Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Trying to decide the next vacation, Fiji, New Zealand, Costa Rica, or Hondu

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea

Hey everyone. I'm trying to decide where to go on our next trip. First off here's a little background on myself and my wife so you guys can better help us decide. I'm 27, she's 25 and we have done our fair share of traveling in the past few years, Mexico, Hawaii, Belize, and parts of the US. We got back from 3 weeks in Belize in May and June and it was by far the most amazing trip we have taken. We love to scuba dive, eat good food, hike, and do pretty much anything outdoors. We found Belize great because it wasn't too touristy, there were lots of things to do off the beaten path, we got to explore lots of different parts of the country and there was awesome culture.....oh yeah and great diving!!! We are trying to decide between Fiji/New Zealand, Honduras, and Costa Rica. We are looking to spend 2-3 weeks, price isn't really a factor since we will make it work where ever. We like places that aren't too touristy but do like to stay in nice hotels with great amenities. Outdoor activities and things to do are key, we do like to lounge but not all day. We will be going in late May early June. Let me know what you guys all think!

Fiji has everything you want but you have to choose carefully-as always.

Lived in Costa Rica and can't recommend the place to anyone but the most limited packaged deal touron/idiot-haven't been to Honduras but if good food is what you want then Central America isn't the place to find it.

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If you like off the beaten track and diving, look for other Pacific countries as well as Fiji. Solomon Islands has plenty to see and do and is much less touristy

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Our first trip south of the equator was a Cook Islands/New Zealand trip. That was 2003. Before that I lived in Alaska and had spent a lot of time in Mexico, much of the carribean and Hawaii. That was 2003.

Now we always head for the South Pacific!

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I'm still interested in CR and Honduras but I think I'm leaning towards Fiji just because it seems to offer a ton with some great diving, not 100% though. Another big reason is my wife and I are planning on having kids in the next couple of years and I can see slipping away for a small trip to CR or Honduras but not 2 weeks to Fiji. Any other advise? Anyone been to all 3 places?

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I think my worry is stuff to do outside of diving. I know that Fiji and Honduras are both great dive sites, not sure which is better but that is only one part of the day. I also love doing all the stuff on the land, good town and culture, wildlife, fishing, and maybe even some great hikes.

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Fishing-trolling for Tuna/Mahi Mahi~casting over the reefs for GT's is excellent in Fiji-kayaking as well and there are some great overland hikes too .

Hiking is largely season dependent though and since all land is private it's best to take a guide.

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