Roatan – Honduras was once the country’s best kept secret until the year 2005 when cruise ships began docking here and hotel owners saw potential in the island as a good place to develop resorts.
Location
Roatan – Honduras is flanked by Utila Island and Guanaja Island. It is very close to the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
Getting There
Flying in to Roatan – Honduras is via the Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport.
You can also reach the island via a cruise ship, by ferry from La Ceiba or a catamaran from the West End and Utila.
What to See and Do
Roatan – Honduras, being close to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, offers plenty of opportunities for diving and snorkeling. There are various dive operators that can take you down its waters.
Other than seeing the beautiful corals and colorful fishes, you can also go deep sea fishing in the waters of the island and even swim with dolphins over at Anthony’s Key and likewise enjoy a dolphin show here.
There are sights to explore as well. You can explore the Caves of Helen, visit the Iguana Farm, Mangrove Canal, check out Micro Brewery where Roatan’s own brew is made, check out the Butterfly Garden and then soak-up the sun in the beautiful White Beach.
Other activities that you can do here include kayaking, horseback riding and mini golf. Also worth a try is the zipline.
Brief History
Roatan – Honduras is largest island among the country’s Bay Islands. It used to be called Ruatan and then Rattan before it was changed into Roatan. It stretches about sixty kilometers in length and eight kilometers in width.
It is believed that the indigenous peoples here were of Paya, Maya, Jicaque and Lenca descent.
Between the years 1502 and 1504, Christopher Columbus explored the islands. Immediately after his discovery, the Spaniards started invading the islands for the purpose of slave labor.
The indigenous people of the island died when an epidemic of smallpox and measles hit them. No one survived.
The colonial period saw various settlers in the island including pirates and military men.
By the year 1838, the British abolished slave labor and this saw an influx of immigrants from Jamaica. By the latter part of the nineteenth century, more people from all over the world came into the island to settle here which thus contributed to the diverse cultural heritage of the island.
Cost
Ferry rides from La Ceiba cost roughly about US$ 25. Dives cost around US$ 25 to US$ 30 per dive.
Dining out costs approximately US$ 10 to US$ 40 while accommodations are between US$ 4 and can go all the way up to US$ 400 depending on your choice – whether dormitory style rooms or private hotel rooms.
Other Information
While there are numerous resorts and hotels around the island that offer the convenience of modern amenities, there are remote areas here where you can still experience the more bucolic side of the island.
