9 replies to this topic

[ChasingAdventure]

Hey all,

 

I’m choosing between Roatán (Honduras) and Costa Rica for certification and maybe long-term diving afterward.

 

Anyone here trained or worked in either? I’d love to hear about the quality of instruction, diving culture, and affordability — and whether either offers reputable internship programs for new divers.

 

Thanks!

— Chase

[ManInTheChair]

There are a couple of good places in Roatan that offer some good diving and have reputable dive shops. Check out Turquoise Divers or Mayan Divers and see what you think of those! I don't know as much about Costa Rica. I haven't worked there, just visited. 

[little mermaid]

Just sayin', suggesting Roatan for your open water training.

[ChasingAdventure]

Roatan keeps coming up everywhere I ask. Sounds like the universe (or at least the dive forums) is hinting pretty strongly.

 

I’ll take another look at training options there. I’ve heard Turquoise Divers and Mayan Divers are good, and that the community’s really welcoming for new divers. Any tips on where to stay near the dive shops, something chill but not a total backpacker free-for-all?

[ManInTheChair]

I was just in Roatan this June for a business trip and stayed at Mayan Princess, but while I was there I took a tour of the island and checked out a ton of different hotels and properties. Mayan Divers is the on property shop for Mayan Princess, and Turquoise Divers is the on property shop for Turquoise Bay. There's a ton of other places as well so I'd have different recommendations depending on what you are looking for. SingleDivers.com does book individual travel too so I'm sure they can help you if you're interested in having them handle. 

[WreckWench]

 

Hey all,

 

I’m choosing between Roatán (Honduras) and Costa Rica for certification and maybe long-term diving afterward.

 

Anyone here trained or worked in either? I’d love to hear about the quality of instruction, diving culture, and affordability — and whether either offers reputable internship programs for new divers.

 

Thanks!

— Chase

 

 

 

I was just in Roatan this June for a business trip and stayed at Mayan Princess, but while I was there I took a tour of the island and checked out a ton of different hotels and properties. Mayan Divers is the on property shop for Mayan Princess, and Turquoise Divers is the on property shop for Turquoise Bay. There's a ton of other places as well so I'd have different recommendations depending on what you are looking for. SingleDivers.com does book individual travel too so I'm sure they can help you if you're interested in having them handle. 

 

 

Great reply ManinTheChair....I would also suggest you do your training in Roatan or Cozumel. These are venues with lots of divers to build your contacts up and great venues to dive. Each has an excellent training program and I know the owners of the one at Turquoise Bay and one in Cozumel and can vouch for them. 

 

I can do an intro for you and you can ask these questions. All islands will have living challenges for Americans if you do not have some sort of income from the US to tide you over. 

 

One instructor I know has tried to help overcome this by helping his students find cheap places to stay etc but its a bit challenging. 

 

However you will never love a job more!  I should know... I took my passion for diving and made it my profession. 

[ChasingAdventure]

 

 

Hey all,

 

I’m choosing between Roatán (Honduras) and Costa Rica for certification and maybe long-term diving afterward.

 

Anyone here trained or worked in either? I’d love to hear about the quality of instruction, diving culture, and affordability — and whether either offers reputable internship programs for new divers.

 

Thanks!

— Chase

 

 

 

I was just in Roatan this June for a business trip and stayed at Mayan Princess, but while I was there I took a tour of the island and checked out a ton of different hotels and properties. Mayan Divers is the on property shop for Mayan Princess, and Turquoise Divers is the on property shop for Turquoise Bay. There's a ton of other places as well so I'd have different recommendations depending on what you are looking for. SingleDivers.com does book individual travel too so I'm sure they can help you if you're interested in having them handle. 

 

 

Great reply ManinTheChair....I would also suggest you do your training in Roatan or Cozumel. These are venues with lots of divers to build your contacts up and great venues to dive. Each has an excellent training program and I know the owners of the one at Turquoise Bay and one in Cozumel and can vouch for them. 

 

I can do an intro for you and you can ask these questions. All islands will have living challenges for Americans if you do not have some sort of income from the US to tide you over. 

 

One instructor I know has tried to help overcome this by helping his students find cheap places to stay etc but its a bit challenging. 

 

However you will never love a job more!  I should know... I took my passion for diving and made it my profession. 

 

Sure — here’s a reply in your tone: personable, thoughtful, and just enough edge to sound like you, not a corporate travel brochure.

 

 

Thanks, @ManInTheChair and @WreckWench — that’s super helpful.

 

Roatan definitely seems to come up again and again, especially Turquoise Bay and Mayan Divers. I like the idea of training somewhere that has a strong community of divers around instead of just tourists doing one-off dives. And yeah, I’m fully aware island life can come with its own challenges — power outages, higher prices, etc. — but that’s part of the draw for me too.

 

An intro to your contact at Turquoise Bay or Cozumel would be great if you’re willing, @WreckWench. I’m trying to find that sweet spot between solid instruction, some structure, and a livable setup for a few weeks or months while I get my certifications rolling.

 

Appreciate the insights — sounds like Roatan might be calling my name.

[ScubaChef]

Hey there!  Be decision ever "To get certified".  I stayed at Utila Lodge last year and they have "College of Diving" where they training new instructors and dive pros.  This island is nice and quite and just a boat ride away from Roatan.....great for you to get your cents.  You should check them out.  Any questions, please let me know me. 

 

Get your certs....always down for new dive buddies! 

[ChasingAdventure]

Thanks, @Scubachef — appreciate that! I’ve heard great things about Utila Lodge and their College of Diving setup. Sounds like the perfect environment to learn once I’m healthy enough to go. I’ll check them out when I’m closer to being ready to train. Always down to connect with divers who’ve been through it before.

[ChasingAdventure]

 

 

Hey all,

 

I’m choosing between Roatán (Honduras) and Costa Rica for certification and maybe long-term diving afterward.

 

Anyone here trained or worked in either? I’d love to hear about the quality of instruction, diving culture, and affordability — and whether either offers reputable internship programs for new divers.

 

Thanks!

— Chase

 

 

 

I was just in Roatan this June for a business trip and stayed at Mayan Princess, but while I was there I took a tour of the island and checked out a ton of different hotels and properties. Mayan Divers is the on property shop for Mayan Princess, and Turquoise Divers is the on property shop for Turquoise Bay. There's a ton of other places as well so I'd have different recommendations depending on what you are looking for. SingleDivers.com does book individual travel too so I'm sure they can help you if you're interested in having them handle. 

 

 

Great reply ManinTheChair....I would also suggest you do your training in Roatan or Cozumel. These are venues with lots of divers to build your contacts up and great venues to dive. Each has an excellent training program and I know the owners of the one at Turquoise Bay and one in Cozumel and can vouch for them. 

 

I can do an intro for you and you can ask these questions. All islands will have living challenges for Americans if you do not have some sort of income from the US to tide you over. 

 

One instructor I know has tried to help overcome this by helping his students find cheap places to stay etc but its a bit challenging. 

 

However you will never love a job more!  I should know... I took my passion for diving and made it my profession. 

 

Hey @maninthechair and @wreckwrench - just following up on your messages. Would love to connect with anyone you know in Roatan while I try to figure out where to earn certs (and find cheap places to stay).