Belize or Costa Rica for Diving+
 

My husband and I are planning a diving vacation. Trouble is, when we're not diving, I'm into eco-adventure and he's pretty comfortable by the pool bar. He likes a little more upscale place. I've looked extensively at Belize and Costa Rica, and it comes down to:

Lodge at St. George's Caye or Victoria House in Belize; or

Gaia, Lapa Rios or Anguila del Cabo in Costa Rica.

Is Belize that much better for diving than Cano Island/Drake Bay? What is St. George's like? Is there any diving around Lapa Rios? Is Ambergris Caye like staying on any other carribean tourist island? Is there a perfect solution for both of us that I'm missing? Please help.

First of all, I don't dive, so, certainly not an expert. Belize is considered a diving destination. The barrier reef is large, long and beautiful. I understand diving in Costa Rica is just ok. If diving is your priority, go to Belize.

You might look at Placencia, either Turtle Inn or Robert's Grove. There are also a couple new places I'm not familiar with. Placencia is a peninsula, about 25 miles long. Fairly easy to arrange hiking/caving/ruins tours from there. Downside is that it's 19 miles to the reef.

Ambergris Caye is less developed than any of the Caribbean islands that I've been to. But, it's still a tourist destination. Not many cars, mostly golf carts and bikes. I just wandered through the grounds at Victoria House a few days ago. It's beautiful. Ambergris is only 1/2 a mile or so from the reef.

Another option would be to split your trip and spend the diving part on one of the atolls. Not much to do but dive or fish. Then move inland to one of the jungle lodges for hiking,caving and tours. I'm not sure your husband would go for that though.

I don't think you'll see as much wildlife in Belize and you would in Costa Rica.

If your husband isn't interested in a split trip as JeanH suggests (a nice jungle lodge in the Cayo district, maybe, with a side trip to Tikal in Guatemala? and then the diving part) Ambergris might be your best bet. Don't know about easy mainland tours and access from St George's Caye, but lots of day trips are offered from Ambergris. The diving is incredible on the atolls; a day trip is possible from Ambergris to the northern atolls but not Glovers.

I've heard the diving can be excellent - lots of pelagics - off the Pacific coast of CR, but it's challenging, weather-dependent diving and the visibility tends to be poor.

Another place to consider is Honduras - Roatán would fill the bill nicely.

Have a great trip, whatever you decide, and then tell us all aboutit when you get home. Happy trails!

Thank you for your responses, both of which are very helpful. I will let you know how it turns out.

If diving is the main focus...Belize without question. If Eco is the draw and major force, CR hands down. Seems you picked with your opening sentence...diving wins! Interesting that you didn't pick Caymans for that...unless you've been. That's about all that is is known for, other than the high cost! LOL. Enjoy!!! We are headed to Cuba for a peek!

Interesting you should say that; my argument is that, if he just wants to dive and play in a resort, we should go to Cozumel or the Caymans, but he's been to both too many times (before we met). As long as we're outside the cheap flight zone, I'd like to get more out of it!

Vic House is great as are Roberts Grove or Turtle Inn in Placencia. Very good diving and access to day trips on the mainland for Maya sites, caves, jungle, waterfalls, river trips and more. We have the largest barrier reef in the hemisphere, three atolls and now, whale sharks off the coast of Placencia-humbling to see diving or snorkeling.

hopefulist:

Thanks so much for the excellent advice. We booked the flight and hotel in Roatan today. We're staying at the Palmetto Bay Plantation for five nights and then, hopefully, at the Lodge at Pico Bonito for two. It's an absolutely perfect solution! I am so thankful.