In terms of sheer distance, Roatán, Honduras is one of the closest Caribbean islands to the United States—but when it comes to culture, value, and even good looks, Roatán is worlds away.
People Also Ask
Roatan is located in between Utila and Guanaja Islands. These islands are a gem in the western Caribbean, and they are surrounded by the largest barrier reef system in the northern hemisphere. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is only second in size to Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
Honduras lies within the wider Caribbean region which stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to the French Guiana – Brazil border. This region has well known interactions throughout its area, and the marine resources of Honduras are inextricably linked to a much larger area via water exchange.
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.
Language in RoatanWhile Spanish is the official language, English is spoken universally. Roatan Islanders speak a Creole English. This broken English gets its roots in French, english, and Spanish as well as a few words unique to the Garifuna culture.
A map of Honduras. Honduras has a 700-kilometer (430-mile) Caribbean coastline extending from the mouth of the Río Motagua in the west to the mouth of the Río Coco in the east, at Cape Gracias a Dios.
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 largest Caribbean islands are Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico, known as the Greater Antilles. Trinidad, the larger island of Trinidad and Tobago, is situated just north of the Venezuelan coast.
Roatan is in a third world country, and as such, it is not unusual to find cattle, horses, erratic taxi drivers, large trucks, and other unsafe motorists.
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.
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.
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.
MEDIAN INCOMEHonduras is one of the poorest countries in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region and has faced relatively slow poverty reduction in recent years.
Secondly, Roatan has a low cost of living compared to North America. Housing, food, and transportation are all significantly cheaper on the island. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in popular expat communities can cost as little as $500 per month and the cost to buy a home or property is still a bargain.
There are two residency options to consider. Neither option requires that American citizens denounce their citizenship to the US (or any other country), yet both alternatives allow for a path towards permanent residency in Honduras.
Location. Located near the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea (second largest worldwide after Australia's Great Barrier Reef), Roatán has become an important cruise ship and scuba diving destination in Honduras.