West Bay or West End?

[rksalvador]

Will be travelling to Roatan aboard the Carnival Valor on March 8, 2006. To avoid the added expense of a ship tour, we've decided to travel on our own to a beach. Any suggestions on which beach we should choose - West Bay or West End? What is the difference? We're looking for a white sand beach with beautiful views, easy water access, and reasonably priced food and drinks. There will be 8 of us - some like to lay on the beach, some like to sit at a beach bar, and a couple of the gals like to shop. Also, how far are these two beaches from Coxen Hole? Thanks!

[SheilaNC]

The beach at West Bay sounds like what you're looking for. There are lots of taxis at the dock with drivers trying to get your attention. Although not as safe - those who wait outside the entrance gate have better rates. Make sure that you make it clear what you want and ask the driver to return to bring you back to the ship. Pay on return. The beach is lovely with hotels/restaurants and bars in the area. West End is interesting...shops that all seem to carry the same type local souvenirs and less expensive restaurants, etc. The beach is clean and available to everyone but much smaller. Hope this helps

[rksalvador]

Thanks for your recommendation! I've read Tabyana and Mayan Princess are two great locations on West Bay. Any suggestions on where we should be dropped off at? Also, how long does it take to get to West Bay by cab? Thanks!

[SheilaNC]

Tabyana is at the far end of the beach - white sand, great water and looked like a nice hotel...heard it's pricy. We went into the water there but didn't check out the hotel. Don't know about the other. Took about 20 min to get there (a little longer for us because we stopped to look at a new luxury development being built on the way). The town itself is very poor and some areas are reported to not be safe. The people we met were very nice and we had no problems.

[TravelWorks]

Will be travelling to Roatan aboard the Carnival Valor on March 8, 2006. To avoid the added expense of a ship tour, we've decided to travel on our own to a beach. Any suggestions on which beach we should choose - West Bay or West End? What is the difference? We're looking for a white sand beach with beautiful views, easy water access, and reasonably priced food and drinks. There will be 8 of us - some like to lay on the beach, some like to sit at a beach bar, and a couple of the gals like to shop. Also, how far are these two beaches from Coxen Hole? Thanks!

 

DO BOTH! LOVED WEST BAY BEACH

(Nice Bar at the Mayan Princess there)

BEACH IT AT WEST BAY AND THEN SHOP AT THE WEST END VILLAGE before you go back to the boat.

(Great Hole-in the wall- shops in West End Village...much better shopping than Coxen Hole(Totally dead!)

 

READ MY REVIEW of Both...You can reserve AN APPOINTMENT for your Taxi. WITH 8 OF YOU YOU'LL NEED A VAN AND THEY WILL GIVE YOU A GOOD RATE.

Here is my link:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=273872

Review includes the email to the Roatan Cab Company gals... Good Luck!

Have fun!