Back from 3 days in Roatan

[ljrfrm]

I just got back from visiting my friend in Roatan. I promised Mathgal and few others to post some advice on the island. It's a wonderful island and everyone is so friendly. If you want to scuba, my friend recommends Subway. Although she told me you can't go wrong with any of the big scuba outfitters. I saw several dive boats all around - everyone seemed to be having a great time. West end is a great little hippie type town to visit......there are many great places to eat on the island (plus they make great margaritas). One place called "the View" has an excellent view and it's a great place to stop. The canopy tour looked great....didn't try it yet. If you go though, don't do the ship excursion. You only get 7 lines - and it costs more. Do it on your own - 11 lines - it's cheaper and better. Any of the taxi drivers will know where to take you. Roatan is a wonderful island...don't stay at the port. Go see the beauty and the great people. The kids go to school at staggered hours (they share the same school house) so those that go at night are around during the day. Let me know if you have any specific questions.....I'll try to answer them.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;06;27;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Paradise 6/27

[Chopperdon]

I just returned from a Cruise Ship stop in Roatan and my wife and I fell in love with it. We wish to return for a longer visit. Questions are: 1. How did you get there and arrangements to get there? 2. Suggestions on where to stay or web site to look at for accomidations. 3. Local Tour Guides contacts for personal tours of island.

Of course we want to spend some time at the beach, but we really want to explore the islands people and culture.

Please point us in the right direction!

Thanks
ChopperDon

[ljrfrm]

The great thing is that Roatan is getting easier to get to. I went American to Miami and took the direct Taca flight on Sunday. Taca, Sol Air and soon Continental fly direct. Coming home, I took a small plane to the capital Tegucigalpa, and then took American home via Miami. Iberia is having a great sale now - $200 roundtrip from Miami to San Pedro Sula. It's just a quick commuter flight from San Pedro Sula. As for where to stay - there's tons of places. My main reason for visiting was to look for a small house to buy and rent out. I saw that you have a wide variety of places to rent. Houses, condos, villas, and the typical hotel room or bed and breakfast. If you go to some websites (I think Roatanet.com is a good one) you will find tons of info. I stayed in Palmetto Bay - a gated community that rents beach front property. Lots of people prefer to stay on the West End - where there's more "night life". I think anywhere you stay would be great. I'm not so sure about tour operators...in that I was just with my friend the whole time. I think once you're there, you can get great recommendations from where you're staying.

On the side, forgot to mention bug spray. I was fine during the day, but if you're there at dusk..careful. I was eaten alive! My fault because I wasn't wearing spray. The sand fleas didn't bother me....I walked on the beach, didn't lay out though. During the day the bugs were fine, not a nuisance, just as the sun was setting. My legs look like I have a horrible case of chicken pox right now [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;06;27;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Paradise 6/27

[mathgal]

Thanks for the advice! Hubby needs to get things figured out since he is the one doing the diving! My friend and I will spend the day touring. The canopy tour sounds exciting, but not sure I could get up enough nerve to try!

If the sand fleas didn't bother you, then what type of bugs were biting at dusk? Mosquitos? I thought the entire world's mosquito population was inside the Minnesota borders! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Do you know if the Roatan schools will still be in session in mid-June? My friend and I are both teachers (as is her husband) and it might be fun to see what their schools are like.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;6;13;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] till we are in Paradise again!


Paradise 6/2004
Paradise 6/2002

[robbyxoxo]

ljrfrm....did you end up finding a rental to buy?....my wife and i are hoping to go there for a month to stay....weve only been there once before during a cruise stop....how bad would you say the "cheap" rentals are?.....we are looking to stay near the West end area...we dont mind roughing it some, but hope to not have to share our bed with roaches........i still cant get over how GREAT the snorkeling was at West Bay [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[ljrfrm]

We are going to make an offer on a house... we'll see what happens. There are tons of great places to rent. Most are in pretty good condition. I've seen prices from $500 to $1,200 per week - a lot depends whether it's cheap vs. expensive season. You can rent everything from a house, duplex to condo. Usually if you stay one month - you get a cheaper rate. Go to Roatanet.com - that might give you some ideas. If that doesn't work, let me know and I can find some other sites for you. You'll love it there for one month - honestly, I was just there a few days, and wish I had more time.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;06;27;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Paradise 6/27

[Beverly Hope]

I am glad to see other cruisers enchanted with Roatan as we have been. It is definately a very special island. We went to Foster's at West Bay off a cruise almost 2 years ago, have been back several times since then as regular guests and now plan to buy a lot at West Bay and build a vacation rental at Foster's. The beach at West Bay is the most beautiful to us and the snorkeling is incredible. We prefer the smaller island family-owned operation rather than the bigger developed areas. I would suggest going to Foster's as a day trip or staying longer as a guest. They have great beachfront cabanas and larger beachfront 2 and 3 bedrooms for families. One can book a day trip with them or just go in a taxi from the port that way. Their website is [url="http://www.fostersroatan"]www.fostersroatan[/url] and the lady that answers their emails is very nice and helpful with questions. Roatan is a beautiful island and just starting to become recognized as a vacation destination. Definately my family's idea of paradise.

[KathyAvery]

Hi! New to board and am looking for some advice regarding Roatan. I went to Ambergis Caye last june and loved it. I read a previous post on this thread where somebody said they walked past Mayan Princess. That is where we are thinking of staying. What were your impressions? Is the turtle grass bad? It was very bad in San Pedro. The pictures do not look as if this is a problem but I would like to know. Thanks, Kathy

[ljrfrm]

Hi, I'm no expert on Roatan - I was only there a few days. But, I did go to Mayan Princess to look at property there, and loved it. The pool is huge, wonderful and beautiful. The condo units were nice and clean. I didn't hit the beach so I can't help you there....but if I were visiting again, I certainly would consider staying at the Mayan Princess.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;06;27;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Paradise 6/27