Updated in 2022.
Roatan is little less than 50 km off the coast of mainland Honduras. The island rests on top of the world’s second largest coral reef, and thus has fantastic diving and snorkeling. You’ll be dealing mostly with tourists as opposed to locals. Roatan is a relatively small island at only 83 km2. For reference, the Mexican island of Cozumel is almost six times larger than Roatan!
The island was also a British colony for a time, so expect more English-speaking than the rest of Honduras. It’s kind of like Bocas del Toro, Panama in this sense. Roatan is a growing digital nomad hotspot and wifi is widely accessible. Many expats living in Honduras chose Roatan as the best place to live in the country.
POPULATION: 50,000
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RENT AN APARTMENT IN ROATAN
$400 if you’re lucky, but it is difficult to find budget housing in Roatan as a tourist. Get in with some locals who might know someone renting or else do your best to split a house with others.
DAY TRIPS & THINGS TO DO IN ROATAN
Diving and Snorkelling. Definitely the things to do in Roatan. Many dive shops located around the island.
IS ROATAN SAFE?
Roatan is completely safe.
Mainland Honduras? Not so much, but here you’ll be fine.
It’s mostly gringo divers, and the worst thing you’re likely to get from them is bad weed.
NIGHTLIFE IN ROATAN
6/10
Arguably better nightlife than in La Ceiba. Definitely higher ratio of tourists and foreigners.
Nightlife feels quite contrived. Probably because of the recent influx of cruise ship passengers to the island. For a more authentic Honduran party scene, you’ll want to check out San Pedro Sula.
Most bars in Roatan are located on the west end of the island.
Many establishments are open late and most guests are tourists, mostly Europeans because the security situation in Honduras scares Americans away.
There’s a series of bars, and the tendency is not to stay at one for too long. Bar-hopping I think is what the kids call it…
I recommend:
Nova: A younger crowd and more of a club vibe.
Utilla island also has quite an epic party scene.
COST OF LIVING IN ROATAN
GROCERIES: Milk (1L)= $1.50 Loaf of Bread=$1.50 Eggs= $1.90 Water (1.5L)= $1.80 Cigarettes= $4.00
BOTTLE OF BEER: $2.00
JOB OPPORTUNITIES: You guessed it! Dive instructor…or hostel worker who dives.
TAXI: No more than $2.00 should you require one.
HOSTEL DORM BED/NIGHT $6.00-$9.00
FINAL THOUGHTS
Roatan is a good place to dive, learn how to dive, or talk about diving.
The nightlife is pretty predictable.
Do everyone a favor though and check out Utila Island if you’re in Roatan. Youtube it.
OVERALL RATING: 6.25/10
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