I'm sorry but I cannot compare to a liveaboard because I've never been on
one yet.  However, I can tell you quite a bit about Belize.

You can do Belize for quite a bit less than a liveaboard and have decent
aircon acco too.

I believe that it would be a real memory for you, if you went to San Pedro,
Belize. You might even like Caye Caulker. How much time are you taking off
for this trip?  Maybe you could do a bit on each island.

It is my understanding that it is pretty easy and not that expensive to get
to Belize City from Miami.  From BC, you take a puddle jumper over to the
island.  Or you can take the water taxi but it's all about timing and
luggage and what you can tolerate.

If you are interested in more info, just ask your questions here and I will
answer you to the best of my ability.

<snip>

"Coffee, tea or ganja?"

Belize is a wonderful dive destination.  I stayed at Lighthouse Reef Resort
when I went several years back.  This year I'm going on the Belize Aggressor
for a week to compare liveaboard diving in Belize as opposed to land
accommodations.  If you want some very good diving...probably as comparable as
Belize...on a thin budget, try Roatan.  I saw a dive package today for 7days @
$539 during the months of Sept and Oct of this year.  Not including airfare
which should bring it up to near $1,000 I guess.  Still an absolute bargain. I
paid around $1200 the times I went.   Fantasy Island is offering this.  I've
been to that resort 3 years straight.  Excellent place and diving is great.
TACA has a direct flight every Sunday right into Roatan.  2 hr flight.  Can't
beat that.  Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are also very good choices.
Liveaboards are great if you like to dive your brains out all day [like I do]
and literally dive, eat and sleep.  Some people love it others hate it.  All
depends on your diving personality and being on a boat for 5 days rather than
warlking around on dry land and doing only 3 dives a day, or maybe less.

Hope this helps.

Hi,
I will be on the Nekton Pilot liveaboard doing the Southern Belize itinerary
in a week or so. This will be my second trip on the Nekton. Was there in
November, doing the Northern itinerary. Liveaboard diving is great because
there are no hidden costs. The Nekton is $1495 and includes all your diving
(up to 5 dives a day), your accommodations, all food and beverages. But you
must want to dive a lot to get your money's worth out of the trip.
I have also been diving out of Ambergris Caye in Belize. It's a short hop
from Belize City (get out of there as quickly as you can, there's really
nothing to do there). You can get budget accommodations at Ruby's on the
water for $25 per night for two beds/two people. Dives from shore based
operators run about $55 per trip (two dives each trip).
Surprisingly, airfare is not really a bargain to Belize City (BZE). It's
usually around $500 or so from Miami. I got a deal for my March trip, but I
don't think that's the norm.
I've got lots more info and dive shop recommendations, if you'd like to
e-mail me at Doris@DivingWithDoris.com. I also live in Florida (near Tampa)
and am diving the Keys at least once a month.
Blue skies,
Doris Pfister
PADI MI 52598