Turneffe Flats

★ 2 · Mark Clute · 2009-10-07

If all you’re looking to do is dive or fish, this is not a bad choice. The dive master and captain are excellent. The fisherman, though they didn’t catch a lot that week, enjoyed the fishing and the locations they were taken. But the property is a bit basic for the cost of the package. Plus, I was a bit surprised about the recommend $720 in tips for the three of us. We found that the air conditioning in the rooms did not turn back on until after 4:30 PM. The thermostat changes after you fall asleep, so don’t be surprised if you wake up to find out you need to lower the AC, again. One of the two ceiling fans was too noisy to use at night. The bathroom was basic with a rather small, weak shower, not to mention the multitude of little crawling insects that showed up each morning. The meals were small and limited. I was expecting family style, which is fine, but you’ll find they have a set menu. Seconds were never offered. Each guest was given a plate with an entrée and vegetable. My son and I are not picky eaters, so it work or at least it wasn’t worth complaining. My wife on the other hand is a better cook and didn’t rave about the food. A small desert and coffee are served at the end. No need to worry about gaining weight on this trip. We flew in and were out of customs by 11:00 AM. However, we didn’t leave the airport until after noon. We needed to wait for another couple. Not a problem though, the boat to the property didn’t leave until after 4:30 PM. If you can choose your flights find one in the afternoon. The 4 hour wait at the dock was not an enjoyable start to our vacation. The location was remote. Next time, I’ll stay at one of the larger islands. At each site, we saw dive boats from all the surrounding islands. The staff was nice. Had I been with my fishing buddies, the property would work. But I would not recommend this for couples. And though the diving was great, I didn’t get what I paid for. Research your other options, thoroughly.