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.
People Also Ask
Most areas around Roatan are safe. Roatan offers several residential living options as well, some safer than others.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tipping is expected in Roatan's restaurants. However, inspect your bill to see if you've already been charged for “Servicio.” If so, no extra tip is necessary. Although if you feel the service was excellent, then feel free to add more. If “Servicio” is not included in the bill, tip 10% or more.
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.
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.
The only crocodile that inhabits the Bay Islands is the crocodile of the species Crocodylus Acutus. Their distribution is limited to the mangroves of Santa Elena, Old and New Port Royal, Camp Bay, as well as at Gibson Bight in Roatan. Female crocodiles construct and deposit their eggs in nests made from natural debris.
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.
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.
Yes, Roatan has many excellent snorkel sites that are easily accessible from the beach. West Bay Beach features some of the best shore snorkeling in the Caribbean. Half Moon Bay in West End and Starfish Alley near West Bay are also great choices to snorkel from the beach in Roatan.
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).
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.
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.
Roatan is a safe island and you do not commonly come across venomous or poisonous animals. In vary rare cases you may come across a scorpion. The sting is generally not dangerous for adults, but we recommend seeking medical attention in the case of a child or an ill or elderly person being stung.
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.
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.