English
Print this page
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fly to Roatan?
Connecting flights to Roatan are available daily from major cities around the United States including Miami (MIA), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), New Orleans (MSY), Philadelphia (PHL), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington DC (WAS). Please note that these flights connect through San Pedro Sula (SAP), San Salvador (SAL), La Ceiba (LCE), and Tegucigalpa (TGU); you will need to request a flight that connects to Roatan (RTB).
Direct flights are offered on the weekends. On Saturdays, TACA and Continental offer direct flights from Houston to Roatan (IAH -> RTB), while Delta offers a direct flight from Atlanta to Roatan (ATL -> RTB). TACA also offers direct flights from Miami to Roatan (MIA -> RTB) on Sundays.
From Central America (Mexico City, Guatemala City, Nicaragua, El Salvador), there are daily flights to San Pedro Sula (SAP) and Tegucigalpa (TGU) with via several Central American airlines:
Taca (www.taca.com).
Provides flights from USA, Europe, and Central America to mainland Honduras and Roatan.
- Tegucigalpa: +504-232-7552
- San Pedro Sula: +504-558-1625
- La Ceiba: +504-443-1912
- Roatan: +504-445-1387
- US Toll-free: 800-535-8780
Aero Lineas SOSA (www.aerolineassosa.com).
Provides flights from mainland Honduras to Roatan 7 days a week.
- Tegucigalpa: +504-235-5107
- San Pedro Sula: +504-550-6545
- La Ceiba: +504-443-2519
- Roatan: +504-445-1154
Atlantic Airlines
Provides flights from mainland Honduras to Roatan.
- Tegucigalpa: +504-234-9701
- San Pedro Sula: +504-688-8010
- La Ceiba: +504-440-2343
- Roatan: +504-445-1179
What about airport taxes?
All visitors are required to pay an a $2 entrance tax and a $36 departure tax per person. Be aware that the airport only accepts US Dollars and Honduran Lempiras as forms of payment.
What about passports/visas/health cards?
Citizens from the following countries require a valid passport to enter Honduras: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Ireland, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, The United States and Uruguay. Visitors of other nationalities must have a valid visa or tourist card. No health cards or shots are required for entry. Most of our guests do not get any special shots or take any medications. However, this is the tropics; if you are concerned, check with your doctor.
- What is the official currency?
- What languages are spoken?
- What kind of transportation is available?
- When is the hurricane season?
- When is the rainy season?
- What should I do if I get sick?
What is the official currency?
The official currency of Honduras is the Lempira, locally referred to as "limps." Lempiras are currently exchanged at 19:1 to the US Dollar, though exchange rates vary by operator.
What languages are spoken?
Although Spanish is the national language of Honduras, English is widely spoken on Roatan thanks to its heritage as a former British colony. Most island locals are bilingual.
What kind of transportation is available?
Taxis are everywhere on Roatan. Typical airport to West End fees are $15 per person, though it is possible to negotiate lower prices outside the airport. Taxi rides to Coxen Hole should cost in about 25-30 Lempiras per person, while transportation to Sandy Bay is typically 15-20 Lempiras per person. Alternatively, you can catch a colectivo (community van) to Coxen Hole for 15 Lempiras per person. Water taxis ferry you between West End and beautiful West Bay beach for around 30-40 Lempiras per person.
When is the hurricane season?
Hurricane season starts mid-summer and lasts through early November. Roatan's location in the southwestern Caribbean basin usually keeps it out of harm's way, as storms commonly divert northward to Cuba or the Yucatan Peninsula. We survived the devestating 2005 hurricane season relatively unscathed; Hurricane Wilma, our most serious storm of that season, only caused minor cosmetic damange. Our last direct hit was Hurricane Mitch of 1998 (read about its effects on El Aguila wreck). Given that hurricanes and tropical storms are wildly unpredictable, be sure to check your weather predictions before scheduling a vacation.
When is the rainy season?
The rainy season usually starts near late November and lasts until late January. Locally referred to as the "silly season," the weather during this period can be quite eccentric: you may have days of perpetual rain and wind, or your may have weeks of beautiful sunshine and calm seas. Come prepared for both kinds of weather if you will be visiting during this season.
What should I do if I get sick?
Anthony's Key Resort has a medical center and hyperbaric chamber capable of meeting most general medical needs. For more serious emergencies, Wood's Medical Center in Coxen Hole is the place to seek treatment.
- Are there any ATMs?
- What is appropriate attire?
- Can I rent a car?
- Should I bring bug repellant?
- When is the rainy season?
- Can I use my cell phone?
- Should I bring my laptop?
- What's the best way to make a phone call or connect to the internet?
Are there any ATMs?
West End has two ATM locations: the Coconut Tree convenience store and the Dolphin Hotel. While these ATMs allow you to skip the notoriously slow lines at Coxen Hole's banks, they only allow small transactions per day. If you need to withdraw a large sum of cash, plan several days ahead or venture into Coxen Hole.
What is appropriate attire?
West End is a very laid-back village. T-shirts, swimsuits, and sandals are common casual wear. You may want to bring long pants or a dress for dining the evenings, but this not required. Just don't forget your beachtowels and sunscreen!
Can I rent a car?
Certainly. There are several car and scooter rental operators around West End. Most require a valid driver's license, passport, and credit card for safety deposits.
Should I bring bug repellant?
It's a good idea. Locals claim that the sand flies and mosquitos can smell new blood, but you probably do not want to test that theory.
Can I drink the local water?
You might regret it if you do. Fortunately, we keep chilled water on tap at the shop, and bottled drinking water is available for about $1/gallon at the Coconut Tree convenience store.
Can I use my cell phone?
No, you will need to buy a local SIMM card to use the Honduran signal.
Should I bring my laptop?
Yes, there are several wireless internet access points around West End. Just don't spill your Monkey La-La all over your keyboard!
What's the best way to make a phone call or connect to the internet?
There are several phone and internet shops scattered across West End, including a few with wireless internet access. Rates vary per shop, so it pays to shop around. Visit Paradise Computers or Barefoot Charlies for the most reliable signals.
- What are we going to see underwater?
- Where are the hyperbaric chambers?
- What is included in course costs?
- What forms of payment are accepted?
- Where is the best place for snorkeling?
- When is the best time to see whale sharks?
- What is Tree's full name?
What are we going to see underwater?
Water. Coral. Fish. Seriously though, Roatan is home to over 95% of all known Caribbean coral and fish species. No matter where you dive, you are bound to see something amazing!
Where are the hyperbaric chambers?
Roatan has two hyperbaric chambers. The northwest end of the island is serviced by the chamber at Anthony's Key Resort, while Fantasy Island's chamber services the south side.
What is included in course costs?
Course costs include all equipment rentals, tank fills, boat transportation, and certification fees. PADI requires that all students purchase their own books for the core courses; read the course information specific to you to find out these prices.
What forms of payment are accepted?
We accept US Dollars, Honduran Lempiras, US Dollar traveler's cheques, and most major credit cards. Be aware that there is an additioanl 16% added to all credit card transactions; therefore, it is recommended that use your card to withdraw cash from an ATM.
Where is the best place for snorkeling?
On the reef, of course! You can join us on our afternoon boats at 1:00PM and 2:30PM for snorkeling trips to the reef. Cost of the trip is $5 per person and includes all equipment rentals. If you would rather stay on shore, Mandy's Eel Garden and Black Rock on West Bay Beach offer easy reef access and incredible marine life.
When is the best time to see whale sharks?
Whenever they happen to show up. As the world's largest fish, whale sharks follow their own migratory schedule and rarely let us know in advance when they will show up. However, your best bet is near the change of seasons (early spring and early autumn).
What is Tree's full name?
Ask at your own risk.
- Where can I go to party?
- When is the best party night?
- What's the best drink?
- What are the "Three Lies of Roatan?"
Where can I go to party?
Roatan partygoers usually kick off their night at Sundowner's, a chill beach bar with a campfire on the shores of Half Moon Bay. The procession then follows the road to other hot spots including Purple Turtle, Jammin', NOVA, and (for the particularly adventurous) Foster's. Just listen for the place with kickin' tunes and flowing beer, then follow the crowd from there.
When is the best party night?
Any night can be a party night on Roatan, but Fridays are by far the most popular. Each bar has its own nights: Wednesdays' Chase the Ace is a popular bar games at Sundowner's, and the dance scene gets hopping on Fridays and Saturdays at Foster's and Nova.
What's the best drink?
Depends what you want. Beers generally come in two varieties, Port Royal and Salva Vida (locally referred to as "green" and "brown"), though more bars are starting to carry imports and other local brews. Flor de Caña is an excellent Nicaraguan rum that goes down easy, especially when mixed with pineapple juice (ron y piña). Many visitors love Monkey La-La's, a delicious frozen concoction named after a local lizard species.
What are the "Three Lies of Roatan?"
1. I'm leaving tomorrow.
2. I'm not drinking tonight.
3. I love you (but honestly, we really do love you guys!)
