I am beginning to research for our next vacation and really can't decide where to go.We are looking for a funky town with some nightlife[not crazy club]snorkeling,diving,and just all around adventure.We have been to St.John and loved it we have considered going back,but since we are not well traveled think we would like to see something different I need some culture.Any advice or suggestions beit Latin America or Caribbean are greatly appreciated.Oh yeah would like to keep budget between 1,500-2,000 not inc.airfare.And we really are not the big resort type.Small hotels b&b's preferably owned by locals.Thank's

I assume you mean Playa del Carmen and Ambergris Caye.

PDC is becoming overbuilt with large resorts. Ambergris Caye is still mostly smaller hotels.

Ambergris is more expensive than PDC but cheaper than St. John.

I'm sorry yes I do mean PDC and Belize,and that is exactly the way it looks in PDC we live in Fl.and see plenty of highrises[fortunatly our county does't allow them,but everyone around does Panama City ugh]Any suggestions for a nice place to stay,or even another location Shangri La Caribe is why my attention was grabbed in PLaya,THANK-YOU

Ambergris Caye is a blast! If you stay south of the cut, you'll be near San Pedro, a fun little town with plenty of nightlife.

North of the cut, Ambergris is a wilderness, with boat shuttle taxis to San Pedro.

Enjoy!

Ambergris Caye is my second home, obviously I have a bias. San Pedro is a great little town. Fun restaurants, live music somewhere every night. Lots of hotel/condo options. Very friendly locals, including the expats.

Great snorkeling and diving, although not walk in. The reef is close by, less than a mile, the local dives are short boat rides.

All that said, another option for you to look at is Isla Mujeres in Mexico. Great little island off the coast of Cancun. Althogh, the big developments are starting. Go soon if you think you might be interested. I was there in January, hoping to return in December. I'm not sure we'll go again after that.