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Caribbean Sea, Roatan Island
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Roatan Info
Getting to Roatan |
Several
international Airlines serve the newly expanded Roatan International Airport
(RTB), which has become an easy destination.
Delta airlines operates
direct weekly flights from Atlanta, Continental two non stop weekly flights from Houston and Taca from Houston. American Airlines flies into
San Pedro Sula
direct from
New York
. Taca, Islena and Sosa
Airlines operate daily connecting flights to all International hubs in
Central America
. A short hop to
San Pedro Sula
or
San Salvador
connects you to every
major city in the world.
There is a weekly
direct charter flight from
Milan.
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Airline Contacts for information
and reservations:
ROATAN
(RTB) AIRPORT: (504 2445-1880) |
Upon arrival:
If you have requested
us to organize your transfer service, you
will be met at the airport by a driver. He'll have a sign with your name on it and
be waiting for you at the arrival hall. In his comfortable mini-van, he will take you to a supermarket for a
grocery stop included in his rate then drive
you to your property, where you will be met by us for check-in in procedures.
Airport transfer fee $25 for 1 to 4 persons. Each additional person to a maximum
of 8 US$ 5/person . This charge is payable directly to the driver. It takes
approximately 30 minutes from the airport to
West
Bay
Departure:
We will gladly organize
your transportation back to the airport. Remember to reconfirm your flight reservation
before departure There is a departure tax of U.S. $36.00 per person, payable at
the airport in cash in local currency equivalent or in US Dollars.
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Roatan is the largest of the
Bay Islands located about 30 miles off the coast of the Republic
of Honduras, in the Western Caribbean Sea. The Islands are the
tips of undersea mountains that extend out from the mainland's
Omoa Ridge. The islands form the Bonacca Ridge; 30 miles from
the mainland and the steep walls of the ridge are one of the
most rare and beautifully formed reefs in the world and it supports
97% of the known coral species in the Caribbean. Roatan is surrounded
by the world's second largest natural barrier reef.
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Honduras means " deepwater"
and the reef create natural breakwaters and ideal, calm pool
for diving, fishing, swimming and sailing.
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The Bay Islands cover about
92 sq.miles and include Utila and Guanaja, the smaller Morat,
Barbareta and St. Helena, just east of Roatan.
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The climate is tropical with
a rainy season from mid-October to late November. Temperatures
are in the 80’ all year ( 28/30 degree centigrades).
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Orchids, exotic fruits, and
other vegetation fill the island. Trade winds normally mitigate
the sensation of heat or humidity.
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About 60,000 persons inhabit
Roatan. The people are friendly, easy going and approachable.
Native Roatanians speak English.
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The main industries are fishing
and boat building but many make a living on harvesting and drying
coconut meat. Tourism is growing very fast.
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The island is approximately
30 miles long and 5 miles wide.
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The dress is very casual everywhere
on the island.
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Roatan is not as commercially
developed as other islands in the Caribbean so you may not have
some of the conveniences you are used to but this is part of
the charm of this paradise island.
Coxen Hole is the point of arrival for almost all visitors and
the capital of the Bay Islands. In addition to the airport and
ferryboat docks, Coxen Hole also houses most of the island’s
banks and shops. The second stop for most travellers is West End
and West Bay Beach which is the main tourist area on the island.
The next stop for most travellers is West End and particularly
West Bay Beach which is the main tourist area on the island, home
to gorgeous beaches, shops and restaurants, dive centers and night
life, this is the place to be on Roatan!
Sandy Bay is the hub of Roatan’s cultural
activities. This seaside community houses the Roatan Museum, the
Institute of Marine Sciences, the Carambola Gardens and numerous
small resorts and marinas. Located just northeast of Coxen Hole,
French Harbour is a busy town with one of the Caribbean’s
largest fishing fleets and many of the island’s business
and financial institutions.
Continuing northeast out of French Harbour, visitors
will arrive at Punta Gorda, one of the first Garifuna settlement
in Central America. In addition to various land and water-based
activities, hotels, and cultural highlights, Punta Gorda is also
the gravel road gateway to smaller communities such as Port Royal
and Camp Bay.
While each community offers its unique attractions,
both land and water-based activities can be found all over the
island. With the world’s second largest barrier reef just
100 yards off shore, diving and snorkelling top the list of activities.
Walls, volcanic tunnels, canyons, and ridges are home to endless
marine life including everything from colourful sponges, coral,
and tropical fish to playful dolphins and awe-inspiring whale
sharks. Roatan's other water activities include deep sea fishing,
fly-fishing on the flats and mangroves, swimming with the dolphins,
and ocean kayaking. Land activities include riding horses, exploring
lush tropical scenery, shopping for island crafts, eating at wonderful
restaurants, and viewing the butterfly and floral gardens.
Activities on site or nearby and places to visit:
- Deep Sea Fishing
- Jet skiing
- Parasailing
- Swimming
- Dolphin and Shark encounters
- Biking
- Wildlife park
- Horseback riding
- Island tours by road and by boat
- Mayan ruins tours
- Carambola Botanical Gardens
- Iguana Farm
- Butterfly Farm
- Garifuna Native Village
- The Roatan Museum of Marine Science
- Coral Reef Explorer Glass bottom boats
- Submarine Adventure
- Nightlife in West End town, (5 minutes by inexpensive water
taxi from West Bay docks)
Scuba Diving/Snorkelling
There are several dive shops on the island.
Fishing
There are several good fishing operators located in and around
West Bay. The best thing to do is start asking around and get
a good deal for a whole day or a few hours based on what you want
to do!
Sea Kayaking
In West bay and West End there is a good selection of sea kayaks
available for rental.
Canopy tour
Located on the road into West Bay Beach, the canopy tour is an
exciting way to see the tropical plants and trees of Roatan.
Restaurants/Bars
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Vintage Pearl, West Bay
Fosters’, West Bay
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Infinity Bay Resort Restaurant
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Celeste’s island Cusine, West Bay
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Mangiamo in West Bay
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Hungry Monkey, West Bay
Las Rocas: Located
at the end of West Bay Beach, Las Rocas is a small intimate
restaurant offering outstanding lunch and dinners. Enjoy delicious
lobster and other seafood specialties a short walk down the
beach.
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Bite on the Beach: Located
next to Las Rocas, Bite on the Beach has beautiful sunset views
from their open air seating deck.
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Fosters on the Beach:
Near the end of West Bay Beach, this casual open air bar has
great happy hours and good food served throughout the day.
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Splash Inn: Also located
in West End, good lunch and dinner at reasonable prices.
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Rudy's: The best breakfast
on Roatan! Famous for banana pancakes and tropical smoothies,
Rudy's is the perfect laid back spot to enjoy a "typical"
breakfast at very reasonable prices.
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Pinocchio’s
is a charming restaurant with Italian and international flair.
In West End.
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Brick Oven Pizza:
This is the hardest to find restaurant in West End but well
worth the adventure. Look for the signs on the main road and
start walking up the hill, past Pinocchio’s. Follow the
road around to the right, back to the left and keep going! They
serve delicious pizza and show movies on a regular basis. Bring
your bug spray or ask the bartender for some!
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Argentinean Grill:
Good steaks and seafood, right next to Woody's grocery store
in West End.
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Twisted Toucan Bar: Friday
and Saturday nights in West End starts here.
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Sunset Bar: This is
the latest attraction and a great meeting place in West End.
Shopping
the best grocery store is Eldon’s located in French Harbour.
Modern and well stocked you can buy everything you need for your
vacation. There are also smaller shops such as Woody's in West
End. You can get basics at several other stores in West End.
Rental Cars
Although not absolutely necessary, we do recommend you consider
a rental car for at least some of your stay in Roatan. With a
rental car, you can explore the island at your pace and shop at
larger grocery stores. Toyota Rental Car directly across from
the airport has good cars as does Roatan Rentals in West End.
Search the internet for rates or contact your travel agent. Although
driving on Roatan is easy and relaxed, please watch the taxi drivers,
who are known to stop suddenly and drive erratically.
Water Taxis
From the beach on West Bay, you can catch a water taxi to the
town of West End for around $1.50 per person. The ride is 10 minutes
and is a great and fun way to get to and from West End.
What to Bring
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Valid Passport.
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U.S. dollars in small bills
and/or Lempiras (the local currency, about 20 Lempira to 1 U.S.
dollar). You can change U.S. Dollars almost anywhere on the
island.
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Credit cards are not always
accepted and when they are, there is sometimes an additional
charge of 6% to 7%.
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Diving certification card,
diving or snorkelling gear. All this gear is also available
for rent.
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Bathing suits, (wetsuits are
recommended for scuba diving), t-shirts, shorts, blouses, sundresses,
short sleeve button down sport or Hawaiian style shirts. Comfortable
walking shoes, sandals, thongs or surf shoes. Light sweater
or windbreaker and lightweight travel "type" pants
are a good idea (depending on time of year). Dress on Roatan
is very casual even for dining out.
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Sunglasses
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Personal toiletry items and
any medications.
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Sunscreen, mosquito repellent,
antihistamines, anti itch cream. Sand flies and mosquitoes are
around all year.
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Camera, video camera, CDs.
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Reading material
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