35 including a couple beverages.
Lighthouse- Ate here 3 times. All of it good, shrimp, burgers, sandwiches. They have good seafood but probably the best menu for non-seafood as well.
CCT restaurant (not sure what the official name is, about CCT divers)- heard the stews are fantastic, sandwiches, fish
Mavis & Dixies- seafood, seafood, great plate lunch with fish for $6
Half Moon Bay Cabins-Good variety like lighthouse
Pura Vida- not the best pasta or pizza, but edible and large portions.
The Bakery- Sandwiches
I will have no problem eating anything at any of the above places, but you need to be careful of where you go if you dont have a strong stomach.
Cannibal Café- DO NOT EAT HERE, everyone I heard that ate here did not end up feeling well. It took me out for a day.
Be aware that it takes forever to get a bill everywhere we went except at the lighthouse.
As others have noted bring cash, we did not use credit once. This is what our trip cost, and I know it can be done more inexpensively:
Flights from sea: $750 each
Hotel: $520
Diving: $600
Cash for the week (food, liquor, souvenirs, and everything else): $650
Did a day trip to West Bay Beach, this has a totally different feel to it, we like the WE better. Great snorkeling on the far West side of the bay. We did walk on the way back (50 min) and wish we would have taken the water taxi, it was just too hot!
If you dont apply bug repellant when ever you go out, you will get eaten (no seeums, few mosquitoes)!
We are already talking about going back and I would not change a thing. Though we may end up in Belize this time as we have not been there either!
