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The Bay Islands had a prepandemic economy almost entirely based on tourism, an evolution that came after the islands commercial fishing collapsed. Some homes are even boat access onlythe ultimate in privacy. These prices are for long-term arrangements generally, where youll sign a lease of three months or more. A trip-and-a-half around Americas Great Loop on Diamond Lil, our 38 Bayliner, began our adventure. Roatan Honduras Check out our 52 Places for a Changed World for 2022. Long-term monthly rents start at $600 a month. Roatan Islanders speak a Creole English. The Honduras Bay Islands, a fellow boater said. This area is less developed, wilder, and has maintained its natural habitat. But instead of emerging to silence and milky white stars, I saw a figure with a flashlight standing on the nearby jetty, shouting. The weather in Roatan is boring. !Subscribe to My Channel \"Lauren Hughes Realtor and Investor\": https://shorturl.at/kmLO1Make sure to hit the BELL icon to be notified of new videos! The weather alone, and the fact that Roatan is seldom in harm's way of a hurricane make it ideal for home ownership. You would be on your own up there. West End is the funky village by the sea, with waterfront restaurants (from Thai to sports bar fare) and bars, several docks full of dive boats, and plenty of affordable beachfront or off the beach condos and homes. All individuals traveling to and from Honduras must complete the Honduran Customs Declaration Night dives are available for those who wish to observe nocturnal marine life when it is most active. Photos may be taken with personal cameras or purchased from professional photographers on site. Local restaurants offer delicious and filling meals for around $6 a plate. Roatan is a member of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). Like other tropical locations, exposure to the sun needs to be monitored and sunscreen is mandatory to reduce the chances of skin problems later. Night dives were new to me: The inky darkness was exhilarating, mysterious, alive and more than a little frightening. Roatan manages to stay green year round, even though its dry season. Coxen Hole is home of Roatan's municipality, and it is also considered the capital of the Bay Islands. Honduras Travel Requirements | Anthony's Key Resort | Roatan It fueled its economy almost exclusively in the early days. Roatan or Bay Islands if needed. Most of us head there after the hurricane season.. This will be your final destination state and city e.g. It is relatively easy to purchase property and obtain residence. Incoming flights arrive from several international and local airports. The record is also clear that Europeans traveled to Roatan and enslaved many of the locals. Homestwo or three bedroomswith views or close to the beach will run you $1,000 and up. Yet both the English and the Spanish influenced the culture, language, and heritage we see on Roatan today. The tropical weather in and around Roatan is inclusive of sea breezes which keep the annual temperatures within a range of 70F to 80F. Theres one property for sale down by Lost Isles. WebRoatan is part of a cluster of island archipelagos situated ten to forty miles off the northern coast of Honduras. Specialists are located on the mainland of Honduras, so we travel by plane or ferry. You can find live music, often from expat musicians, at bars and restaurants in places like West End and Sandy Bay. As far as grocery shopping, you have plenty of choices here. Expats get together at local expat hangouts like JavaVine, Bananarama, Sundowners, or BJs. For a two-bedroom condo in a community on the water, prices start at around $200,000. The bar, and dinner, were waiting whenever we got out of the water. If you fish, youll be in heaven. Herbys Sports Bar, and Pineapples Restaurant are located on-site, as well as a spa and gym. Medical care is good and affordable. We passed on kite-surfing and a ride on a glass-bottom boat, but gaped at black iguanas in the coral cliffs at the islands far western edge and the sailboats anchored offshore (One came from Denver. We had almost no restrictions as to what we could or could not build. Enjoy miles of the sandy, white beach after your ride, with swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking available. As a travel editor, the virus and its impact on travel has been on the forefront of my mind for nearly two years, and now in late December, half of the Greater New York area seemed to be sick from Omicron and the other half awaiting test results. Roatan is a world-class SCUBA and snorkeling destination. Ride through the magical mangrove tunnels, a series of man-made channels that form this inland waterway. Roatan may arguably enjoy the best weather in the Caribbean as it lies just south and west of the major hurricane highway. The municipality of Roatan includes everything west of First Bight. Although the West End runs along the sea its beach cant compare to that of the West Bay. Also because of limited housing stock, it can be hard to find a rental, especially during the high season. Its still the principle tourist attraction. Ours was not a direct path from A to B. The regular crowd was out to enjoy music. Usually, these classes provide a four-hour session under the close, direct supervision of a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified instructor. Currency The official currency in Roatan is the Honduras Lempira which is valued at 1 Roatan's call to fame is its coral reef. The farther you go east, theres less development. U.S. citizens can travel with a passport without the need to apply for a special visa. Many dive centers offer the opportunity to become certified while enjoying a diving vacation. Located along the longest coral reef in the western hemisphere, Roatan is best known for scuba diving. Local resorts and dive centers normally offer introductory lessons and the prices are hard to beat. Both Miami and Houston offer direct flights with several carriers but most flights have one stop before landing at Coxen Hole airport on Roatan. Sometimes, three airliners arrive, one after another, and the small customs and immigration processing area become backlogged. And expats regularly pointed out that it takes quite a bit of their time to shop on Roatan, since expats favorite stores are spread around the island. The bar at the Reef House Resort. But the lower cost of living is seen in your everyday expenses, too. Best of all, the dishes are available for guests to sample. Pineapple Villas, an off water condominium development in French Harbour, has a 1,500-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo unit for sale for $179,000, with a distant harbor view. WebFind your dream home in Roatn, Islas de la Baha, Honduras! Expect to see parrotfish, rays, sharks, lobster, tangs, puffers, jacks, eels, conch, damselfish, just to name a few species. Accommodation is inexpensive, either hotels or small apartments. More information Local residents tend to spend much of their time outdoors so being mindful of sun exposure is important. The Roatan Marine Park and the surrounding area known as the Bay Islands Marine Park (Parque National Marino de las Islas de la Bahia "PNMIB"), is comprised of 12 nautical miles around these islands. The large influx of tourist makes for good business, and it keeps the island vibrant. The inlets and bays on the southern shore of the island that once attracted European pirates and loggers now attract scuba divers, drawn by the reef just offshore. Roatn, the largest of the Bay Islands, is encircled by the Mesoamerican Reef, a vibrant, diverse marine ecosystem with around 65 coral species and more than 500 Denver?). The beach is free and chairs are available to rent. Most islands are surrounded by a seabut not all are created equal. The rainy period on Roatan begins in October and ends in January with the heaviest rains falling in November and December. The Rainy Season and the Dry Season. The port became operational in late 2008 and it is located in the Town Center of Coxen Hole, the capital of Roatan, or what locals call el pueblo (the town). Port of Roatan is home to the Norwegian, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean ships visiting Honduras. Port Expansion Sea Life Encounter Wild Life Encounter Lazy River & More Roatan The Bay Islands Conservation Association (BICA) takes a three-pronged approach to its work, focusing on science, institutional support for the authorities, and community work. Several of the larger resorts are located along this long stretch of powdery white sand. Some are residential and virtually privatebut its a quick walk for you if you live in the community. Expect to pay U.S. prices for staples at the grocery store. You can also work with local school kids doing sports activities or teaching English. I am not a facebooker but was able to go on site and print out instructions. For the early part of the pandemic, the local population was under strict curfew. It offers some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities in the world, and there are many dive shops where you can rent and buy gear. Departamento que visita/Destination State . No shirt, no shoesno problem. Honduras A ride on a glass-bottom boat at West Bay allows for dry viewing of the coral reefs. Dreams do come true, however. Some are virtually deserted. Other precautions included wearing double K95 masks while flying as well as on our three taxi rides. A mirage of buccaneers and pirates found refuge in Roatan natural and well-protected harbors. Many are actively involved in volunteer organizations such as the Humane Society, Rotary Club, or baseball leagues. At this point you will be ready to go diving. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? If youve ever dreamed of living on a tropical Caribbean island, you should consider Roatan. The Dolphin Snorkel, in addition to the initial 25 minutes with one dolphin, offers an additional 30 minutes of snorkeling time with a dozen or more dolphins. When you fly in youll see volunteers, mostly retirees, helping confused tourists get through the customs and immigration area of the airport. Soon after, the British removed approximately 5,000 of their now defeated enemies and sent them to Roatan. First, we added a cat to the family. It was perfect for us. Davey laughed and said no problem, he simply wanted to make sure we were all right. From taxi drivers to scuba divers, the reef is important to everyone, said Gabriela Ochoa, a program manager for the Roatn Marine Park, of the local population. I cannot seem to find it based on the names listed. If you are visiting Roatan from mainland Honduras, you can opt to take the Galaxy Wave ferry with two daily trips between La Cieba and Roatan. Find a TourFind a JobItinerariesContact UsImportsBack to Top, In Partnership withRoatan Online Community. Honduras Travel Advisory - United States Department of State What if our flights were among the thousands canceled? She spent time as a young woman in Key West, back when Jimmy Buffett played for free drinks in bars. Others join the local gym or take yoga classes. We spend most of our waking hours outdoors. Descendants of the Carib peoples, Arawakas and black Africans, who arrived on the island fleeing slavery. Roatan User Guide for Honduran Immigration Forms - Anthony's Key It delivered. They come and go from town in their boats. It all got fixed in the end, though, as these things do. Flippered enthusiasts from across the globe, flock to Roatan for its nearly perfect diving conditions. Its all here in Roatn. It is the largest of its kind in the northern hemisphere and second largest worldwide. I know of a couple of properties for sale up in Port Royal, she said. Women lead these types of economic activity and were mainly engaged in planting rice and cassava. The culture of the people of The Bay Islands (historically known as Bay people) can trace its origins to the English slaves. Any unauthorized reproduction, redistribution or re-upload is strictly prohibited of this material. But we spoke with an expat couple, who live outside of French Harbour in the home they own, who spend less than $1,200 a month. Roatan's highest point is 900 ft above sea level. They all reflect the Spanish, British, Carib, and mestizo heritage of the Roatan Community. But this is an island, and everything is imported. This migration occurred after the British abolished slavery in 1838. With its beautiful beach, cozy cafs, fun beach bars, and gorgeous homes perched on panoramic hills, the West Bay is perfect for expats who can afford a chic beach lifestyle. Cruise ship passenger numbers were even lower: Dropping from 1.4 million in all of 2019 to 180,000 from July to November 2021. 1. We spent our last two nights there, at the Xbalanque Resort, a boutique hotel about an hours drive from Oakridge and 20 minutes from the islands airport. Treat yourself and your family to the thrill of a lifetime while getting a birds eye view of the island from 60-feet up in the jungle canopy. Roatan has about 80,000 residents. The reef system around Roatan has all three types of coral reefs and in it live countless marine creatures as it is comprised of many marine ecosystems. The Honduras influence gave way to a Spanish speaking mestizo on Roatan. The island, at 48 miles long and 5 miles across (at its widest point), has a variety of towns and regions to choose from, and each appeals to a different type of lifestyle. During these months, cruise ships come on five or six times each week. If you want to try before you buy, two-bedroom homes and condos, walk to the beach or in beachfront communities, are generally $1,000 a month and up. If youre searching for a warm-weather climate, a lower cost of living, slower pace, surrounded by natural beautywith plenty of services and amenities, retirement on Roatn could be worth a closer look. Theres always something going on here. There are a wide variety of adventure tours available for all age groups and experience levels. While Spanish is the official language, English is spoken universally. Take a boat a few minutes from the shore and see dozens of species of tropical fish, sea turtles, coral in a rainbow of colors, and more underwater wonders. On the worlds coral reefs, parrotfish feed on algae, keeping the plants in check, allowing corals to grow (mutualistic is the term biologists use), while those remora fish prefer to hitch a ride on sharks, not snorkelers (thats a commensalistic relationship). After a snorkeling session, you will travel to the village of Chachahuate for lunch. Take the ferry. It escapes the guiding air currents that direct these huge storms toward other Caribbean islands. Roatan receives rain, on the average, on 112 days of each year. Go to the middle of the island and you have larger towns like French Harbour and Coxen Hole. So, instead of banning visitors outright to environmentally sensitive places, said Mr. Drysdale of Healthy Reefs, a portion of travel revenue could be devoted to reducing their impact, such as modernizing wastewater treatment plants or improving plastic recycling. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. to Travel to Roatan, Honduras Re: entry requirements. Leave the crowds behind when you tour the east end of the island by boat. The speaking characteristics of their English dialect can be traced to the Western Caribbean. Still, it gets a fraction of the visitors that you would see in other Caribbean destinations and much of the development is small-scale and manageable. There is also a strong Black Carib community knowns as the Garifuna People. But some retirees enjoy living here and frequent their own hangouts. The boating is excellent, with plenty of smaller islands in the surrounding area to visit. Deciding not to cancel this international trip our first since the pandemic began was a gut buster, as it was for many who had holiday travel plans this year. U.S. Relations With Honduras - United States Department of State Follow my light! Others, like West Bay and West End, are packed with people, with resorts, condos, beach bars, and vendors abundant, with a soundtrack of Latin music and reggae. Youll pay around $800 to $1,000 for something right on the water. There are no TVs in the guest rooms and no shampoo in the bathrooms; on two nights including Christmas Eve I fell asleep to the dance music blaring through our rooms walls from a nearby bar. Teams compete for prizes for both the most and the largest of this invasive species of fish. Sandals and shorts are the uniformseven for nice dinners out. The history of Roatan is filled with stories of colonizing, enslavement, liberating, and ultimately settlements. One morning, as I sipped coffee there feet dipped in the water a troop of white-faced capuchin monkeys fed in the trees. Many homes offer water access too, whether its a community marina or dock, or even a private dock. The Iron Shore is a fossilized coral reef rocky shoreline found on the water's edge at various points along Roatan's coastline. Once on Roatan, you can immediately feel the island vibe soothing your soul as the fresh, salt air cleanses away the stress of the mainland life you left behind. Swimming down vertical reef walls and through coral canyons, the reporter spotted green moray eels, nurse sharks, toadfish, puffer fish, schools of blue chromis and invasive lionfish. I got talking to a friend who knew we were searching for a place to set up home. Honduras International Travel Information - United States Learn more about Honduras and other countries in our daily postcard e-letter. The village of Oakridge sits on the waters edge, with the Reef House Resort a short boat-ride away from Roatn on a separate cay. WebWhat state and city go in the immigration form for Roatan. That was in the fall of 2006. Just for the winter, we thought. Those seeking permanent residency must make an application according to Honduran regulations. During our dives in this beautiful ecosystem, the coronavirus and its related worries were finally far from my mind. Boats to Roatan leave from the mainland city of La Ceiba. High-speed internet works well and there is reliable cellphone service. The Port Royal fort lies in ruins today with only a few residents living in the surrounding area. Roatn is the place many envision when they hear Jimmy Buffet singing about one of his tropical paradises. At this point, I realized that we were not leaving Roatn. We decided to sell our house and move onboard Diamond Lil. Canadians Trade the White North for Roatns Sun Watching sunset with a cold beer in hand and surrounded by friends old and new is practically mandatory. There is also a branch of the top hospital in Honduras here, staffed with specialists. There are local places with local fare for much less. It arrived off Roatns West End in October 2020, said Ms. Ochoa, and in Oakridge, in September 2021. Two winters in the beautiful Bahamas followed. Tourism started when the scuba community and the hardy found the archipelago in the 1970s, but with the arrival of major cruise lines in the 2000s, its popularity exploded, with three ships or more arriving each day, three or more days a week in the high season before the pandemic. Declaration of the Summit for The West End feels like a hot spot for younger generations. While no separate safety or crime statistics are kept for Roatan, an abundance of evidence strongly suggests that Roatan is a world apart from its mainland connection to Honduras. It is, in fact, much safer than mainland Honduras and feels infinitely safer than the U.S., if for no other reason than the total absence of a gun culture. Over time, these harbor communities made for a perfect location from which to raid passing cargo ships filled with goods, supplies, and some even came with treasures. The Ladinos, are an important group within the life and history of The Bay Islands. Look no further than the common last names found on Roatan and the name of streets, buildings, and towns. !Share this video with your friends..! The current towns of Oak Ridge and Coxen Hole were also settled early on and then went on to grow into what we see today. The island used to export banana and coconut. Ready to build lots on the water go for around $100,000, or a lot with a sea view will start from $50,000. Petrosun is a gas station owned by a local. The resident parrot at Reef House is named Polly. Lotus, the poolside bar and restaurant at Xbalanque, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can get fresh off the boat fish (snapper, tuna, and mahi-mahi, for example) and lobster for a fraction of what youd pay in the U.S. or Canada. This is a great chance to meet and speak with both locals and ex-pats who have decided to make Roatan home. Ive experienced many seas during my many travels. An annual fishing tournament coincides with Honduran Independence Day on Sept 15th. There is so much that makes Roatn special. But the overall scene is still attractive, with the glorious reef waves within view. Watch the children swim and play in the sea while you savor a cold rum punch or margarita. Then, we decided we needed a dog. Honduras maintains an embassy in the United States at 1250 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20036 (tel. When you approach Roatn from the mainland by sea or from the air, its a striking sight. There are many dive shops located along the sea. The entire East Side of the island is spread out and remote as compared to the West End. But dont forget that you will almost always receive credit for the money you spent on your introductory dive. However, much of the local people (taxi drivers, household staff, and government officials) all are primarily Spanish speakers. Learn more about Honduras and other countries in our daily postcard e-letter. Guests descend to a sandy bottom, 60 feet below the surface where they interact with dolphins in a natural setting for 45 minutes. The heritage of those living on Roatan ranges from expats from Italy, Europe, Canada, and the United States. Still more, there are many residents from various Latin American countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, and Nicaragua to mention just a few. Roatan Many expats who live here first came on dive tripsand either never left or put it at the top of their retirement list. Only In Your State. Our lifestyle is quite physical for our golden years, as is that of most of our friends. But for experts like Mr. Drysdale and Ms. Ochoa, concern now lies with stony coral tissue loss disease, considered by the Heathy Reef Initiative to be the most lethal coral disease known. It can kill off stony corals the major pillar of healthy reefs in a matter of weeks or months. These groups settled firstly along the southern shores of Roatan, in Coxen Hole and Los Fuertes. But the Bay Islands do not show any evidence of volcanic formation in its history. More than half of the population lives in poverty and per Although Honduras is Spanish-speaking and it is spoken on the island, English is also widely used thanks to its historical link to England (it was once a British colony). Tourism and business possibilities are also attractions for prospective expats from all over the world. Legal action will be taken against those who violate the copyright of the following material presented! But with hospitals and medical clinics, banks, larger grocery stores, hardware stores, government offices, and other services, they often visit to run errands. If you're looking for a dramatic scene, be sure to visit Roatan during the rainy season, which starts in October and runs through January each year. I worked in the web printing industry and was laid off from Transcontinental Printing when my plant closed in 2004. 00:00. French Harbour is a good size town with several nearby developments, high-end grocery stores, and the islands only shopping mall, the Mega Plaza.