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Punta Gorda became the first permanent settlement on Roatan after the Paya Indian population became extinct. Its a tropical paradisewithout the high costs you might expect from a Caribbean destination. After the Colonial period, the process of settlement and settlement in the Bay Islands is marked by the arrival of diverse cultures, that to date, make up a cultural mosaic that characterizes the towns as being multiethnic, multilingual and multicultural. Ours was not a direct path from A to B. About 35 miles off the northern coast of mainland Honduras, Roatn is the largest of the Bay Islands, an archipelago encircled by some of the prettiest and most accessible coral reefs anywhere in the world. The Spanish chose not to establish a permanent settlement on Roatan. Homes on the water, built to North American standards, can be had from $200,000. No visiting the beach. Some places, especially the further east (whether on the northern or southern shore) you go, are somewhat isolated and often off-grid. Its easy to make the place your full-time home. Roatan may arguably enjoy the best weather in the Caribbean as it lies just south and west of the major hurricane highway. 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. Unfortunately, we are experiencing one of the largest coral die-offs ever, Mr. Drysdale said. But some retirees enjoy living here and frequent their own hangouts. If you prefer to relax in the shade, with your toes in the sand, there are dozens of beaches to enjoy. Boating around Roatn and nearby islands is also popular, as is fishing. 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 At this point you will be ready to go diving. 1. Currently, Roatan exports certain seafood such as lobster, shrimp, red snapper, etc. Come for the diving, not the luxury. Located about 40 miles (65 km) off of the northern coast of Honduras, Roatan is the largest and most populous of The Bay Islands, a string of tropical Caribbean The entire East Side of the island is spread out and remote as compared to the West End. More than half of the population lives in poverty and per These animals have been here for thousands of years, she said. 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. This group changed the cultural and economic course of Roatan as well. 1. Soar like an eagle from the top of the mountain range down to the sea. In fact, I met some folks whose normal attire is a swimsuit every day. Weather in Roatn Expats moved to Roatan gradually and had contributed greatly to Roatan's organization, development, know-how, and industrial growth. Watching sunset with a cold beer in hand and surrounded by friends old and new is practically mandatory. In the pre-Columbian phase, according to the archaeological record, in the Bay Islands, there is evidence of material culture (sites, traits, and vestiges) which are manifestations of the Paya or Pech culture that resided in these sectors. So after that first trip, in the 1980s, I began researching more affordable alternatives. Yet both the English and the Spanish influenced the culture, language, and heritage we see on Roatan today. 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. Its totally off the grid, she warned. 1. Anyone can read what you share. We had never heard of Roatn. The West End feels like a hot spot for younger generations. In 2005, several local dive operators established the Roatn Marine Park, now a 22-employee nonprofit that aims to conserve the reef with coral restoration efforts, coastline patrolling, research and community engagement and education. She and her husband had built a house in Port Royal, to the east of Oak Ridge. The regular crowd was out to enjoy music. Mahogany Bay was built in 2009 and it is owned and operated by Carnival Cruise Lines. Over time, Caymanians became the largest demographic on Roatan, and they shaped the culture of the island. This thought popped into my head at the end of a night dive, off the southern shore of the Honduran island of Roatn in December. The population that inhabits the department of Bay Islands - because of its historical tradition is comprised of a variety of cultures, identities, and livelihoods which characterize these islands. Get Your Free Report on Roatn. The municipality of Roatan includes everything west of First Bight. In our 13 years in Roatn, we have needed special medical care only a few times. Petrosun is a gas station owned by a local. The farther you go east, theres less development. This will be your final destination state and city e.g. Some have simple Airbnbs, some are privately owned, and some are devoid of anything but white sand beaches. Roatan is an island in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Honduras. At the end of four hours, you will be swimming freely about the confined area. Surprised, I responded by blurting out the first thing in my head: Its OK! Try your luck catching the saltwater grand slam species bonefish, permit, and tarpon. Qualified guides ensure your safety as you zip from one platform to another. Getting to Roatan is no bargainunless of course you happen to find a great airfare deal somewhere. We rarely travel to the busy, tourist area of the island. But on our first morning we hit the water again, paddling one of the resorts two-person kayaks a few miles down the shore, checking out the beaches and waterfront restaurants and boisterous vacationers. There are no servicesno electricity, no mains water, and no garbage pickup. There are days in which Roatan experiences the arrival of four ships on the same day. You will feel like you are in the Venice of the Caribbean as you wind through the picturesque waterways connecting several communities along the south shore. The municipality of Santos Guardiola encompasses everything on the East End, which is understood to be everything east of First Bight, which is home to the Parrot Tree Plantation. 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. Their favorite watering hole is BJs, in Oakridge, for the Friday afternoon jam session. Most of these travelers visit the West Bay and West End areas. But the overall scene is still attractive, with the glorious reef waves within view. Normally, a roundtrip flight from any of the major hubs will run from $750 to $1,100. Roatan has two main seasons. Half Moon Bay, is calm and quiet. After several months on the move, John showed me an advertisement in the Chisme Vindicator, a Rio Dulce website that we followed. It stretches almost 37 miles, but is only about five miles wide at its widest point. There are many dive shops located along the sea. Sandals and shorts are the uniformseven for nice dinners out. In fact, statistically, Roatan has only been impacted by hurricanes about once every 25 to 26 years. Roatan is under constant public and political pressure to invest and grow its infrastructure. Find a TourFind a JobItinerariesContact UsImportsBack to Top, In Partnership withRoatan Online Community. Visiting with neighbors and friends at BJs before heading home becomes part of the routine. We paid $130,000 for the property in 2014. Denver?). Symbiotic relationships are common in the natural world. The Bay Islands lie along the southern end of the Mesoamerican Reef, one of the largest barrier reefs in the world (Australias Great Barrier Reef comes first in this category) it touches Guatemala, Mexico and Belize, as well as Honduras. We took turns kayaking and snorkeling back to the hotel beach. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is only second in size to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. We continued to live on Diamond Lil while we began the next chapter of our lives building our dream retirement home while remaining ecologically responsible. The pandemic laid bare the relationship that many destinations around the world have with tourists. The corals, sea fans and other underwater life, just offshore from the Reef House Resort, delighted. Having just returned from an exploratory trip of Roatan, that didnt surprise me. I was less keen on spending time tied to a dock than he was. Tourism started on the island when the scuba community and the hardy found the Bay Islands archipelago in the 1970s. The retirees and other expats who have made it their home (joining the 80,000 or so Hondurans and native islanders there too) have found a great quality of life, with a low cost of living, warm weather year-round, that classic island vibe, and tropical atmosphere, great restaurants, white-sand beaches, modern conveniences like high-speed internet, and, with the opening of a new hospital, good quality medical care. The colors, textures and shapes of the corals and sea fans ranged from the reds and greens of Christmas to a Southwest landscape of cactus-like corals in shades of sand and lavender. Naturally, such dense vegetation could not exist without sufficient rain. The heritage of those living on Roatan ranges from expats from Italy, Europe, Canada, and the United States. Night dives were new to me: The inky darkness was exhilarating, mysterious, alive and more than a little frightening. Also, top quality fresh fruits and vegetables (at least what isnt growing on your property), though cheap at local markets, are more difficult to come by. The project in Honduras is spearheaded by the Roatn Marine Park; working with local dive shops, the nonprofit has organized orientation and training sessions for certified divers to help the reefs, either with syringes, collecting data or tagging corals for future evaluation. Roatn is the perfect place for an active retirement in many other ways too. It also boasts the tropical island paradise of Roatan - meaning it is also a In addition to environmental wealth, these islands possess an abundant cultural wealth, thanks to the different populations that inhabit the islands. 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 Island has two municipalities. The cost of living on Roatan, for most expats, ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 a month. Snapper, wahoo, tuna, and more are abundant in these waters. Located along the longest coral reef in the western hemisphere, Roatan is best known for scuba diving. Many of the family names on Roatan are similar or the same as the last names of families living on the Cayman Islands. If you fish, youll be in heaven. The 2022 list highlights places around the globe where travelers can be part of the solution. Sign in to access your subscriptions and subscriber-only content. Honduras Telephone + (504) 2236-9320 or + (504) 2238-5114 Emergency + (504) 2238-5114 or + (504) 2236-9320, extension 4100 Fax + (504) 2238-4357 Email But its not all about partying. WebUnited States Announces Additional $42.5 Million in Humanitarian Assistance for the People of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras; Statements. We viewed a three-bedroom, three-bathroom house on the beach listed for only $179,000. Its a busy place. Four days, eight dives, one snorkel, countless creatures, breathtaking beauty. The west side of the island, including communities like West End and West Bay, is the most developed and most frequented by tourists. During our dives in this beautiful ecosystem, the coronavirus and its related worries were finally far from my mind. Enjoy the tournament and take in the land-based activities in the charming seaside town of West End. Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative, a topical application of marine epoxy and antibiotics, words from the famed ecologist Baba Dioum. East End expats are an independent, self-sufficient lot. We visited in 1999 and could afford to buy there at that time. Friday afternoon jam sessions at BJs are an open invitation to guests and tourists to join the house band, a group of expats called The Banditos. Visitors were first drawn to Roatn because the worlds second largest barrier reef is just a quick boat ride offshore. Boats zip in and out of the bay, picking up divers and taking them to a favorite drop-off spot. The Honduras Bay Islands, a fellow boater said. No shirt, no shoesno problem. Roatn Retirement Information Reportedly, in 1638 the first British settlement was established by William Claiborne. In the tourist town of West End, there is a wide variety of choices at a wide variety of prices. The Black Caribs are known as the Garifuna. In recent years, an annual lionfish tournament has also been held. Thanks I had replied that I found the answer but it blocked it since it was in all caps. Just look for Isla Looks like the paperwork has to be with It was a smooth process. We have lost about 50 percent of corals in the areas where the disease is prevalent.. Where is the Island of Roatn Although the West End runs along the sea its beach cant compare to that of the West Bay. Consider beachfront lots in established developments for under $100,000. The questions were endless and the judgment unspoken, spoken and internal brutal. Verdant jungle-covered mountains and rolling hills rise from the spine of the island. But with hospitals and medical clinics, banks, larger grocery stores, hardware stores, government offices, and other services, they often visit to run errands. Roatan's highest point is 900 ft above sea level. High on the list of popular tourist attractions on the island is the Dive with the Dolphins Encounter at Anthonys Key Resort, one of the original resorts on the island, boasting more than 40 years in business. Expats get together at local expat hangouts like JavaVine, Bananarama, Sundowners, or BJs. Local restaurants compete for prizes offered for the best lionfish dishes. Accommodation is inexpensive, either hotels or small apartments. Currency The official currency in Roatan is the Honduras Lempira which is valued at 1 From my beachfront resort on the west end of the island, I simply waded, waist deep, into the gin-clear water and found myself surrounded by large schools of rainbow-infused fish and sprays of purple fan coral clinging to coral heads. All we had to do was feed the owners two dogs and watch the property while he was away. Then, you will move into waist-deep water, kneel down and experience your first underwater breaths. There are countless events, and we receive more invitations to outings than we can accept. Annual temperatures average out at 86F. They call themselves this because of their origin and intercultural adaptation. One of the biggest perks for retirees and other expats from North America is the fact that as an English protectorate, English is widely spoken, even as mainland Hondurans come for work and bring their native tongue. GoFundMe campaigns as well as soup kitchens and food pantries were created to help residents. 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. 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 We made our base at the rustic 10-room Reef House, on a cay a brief boat ride from the village of Oakridge, and spent our days eating, diving, sleeping, on repeat. Few venture to Roatan's East End. Most of the islanders are bilingual. Tourism has always been a part of Roatan. You'll hear of names like, Jonesville, Oak Ridge, Port Royal, Los Fuertes, La Colonia, and Sandy Bay. This settlement was located in what is now Port Royal, on Roatan's southeastern coast. Home prices start around $250,000. Basically, this island runs on tourism.. 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. Roatn has yet to see tourist numbers bounce back, with flight arrivals between January and September 2021 numbering around 270,000, around two-thirds of that reported for all of 2019, according to the Honduran Institute of Tourism. Night dives are available for those who wish to observe nocturnal marine life when it is most active. We dropped our hook in French Harbour, Jonesville, West End, and Port Royal. We explored the neighboring islands of Utila and Guanaja. This is an excellent week to visit the island. Many dive centers offer the opportunity to become certified while enjoying a diving vacation. We have a good medical clinic in the town of Oak Ridge, where we can see a doctor without an appointment and obtain most drugs without a prescription. Usually, these classes provide a four-hour session under the close, direct supervision of a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified instructor. Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you a FREE HONDURAS REPORT: Island-living at an Affordable Price in Honduras. Here you have mostly seaside villages. WebWhat state and city go in the immigration form for Roatan. 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. The local Rotary Club holds their weekly meetings on-site. More information These prices are for long-term arrangements generally, where youll sign a lease of three months or more. You will usually board a small boat for the ride to the nearby reef where you will follow an anchored line up and down a few times, getting more comfortable. Beachfront condosone- and two-bedroomscan be found for under $200,000, while hilltop homes with panoramic views of the surrounding jungle-covered hills and Caribbean start from $150,000. And by boring, I mean it is almost perfect every day. It all got fixed in the end, though, as these things do. Incoming flights arrive from several international and local airports. Roatan is a beautiful, rolling verdant island with lush green jungles covering peaks and valleys and flowing across hillsides. WebDestination state: ISLAS DE LA BAHIA Destination city: ROATAN 2) Honduras Customs Declaration Starting, March 27, 2023 Complete one (1) form per family traveling or one (1) form per person traveling alone. It seemed too good to be true. It is difficult to find all these requirements in one property. Enjoy some of the tours to the nearby islands of Santa Helena and Morat. Fishing charters with experienced guides, including the use of professional rods, reels, and tackle, are available on all parts of the island. A retired couple can expect to spend about $2,000 to $2,500 a month for all their needs on Roatn. Some might have one little beach restaurant. We spend most of our waking hours outdoors in the fresh air. How to Get to Roatn A small portion of these settled in what is now Punta Gorda and home of the Garifuna People. Boats to Roatan leave from the mainland city of La Ceiba. It arrived off Roatns West End in October 2020, said Ms. Ochoa, and in Oakridge, in September 2021. Most islands are surrounded by a seabut not all are created equal. Word gets around. Because of these raids, Spanish ships retaliated in 1650 and destroyed most of the Port Royal settlement. I know of a couple of properties for sale up in Port Royal, she said. But the Caribbean Sea is my all-time favorite. Explore the scenic fishing villages of Jonesville and Oak Ridge. And full-time residents appreciate the rain and understand its importance. WebCentral America Honduras Bay Islands Roatan Things to Do in Roatan Nature & parks in Roatan Top Parks & Nature Attractions in Roatan, Honduras Nature & Parks in Roatan Enter dates Filters 1 Attractions Traveler favorites All things to do Category types Attractions Tours Day Trips Outdoor Activities Concerts & Shows Food & Drink Rents start at about $500 a month for an apartment or condo within walking distance of the beach. The Pristine Bay golf course is located nearby. She spent time as a young woman in Key West, back when Jimmy Buffett played for free drinks in bars. I had major surgery in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. This island has a small elevated hill at its center, and is characterized by a large number of caves, most of which are located along a cliff on its western end. Tarpon, bonefish, snapper, lobster, wahoo, and more are abundant in the surrounding water. The waters around Roatan are a combination of open water and sheltered water. Roatan is the perfect place to learn to dive. For the early part of the pandemic, the local population was under strict curfew. You do not need to speak Spanish to live and get around Roatan. Roatan is 40 miles long and at its widest its only 5 miles wide. This town centers around an industrial harbor where fishing, shipping, and shrimp boats dock. The Port Royal fort lies in ruins today with only a few residents living in the surrounding area. Roatan has become extremely popular as a dive destination and the small airport at Coxen Hole services thousands of passengers each week. Great food. Best of all, the dishes are available for guests to sample. I learned the reasons later, from Ian Drysdale, the Honduras coordinator of the Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative. And the laidback feeling isnt just in those areas. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Davey laughed and said no problem, he simply wanted to make sure we were all right. The Iron Shore is a fossilized coral reef rocky shoreline found on the water's edge at various points along Roatan's coastline. Luxury homes and condos run $400,000 and up. It can take an hour or more to clear processing so bring plenty of patience with you. Cristiana assisted us with our residence application, for which she charged us $2,750. That was in the fall of 2006. Most expats dont live here. Local restaurants offer delicious and filling meals for around $6 a plate. Its an easy drive from Sandy Bay to the main town of Coxen Hole, or back to the West End, for shopping. Roatn is the place many envision when they hear Jimmy Buffet singing about one of his tropical paradises. Lifestyle in Roatn The weather in Roatan is boring. Little Roatn has its share of visitors. Roatan's call to fame is its coral reef. thanks. Local resorts and dive centers normally offer introductory lessons and the prices are hard to beat. We had become part of a large and thriving community of expats. [11] Island of Guanaja If you are planning to spend much of your vacation diving underwater anyway, the rain wont matter much, right? There are local places with local fare for much less. The Ladinos arrived in the area because of their work in the fisheries and tourism sectors; the Ladinos dominate certain recent economic sectors such as transport by taxis, street vending, and garbage collection. The weather is delightful, and the Honduran people are warm and inviting. Its a relationship that is at times both mutualistic and commensalistic, although many would argue that it is, overall, parasitic. Youll have to do without some favorite items from the U.S., but a lot of the time these can be substituted with domestic brands. The Central American country of Honduras is more than just a Central American state. And the fisherman might be your neighbor! Youll find multiple housing options on the island, from lots to homes to condos. Cayos Cochinos is a small archipelago of Honduran islands close to the mainland near La Ceiba, comprised of two main islands, Cayo Grande and Cayo Menor, plus 13 smaller coral keys. WebLiving in Roatan PROS. A spacious parking lot accommodates vehicles owned by those island residents whose homes are water-only access in points east such as Calabash Bight, Port Royal, and St. Helene. Browse through a variety of homes for sale in Roatn, Islas de la Baha, Honduras and choose the perfect one for you. For a two-bedroom condo in a community on the water, prices start at around $200,000. Scuba divers are much like children, I imagine, to dive-resort owners: They are almost always wonderful to have, but at night, its best if they are safely in their beds. Its relaxed and casual. 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.