Most areas around Roatan are safe. Roatan offers several residential living options as well, some safer than others.
People Also Ask
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.
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.
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.
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 the safest place to visit in Honduras. It's also very close to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which is the second largest barrier reef in the world behind the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It's a diving mecca and great for snorkelers. You can swim out to the reef from the beach.
Certain areas of the island, such as the East End, are far quieter than the more tourist-centric parts, which often means there's not much reason for criminals or potential thieves to congregate. If you're looking for some personal time, a quieter part of the island might provide you with the desired respite.
A week in Roatan is the perfect amount of time to explore the island without feeling rushed. Most of the tourist traffic comes from cruise ships, but I think 8 hours isn't enough time to get a real taste of the island.
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'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.
The 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. It's a good idea to have smaller denominations in US Dollars for arrival (making getting change easier).
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.
By Bus -- During daylight hours, minibuses ply back and forth from one end of the island to the other on Roatán's one main road for a fare of L20 to L40 ($1-$2) per person, depending on how far you travel. Most buses will travel only east or west, from Coxen Hole to one end of the island.
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.
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.