Utila or Roatan?

[RU 4 Scuba?]

I am considering doing my IDC+IE on either Utila or Roatan next spring/summer and I need to start thinking about which direction I am going to go. I have a few questions that hopefully some of you can answer.

First, living expenses. I understand that it is cheaper to live on Utila than Roatan, but by how much of a margin? I am expect to spend about 3 to 4 months wherever I go, so how much do you think the cost of living would be per month for either place for a "budget traveler"?

Second, are the sandflies really that big of a deal? Is it preventable with sustained use of strong bug spray?

Third, and I think I may know the answer to this question already, but what about things to do other than diving? I enjoy a pleasent hike, a nice kayak, bike ride, or something of that nature as much as anyone. Do both islands offer that in any capacity?

Internet access. I would like to be able to keep in touch with the family and everyone while I am gone, which island offers better internet access?

As far as dive centres go, I am looking at UDC on Utila, or Coconut Tree on Roatan. They both seem to have a pristine reputation and offer quality instruction at a decent cost.

That's about all I can think of right now. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

 

[ncchuck]

An almost identical question was asked just a couple of weeks ago.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bay-islands/253418-idc-utila-vs-roatan-help.html

I did my IDC on Utila and lived there for about 4 months and on Roatan after that for about 4 months. I'd say you'll spend at least 50% more on Roatan than Utila. Utila is a lot smaller than Roatan so you'd have fewer choices for extra activities but you will find things to do in both places. Utila can have 30 or more people doing an IDC or DM at any one time at various schools while Roatan probably only has 15 or less at fewer schools. Padi goes to Utila 10 to 11 times a year and to Roatan only once or twice. There were 45 people that took the PADI exams when I took it on Utila. You'll occasionally need or want transportation on Roatan and you'll never need it in Utila. Diving is great in both places.

Have fun whatever your choice. Both are great places.

 

[RU 4 Scuba?]

Thanks for your speedy reply, and I did realize there was a similar thread posted earlier but I had some different questions than had been posed in the thread previous. You have pretty much made my decision for me, as it seems like I can have more fun for my money on Utila than Roatan.

A couple of things I am still having trouble deciphering:

- Do the sandflies spoil the deal? Are they so bad to the point where it ruins the experience? I mean, I realize it's Central America and there are inevitably going to be some serious bug issues.

-Outside contact-internet or phones. How do you communicate with the outside world from either place? Does Utila have a (somewhat) reliable phone or internet service yet?

 

[James Bond boat entry]

Utila sandflies are not that bad, you will not see a cloud of them blackening the sky!!! Just use some bug repellant with a good amount of deet, you'll figure out where you need to use it, I found generally down by the beach and when bar hopping at night.

Internet is okay, if you just need to e-mail and Voip is reliable, there is a good cyber cafe by the bakery.

If you are hanging around for a while, buy a local cell phone so friends can txt message ect.

All shops offering IDCs are basically the same, PADI standards do not allow additional instruction beyond the published material.

As Chuck mentioned, a lot of people take their IDCs on Utila, so gainful employment opportunites on Utila are poor, you would be better off on Roatan, personally, I would also scope out Cancun.

 

[RU 4 Scuba?]

The thing of it is that I am not specifically going for gainful employment in the place that I get my IDC. The way I had it mapped out in my head (...the best laid plans of mice and men) is that I would get my certification somewhere then go somewhere else to work. That is to say, I'm not worried about the availability of employment where I get my certification. Is this an impractical or uncommon occurrence? Do dive centres specifically look for people that have been trained where they are located?

 

[farsidefan1]

The bugs are there but not a holy terror. Most likely time to get bit, early morning and as it cools off in the evening. They have bug spray but I'd take a supply of some deet based product with you. They rarely go for me and I provide an ample target. My wife on the other hand.... Well she needs the deet. I use it only if I'm going to spend serious time on beach during the target hours. They are just not that big of a deal, expecially if you make any effort to avoid them or repel the little pests.

 

[ncchuck]

Dive centers generally don't care where you were trained. Some centers will claim they place more people than others but I doubt it. No one even asked me. They just wanted proof of PADI certification and insurance. You do want to get some specialties and then try to get your MSDT as these are often helpful. Getting some certifications under you belt is always the biggest challenge. If you can afford it, work with your IDC center after you pass the IE to get some certs. They may or may not pay much if at all.

During my look for jobs, I found the skill I lacked most was foreign languages. You'll have a much better chance if you can speak at least 2 languages.

I did not have a single problem with sandflies in Utila in the summer and fall but I avoided the beaches. Roatan was a problem. It seemed like I got attacked a lot for a few weeks and then they either stopped or I became immune. I've read that Deet does not help at all with sandflies but I generally use it anyway if there is a perceived problem.

I had great wireless Internet access at BICD in Utila and called home daily using SKYPE. I kept in touch with friends via email. I agree that a local cell phone would be nice but it isn't a necessity in Utila. I didn't use text messaging so I have no idea what those rates might be. The off island rates for voice calls are outrageous for both cell phones and the local phone system. Electrical problems occur regularly in both Roatan and Utila.

 

[Bay Island Diver]

Internet is getting very common nowadays and shouldn't be an issue on either island.

The sandflies don't bother me, funnily enough you seem to build up a resistance to the particular strain you are exposed to, as they butcher me when I go to Utila.

I reckon Roatan is about 30% more expensive in terms of living costs as compared to Utila.

HTH

Will

 

[James Bond boat entry]

I think you're are golden with your plans. From my point of view, if you did your IDC in Cancun or other places, you would already be setup with cheap housing as it may be part of your IDC package and would know the local dive shops, whos who ect.

Languages are a big deal, being an english only speaker puts you at a disadvantage to work in interesting places... give it a go, you never know.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RU 4 Scuba?]

Luckily I am not an english only speaker. I have a decent background in Spanish, which would be a bonus I am guessing for the Caribbean?

Either way, I still have some time before I need to make a decision one way or the other (I am considering South Africa as well).

Thanks to all for your input, and if anyone else has any comments, I always welcome them.

Cheers!