Roatan
Roatán is one of the Honduras Bay Islands in the Caribbean Sea. It is a hidden gem, with some of the most beautiful white beaches and the best snorkel and diving spots in the Caribbean. There is only one big road on the island, and some international resorts that are closed down. The tourists are mainly divers but the island is perfect for beaching and snorkeling.
Get in
By plane
There are direct flights to Roatan from Houston, Atlanta, Miami, and San Salvador. There are also local airlines such as SOSA, Atlantic, and Islena connecting the island with La Ceiba, San Pedro Sula, and Tegucigalpa. There is a 12 seater plane flying a few times a day from Tela airport on the mainland for about 60 dollars, and takes 20 minutes. Prices are all over the map due to fuel costs and inflation.
By boat
Ferries for Roatan leave from La Ceiba on the Honduras Mainland. The Galaxy ferry is the only option for the route and this ferry also supplies Roatan with most of its cargo. Ferries depart twice daily, once in the morning and once in the afternoon at 4:30pm and it costs about $25 US (400 lempira)for a one way trip. Prices have risen significantly recently with the closure of the Galaxies competition (Utila Princess) and with spiralling fuel costs. Galaxy also offer the only ferry service to nearby Utila, which also departs from La Ceiba. The ferries are very large and comfortable, the trip to Roatan is about 2 hours depending on the sea, and the trip to Utila is about half this.
There is no longer an official service between the two islands. If you want to go from Roatan to Utila using the Galaxy ferries you will have to first travel from Roatan to La Ceiba, then change ferries and head from La Ceiba to Utila. Your other option is to charter a boat from one of the locals. Normally the best way to go about this is to approach one of the dive shcools as they normally aren't using their boats in the afternoons. You will be charged a fairly hefty fee for this, expect $50 US per person or more if there is only 2 of you. Find other travellers who are keen to do the same and go in a group of 4 or 6. The trip between the islands is about an hour, and its worth noting that it will cost about the same to do this using the Galaxy ferries, but you will waste a whole day with a long lay-over in La Ceiba.
The island is visited by some cruise lines, e.g. Princess cruises.
Get around
There are hundreds of taxis and they can be bargained with. They don't expect tips either. But ask the price in advance and if it seems high, ask another. Scooter rentals are abundant in West End. Captain Vans is a reliable source for those. There are water taxis that link West Bay and West End for 40...
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