Many friends or tourists who want to visit and know Roatan, Honduras ask us if it is safe to travel? Our answer is YES. In general, Roatan is a safe island, however, theft can be an issue, as it is in many tourist areas.
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Yes, if you travel smart and use common sense. The sad truth is nowhere is 100% safe, especially for women traveling alone. Bad things can happen to you in every corner of the world and Roatan is no different.
Avoid displays of money and valuables such as expensive jewelry, watches, cell phones, iPods, cameras, etc. Roatan is very casual, and by dressing casually, you will not draw attention to yourself.
Dangers of Roatan and Roatan Crime. Roatan is considered to be very safe for tourists and is possibly the safest place in Honduras. The Roatan crime rate is very low.
Is the drinking water safe to drink? Tap water is not recommended to drink in Honduras. All good restaurants and hotels will provide purified water or use purified water in food preparation. Purified water can be bought easily throughout the country.
It is true. At the hostel, all over Roatan, Honduras and Central America, toilet paper is normally discarded in the garbage can after you've wiped, not down the toilet. Most places are plumbed with septic systems, not advanced sewage systems, so nothing can go down them except human waste.
Currency in RoatanThe Lempira is the official currency of Honduras but US dollars accepted throughout Roatan and can be used in most parts of the island. Credit Cards can also be used in larger stores and restaurants, but not all.
Roatan has been home to a notorious list of major drug intermediaries who launder money by purchasing properties on the island. Members of the “Los Cachiros“ drug trafficking ring were arrested and numerous properties in Roatan were seized several years ago.
The Bay Islands and Roatan are popular destinations today for many vacationers, including some rather famous people. The islands in the area are popular for celebs such as Christopher Lambert, Richard Gere, Michael Douglas, and Cameron Diaz.
Sand fleas are prevalent in the Bay Islands. Sometimes called no-see-ums, you probably won't even notice these guys are around until you start itching. While some people hardly react to their bites, others may find them to be incredibly annoying.
A: The foods Roatan is known for is fresh seafood, hearty baleadas (you'll learn what this is later on!), ceviche, fried or jerk chicken, hot sauce, beans and rice and fried plantains.
Roatan is a safe island. Crime can be easily avoided by taking basic safety precautions. What follows is a list of safety tips which you can adhere to when visiting our island. Stay safe and enjoy.
Best Place to Stay in RoatanTwo main areas appeal in Roatan - West End and West Bay - and this is where the majority of island visitors will stay. A third area, Sandy Bay, is worth mentioning, as it's well-liked by ex-pats, but hasn't become a hotspot for tourists - although this may soon change.
In general, Roatan is a safe island, however, theft can be an issue, as it is in many tourist areas. Certain parts of the island should be avoided, however, as they are not considered so safe. Understanding your location and proximity to your hotel is important for your safety.
Biting bugs give Roatan beaches a bad rap. But with a little foreknowledge and preparation, they don't need to ruin your vacation. The most common pests found on the island beaches, are locally called “jejenes”. In Scotland they are called biting midges, in the USA, no-see-ums or sand flies, but they are the same pest.
Located about 40 miles (65 km) off of the northern coast of Honduras, Roatan is the largest and most populous of The Bay Islands, a string of tropical Caribbean islands that runs along the edge of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second largest reef system in the world.
Roatan's call to fame is its coral reef. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is world-renowned. It is the largest of its kind in the northern hemisphere and second largest worldwide. Only the Great Barrier Reef is larger in scope and size that is the reef in the waters around Roatan Island.
You can use your credit cards in Roatan and you can pay with them in most of the hotels and restaurants on the island. Some smaller restaurants and shops only accept cash, so make sure to have cash when visiting these spots. You can also pay for large excursions with a credit card in Roatan.
If you don't want to deal with currency exchange or taking money out of an ATM during your Roatan trip, you could theoretically bring all of your cash in USD along with you. For a 7-day trip, I would bring at least $700-1,000 USD, with the assumption that you'll have some left over.