Roatan Island Tourist Tips
Updated February 2009

On this page you will find information on currency, getting married on Roatan, immigration, visa requirements, taxes, tipping, customs, bringing a pet, clothing, weather, hospitals, pharmacies, taxis, electricity, and holidays.

If you are on the cruise ship and want to see the real island, you must venture away from the immediate area of the dock.  You will only see the touristy junk shops and lots of trash in the immediate area of dock along the main road into Coxen Hole.  As you walk into town, you can get a different view from the junk shops.  You will only see a tiny bit of Roatan in town and beyond the old shops, there is not much you will want to see or do in Coxen Hole.  The picture below is what you will see as you enter Coxen Hole.  Just were taxi #211 is pictured below is a dirt road that leads to the local "Super Mercado".  Just beyond the taxi is H B Warrens grocery, the Captain of the Port office, and the post office.  Beyond those locations there only a few shops and some small local restaurants.  The restaurants here will be less crowded than the ones near the port terminal. You only have to venture a few hundred yards to see everything you might want to see.  If you purchase items in Coxen Hole, just check around at a few of the shops before you make your purchase to insure you are not getting an inflated price.  Most trinket shops offer a 15% if you ask for it.

The town is small and there is no tourist shops or need to venture too far past the H G Warren grocery store.  If you want to see island's beauty, then catch a mini bus as described below or negotiate a taxi or van tour.  Go to West End or West Bay or have the tour operator take you to other areas of the island to see the island's true beauty!  Going the West End or West Bay is a bit "touristy".  Going towards French Harbour is not "touristy".

Mini Buses and Taxis Update February 2009

There is a mini bus system that operates daily from Coxen Hole to various locations throughout the island.  Look for the small dark blue, red, or white mini vans.  The mini buses stop by waving at them.  You can get the bus from the center of Coxen Hole at a staging area next the post office (just past Warrens grocery store). This is a short walk from the cruise ship dock.  West End is 20 lempiras.  On the return from West End, the Ruta 2 bus comes in Thickett Road and just ask the driver to stop at the Coxen Hole intersecting road for the short walk to the ship terminal. 

This is Thickett Road....walk past here into Coxen Hole a short distance to get the mini bus.

 
A typical mini bus...wow, this one looks new!

Taxis are supposed to be regulated but you must inquire about the rates prior to entering the vehicle.  Also keep in mind that the local currency is Lempiras and not US dollars.  If the taxi driver says 20, you need to determine if the fare is Lempiras or dollars?  You can pay taxis in dollars or lempiras.  Find out if the fare is for the taxi meaning 1 to 4 people or per person.   Also, check to see if the price is for a roundtrip!  The taxi waits for you even though you are going to the beach.

You must negotiate the daily rate for a taxi if you are hiring them for an island tour.  The most likely rate during a port call for an all day taxi tour is $80 and this is for the taxi (not per person).  The average rate that you should pay for a taxi is $7.50/person to West End (one way) from the Cruise Ship terminal.  West Bay is $10/person.  You can negotiate a better rate with multiple people in the taxi.  Bodden Tours (www.boddentours.com) or Casi Todo are also providing reasonable rates for island tours. 

Another choice for tours is www.roatancabtours.com.  Their rates are:

Cruiseship Dock to West End and return – starting at $15 per person with a group of 4 passengers.

Cruiseship Dock to West Bay Beach and return - starting at $20 per person with a group of 4 passengers.

Take careful note that tours and taxi rates are totally different.

The mini buses stop running at 5 PM.  Taxi fares go up at 6 PM and all fares become negotiable.

If you experience a dispute with your taxi, be sure to see the assistance of the Tourist Police.  Look for the green uniforms.

Official taxi fares posted at the airport January 2009

Local Water Taxi Service

Water taxi service is convenient and easy between West End and West Bay.   The fare is 50 Lempiras during the day.   Look for the dock near Foster's Bar or Crystal Beach Cabins in West End.  The return trip from West Bay has two pickup spots and you'll easily recognize where to catch a ride.  Water taxis will go to other areas and be sure to confirm the fee before taking the trip.

Currency and Credit Cards

As of January 2009, the LEMPIRA compared to the US  $1.00 = Lps. 18.89 Check the current currency rate  (Use your back button to return).  

The Honduran Lempira and U.S. dollars are readily accepted throughout the Bay Islands.  Credit cards and traveler’s checks are accepted at some small gift shops and restaurants in the towns and villages.  However, since more cruise ships are now making Roatan a port of call, traveler's checks are being readily accepted by more establishments every day.  Be certain to check with the establishment before making purchases at restaurants and small shops with traveler's checks.  Larger restaurants and resorts do accept credit cards.  Don't be surprised to see a credit card surcharge of 6% for processing the transaction.  Be sure to ask before using credit cards for payment and if there is any surcharge.

Getting Married on Roatan

All marriage licenses must be obtained at the Roatan Municipality located in Coxen Hole.  You need to apply one week prior to your planned event. You will need a copy of the following documents:  birth certificate, passports, a medical certification, a letter signed by a lawyer from your country which confirms your marital status.  The cost of the application is $15 plus a small fee at Immigration.  Total costs are approximately $35 by the time you pay for the transportation of the Minister and Secretary whom will be officiating the ceremony.

Immigration

A valid passport that is not expiring within the next six months is required for citizens from the following countries to enter Honduras: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Ireland, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States and Uruguay.  Visitors can stay up to six months by going to the immigration office at the airport and having their visa re-validated for an additional 30 to 90 days.  We you enter Honduras, just ask for a 90 day visa.  Then before the 90 days expire, renew the visa for another 90 days.  After that, you will need to leave Honduras for another country and return after 24 hours. 

Taxes and Tipping

A 12% sales tax is applied to merchandise and services throughout Honduras.  There is a 15% tax on alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and other tobacco products.  Tipping is generally 10% of a restaurant bill.  Taxes on lodging on Roatan are currently 16%.  Visitors from other countries must have a valid visa or tourist card.  Visas for US citizens cost  are issued at the airport upon your arrival in Honduras.  There is a $34.04 departure tax on international travel and a $3 departure tax on in country travel.  Be sure to have the exact change in pennies or they will take an extra $1 since they do not provide coin change.  Entry and exit tariffs can change on short notice and you should check with your travel agent for details. 

Customs

Customs regulations permit tourists to bring their used personal effects without paying duty; in addition, you can bring new belongings, including sports and camera equipment, up to a total value of US $1,000.    Children under twelve can bring in new effects worth up to US $500.   Tourists can take advantage of this exemption a maximum of two times each year.  These benefits are not applicable to items brought in for commercial purposes.   Tourists traveling with pets must provide proof of vaccination and a medical certificate from their home country. 

Bringing a pet to Roatan?

Traveling with pets can be an expensive and time consuming effort for US based travelers.  For more information concerning entry and exit requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of Honduras at 3007 Tilden Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 966-7702, or a Honduran consulate in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco, San Juan or Tampa.  The Honduran Embassy’s e-mail address is embhondu@aol.com.  For US based travelers, you should visit the US Treasury web site for pet re-import requirements back to the US.   Pets, except for pet birds, taken out of the United States and returned are subject to the same requirements as those entering for the first time.  Returning U.S. origin pet birds are subject to different import restrictions than pet birds of non-U.S. origin entering the United States for the first time.   If you are renting a private home or visiting a resort, be sure to inquire BEFORE bringing a pet to Honduras.  Most resorts and private homes do not accept pets in rental units.

Clothing and Weather

Average water temperature varies from 78F in winter to 82F in summer.  The normal trade winds are out of the south east.  The current weather conditions are posted on our weather page.  Bring light informal clothing such as T-shirts, slacks, shorts, and casual dresses for the evenings.  Forget the coats and ties as those items are rarely seen anywhere on the island!  Come dressed for tropical island fun.

Electricity

Electricity on Roatan is provided by RECO (www.recoroatan.com) which is a local electric cooperative and is quite reliable.  110 volts AC, 60 cycles.  Regular U.S. plugs are the standard.

Roatan is the only Bay Island with a paved road and telephone system.    The telephones on Roatan are limited.   Do not expect to find pay phones anywhere.  A quick visit to Hondutel in Coxen Hole may be required to make telephone calls.  Sunnyside Resort does have phone service.  A paved road links most of Roatan’s towns and the airport.   On Utila and Guanaja, transportation is primarily via small boats and water taxis.

Hospitals and Pharmacies

For divers, there is a decompression chamber at Anthony's Key and it is supported by fees collected by the dive operators on Roatan.

National and Bay Island Holidays

January 31: Shrimp season Ends
January: Island baseball season begin

February 3: Virgin Suyapa day
February 14: Honduran School Year Begins

March 19: Fathers day in Honduras
March 31: Lobster & crab season ends
March 18: Bay Islands Triathlon

April: Holy Week celebrations
April 14: America's day
April 22: Bay Islands Return to Honduras anniversary
April 23: International Language Day
April (end of month): Jonesville's Pirate's Fair
April 30: John Brooks school's day

May 1: Workers Day
May 14: Mothers Day in Honduras
May 30: End of Shrimp Season
May 30: International Tree Day
May (end of month): La Ceiba Carnival

June 9: Anniversary of Jose Trinidad Cabañas' Birthday
June 11: Anniversary of Jose Trinidad Reyes' Birthday
June 11: Student Day
June 17 and 18: Roatan International Shrimp Festival

July 1: Shrimp season begins
July 2: declaration of the independence of Honduras
July 14: Day of the Honduran spirit
July 20: Lempira Day
July (end of month): Utila Carnival

August (first weekend): Utila's Sunjam
August: Honduran Football season ends
August 1: Lobster & crab season begins
August 3: Honduran flag and race day
August: Honduran National Baseball Championship
August: San Salvador's Fiestas Agostinas

September 1: Honduran Flag Day
September 10: Honduran children's day
September 15: Independence Day
September 17: Honduran Teachers Day
September: Roatan Fishing Tournament
September 17: Teacher's Day in Honduras
September 28: Honduras' Independence Document Arrival Day

October 3: Anniversary of the General Francisco Morazán
October 3: Soldier's Day
October 12: Discovery of America
October 13: Honduras' Culture Day
October 21: Honduran Armed Forces Day
October 22: United Nations day
October 31: Halloween

November: All Saints Day
November 14: Honduran School Year Ends
November 18: Ratification of Alfonso XIII decree
November 22: Jose Cecilio del Valle birthday

December: Roatan Christmas Festival