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Advice on solo trip

Started by nuroc , May 24 2005 12:18 PM

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14 replies to this topic

#1 nuroc

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Posted 24 May 2005 - 12:18 PM

Has anyone been on a solo trip to Mexico, Central America etc.? I'm looking to take off the first weekend in June. So far, people have mentioned Playa de Carmen and of course the usual: Cozumel, Bonaire...

I think I registered too late to pick up a buddy at this point.

Thanks,

Brian :welcome:
"A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for" j. sheed

#2 dustbowl diver

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Posted 24 May 2005 - 12:41 PM

While I would hate to ask you to postpone your plans, the SD trip to Cozumel in late July is still open. (not paid advertisement brought to you by your friends at SD)

Now back to your originally scheduled question:

After my 20 year sabatical from diving, I did 3 dives in Playa and thought they were great. Coz is just a ferry bought ride away and I am looking forward to joining the crew there.. I am sure others will chime in regarding the Cenotes.

If you have flexible travel plans, why not join us in July?? ( did I just advertise that again- :blush: )

DBD
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#3 ShamuLovesMe

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Posted 24 May 2005 - 01:39 PM

I was kind of "solo" in Roatan last January (traveling with non-divers). I just hopped on the boats and got paired up with someone else by the DM (or, more often than not, buddied up with the DM). And boy, would I recommend Roatan as a destination if you haven't been there. Gorgeous above and below the water! (Oh, and very inexpensive.)

#4 nuroc

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Posted 24 May 2005 - 01:45 PM

Thanks, where in Roatan did you stay? I'm also trying to avoid family style resorts (preferably no kids).
"A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for" j. sheed

#5 ShamuLovesMe

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Posted 24 May 2005 - 02:03 PM

Thanks, where in Roatan did you stay? I'm also trying to avoid family style resorts (preferably no kids).

I stayed at Pura Vida, right on the strip in West End. It was a comfortable, clean and reasonably priced hotel (I paid about $50/night for a large, nice room), and they've got a good restaurant and dive center right on the premises. It's not an insulated resort like the more well-known ones (Anthony's Key, CoCo View, etc.), so you're right there in town amongst everything. The staff in their dive center was great, and it was ridiculously cheap ($15/dive if you do 5 or more dives during your stay).

Check out my travel journals here (click on the Honduras link; the Roatan journal is "Not of This World"). You'll also find topside photos of Roatan.

If you want to go to one of the all-inclusive resorts, I've heard lots of raves about CoCo View. There's wall and wreck diving right off the beach of the resort. You can request a free DVD at their Web site.

#6 nuroc

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Posted 24 May 2005 - 03:42 PM

:dancing: Thanks for all of the info on Roatan. I checked out your website and it was pretty impressive. I'm going to look into the options in Honduras.

I just got off the phone with PADI and told them I was going solo in June. They recommended Cozumel, either the Scuba Club or Fiesta Americana.

Any suggestions on either spot?
"A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for" j. sheed

#7 rkymtwy

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Posted 24 May 2005 - 08:18 PM

Hey Brian,

I did a solo to Cozumel and stayed at Fiesta Americana. Liked the hotel, but it is a taxi ride to town. Had a great time, however I didn't dive with the dive shop on the premise so I can't comment on them. But I would stay there again.

#8 bluedolphin

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Posted 24 May 2005 - 11:10 PM

Brian,

I have pretty much traveled alone for years, (Australia, Freeport, Belieze, Acapulco, West Palm) I was either paired up or if they dove in groups I just hung out with the DM.

When I was in Alapulco one day I was the only diver on the boat not only did I have the DM, but I had the DM in training...how great is that!

Linda
Happy Diving
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#9 Wildcard

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Posted 25 May 2005 - 12:00 AM

Brian,

I have pretty much traveled alone for years, (Australia, Freeport, Belieze, Acapulco, West Palm) I was either paired up or if they dove in groups I just hung out with the DM.

When I was in Alapulco one day I was the only diver on the boat not only did I have the DM, but I had the DM in training...how great is that!

Linda

You HAD them both? I bet they were happy :birthday: I have heard about trips like this!
Sorry, had to say it. :birthday:
Tips for traveling alone:
Work the abs ahead of time
don't forget to trim
Altoids are a day saver
Just MHO :birthday:

#10 nuroc

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Posted 25 May 2005 - 10:28 AM

Sounds good. I booked my flight so it is on for that weekend - just have to decide on a place to stay :birthday:
"A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for" j. sheed

#11 hydrophilicity

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Posted 26 May 2005 - 10:52 AM

Sounds good. I booked my flight so it is on for that weekend - just have to decide on a place to stay :teeth:

You booked a flight to Coz? Check out Casa Mexicana. You'll be right in town and the dive ops will pick you up on the pier in front of the hotel. It's a very nice, new and clean place with a fantastic breakfast buffet.. If I were going solo, I don't think I'd like to be stuck far from town.

Jen

hmmm...when are you going? I need a trip soon....

#12 capt_cu2

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Posted 26 May 2005 - 12:44 PM

Brain,

You should have no problem being a solo diver in Coz. I just got back Tuesday night. Although I wasn't solo this trip, actually I was one day, but have been in the past. My experience has been that dive outfits all over have become more and more conservative. Basically follow the leader(DM) diving. Which is fine because most of the DMs know where the good stuff is. Sometimes it amazes me.... how did he spot that!! :o Plus Coz is drift diving so you need to stay in a group anyway.

I stayed at CaribeBlu and dived with Blue Angel. I had 3 different DMs and liked them all. They will definitely take care of you if you tell them you are solo and somewhat new to diving.

I agree with Jen about being closer to town. But San Miguel is quiet compared to Playa del Carmen.

Have a great trip.

#13 intotheblue

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Posted 26 May 2005 - 12:46 PM

You booked a flight to Coz?  Check out Casa Mexicana.  You'll be right in town and the dive ops will pick you up on the pier in front of the hotel.  It's a very nice, new and clean place with a fantastic breakfast buffet..  If I were going solo, I don't think I'd like to be stuck far from town.

Jen

hmmm...when are you going?  I need a trip soon....

Hydro-P has it right about staying close to town for your first trip and being solo. Lots of hotels downtown area... or nearby. Even if you stay on the square, it's not hard to get to a pier to be picked up, depending on how much gear you have to carry.

Have stayed at Fiesta Americana also and can recommend their dive op. if you don't mind a cattle boat type atmosphere... which might be a good deal for a solo person. For smaller boats, I recommend Caballito Del Caribe too. Going from town, their smaller/faster boats are nice. For an all day two tank trip... with good atmosphere and good DM's, I have another recommendation but the name of Ricardo's operation escapes me at the moment. I'll get back with you on that one... but I have a friend and former student that lives there and it's about the only operation she'll go out with. Will "search my recollection"... and post it later... They run out of the southerly boat harbor, and it's less convenient than getting picked up out of your hotel or downtown such as with Caballito and many others.

ITB... :o
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Actually, the WORST day of diving is better than the BEST day at work... :)

and... my life is not measured by the number of breaths I take, but by the number of breaths I take UNDER WATER :)

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#14 nuroc

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Posted 26 May 2005 - 02:07 PM

Thanks Capt and Itb, I'll look into some of the places you mentioned downtown.

Jen - I'm going from June 2nd through 6th. I booked a flight through US Air for $350. Let me know if you're considering. I'm going to look into Casa Mexicana as well - I dig breakfast :o


Brian
"A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for" j. sheed

#15 intotheblue

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Posted 27 May 2005 - 09:02 AM

Thanks Capt and Itb, I'll look into some of the places you mentioned downtown.
Brian

The name of the other place I mentioned still escapes me... While I'd recommend them in general, you'll probably not want to mess with going to the south marina to meet up with them anyhow on this trip. If I get the info, I'll post it, but I think you'll enjoy being nearer "El Centro"..., San Miguel.

ITB... :cool1:
"The most important thing is to never stop breathing"... ITB

Actually, the WORST day of diving is better than the BEST day at work... :)

and... my life is not measured by the number of breaths I take, but by the number of breaths I take UNDER WATER :)

"I see you are no stranger to pain." -- "I was married... TWICE!!!" HOT SHOTS, PART DEUX
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