Vacation In Honduras Roatan
While vacation spots are plentiful across the globe, there is a lesser known vacation spot named Roatan in Honduras, Central America. This beautiful place is a paradise to be and a great source of adventure lovers, who are immersed into the world of nature. The place is nestled between big blue waters, islands, lagoons and exquisite coastline where you can find turquoise waters of Caribbean sea.
Roatan is the largest and most populated of the Bay Islands — located off the northern coast of Honduras. On an island where dense tropical rain forests dominate, there are a few rare spots in which you can find coffee growing. There are two ways to explore Roatan — with a tourist license or without one.
Traveling to Honduras, you can experience a more authentic culture while enjoying beautiful beaches. Roatan Island is the largest island in the Bay Islands group, and with an isolated location, it has remained a pristine paradise of white sand beaches, clear turquoise water, and colorful coral reefs.
Finding the best place for a family vacation can be difficult. Most sites don’t have a real time video feed of their location. Most are offline or can’t guarantee in real time pictures or video.
Vacation In Honduras Roatan
Some people are content with relaxing at the same beach every year. They go back to the same resort time and time again—adding a swimming medal each time. Others have an adventurous spirit, wanting different adventures year after year. For those people, they search for the best vacation spots around the world.
At least one island vacation is on everybody’s before I die bucket list. It’s the go-to destination for unwinding, soaking in the sun rays and reclaiming “me time”. The curving 50km long and only 4km wide, Roatán is a diving, snorkeling, and fishing utopia. Fringed by an exceptionally diverse coral reef brimming with an abundance of tropical creatures, Roatán is the island destination of a lifetime.
On land, it’s equally intoxicating with mountainous geography full of pine-forested hills, powder white sands, and the undisturbed natural countryside of the East End. As the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras, wedged in between the Utila and Guanaja Islands, Roatan is the ideal location for quiet mornings, jam-packed afternoons, and romantic evening strolls along the beachfronts.
We have put together the ultimate Roatan travel guide filled with everything you must know for your bucket list getaway.
Contents hide
1 Ultimate Roatan Honduras Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
1.1 The Best Time To Travel To Roatán
1.2 Getting to and Around on Roatán Island
1.3 The Guide on The Best Places to Stay on Roatan
1.4 Roatan Travel Guide of What to Eat in Roatán Island
2 The Best Things to Do in Roatan, Honduras
2.1 Go Snorkeling in Roatán Honduras
2.4 Explore The Beaches on Roatan
2.6 Visit the Carambola Botanical Gardens
2.7 Visit the Local Roatan Villages & Harbors
2.9 Go Kiteboarding in Roatan, Honduras
2.10 Take a Weekend Trip to Utila
Ultimate Roatan Honduras Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
The Best Time To Travel To Roatán
Our Roatan travel guide starts off with the practicals. Roatán is visited all-year round by sun worshippers, but the rainy season lasts roughly between October and December. For the ideal weather – of warm temperatures and next to no rain – the months of February to March offer days with temperature in the 80s. These are the months to visit for consistently fair weather across the whole country. The trails and roads will be dry while the air is fresh, and the trees and underbrush will still be vibrantly green and lush. These are perfect conditions to explore this enchanting island.
Getting to and Around on Roatán Island
There are two viable options for getting to Roatán– boat or plane. The airlines servicing the island include Sun Country Air, United and American Airlines along with others. For weekly direct flights, travelers should take off from Miami, Minneapolis or Houston. For those traveling from Europe, there are occasionally charter flights to the island.
For those looking to take to the seas, catch a bus, plane or car to La Ceiba – a port city on the north coast of Honduras. From here, a daily boat will transport you to Roatán Island, allowing you to feel the wind rustling through your hair while the subtle hints of coconut and banana welcome you to paradise.
Once on island, the roads a decent so consider renting a car to be able to truly explore everything Roatan has to offer. There are also taxis and shared shuttles available. Those staying on the water can get around by water taxi.
The Guide on The Best Places to Stay on Roatan
There are a variety of lodging options on Roatan that offer something for everyone. From all inclusives, to luxury resorts to backpacker hostels, there is something for every budget.
Where to Stay in Roatan on a Budget
One of the best cheap hotels in Roatán is Hotel Chillies. Considered to be the ‘best budget hotel on Roatán’, Hotel Chillies’ cabins each have a wonderful porch with a hammock that gives you the opportunity to glimpse hummingbirds as they buzz by. There’s an excellent dive shop here called Native Sons.
Alternatively, book a night in at the Roatan Backpackers hostel. This highly rated hostel is centrally located in Sandy Bay, near many of the dive shops and attractions on the island.
Land’s End, located in Roatan’s famous West End is another option for the budget traveler who wants to be in the center of it all. Located just steps from popular bars and restaurants, this is a great hotel to consider just a 6 minute walk from the beach.
Mid-level Budget Lodging on Roatan Island
For those that want to have a higher end experience but can’t spring for the luxury accommodations that Roatan has to offer, there are a number of choice hotels for you to choose from.
The restaurant at Blue Bahia Resort was one of our favorites on the island. Nightly specials and located right on the beach, this is a fun place to hang out in the evening especially if you are there during a night that they have live music. The hotel is comfortable, has a dive shop on site and you can choose between dipping in the swimming pool or enjoying the beach.
Another great mid budget option for lodging in Roatan is West Bay Lodge and Spa. With multiple types of villa accommodations to choose from, this is a good option for those traveling with a group. There is also a spa on site where you can enjoy massages and other treatments.
Best Luxury Hotels and Lodging on Roatan Island
Travelers that truly want to experience the best that Roatan has to offer are in for a treat as there are a number of incredible hotels and luxury lodging options to explore and this Roatan travel guide has made sure to include the best ones for you to drool over.
One of the best hotels on Roatan, Ibagari Boutique Hotel is recommended for those looking to relax and for the beach lifestyle. This is by far the most beautifully designed hotel on the island and should also get a note in our Roatan travel guide as a great place to eat and drink. In fact, their cocktails are some of the best we have tried anywhere in the world. The five-star resort has everything you could need, including a private garden and beach area, perfectly situated between West Bay Beach and West End.
Puerta Azul is another fantastic option for those that want to be away from the hustle and bustle of the West End and Sandy Bay. Several luxury cottages nestled right on the beach with a delicious breakfast and a famous blue door that leads you to a long dock and hammocks overlooking the water.
Finally, one would be remiss not to include Grand Roatan Resort in a Roatan Travel Guide. Located at the tip of West Bay, right in front of some of the best snorkeling off Roatan Island, this five star resort is a place you could just stay at the whole week. Offering delicious food, a lively bar and beach front living, there is little to be missed at this large property.
Roatan Travel Guide of What to Eat in Roatán Island
As foodies, when creating our Roatan travel guide, we wanted to leave no stones unturned for the best local meals. From traditional island cooking to fine dining, Roatán offers a great selection of places to satisfy any taste buds and budget.