Utila Lodging - Non AI? (and more ?'s)

[jeremyl]

Decided on 1wk on Roatan (Infinity Bay via owner direct rental). Question 1 is who to dive with? Want ~3 dives/day, small "family-style" op.

Considering a second week on Utila. Where to stay? AI might be out of budget a bit (looking into the usual suspects - Utila Dive Lodge, Blue Bay, Utopia, Laguna Beach). Wife is non-diver... is one of these better for a snorkeler? Any recommendations (on or very close to beach) for more budget travel?

RE: Budget... I figure dives are ~$25/dive = $75/day. Meals maybe $35pp/day. Room ~$100/day = $245/day. The AI's are >$350/day it seems.

 

[jeremyl]

Slight update - actually it seems all these AI's are booked up, so we are looking for an on-the-beach place to stay. Found Slumberland (emailing owner, but looks open). Any other places to stay? And then who do we dive with? I am somewhat guessing since the resorts are booked the resort-associated dive op's will be full as well??? Emailed Altons (recommended by Slumberland). Anyone else?

 

[pdubss]

There are so many places to stay on Utilia. Look into The Lighthouse, Mango Inn, etc. Ive been there twice and it is great.

 

[DivingNole]

As for question 1, I can only speak to the shop I used while on my trips to Roatan, Bananarama. It's an easy walk from Infinity Bay over to the Bananarama property and their dive groups usually run on the smaller side. The boats aren't very big, so it's not a cattle boat operation. I stored most of my gear overnight at the dive shop, so you may be able to arrange something if you didn't want to lug it back and forth every day. They do 2 tanks in the morning and 2 tanks in the afternoon, surface interval is usually spent on land back at the resort/dive shop. The beach area and Thirsty Turtle get crowded on cruise ship days, but it generally stay pretty quiet right where the dive shop is.

Been diving with them on 3 trips, reason I've gone back is what I felt the personal touch, they have a great group of DM/instructors and I felt comfortable/safe diving with them. Their website is Bananarama Dive Center :: West Bay Roatan Island Honduras.

 

[jeremyl]

Thanks. We are staying 1wk on Roatan - Private owner condo at Infinity, and I have booked diving with Bananarama. Then over to Utila staying at private owner villa Slumberland and diving with Altons. I'll post a TR when I get back. Cant wait to get wet!

 

[lkromero]

So jealous! I've been to Utila twice--never dove with Alton's but it seemed quite "family-style" like you might be looking for.

If you haven't already book with Slumberland, I would suggest trying Mango Inn. Utila Dive Center (UDC) sends most of their divers there. You can get a room with shared showers, a room with private bath, all the way up to a private cottage for yourself! UDC often has packages that include 2 meals a day, dives, and a room. But you will soon find out that you can eat very cheaply on Utila. Check out Big Mama's Cafe for quick and cheap food. Small yellow hut on the main road, you can't miss it!

 

[laurenceh]

fyi slumberland is a long (20-25 mins) walk from altons.

 

[rob@diveinutila.com]

Check out Destination Utila Vacation Rentals, Premium Lodging, Reasonable Prices for a good selection of vacation homes, apartments, etc including the Slumberland villas.

 

[Sideways]

Friends we're going with next week talked us into the Jade Seahorse on Utila $75 a night. Since booking it I've had 3 other peeps bring it up and say whatan awesome-cool place it was. So... we'll see next week. Good Luck!

As far as Roatan, we're staying at the Crystal Cabins/ West End. $50 a night cash, AC, and they look nice, friends have stayed there before and love it.