Roatan Island, Honduras
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General Information
Roatan Island is known as "the jewel of Honduras." It is the largest and most populated of the three Honduran islands known as the "Bay Islands" (Islas de la Bahía). It is located about 80 km from the northern coast of Honduras.
It is a long and narrow island, approximately 60 km long and only 5 km wide. Its central part is mountainous and rich with tropical vegetation. It is no wonder that when Columbus first saw it, he said: "Green, green, very green!"
The island is home to about 30,000 residents known as "Caracoles." Other permanent residents of Roatan include monkeys, iguanas, and colorful parrots.
Recommended Hotels on Roatan Island
Mayan Princess Beach & Dive Resort
A 4-star suite and villa hotel with an adjacent sandy beach, a pool, 4 gourmet restaurants, full kitchens, and free internet and parking.
Bananarama Dive & Beach Resort
A 5-star hotel with a diving club. Rooms of various sizes, suitable for families, 4 restaurants, free internet, and an adjacent sandy beach.
The largest city in Roatan is Coxen Hole, which is considered the island's administrative center, housing government offices. French Harbor is the second-largest city and is considered the commercial center (primarily for fishing) of the island. West End is the most touristy area of the island, where the best beaches, hotels, restaurants, and diving centers are concentrated. Sandy Bay is home to most of the island's cultural attractions. Roatan has one main paved road that runs through 75% of the island's length.
Roatan is currently one of the islands with the highest development momentum in the Caribbean. Alongside wooden houses with tin roofs, luxurious resorts and prestigious villas are being built.
Did you know? Rumor has it that Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Francis Ford Coppola have already bought houses on the island and that singer Julio Iglesias is building a golf course for himself in Roatan.
The island is famous for its wonderful beaches, with crystal-clear water and white sand lined with palm trees. Thanks to its proximity to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Roatan is considered an especially recommended destination for diving.
Roatan appeals not only to sea and marine life enthusiasts but also to nature and action lovers, and it is known for the variety of activities it offers among and above the treetops.
The weather on the island is warm and tropical year-round. The average air temperature is 26-30 degrees Celsius, and the water temperature is 21-27 degrees Celsius.
Did you know? When Columbus discovered the island, he wrote: "I have never tasted fresh water of better quality than in this place." Nevertheless, it is recommended not to test his claim and to drink only bottled mineral water on the island...
Language:
The official language in Honduras is Spanish, but most residents of Roatan also speak English.
Currency:
The local currency is called: Honduran Lempira, denoted by L. One US dollar is worth approximately 18.9 Lempiras. The US dollar is very common on the island and can be used to pay almost anywhere.
Major Attractions on the Island:
Book tours and excursions in Roatan suitable for cruise ship passengers from Viator:
Includes pickup and return to the cruise port:
Arch's Iguana Farm - A privately owned iguana farm by the Sherman family, established 18 years ago. Since then, the iguanas have multiplied significantly, and today about 2,700 iguanas roam freely! It is worth visiting the farm at noon to watch the iguana feeding. The farm is located west of French Harbour.
Did you know? Today iguanas are protected animals in Roatan and hunting them is prohibited, but in the past, they were the main ingredient in the local dish "iguana stew."
Roatan Butterfly Garden - The garden features over 200 butterflies from 20 different species, all of which are native to Honduras. A guided tour of about an hour is conducted in the gardens. In addition to butterflies, you will encounter many birds, including different species of hummingbirds, toucans, and parrots. The gardens are located on the main road near West End.
Carambola Botanical Garden - The garden has a large and impressive collection of orchids and many other tropical plants. The gardens are also a breeding and reproduction area for the island's iguanas. The garden features hiking trails lined with diverse tropical vegetation. There are also gardens of medicinal and spice plants. The longest trail leads to the top of a hill offering a wonderful view of West End. The gardens are located in Sandy Bay across the road from Anthony's Key Resort.
Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS)
This is an educational research center that studies the lifestyle of dolphins and other marine animals. Dolphin shows are held twice a day (free), and you can also participate (for a fee, of course) in a "Dolphin Encounter" where you can swim with dolphins, snorkel with them, or even dive. There is also a special program where you can become a dolphin trainer for a day. Some programs are suitable only for ages 13 and up, but there are also programs specifically suited for children.
The institute is located at Anthony's Key Resort in northwestern Roatan. The resort offers a wide variety of activities such as snorkeling and diving without dolphins, kayaking, and horseback riding.
The Roatan Museum is also located at this resort. It is a tiny museum that won the title of the best small museum in Central America. The museum displays archaeological excavations conducted in Roatan and the other Bay Islands and teaches about the culture and history of the islands.
Bay Islands Underwater Museum
Another place providing an active underwater experience. The term "museum" doesn't quite fit this attraction. It is actually a snorkeling experience in a huge, calm lagoon among statues and replicas of Mayan antiquities, including masks, pottery, and decorated columns, all submerged deep in the lagoon floor. The lagoon also contains the remains of a Spanish warship and, most importantly, hundreds of colorful fish. This is a snorkeling experience suitable for the whole family. Located in Sandy Bay.
Gumbalimba Park - An expansive park full of attractions where you can spend a whole day. The park covers over 160 dunams and includes a nature reserve with colorful tropical birds that fly freely above your head and might jump on your shoulders, turkeys, and many other animals roaming undisturbed, all within a forest rich in tropical vegetation. The park features botanical gardens with 200 species of flowers and trees, waterfalls, fountains, and a suspension bridge over a fish-filled lake. There is also a sandy beach with lounge chairs and hammocks, and a "Pirate's Cave" with murals, treasures, maps, and weapons. The park also features a "Canopy Tour": a Zip Line facility including 11 platforms for sliding and two walking trails. You can combine kayaking with glass bottoms, snorkeling, catamaran sailing, horseback riding, and a selection of other activities. The park offers a wonderful view of the West End beaches.
Roatan is known for its Canopy tours (ziplining over the treetops). The high popularity of these tours has contributed to the growth of many companies specializing in fast and safe flying high above the forest canopies of the island.
Roatan's Beaches
Roatan is known for its excellent beaches. They are well-maintained and clean, with white sand and calm, clear waters that look as if they came straight out of a postcard. The northern part of the island is wilder, less protected, and has rougher seas.
The most popular beach on the island is Half Moon Bay Beach. It is a beautiful crescent-shaped beach, lined with coconut trees, particularly suitable for diving and snorkeling. The beach is located in West End at the western end of the island. The beach has a huge selection of companies that rent marine equipment or organize snorkeling and diving tours.
West Bay Beach is also known as Tabyana Beach, named after the recommended Tabyana Beach Resort. Most cruise lines offer tours to this beach that include free use of the resort's facilities. The resort also offers canopy tours (for an additional fee).
These two beaches can be quite crowded on days when cruise ships arrive at the island. A new beach intended for Carnival Cruise Line passengers (and its subsidiaries) is Mahogany Beach, located adjacent to the modern port built specifically for the corporation's ships. You can reach the beach via a scenic chairlift ride directly from the pier. The beach has lounge chairs, umbrellas, restaurants, and a variety of other services. This beach has clear water and white sand. It is especially suitable for those who do not want to spend time and money traveling to beaches at the western end of the island.
Maya Key is a tiny private island just a few minutes' boat ride from the Roatan cruise ship pier. The island has two secluded beaches particularly suitable for swimming and snorkeling, a large swimming pool, hiking trails in gardens rich with tropical vegetation, and an animal rescue center with jaguars, monkeys, toucans, parrots, and other animals. Additionally, a modern art center is located on the island where handcrafted works by local artists are displayed, and you can watch artists at work and, of course, purchase from them. The island also has a restaurant, bar, and souvenir shop. A ferry departs to the island every half hour.
Map of Roatan Island: