A Week In Roatan, Honduras
How to Get There
Flights can be limited (and seasonal) from the US, and some cities only offer flights to and from on certain days of the week. For example, some airlines offer only Saturday flights, some offer Wednesday only, and a few offer flights daily. American Airlines has non-stop flights from DFW and MIA, Delta offers non-stop from ATL, and United flies from IAH and seasonally from DEN. So if you can position yourself in Miami, for example, you are only a 2 hour 18 minute flight away from paradise! Just some things to consider as you are planning and booking flights.
⭐️ Tip: Google flights is the first place I go to find the best flights. Once you find a route/itinerary that suits you, I always recommend booking directly with the airline (vs a third-party site like Expedia, Kayak, etc). Booking directly can help tremendously in cases of flight delays, cancellations & refunds, or the need to make any ticket changes.
⭐️ Tip: Book airport transfer in advance! On request, they will also stop at Eldon's (large grocery store) on the way to West End. Go ahead and stock up on any major grocery purchases here, as the selection is much better than the small store in town. Also, pack a few reusable shopping bags...they don't do plastic on the island!
Where to Stay
There is probably no wrong answer here, but West End truly has it all, and this area will be this guide's primary focus. There is a beautiful stretch of beach (Half Moon Bay) and a mile-long road lined with restaurants, bars, dive shops, boutique hotels, coffee shops, gift shops, rental homes, and a small grocery store. A short water taxi (or 45 minute walk) away is West Bay. This area also has a gorgeous beach, but has a higher concentration of resort properties. It is also a very popular stop for cruise ship passengers visiting for the day. We found West Bay to be worth going to for the day, but loved the convenience and vibe of West End. Although there are more bars, restaurants and shops on West End, it still felt more authentic and secluded than West Bay.
On my first visit, we rented at Coral Vistas, a group of 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom homes, each with its own small pool. You have amazing views of the water from the back patio and upstairs balcony, and the beach is literally steps from your door. We were a group of 8 adults and the space was perfect! This is also a great option for a large family or group trip, as there are five of these identical homes right in a row.
On my solo return trip, I chose Bella Luna, a modern 1BR/1BA ground floor apartment a few doors down from Coral Vistas. What's great about this house is that it is actually 3 separate apartments. You have the option to rent individual units, or the entire house. There is an amazing rooftop space with a small pool, and the beach is at your doorstep.
What to Do
Roatan offers something for everyone! It is home to the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean (and second largest worldwide after Australia's Great Barrier Reef), so the scuba and snorkeling is some of the best in the world. Another plus for staying in West End is the fact that you can rent snorkel gear for about $5/day and not have to swim too far from shore to see tons of colorful fish and coral! If you prefer scuba, there are at least a half dozen PADI-certified dive shops in the area. On my solo trip, I spent two days with Roatan Divers, and it was probably some of the best dives I've ever been on. We saw angelfish, a barracuda, parrotfish, blue tang, scrawled file fish, puffer fish, and a huge turtle. Other water sports, such as paddle boarding and kayaking, are also available.
If deep sea fishing interests you, consider chartering a boat. We booked a half day, deep sea charter and caught wahoo, black fin tuna, and even a barracuda! We made friends with the staff from Ginger's (our favorite restaurant hangout), and for a reasonable charge they prepared a delicious dinner of ceviche, fish tacos and poke.
Another highlight of the trip was a visit to Daniel Johnson's Monkey and Sloth Hang Out. I will link a recommended tour below, but we opted to rent a car for the day and explore on our own. If you have ever wanted to see a sloth up close and personal, then this place will make your dreams come true! We all got to hold "Olivia" and it was an amazing experience! They also have these crazy little monkeys that jump all over you (safely!), and tons of beautiful birds. Don't miss it if you have the time! While we had use of the car, we also bought a day pass at Turquoise Bay Beach Resort to give us a different beach experience (with drink service on the beach included!).
Where to Eat
So many options...you could possibly eat every meal at a different place for a week and not have to repeat a thing. But we definitely had our favorites. Ginger's has the best burger, blackened lionfish tacos, and mojitos. Bean Crazy has a really good breakfast and tons of iced coffee options. Argentinian Grill makes a delicious steak and offers dining on the beach. Pazzo is hands down the best Italian on the island. At night, you can find some great street food options too, like jerk chicken and pizza.
Although it thrives on tourism, Roatan still feels unspoiled, and I hope it retains this authenticity forever!
Happy Travels!
Make sure to follow me ➡️ @adventures.of.cricket on Instagram. I'd love to connect with you and see pictures from your travels!
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