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Is Roatan safe?


Locobill49
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We've been to Roatan many times, both ports. We've taken tours and taxis, walked through downtown Coxen Hole. Gone around French Harbor and the mangroves further down. Been over to Sandy Bay, West Bay, West End. Never had any issues.

Several years ago a cruiser family purportedly had some issues with a taxi driver, and back in the '00s a crew member was accosted or killed outside a bar/store in Coxen Hole under suspicious circumstances.

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From my perspective, safety itself is an illusion because we all know bad things can happen anywhere.  Most of the crimes you might encounter on Roatan are of the opportunity variety: small items left on the beach unattended or flashing expensive devices that will put a target on your back, as the crew member found out. If one understands they are and behave as a guest on an island off the coast of a third-world country, chances are they will be fine. 

 

With all that said, I am a solo female traveler; I have wandered the whole island via bus, scooter, my feet, borrowed car, and rented car. I have never had so much as a whisper of trouble during the many, many years of visiting. I do nothing and wear nothing that may attract attention, which prevents me from becoming a target. 

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Roatan should be considered separately from Honduras at large. That said the island is not without its bad areas just like most cities and towns, and certainly worst after dark. 
 

Most of the violent crime does not target tourists, but there is, or certainly has been, unease amongst business operators. There have been isolated cases of violence against cruisers and as reported a crew member was killed. I haven’t seen anything reported recently and you are unlikely to ever hear the full facts.

 

i have never had the warm fuzzy feeling expressed by so many on CC about Roatan but I have visited many times and don’t consider it any worse than many other ports of call. I have taken group and private tours. Vendors can be pushy and transportation system annoying considering how long Roatan has been receiving cruise ships. The tourist industry has been very slow to develop a reasonable safe, regulated transport system. Easy enough to contract a driver for the day from any one of multiple companies which is fine for your first few visits. 

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Despite the "vendor gauntlet" at the port (NCL), is yes.  I felt no physical intimidation even though many folks wanted to sell us stuff.

 

Our guide from Roatan Adventures pointed out the lack of metal bars on 1st floor windows, and lots of open doors on the houses we passed. This is very different than Costa Rica and Guatemala where I have traveled previously. So, yeah, compared to many American cities, I think Roatan is pretty safe.

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We just we were recently in Roatan and did a shore excursion.  Our guide was asked about safety.  He said because the island relies on tourism, it is fairly safe.  However, if you were to take the ferry over to the mainland, you would experience the not-so-nice Roatan.

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Compared to many cities in The United States, Roatan is a cake walk.  Don't go places you have no business going, and don't do things you have no business doing.  The same two rules that apply to almost every destination, domestic or foriegn.  And having spent time in Trujillo on the mainland, I can tell you that the people there were kind and welcoming, the food was great and we really enjoyed it.

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