Roatan is a Caribbean island located at the northern tip of Honduras, near the coast of Belize. It is a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful white sand beaches, crystal clear waters ideal for snorkeling and diving, and abundant marine life. In addition, Roatan offers a wide variety of tourist activities, such as canopy tours, boat trips, fishing and diving excursions, and visits to parks and nature reserves, such as Gumbalimba Park and the Roatan National Marine Park.
At Passporter we have prepared this post with everything you need to know before embarking on your trip. We will tell you all the essential things to do in Roatan, how to get to and around the island. And we recommend the best accommodations and restaurants where you can try the local cuisine. If you want to enjoy a beach and sun vacation, and explore the natural beauty of the Caribbean, Roatan is the ideal destination for you.
What are the best places to visit in Roatan Honduras?
1. Dive in the second largest coral reef in the world
The Roatan coral reef is the second largest in the world after Australia’s, and a must-see place in Roatan. That is why we recommend that you reserve a few hours of your trip and get a pair of flippers and goggles to see the great variety of species that inhabit the reef, such as sea turtles. The reef also features impressive geological formations such as underwater caves and arches.
The island of Roatan is very committed to the care of the reef, so be respectful and dive with local guides. On the island you will find several companies that organize diving and snorkeling excursions.
2. Gumbalimba Park, the perfect plan for all ages
Gumbalimba is a natural park, famous for its tropical gardens, waterfalls, trails and wildlife that inhabits it, including a variety of birds, butterflies and howler monkeys. In addition, Gumbalimba has a private beach where visitors can enjoy the Caribbean Sea.
One of the park’s most famous attractions is the “Monkey Hanging Bridge”, a suspension bridge through the rainforest that offers spectacular views of the surrounding nature. There is also a farm where little ones can play with goats and rabbits, and an area where you can interact with capuchin monkeys.
The park is open every day from 8:00h to 16:00h and the price depends on the activities you want to do inside.
3. Coxen Hole, the largest town on the island
Coxen Hole is the main city of the island. It is also the gateway to the island, since it hosts the Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport and is where cruise ships and ferries arrive from La Ceiba dock. The town is a good base for accommodation as it is the departure point for buses to the main tourist attractions and where the companies that organize diving excursions are located.
4. Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda is a municipality located on the north coast of the island, a 20-minute drive from Coxen Hole, and is known for its beautiful white sandy beach and peaceful atmosphere. The Beach of Punta Gorda is one of the most beautiful ones on the island of Roatan, and an ideal place for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing and relaxing.
In Punta Gorda you can also learn about the Garifuga community, an ethnic group that has lived on the Caribbean coast of Honduras for more than 200 years. There is a museum where they will tell you about Garifuna music, typical food and dance at local festivals and cultural celebrations.
5. Oak Ridge Mangroves
Oak Ridge is an area of more than 20 square kilometers of mangroves on the northeast coast of the island of Roatan. It is home to one of the most important ecosystems of the island, where a great variety of birds, fish, crustaceans and reptiles live.
The mangroves are also a protected area, so you’ll have to hire a boat tour if you want to see them. The boat will take you through its narrow channels lost among nature. It’s an experience not to be missed.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to do around Roatan Honduras
1. Santa Elena Island
Santa Elena is a tiny island located off the southern coast of Roatan, and a very popular destination for ecological and adventure tourism. The island is known for its natural beauty, white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and coral reefs where visitors can go snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking and paddleboarding. There are also several trails in the tropical rainforest that covers much of the island.
In addition to nature, Santa Elena Island is also rich in culture as it has a long history of pre-Hispanic occupation and was used as a refuge by pirates in the 17th century. Visitors can explore the ruins of a fortress built by the Spanish to defend against pirate attacks, as well as visit a historic church and a small fishing community.
2. La Ceiba
La Ceiba is where you take the ferry on the peninsula to get to Roatan, but it is also a vibrant city of lush nature with a rich cultural heritage. For this reason, we recommend spending some time in this city before embarking for Roatan.
Must-sees include Pico Bonito National Park, Cuero y Salado National Park, La Ceiba Cultural Center and the Municipal Market. From the city, you can also take a boat for a day trip to Utila Island, just off Roatan.
In this post you can read more about La Ceiba: Things do in La Ceiba Honduras
Things to do in 1 day in Roatan Honduras?
When organizing a trip to the island of Roatan, it is usually recommended to spend there a minimum of 4 days to be able to do all the activities offered by the island and discover every natural corner. In your travel itinerary, in addition to the main municipalities such as Coxen Hole and Punta Gorda, you should include nature reserves such as Oak Ridge Mangroves or the reef. We also recommend you reserve some time to visit Gumbalimba Park, especially if you are traveling with children.
At Coxen Hole you can book diving excursions and other water activities, such as swimming with dolphins, paddleboarding or snorkeling. It is also a good idea to spend a day on the island of Santa Elena. And we can not forget the wonderful white sand beaches of the island where you can relax in the sun.
Where and what to eat in Roatan Honduras?
The gastronomy of Roatan, like that of many Caribbean islands, is a fusion of African, indigenous and European influences, where the seafood ingredients stand out. Some of the most typical dishes are the Baleadas, a wheat flour tortilla filled with beans, cheese and cream, snail soup, fried fish, garlic shells and coconut bread. In these restaurants you can try these specialties and many more typical dishes.
- The Salty Mango: is a cozy restaurant with Central American cuisine where you can eat for less than 20€. The staff is very friendly, the food is delicious and there are dishes for all tastes.
- Roatan Oasis: is one of the restaurants where they serve the best seafood on the island. The dishes are delicious and the presentation invites you to try everything. In addition, it is quite affordable for the quality offered, you will not pay more than 23 €.
- Anthony’s Chicken:is a simple, unpretentious restaurant where you can try Caribbean dishes at a very good price.
Where to stay in Roatan Honduras
The best areas to stay in Roatan are along the north and west coast, as this is the liveliest area. There you will find the best beaches, nightlife and activities to do. If you prefer a quieter area we recommend staying in West Bay and Sandy Bay. Here is a selection of some of our favorite accommodations on the island:
- Roatan Backpackers’ Hostel: This is a beautiful hostel located in Sandy Bay. It has a cozy garden with a swimming pool and shared kitchen. A bed in a shared room costs €16, and private rooms start at €30 per night.
- Roatan Yacht Club and Dive Center: This incredible four-star seaside hotel is one of the best value for money. It has a pool, garden, restaurant, and offers an incredible breakfast for €13. The price per night starts at 90€.
- Barefoot Cay Resort: This luxury resort is a sure hit for an unforgettable vacation. Among its facilities are a swimming pool, spa, restaurant and private beach. But the best are the views. The price of the room starts at 300€ and breakfast costs 11€.
How to get to Roatan Honduras
The island of Roatan is located in the Honduran Caribbean and the most common way to get there is by plane from the main cities of Honduras and some international destinations. From Spain there are no direct flights, so you will have to make a stopover. You can also arrive by sea, but if you go on your own it is not as safe as by plane. Here are all the options you have:
- Airplane: from La Ceiba, the closest point with an airport, you can fly to Roatan paying around (sometimes more than) 50€. The flight only takes 20 minutes. You will also find direct flights from major cities in the country or nearby countries.
- Ferry: from La Ceiba you can take a boat to Roatan. Ferries leave twice daily from La Ceiba and Roatan, and the trip takes 1h and 15m. The average price is 176€ and you are not allowed to bring your car.
- Cruise: This is perhaps the easiest way to travel to Roatan. Numerous cruise ships sailing the Caribbean stop at this beautiful island.
What should I consider before traveling to Roatan Honduras?
- The official currency of Honduras is the Lempira.
- Honduras has a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. It is important to be prepared for rainfall, especially during the rainy season from May to November.
- The best time to travel to Roatan is during the dry season from December to April.
- Spanish citizens do not require a visa for a stay in Honduras of up to 90 days.
- Always carry cash on you, not all stores accept credit cards.
- Have mosquito repellent on hand at all times.
- The official language in Honduras is Spanish.
- The plugs have 110V voltage and A and B plugs, you will need an adapter.
- It is advisable to wear light, comfortable clothing, as well as sunscreen and insect repellent
- The water is not potable in Roatan, but we recommend drinking bottled water instead
- Always keep an eye on your belongings and use caution if traveling alone.
- Hedge against possible medical emergencies: travel insured
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Roatan Honduras
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all of its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we present in the post).
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers Things to do in Roatan Honduras.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Roatan Honduras
The best time to travel to Roatan is during the dry season from December to April.
Roatan has a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. It is important to be prepared for rain, especially during the rainy season from May to November.
It is recommended to spend between 4 and 5 days on the island.
The water is not drinkable in Roatan, you have to buy bottled water.
The best way is to fly from La Ceiba or one of the main cities in Honduras. You can also get there by ferry or cruise ship.
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