1

Your travel history suggests you don't like long haul flights and of course that is what you will need to do if you hit NZ & Fiji. The good thing about that package is the variety- North & South Island in NZ are very different (the north is rather like the English countryside but the south is wild and the activities are amazing) and then Fiji is a complete change again for beach escapism. The problem is that 2-3 weeks isn't long enough.
Try Costa Rica but go "off the beaten path"- its actually quite easy to escape tourism. May/June can be great times to visit as well as its before the main rainy season but not tourist busy. That said, if diving is a "must" then you are much better off in Honduras and for your "culture shot" you can visit Copan!

2

honduras

3

3rd vote for Honduras, but I'd start in Guatemala, my favorite.

4

Guatemala/Honduras would fill all the boxes, culture, adventure, cuisine and scuba diving.

Costa Rica has adventure, nature, wildlife, volcanoes, surfing/beaches, but not that great of diving compared Bay Islands/Belize, and not much culture compared to the Mayan Ruins in Tikal and Mayan influences in Guatemala/Honduras and the also the miskito coast as well...

May/June is a great time in the region of Central America, everything is very green and few crowds compared to July/Aug and also the winter holidays and easter.

5

youre more likely to fall into sketch sitch, in Costa Rica

6

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?

7

yes, i have been to all three places. i did a bit of travelling in fiji for about three weeks but am not a diver. i remember that getting from place to place was a pain in the ass with public transportation. out the three you mention, you didn't mention guatemala but i would shoot for that with a side trip to belize, just my opinion.

8

As a kiwi who has recently spent 6 weeks in Honduras I would recommend Central America all the way. I love NZ & there is heaps to do here but 2-3 weeks is just not enough time to come all the way down here & + to make time for Fiji as well. May/June is moving into our winter so bear that in mind on the acitivities that you like to focus on, if you do end up deciding on NZ focus on North or South (prob South would be best) & you would need to hire a car or campervan as our public transport is hopeless. Maybe when you have the family you can check out NZ & have a longer family holiday.
I have been to fiji but only for snorkling & sunning it up, I have to say that the food was crap at the all inclusive place (backpacker budget place though) on an I Island I stayed at (dont remember name) - most meals consisted of bread+noodles+rice+ tiny amount of fish. If you choose Fiji make sure you make some time away from the resorts & check out the villages & countryside.
I say go to Honduras spend a week or so diving in the Islands then spend the rest of the time on the beautiful mainland, e.g check out jungle walking in La Ceiba area with some white water rafting on the side, Head up to Copan Ruinas & then to nearby(ish) Gracias to check out National Park there for trekking as well as the La campa & other small towns/villages near by. Honduras has heaps to offer & it wont be hard to fill those couple of weeks.
I went to Guate on a previous trip & absolutley loved it so would also add a vote for there but then that could be next years destination.

9

I've spent a few weeks in Fiji. Basically you need to hire a car and explore the capital island staying at various points and then take boat trips to see those picture postcard islands and do your diving. You can stay at resorts on some of the small islands but they cost a bomb, you don't go anywhere and frankly you could be anywhere. (They are basically wedding/honeymoon resorts for well to do Aussies).The main part of Fiji isn't as wildly attractive as you might imagine but although it can look rough in parts Fijians are very friendly people and there's a good vibe. Its pretty expensive and as #8 says the food can be hit and miss outside of the resorts. Fiji's small islands are great for romantic events but Fiji should otherwise be visited as part of a bigger/longer trip to the whole region IMHO...

10

Not that I have been, but was looking into it 2 years ago, what about Bali/Indonesia or maybe Borneo, something tells me your wanting to go to a different Hemisphere and more exotic area. Borneo is also high on my list. But I don't what the weather/season is in May/June over there.

11

you been reading Wikipedia again?

12

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.

13

Costa Rica will keep you very busy...

Corocvado 4 nights
Tortuguero 2 nights
raft Rio Pacuare
Cano Negro 2 nights
Rincon 2 nights
Tenerio/Celeste waterfalls 2 nights
add beach anywhere, either coast.

http://www.anywherecostarica.com/destinations