Location, Location, Location...
Greetings my fellow investors....
I just got back from Cozumel (yes the diving was great for my aquatic friends) and it was amazing how much property is for sell over there.
My diving buddy and I were tempted to stay and make a living as dive operators, unfortunately the wifes had other plans on spending our money.......needless to say you know who won out.
Any way back to the subject matter......we had seen several areas where there were poor attempts to put up businesses but obviously there was lack of forethought.
While the island and people are pleasant, the wx is awesome and the beaches and coast lines are magnificient........the major market that drives this island is DIVING.
The hotel we stayed at was filled with no less than 80% divers and their companions.
After diving up and down the eastern shore line.....we headed to the west side.
What we found was the same beautiful waters but underneath were currents that made even the most skilled diver wonder if his life insurance policy was paid up.
So unless you are catering to Aquaman and his kind.........property on the west side is still available but not adviseable.
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION
Hopefully in the next 6 months I can report back to you about other islands in the carribean as well........will be glad to entertain any suggestion from my aquatic friends.
NC_Yank (a little tanner.......but poorer)
Hey,
I have been to many of the islands and have spent most of my time either snorkelling or diving. And everytime, I think the money these guys are making is INSANE.
For example you go out on a snorkel trip for 2-3 hours and pay $50 ( or whatever). Times that by the other 20-30 people and that is twice a day. Run those numbers!!!!
Wow...what a life!
I don't go on those large group boats......we do fast boats....6 - 8 people max. The fewer the better........I cant handle being hearded around a wreck site with 10 people beneath you and 10 on top of you......its too dangerous.......as well as boring.
We were in Key West last year and the dive operator let myself and my dive buddy go pretty much where ever we wanted......except for the first dive, he never even hit the water......which was OK with me.
Yes, Scuba Diving is not a cheap hobby for sure......but I dont mind forking out the bucks to go places that most people only dream about.
I want my next trip to be where shore diving is more prevalent. I can get tanks for about $5.00......I take all my equipment with me so its not that bad......air fare is the most expensive part of the trip.
Have you ever been to Bonaire?
Thats at the top of my list right now....
NC_Yank,
You really should look into Bon Aire, some of the finest scuba diving I have ever encountered.
Spent a little time on the ABC islands there, great fun, great people.
John $Cash$ Locke
It's not in the Caribbean, but the absolutely best place I've ever dived was Sharm-el-Sheik in Egypt. Visibility at least 90 feet. Sharks, rays, everything. Night diving is awesome there too. And since it's on the Sinai Peninsula, it's unlike (in a good way) the rest of Egypt. Perfectly safe for Americans, and very reasonable on the wallet. I would go back in a heartbeat.
Hey Alex,
Can't say I have been to Egypt. So far the best diving I have experienced is the Philippines...........followed by Cozumel.
Right now I think I will go along with John Locke's advice and hit Bon Aire....without the wives.....even though she said I will have to take her to Australia next year.
I like coral reefs........wreck diving is ok but it's its not colorful........I would love to get into cave diving but my friend who looks line a lineman for any NFL team has a problem getting into tight spaces.
In the P.I., I would go into places (probably should'nt have) where you had to take your tank and gear off in order to squeeze through.........part of my problem being an adrenalin junkie.
NC
Does anyone have experience with buying property in Panama or Belize? A dive instructor I know wants to get a group together to buy a dive operation and hotel down there.
Thanks
REI AND Scuba diving all on the same site... TCI really is divine!
I LOVE Coz. Cozumel is on the north end of the 2nd Biggest barrier reef in the world (we all know where the first is). How is the diving on the same reef (along the Mayan Rivera) between Cozumel and Honduras???
The beaches there are amazing. My logic says that it's probably about the same....just less crowded and less explored. Anyone have an opinion on this???
As for the question about Belize. There are a lot of "eco tourists" there. Much of the coral got chewed up on one of the recent hurricanes. A lot of it was dead. Additionally it tends to be difficult (2 days of travel) and/or expensive for travelers to get there from the states. Tickets are usually twice as expensive as the tix to Cancun. That said, it's english speaking. People tend to like the keys and the southern part best.
(PS. Bon Aire is next on the list of places I want to go. I've heard it's a great place for the "lazy man" to dive. I've already hit the Red Sea, Florida Keys, Mexico's pacific side, and Hawaii)
I've thought a little about investing in the carribean. I'd like to get a nice harbor, build a marina. Belize looks attractive as does Panama and the islands of Honduras. I'd be interested in talking to your dive buddy.