Posted: 2004-02-26 09:25:00
Karmapad,
If you havent' done so already, I suggest going to Honduras for your PADI certification. I was certified there a few years ago and it was great. There are 3 major islands and a few more smaller ones, just off of La Ceiba (The Bay Islands). I've been to Roatan & Utila. For myself, Utila is where it's at. There is a funky vibe to it (very backpackerish), it's very calm and relaxing, the diving is great, and the people are even better. In fact, they're known for the relatively frequent sightings of whale sharks.
Best of all, it is dirt cheap. When I was certified, I only paid $150US, which was the set price. The last time I was there, I noticed that those prices had become destabalized and had fallen. The cheapest I've seen was $109. The other good news is that since there are so many divers going, there are tons of diveshops. I've only been diving with 1, the Bay Islands College of Diving, as they seem to be the most respectable--I visited quite a few before choosing.
If you aren't into cheap basic escapes, you might like to try Roatan. It is more beautiful & developed, and thus touristy, but is also more expensive. Utila doesn't have much in the way of beach (only 1 small one is easily accessible), but it makes up for it in friendliness. Roatan, while a beautiful island, lacks the family feel of Utila. In fact, I felt a bit segregated while on Roatan, because all of the foreigners are in West End, and the locals in Coxen Hole. Utila is so small, you end up on people's front porches, but never feel crowded. If you want more information about it, let me know. I've been there a few times, and like to share it with people.
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