Roatan, the largest and most well-known of the Honduras Bay Islands, has often been referred to as the best-kept secret of the Caribbean. Others join the local gym or take yoga classes. It's a long and narrow island. You can snorkel a reef full of tropical fish right from the beach. In fact, statistically, Roatan has only been impacted by hurricanes about once every 25 to 26 years. Descendants of the Carib peoples, Arawakas and black Africans, who arrived on the island fleeing slavery. https://www.facebook.com/groups/roatantravel/files The next morning, John and I hopped in our skiff and went for a ride to Port Royal. If youve ever dreamed of living on a tropical Caribbean island, you should consider Roatan. By the year 1642, the colony was settled by residents that dabbled in raiding and pirating Spanish vessels. Unlike most Port Royal properties, we also have road access. Although by networking on the ground, you can find even better deals. Most of this work was done online, while sitting on Diamond Lil, rocking with the motion of the water below me. 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. But the Bay Islands do not show any evidence of volcanic formation in its history. Find a TourFind a JobItinerariesContact UsImportsBack to Top, In Partnership withRoatan Online Community. Some might have one little beach restaurant. Its a busy place. None of the dive sites were more than a 10-minute ride from the resort, on the dive boat docked at the Reef House. Provisions purchased down island are dragged along the dock and stowed aboard vessels. More information It is relatively easy to purchase property and obtain residence. Both Miami and Houston offer direct flights with several carriers but most flights have one stop before landing at Coxen Hole airport on Roatan. Each of the villages, towns and developments evoke a different feel and lifestyle. The Mesoamerican Reef System extends from the Yucatan Peninsula in southern Mexico, down past the Bay Islands of Honduras. Honduras Telephone + (504) 2236-9320 or + (504) 2238-5114 Emergency + (504) 2238-5114 or + (504) 2236-9320, extension 4100 Fax + (504) 2238-4357 Email In fact, I met some folks whose normal attire is a swimsuit every day. Qualified guides ensure your safety as you zip from one platform to another. The Reef House, awash in charm and hospitality, is on the quieter eastern side of the island. They were reported ousted by several Spanish attacks. But a growing number are settling in French Harbour, or the East Side, which are both on the south side of the island. Ours was not a direct path from A to B. Homes further from the beach, go for around $130,000. This is an excellent week to visit the island. Boating around Roatn and nearby islands is also popular, as is fishing. 6 Days, 8 Dives and Breathtaking Beauty Off the Coast of Honduras, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/02/travel/roatan-honduras-coral-reef.html. 1. That said, the dollar is widely accepted. Naturally, such dense vegetation could not exist without sufficient rain. Eager for a new cruising adventure, we jumped at the chance to follow our marina mates across the Gulf of Honduras in search of this exotic land. It arrived off Roatns West End in October 2020, said Ms. Ochoa, and in Oakridge, in September 2021. It was a question we had heard several times during our six-month stay at Marios Marina on the Rio Dulce. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is world-renowned. Video: Roatan, An Affordable Caribbean Paradise Lifestyle in Roatn After the Bay Islands become part of Honduras, the population on Roatan continued to grow. #roatan #roatanhonduras #tip #tipping #laurenhughes #laurenhughesrealtor #lawsonrock #laurenhughesinvestor #roatanlauren #vistingroatan #caribbean #caribbeanlife #realtor #vistingroatan #traveling #traveltips #travel #traveltips #visitingroatan #cruise #visitroatan #westbaybeach #westbayroatanhonduras #whattodoinRoatanhonduras #taxes #tippingpointapp #lawsonrockroatanhonduras #ocean #oceanview #oceanlife #healthcare #insurance #healthinsurance #travel #travelingabroad #health As they say, Overnight Success takes 10 years. Mahogany Bay was built in 2009 and it is owned and operated by Carnival Cruise Lines. But some retirees enjoy living here and frequent their own hangouts. So it really surprised me to find that Roatan properties are still affordable. This is the largest and most populated of the Bay Islands 30 miles off the coast of mainland Honduras. About 38 miles long, and 5 miles wide at its widest, it takes a couple of hours to get from one end to the other thanks to roads that wind around its hilly and mountainous interior. We rarely travel to the busy, tourist area of the island. Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America and has one of the world's highest murder rates. And the fisherman might be your neighbor! Cristiana assisted us with our residence application, for which she charged us $2,750. Denver?). Petrosun is a gas station owned by a local. But neither Aaren nor I had underlying conditions. If you are planning to spend much of your vacation diving underwater anyway, the rain wont matter much, right? If you want to be on your own to enjoy the tropical forest and your own patch of private beach and the clear Caribbean, you have your pick. I learned the reasons later, from Ian Drysdale, the Honduras coordinator of the Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative. What if I brought the virus to the island? Unfortunately, Roatan's infrastructure isn't able to sustain this many visitors sustainably. Report inappropriate content . Cruise ship passenger numbers were even lower: Dropping from 1.4 million in all of 2019 to 180,000 from July to November 2021. Follow Me on Social MediaFacebook https://www.facebook.com/SoldbyLaurenHughes/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laurenhughesrealtorandinvestor/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenschneidewind/TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenhughesrealtorWebsite https://www.luxurycoloradolifestyle.com/ Check out more videos you may like: Buying A House In Roatan Honduras - Due Diligencehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPnw4yhHFi4 Buying a home in Roatan Honduras - Extended Versionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w41zwIMZ1U8 Living in Roatan Honduras: The FAQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaFds69rf-o Roatan Healthcare: My Healthcare Experience in Roatan Hondurashttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qok8wEpFbug Builder Contracts, What To Watch Out Forhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmCWjXvPYjQ*** ANTI-PIRACY WARNING ***This content is Copyright to \"Lauren Hughes Realtor and Investor\". We spend most of our waking hours outdoors in the fresh air. But you can rent a house on a hill, with an exceptional view, for $1,000 a month for a long-term rental. 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. Tarpon, bonefish, snapper, lobster, wahoo, and more are abundant in the surrounding water. The history of Roatan is filled with stories of colonizing, enslavement, liberating, and ultimately settlements. These prices are for long-term arrangements generally, where youll sign a lease of three months or more. The beers are $2. Usually, these classes provide a four-hour session under the close, direct supervision of a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified instructor. Local residents tend to spend much of their time outdoors so being mindful of sun exposure is important. Its paradise. Word gets around. Roatan has about 80,000 residents. High-speed internet works well and there is reliable cellphone service. Roatan is a member of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). Any unauthorized reproduction, redistribution or re-upload is strictly prohibited of this material. Knowledgeable guides will take you fly fishing or spin fishing on the turtle grass flats nearby. The Rainy Season and the Dry Season. With temperatures ranging from about 75 F in the winter months and climbing into the low 90s F in the heat of the summer, your need for clothing is minimal. 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. And by boring, I mean it is almost perfect every day. All we had to do was feed the owners two dogs and watch the property while he was away. 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. At this point, I realized that we were not leaving Roatn. Cost of Living in Roatn Yet both the English and the Spanish influenced the culture, language, and heritage we see on Roatan today. If youre an expat living on Roatn, you can get the locals discountwith dive tours (boat, divemaster, equipment, and everything included) for $25. Swim, snorkel, and kayak right off the deck of your private, over-the-water cabana. John worked as an automobile and marine mechanic. I am not a facebooker but was able to go on site and print out instructions. John and I were sitting on the little bench outside BJs Backyard one Friday afternoon. Come for the diving, not the luxury. Roatn has plenty of modern conveniences. 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 A view of the setting sun from the Xbalanque Resort. 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. It can take an hour or more to clear processing so bring plenty of patience with you. It also boasts the tropical island paradise of Roatan - meaning it is also a But watersports arent the only thing to do. The heritage of those living on Roatan ranges from expats from Italy, Europe, Canada, and the United States. At the end of four hours, you will be swimming freely about the confined area. 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. This lack of company was glorious, although not so much to the Reef House or the islands greater economy. While Spanish is the official language, English is spoken universally. The large influx of tourist makes for good business, and it keeps the island vibrant. In high season, during the North American winter, it hosts multiple cruise ships each day. This settlement was located in what is now Port Royal, on Roatan's southeastern coast. Enjoy miles of the sandy, white beach after your ride, with swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking available. Medical care is good and affordable. The west side of the island, including communities like West End and West Bay, is the most developed and most frequented by tourists. Sample the wide variety of local dishes while chilling to the island vibes. 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. Once on Roatan, you can immediately feel the island vibe soothing your soul as the fresh, salt air cleanses away the stress of the mainland life you left behind. Take the ferry. If you are visiting Roatan from mainland Honduras, you can opt to take the Galaxy Wave ferry with two daily trips between La Cieba and Roatan. Are you going to the islands for the winter?. It had 141 feet of clean, sandy beach, and an artesian well with a cistern. Roatn Retirement Information This broken English gets its roots in French, english, and Spanish as well as a few words unique to the Garifuna culture. Its a haven for scuba divers, with sections of the Meso-American Reef, which is the worlds second largest, just offshore (it surrounds much of the island). Three months became three years. Simply enter your email address below and well send you a FREE HONDURAS REPORT: Island-living at an Affordable Price in Honduras, Subscribe to the Magazine Today and Save 65%, IL Magazine: Discover the World's Best Retirement Haven for 2023 + 15 more, about subscribing to International Living Magazine, Video: Roatan, An Affordable Caribbean Paradise, Canadians Trade the White North for Roatns Sun, Honduras - Below the Radar and Above the Rest. Flippered enthusiasts from across the globe, flock to Roatan for its nearly perfect diving conditions. Consider beachfront lots in established developments for under $100,000. Youll find a good selection of rental homes and condos priced from $1,000 to $1,500a month in most areas of the island. You would be on your own up there. But if spoken slow enough, English speakers can come to understand what is being said. The Honduras Bay Islands, a fellow boater said. Roatan may arguably enjoy the best weather in the Caribbean as it lies just south and west of the major hurricane highway. For expats who enjoy living in a locals neighborhood, there are some exceptional deals in this area. During these months, cruise ships come on five or six times each week. The worlds second-largest reef system lies just offshore and slipping beneath the surface is like immersing yourself into an immense tropical aquarium. WebLiving in Roatan PROS. Some had come to be certified to scuba dive and never left. Coxen Hole is home of Roatan's municipality, and it is also considered the capital of the Bay Islands. Watch the children swim and play in the sea while you savor a cold rum punch or margarita. Scuba Diving in Roatn From the top of the hills you have the perfect vantage point to gaze upon the slopes that cascade down to the water and lead out to the huge reef that encircles the island. Save. Most of the established families and residents of today came later through a strong migration from the Cayman Islands. The weather in Roatan is boring. Long-term monthly rents start at $600 a month. An annual fishing tournament coincides with Honduran Independence Day on Sept 15th. Roatn is the perfect place for an active retirement in many other ways too. All of which can trace their heritage to the early visitors to Roatan. If you are like most and want to continue into the open water certification phase, that usually takes an additional two days and costs about $400 dollars. Roatn sits along the Mesoamerican Reef, and is home to rich corals and lush mangroves, which face threats from the tourism boom. Roatan is considered one of the best sportfishing destinations in the Caribbean. And if youd rather get a lock-and-leave condo in a resort-style community on something like popular West Bay beach, you can get a one-bedroom unit for well under $200,000. We are only making a three-month commitment, John assured me as we fastened our lines to the dock at Oak Ridge Point. It has been for sale for years. At this point you will be ready to go diving. For about $110, most dive centers offer some type of introductory class. Honduras was cited in the State Departments 2022 Annual Report to Congress on International Child Abduction for demonstrating a pattern of non-compliance with Anyone can read what you share. The permit process with the municipality was laidback and inexpensive. 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 2022 list highlights places around the globe where travelers can be part of the solution. Also because of limited housing stock, it can be hard to find a rental, especially during the high season. Many visited by cruise ship, fell in love, and returned for an extended stay. Canadians Trade the White North for Roatns Sun Local resorts and dive centers normally offer introductory lessons and the prices are hard to beat. The tropical weather in and around Roatan is inclusive of sea breezes which keep the annual temperatures within a range of 70F to 80F. In communities like West End and West Bay, beach bars line the water, offering tasty cocktails and cold beers with views of the Caribbean. Migration has been a constant factor all throughout the history of the peoples of The Bay Islands. 1. 1-3 of 3 replies Sorted by. Next, a trip along the famous Rio Dulce in Guatemala, another dream of ours, came true. 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. Soar like an eagle from the top of the mountain range down to the sea. Sign in to access your subscriptions and subscriber-only content. We had grown roots, too. Other precautions included wearing double K95 masks while flying as well as on our three taxi rides. And if youre a boater, you even have the option of getting a boat-access only home for under $200,000. She and her husband had built a house in Port Royal, to the east of Oak Ridge. Our dive master, David, skewered many of the last in front of us to our horrified delight. Its best to find and reserve something as early as possible. We took turns kayaking and snorkeling back to the hotel beach. Learn more about Honduras and other countries in our daily postcard e-letter. There is also a branch of the top hospital in Honduras here, staffed with specialists. We needed deep water for our boat and preferably a dock. Youll pay around $800 to $1,000 for something right on the water. Tourism started when the scuba community and the hardy found the archipelago in the 1970s, but with the arrival of major cruise lines in the 2000s, its popularity exploded, with three ships or more arriving each day, three or more days a week in the high season before the pandemic. The beach is free and chairs are available to rent. Stretch out under a shady palapa or enjoy a meal at Lionfish Louies, the on-site restaurant, one of the best places to sample delicious lionfish. Some are residential and virtually privatebut its a quick walk for you if you live in the community. There are plenty of activities on the island, as well as many good restaurants, bars and cafs. If it is your lucky day, you may even spot the gentle giant of the seas, the whale shark. Best of all, the dishes are available for guests to sample. [11] Island of Guanaja Later, the companys headquarters was moved to the mainland, and its name was changed to Chiquita Banana, which is now owned by two Italian brothers. It is renowned for its food, which draws on a mix of cultures including Caribbean, African, and European. Its relatively easy to purchase property. During our dives in this beautiful ecosystem, the coronavirus and its related worries were finally far from my mind. Only In Your State. WebRoatan is part of a cluster of island archipelagos situated ten to forty miles off the northern coast of Honduras. The area is abundant in natural wealth and resources in regards to both its marine and terrestrial attributes. More than half of the population lives in poverty and per Renting or buying a home in such a beautiful location in Roatn is a fraction of what you pay in North America or other Caribbean islands. Most islands are surrounded by a seabut not all are created equal. Guests descend to a sandy bottom, 60 feet below the surface where they interact with dolphins in a natural setting for 45 minutes. Never were there more than four divers on an outing, excluding our dive master, nor another boat at the mooring. It delivered. The questions were endless and the judgment unspoken, spoken and internal brutal. The reef is having a very hard time. But we fell in love with the second property immediately. We had never heard of Roatn. Roatan is located in between Utila and Guanaja Islands. And if you see a friend or neighbor out and aboutyoull always stop to chat. But the Caribbean Sea is my all-time favorite. Half Moon Bay, is calm and quiet. There are also the mestizo Indians native to the island and the mainland. These days a small but active group of retirees and other expats live on this long and narrow island, whose total population is about 80,000. Schools of large fish darted through crystal-clear water. Here you have mostly seaside villages. Id written a newsletter for a Canadian company for 13 years, so I knew how to write a newsletter for a Roatn real estate company when that job came up. The entire East Side of the island is spread out and remote as compared to the West End. The Reef House is far from Roatns more established tourist infrastructure, which you encounter in West Bay. Only the Great Barrier Reef is larger in scope and size that is the reef in the waters around Roatan Island. The corals, sea fans and other underwater life, just offshore from the Reef House Resort, delighted. Get up close to see the details and its even more beautiful, especially along the coastal areas. And the laidback feeling isnt just in those areas. Ive experienced many seas during my many travels. Davey laughed and said no problem, he simply wanted to make sure we were all right. Fourteen years later, were living on the island of Roatn, the best-known of the three major islands that form the Bay Island archipelago of Honduras. Leave the crowds behind when you tour the east end of the island by boat. We spent our last two nights there, at the Xbalanque Resort, a boutique hotel about an hours drive from Oakridge and 20 minutes from the islands airport. And full-time residents appreciate the rain and understand its importance. WebRE/MAX has your Roatan Real Estate experts and has the experience and the know-how to make their savvy, informed clients into successful homeowners, investors and sellers ! Over time, Caymanians became the largest demographic on Roatan, and they shaped the culture of the island. The pandemic laid bare the relationship that many destinations around the world have with tourists. But the lower cost of living is seen in your everyday expenses, too. 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. Roatn is the place many envision when they hear Jimmy Buffet singing about one of his tropical paradises. If youre searching for a warm-weather climate, a lower cost of living, slower pace, surrounded by natural beautywith plenty of services and amenities, retirement on Roatn could be worth a closer look. Some places, especially the further east (whether on the northern or southern shore) you go, are somewhat isolated and often off-grid. The reef system around Roatan has all three types of coral reefs and in it live countless marine creatures as it is comprised of many marine ecosystems. The bar, and dinner, were waiting whenever we got out of the water. Lotus, the poolside bar and restaurant at Xbalanque, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Or head to the highlands. Then we added a second dog, a rescue. Its an easy drive from Sandy Bay to the main town of Coxen Hole, or back to the West End, for shopping. You'll hear of names like, Jonesville, Oak Ridge, Port Royal, Los Fuertes, La Colonia, and Sandy Bay. But we spoke with an expat couple, who live outside of French Harbour in the home they own, who spend less than $1,200 a month. They all reflect the Spanish, British, Carib, and mestizo heritage of the Roatan Community. We also needed enough property for our horse to graze on, with access to riding trails. Homes, condos, and ready-to-build lots on Roatn are much more affordable than what you can get on other Caribbean islands. 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. The Cayos Cochinos (Hog Islands), a group of 15 small islands about halfway between Roatan and mainland Honduras, is a UNESCO world heritage site. Theres always something going on here. Roatan offers an amazing international vide and its readily seen during large gatherings in places like West End, Punta Gorda, and West Bay. The village of Oakridge sits on the waters edge, with the Reef House Resort a short boat-ride away from Roatn on a separate cay. And although it is a marine park, the following chapter will include socioeconomic characteristics of the populations that inhabit the islands and that interact directly with this protected area. Picture white-sand beaches lined with palm trees, surrounded by a sea of azure, impossibly clear water. There is also a strong Black Carib community knowns as the Garifuna People. 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. Currency The official currency in Roatan is the Honduras Lempira which is valued at 1 Currently, Roatan exports certain seafood such as lobster, shrimp, red snapper, etc. For the chance to live in a Caribbean paradise, expats take the good with the bad. 1. Over time, the Scuba Diving industry and tourism in general have taken the lead of the primary industries on Roatan. There are a wide variety of adventure tours available for all age groups and experience levels. For expats who want convenience, everything is within easy reach here. Treat yourself and your family to the thrill of a lifetime while getting a birds eye view of the island from 60-feet up in the jungle canopy. West Bay Beach on Roatn. The culture of the people of The Bay Islands (historically known as Bay people) can trace its origins to the English slaves. Theres one property for sale down by Lost Isles. The Dolphin Dive, which requires visitors to present a certification card to participate, begins with a 5-minute boat ride to the reef wall. However, much of the local people (taxi drivers, household staff, and government officials) all are primarily Spanish speakers. They are called creoles or blacks of English speaking. Like other tropical locations, exposure to the sun needs to be monitored and sunscreen is mandatory to reduce the chances of skin problems later. Youll find multiple housing options on the island, from lots to homes to condos. WebHealth insurance was one of the tougher items for me to figure out when I decided to move out of the United States and move to Roatan Honduras back in 2009. Roatan Island has two municipalities. Little Roatn has its share of visitors. In 1742 another British settlement came about to rebuild the fort at Port Royal.

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