Areas off the tourist grid such as Coxen Hole which are populated almost entirely by locals and may make a tourist stand out. These areas are generally safe to visit, however, it is recommended to avoid such areas at night, especially if alone.
People Also Ask
There are many communities around Roatan which are void of crime. Some of these include the areas of Palmetto Bay, Pristine Bay, Turtle Crossing, & Lawson Rock. Crime in these neighborhoods is prevented through a combination of gated layouts and security patrols.
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.
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.
West Bay. Probably the most popular area in Roatán – and there's a reason for that. West Bay has literally the nicest beach on the island, with soft white sands and calm blue water, and the famous coral reef just 50 feet away.
West Bay Beach is approximately a 30-45 minute taxi ride from either the Coxen Hole or Mahogany Bay Cruise Ship piers. You can take a taxi, however we decided to take the local mini bus from Coxen Hole to West End and water taxi from West End to West Bay Beach.
Anti-malaria medicationsYou should avoid mosquito bites to prevent malaria. Malaria is present throughout the year in throughout the country at altitudes below 1,000 m (< 3,281 ft) and in Roatán and other Bay Island; risk exists in the outskirts of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula.
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.
Mosquitos are typically worst around dawn and dusk, so it's best to avoid them during those times. They are active all day, but you probably won't notice them quite as frequently.
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.
Visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding or simply lounging on the beach chairs or cabanas. Mahogany Bay Beach is a perfect place to experience the tropical charm and natural beauty of Roatan.
The reality is that Roatan is an island, and almost everything consumed here is imported. Our food, products and supplies had to undergo a much longer journey to make it to our happy island, and therefore that drives up the price of just about everything.
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.
Sandy Bay, West End, and West Bay are the safest parts of the island. Avoid walking alone at night, or even on the beach with your loved one when darkness descends.
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.
Santa Rosa de CopanThe capital of the department of Copan, in Western Honduras is considered by many as the safest city in Honduras. This is the coffee capital of Honduras. It is a great gateway towards the Lenca Route that includes Gracias and La Esperanza.
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.
And when you dive Roatan, Honduras you have a chance of seeing at least 10 shark species such as hammerheads, nurse sharks and silky sharks. Shark sightings on dives in Roatan are occasional at best. If you want an (almost) guaranteed encounter with sharks, then you want to do the Roatan Shark Dive.