HELLPP!! Can't decided on next trip

[gentry1375]

I am trying to plan a two week trip and can't decide between Belize, Cozumel, and Bonaire.

I just got certified in Cozumel in January and loved it. I stayed at the Iberostar. We dove with Dressler. Most of the dives were great, but my boyfriend said the marinelife had significantly decreased since he had been there. Also they have a set dive plan for the week. Some times you have to do the same site. We would love to go back but are there any suggestions on dive ops, and sites, what about diving the north shores?

We are also considering Belize. I have been there twice and loved it. However, I wasn't a diver. Plus I don't have the option of staying on the private island of my friend again. Let's put it this way, I got spoiled when I stayed at Caye Chapel. There are so many different Cayes to stay on what are the best options. We want some where that is close to great dive spots, with entertainemnt, close to restuarants, that is nice.

The next option is Bonaire. I have heard that it is great diving everywhere on the island. However, travel time is a pain, not much nightlife, don't know where to stay or who to dive with. Considered staying at the BelMar. Don't care to go to the grocery as long as there are place to eat dinner.

Do you see my dilemma. Also consider that it must be affordable. Help

[Defman]

Originally Posted by gentry1375

I just got certified in Cozumel in January.....We would love to go back but are there any suggestions on dive ops, and sites, what about diving the north shores?

Tons of great dive shops on Cozumel, it's a lot easier to say what shops you *shouldn't* dive with. My personal favorite is Papa Hogs, small boats and good people.

As far as diving the north reefs go, they're probably beyond your current skill level. They are a little deeper and the current can be a lot stronger. I dove Barracuda Reef once.... once. In my opinion they really aren't worth it. If you wanna watch stuff go by you really fast, go to a car race instead!

Originally Posted by gentry1375

We are also considering Belize. I have been there twice and loved it. However, I wasn't a diver. Plus I don't have the option of staying on the private island of my friend again. Let's put it this way, I got spoiled when I stayed at Caye Chapel. There are so many different Cayes to stay on what are the best options. We want some where that is close to great dive spots, with entertainemnt, close to restuarants, that is nice.

The next option is Bonaire. I have heard that it is great diving everywhere on the island. However, travel time is a pain, not much nightlife, don't know where to stay or who to dive with. Considered staying at the BelMar. Don't care to go to the grocery as long as there are place to eat dinner.

Do you see my dilemma. Also consider that it must be affordable. Help

Since you have two weeks, what about doing two (or more) of the three??

[TRACI]

I have been to Coz several times, now I have my first trip planned to Bonaire in August, considering where you are flying from, Bonaire is not too bad from Houston, airfare is a little higher then flying to MX, but I think it will all work out the same because shore diving is much cheaper then boat diving. I got a lot of info from www.infobonaire.com and www.bonairetalk.com

[diversteve]

Most of the food options on Bonaire are in town. There's actually nothing near BelMar, the closest restaurant would be a couple minute drive to the Plaza Resort. Or two minutes past that to downtown.

BelMar is a nice place to stay though, clean, newer and great sunsets from your patio. You might see dolphins swim by also, it happens pretty often. The house reef is pretty good, we dove it twice. And you're five minutes from all the best southern dive sites, imo they're generally the easier entries since it's flat and you park right next to the water.

The house diveop at BelMar is Buddy Dive. So the best deal for condo/diving/truck rental is through them. Which is convenient as you can (pay to) use their boats and exchange tanks at drive-thru tank pickup at Buddy's resort on the north side.
You're right about the nightlife on Bonaire, it mostly centers around the bars in town and at the dive resorts. If there was a club there, we didn't see it. Unless you stay on Ambergris, I think it's a similar problem in Belize.

We're going to Roatan in May, staying in the West End. It's dirt cheap once you get there but flights are limited so a little more expensive. And there's some bars/nightlife in the area.

[georoc01]

I think the key is having two weeks. That is the big factor I see.

I love Cozumel because from Denver, its relatively cheap and easy for short trips with direct flights that are about 1/2 of what I will pay to go anywhere else in the Carribean.

Bonaire has the advantage of shore diving. That's a good savings of $60 a day over the boat diving you would do in Cozumel. If you want a little more variety, you could look into splitting the trip between there and Curacao.

[SHAGGY]

Its hard to beat Cozumel on just the sheer number of places to stay and the many different dive sites. My favorite sites there was Palancar Caves and Bolones De Chankanaab. There is also a lil reef called Pico's Reef in front of the Hotel Barracuda. Its a good shore dive where you can see a few different marine critters. It is also a great night dive locoation. I was there this past November and the diving was just amazing. I used Dive Paradise because since they are the largest dive opp on the island they can pretty much satisfy any diver. Some want the larger boats some want the small fast boats and you can even get in evening and night dives with them as well. I just booked a trip for me and the wife for this comming July.


shaggy

[doczerothree]

I wish I had your problem!! Consider Rootan!??

[KevinBond]

bonaire is great and the diving is CHEAP!!!! because its all shore diving(about 100 for the week), so one thing is make sure you rent a truck. I recomend staying with BuddyDive They were awesome and the rooms are ver nice. they have boats going out all day that you can jump on if you wish but the real fun is just driving down the coast and picking your spot to dive. there is no bad diving in bonaire. Buddydive has a drive through air refill station which makes like so easy. the night life def is limited i spent a lot of nights on the peir with frieds....but if its night life yur looking for there isnt much there they are small island folk. But deff a place to dive. HIGLY RECOMENDED!!!

[cole]

ship out on JULIET
OUT OF TURKS AND CAICOS

[azdiver]

Since you're going for 2 weeks I would suggest heading down to the Bay islands. You can split up your time and dive Roatan, Utila and Cayes Cachinos. If you want to go to Belize, then I suggest staying at either Lighthouse, Turneffe or Glovers.