Roatan Travel Information

The long and slender island of Roatan off the coast of Honduras is becoming one of the hot spots of the Caribbean region for both tourism and retirees.

It also is a popular destination for western Caribbean cruise vacations. More than 400,000 cruise ship passengers visited the island in 2008 and nearly 500,000 were expected in 2009, according to the Port of Roatan.

The island is one of three making up the Bay Islands, located about 30 miles off the coast of Honduras. The municipal capital and largest town is Coxen Hole -- the cruise port is a half mile from the town. Other major towns include West End, French Harbour and Oak Ridge.

The island is nearly 40 miles long. Roatan has the second largest coral reef in the world, which creates many opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Honduras is the second poorest country in Central America and has high unemployment. As a result, the crime rate throughout the country is high. The Honduran government has established a special tourist police in resort areas including Roatan, and the crime rate there is lower than other parts of the country. But the U.S. State Department advises avoiding isolated beaches and the walking through the town of Coxen Hole after dark.


Things to do include zip line jungle canopy tours, Roatan Tropical Butterfly Garden, horseback riding, deep diving submarine, glass bottom boat, sailing and diving tours.


"A U.S. passport valid for at least three months from the date of entry is required to enter Honduras. Though not required by law, some travelers have reported difficulty departing Honduras using a passport with less than three months of validity beyond the date of departure. A visa is not required, but tourists must provide evidence of return or onward travel," according to the U.S. State Department.

"Parents should not rely on birth certificates for their children’s travel; rather, prior to travel they should obtain U.S. passports for infants and minors born in the United States. U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a photocopy of their U.S. passports with them at all times, so that if questioned by local officials proof of identity and U.S. citizenship are readily available."


The weather is subtropical in lowlands and temperate in mountains. The inner areas of Honduras average in the mid-80s Fahrenheit during the daytime most of the year except for November through January. There are two rainy seasons -- May and June, and again in September and October.


The lempira is the official currency of Honduras. U.S. dollars are widely accepted, but Euros are not. Most businesses accept Visa, American Express, Master Card and Diners Club.

There is regular bus service available when you arrive at the dock. Taxis are also available at the dock. Typical taxi fares are $10- $15 per taxi to town and $15 - $20 round trip to West End.


The official language is Spanish, but English is widely spoken.

• U.S. Dept. of State
  
• CIA Factbook
  
• Caribbean Tourism Organization
  
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration