[quote=8bitnintendo]I spent 1987-1989 in Brazil (Marine brat), which was not the best time to be there.

I’m actually going to be in Ambergris Caye, a bit up from San Pedro. The Blue Hole I have heard is overpriced and missing on sea life. Friends in the know have stated that it’s more something divers do to be able to say they have done. I think I’ll hit more reefs and wrecks and give it a miss.[/quote]

I was there from 1984 – 1988 (what we termed the “Ronald Reagan All Expenses Paid Central American Tour”) and agree with the “not the best time to be there” sentiment.

I would take my observations on diving with a grain of salt and largely because they’re 20+ years old. I would love to dive Nicaragua (that wasn’t an option when I was there). Back when I was in, places like Tamarindo, Costa Rica, were sleepy little coastal towns. Now, everything is built up and commercialized, unfortunately. One of my buddies was recently down there and surfed Nicaragua (Papollo and Panga) and was amazed at the number of Americans and Aussies. He said English was more common than Spanish and most of the vestiges of the Sandinista days were long gone.

What did your did do in the Marines in Brazil? Embassy duty?