Roatan is an island off the coast of Honduras that is a popular tourist destination. It is known for its clear blue waters, white sand beaches, and lush jungle vegetation. Roatan is a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. It is also a great place to relax and enjoy the Caribbean sun. I spent about three days there and enjoyed my time.
If you are planning a quick trip to Roatan, here is a guide to help you make the most of your time on the island. This guide includes the best things to do, where to eat, and how to stay safe while on your trip.
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Table of Contents
What is Roatan Honduras Known For?
Roatan Honduras is known for its clear waters and proximity to the mesoamerican barrier reef, the second largest reef in the world. The water is so clear, and you can see the fish and coral just by looking down at the water. The beautiful landscape and natural habits are a popular destination for cruise ships and travelers eager to unwind. The sunsets and scenery are breathtaking.
How to Get to Roatan Honduras
If you are not on a cruise ship, you can fly directly into Honduras. Depending on where you are coming from, there are flights from the USA directly to Roatan, Honduras, or you can transfer from the mainland. It was cheaper for us to fly directly into the mainland to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, then connect through a domestic carrier to Roatan.
We booked a flight through CM airlines for about $200 round trip. We decided on the flight option because we were short on time and wanted to make the most of our trip. Book early if you want to fly there; the planes are small. Here are other options to get to Roatan from San Pedro Sula:
- Hire a driver to take you to the ferries in La Ceiba to Roatan
- Take a Domestic Flight to La Ceiba and Take the Ferry to Roatan
- Take the bus from the airport to the La Ceiba port, then take the Ferry to Roatan
- Rent a Car and Catch the Ferry to Roatan
How to Get Around
With a small island, it is easy to get around. The island did not have uber, but there were taxis. You can also hire a private driver to get you to wherever you decide to stay and arrange tours with transportation. We decided to rent a car because of the quick trip, and we wanted to maximize our time. The price of the car was inexpensive compared to booking a driver and tours. Plus, we liked the option of doing everything on our own time.
Where to Stay in Roatan, Honduras
The best area to stay in is the West End for access to restaurants close by and other activities. Numerous restaurants, dive shops, docs, and activities are within walking distance. In addition, you have quick access to the beach. Another notable area is the West Bay, the more popular beach area with restaurants right on the water. These locations are right next to each other, and there are water taxis to take you to and from both.
Where I Stayed
I stayed in the West End at the Cocolobo Hotel and Lodging. It is a secluded area nestled away in the trees with amazing views. Each room has an ocean view with a porch and a hammock. They offer complimentary breakfast and have a pool with a lounge area. The rooms were big and came with a kitchen which is great if you plan on staying long. I liked the community feel of the property, and the owners took the time to learn your name and give you recommendations. There is also free parking.
Itinerary and Activities in Roatan Honduras
Deciding what is important for you to see and developing your schedule are essential for a quick trip. We opted to do it ourselves instead of doing a guided tour. Many of the tours included things I was not interested in, so I researched the exact things I wanted to do, and it ended up being better cost-wise. In addition, Roatan is a great place to take a relaxing trip and unplug. You can have a great time just by taking in the scenery.
Day 1
Walk and Explore the West End
We arrived in the early evening and checked into the Cocolobo Hotel. We took time to take in the scenery and headed on foot to explore. The west end has back-to-back shops, restaurants, and water activities to explore. You will feel very safe walking around any time of the day, and the locals are amicable.
Dinner at Creole’s Rotisserie Chicken
Creole’s Rotisserie Chicken is a popular restaurant in the area. They are known for their chicken, but any option is delicious. The portions are enormous as well. I got the fish tacos, and it was fresh and flavorful. They offer indoor and outdoor seating.
Watch the Sunset and Gaze at the Stars
One thing I love about Roatan is the beautiful sunsets. They have docs where you can sit and watch the sunset or sit on the local beach and enjoy. Once the sun goes down, look at the crystal clear sky and view all the beautiful constellations. Living in a busy city, it’s hard to see the sky, so clearly, so I enjoyed it.
Day 2
Man Groves of Oak Ridge
I’ve seen videos of the beautiful mangrove tunnels on the island and knew I needed to see them. It can be difficult to find where to schedule them without a dedicated tour, but the receptionist at our hotel gave us a tip. Drive to the gas house and ask for a ride. The best place to see the mangroves is in Oak Ridge, on the other side of the island, about an hour away.
We drove and scheduled things along the route to maximize the day. We arrived at the gas house and asked one of the workers how to get to the mangroves, and they called a boat. The trip was only $20 each, and our guide was knowledgeable. We had the whole boat to ourselves.
See the Sloths and Monkeys
There are many monkey and sloth animal parks, like the most popular, Gumbalina Park, but we only wanted to see the sloths and monkeys. Gumbalina has added extras for the cost that we were not interested in. We opted for Daniel Johnsons Monkey and Sloth Hangout because of the price, and its location on the route we took to get to the Mangroves. To hold the monkeys, sloths, and macaws, it was only $12, and this was compared to $30-$45 at other spots without a dedicated tour. We could hold and play with the animals, which is precisely what I sought.
Stop at Snappers For Lunch
Additionally, on the route, we stopped at a popular outdoor seafood restaurant Snappers. They have whole-fried fish and other seafood options with sizeable portions. The location overlooks the turquoise water for a scenic view.
Head to West Bay For the Beach and Snorkeling
On the way back, we made a left, heading to West Bay beach. If you are driving, there is $2 an-hour parking in a lot behind Bananarama. Then you can continue straight to the beach, with plentiful restaurants and beach chairs to rent. A beach chair and umbrella rental were only $15 for the whole day. Here you can bring your snorkel gear and glimpse the sea life in the poplar coral reef. There are options for other extensive tours to book at the beach, but this was enough for me.
Dinner at Luna Muna Restaurant
After heading home for a nap from a full day, we went to our reserved dinner at Luna Muna Restaurant in the Ibagari Hotel. The Ibagari hotel is a higher-end hotel that is a great option to stay at, but it is not walkable and more secluded than the hotels on the west end.
I recommend making reservations here because it fills up, and you will want to catch the sunset at this beautiful open-air restaurant. This fine dining restaurant has different food options, including seafood and vegetarian. It is a great location to celebrate a special occasion and dress up. I ordered the basil fettuccini pasta with the Nutella brownie as a dessert. Everything was delicious! The ambiance and views were perfect.
Day 3
Breakfast at Bean Crazy
I love that they are open earlier than the other restaurants, and the coffee options are delicious. I got an iced coffee, and it was huge. The food options are more extensive than most, and it is air-conditioned inside to take a break from the heat.
Visit the Roatan Sign
So, of course, I wanted a picture of the Roatan sign. On the way to the airport along the coast, you will see the Roatan sign to take a photo. There is also a covered seating area to enjoy the scenery and watch the waves.
Here are other notable activities to check out:
Is Roatan Honduras Safe?
Compared to the mainland of Honduras, Roatan is safer. I felt comfortable walking around at night and did not worry much about dishonesty. There were a lot of locals and expats on the island that was extremely friendly. As with any country, take standard precautions and follow the local norms.
One day in San Pedro Sula, Honduras
We left Roatan at midday and spent one night in San Pedro, Honduras. We hired a driver from our hotel and went straight there. We realized uber was available and used it once. On the mainland, you should be more cautious and arrange travel by a tour operator or your hotel. We stayed in the business area with recognizable hotel names.
Other things to Remember
In Roatan, many people speak English because Roatan was once a British colony. You can get away with not knowing much Spanish, but on the mainland, fewer people know English. The US dollar is widely accepted, so you do not need to exchange money in Roatan. The sun is scorching in Honduras, so bring strong reef-friendly sunscreen and a lot of bug spray. It is a tropical climate, so that mosquitoes will bite you.
