Roatan Honduras: Health Insurance, Immigrant/Expat Life Built into the verdant hillside, the hotel offered spacious, airy rooms: Our Wind Elemental Loft, just a short walk from the beach, came with a plunge pool. But the property prices on the Virgin Islands were already excessive. We decided to sell our house and move onboard Diamond Lil. The local Rotary Club holds their weekly meetings on-site. They were reported ousted by several Spanish attacks. The Port Royal fort lies in ruins today with only a few residents living in the surrounding area. Boating around Roatn and nearby islands is also popular, as is fishing. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Roatan is largest island in the Islas de La Baha, or Bay Islands, off the north coast of Honduras. During these months, cruise ships come on five or six times each week. The Afro-English ethnic group was established in the Bay Islands at the end of the colonial period. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is world-renowned. Ours was not a direct path from A to B. Go inland and you pay closer to $50,000, or less. The current towns of Oak Ridge and Coxen Hole were also settled early on and then went on to grow into what we see today. Next, youll head to a shallow, confined water area to practice skills and add confidence and control, followed by a short swim around the area. Honduras The west side of the island, including communities like West End and West Bay, is the most developed and most frequented by tourists. Many expats here live in condos close to the water or up on the hill, with spectacular views, which come with hefty price tag. High-speed internet works well and there is reliable cellphone service. Roatan You can even snorkel from right off the beach in some spots, including the famed West Bay beach. Sign in to access your subscriptions and subscriber-only content. Ride through the magical mangrove tunnels, a series of man-made channels that form this inland waterway. The rainy period on Roatan begins in October and ends in January with the heaviest rains falling in November and December. First, we added a cat to the family. Little Roatn has its share of visitors. Tourism and business possibilities are also attractions for prospective expats from all over the world. She spent time as a young woman in Key West, back when Jimmy Buffett played for free drinks in bars. I cannot seem to find it based on the names listed. Its still the principle tourist attraction. Its best to find and reserve something as early as possible. Twice-monthly access to food stores. But that first breath of sea air is going to cost you. Declaration of the Summit for Some might have one little beach restaurant. Although by networking on the ground, you can find even better deals. But this island, 48 miles long and about five miles at its widest, off mainland Honduras, is also a great place to live long-term. Lotus, the poolside bar and restaurant at Xbalanque, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, much of the local people (taxi drivers, household staff, and government officials) all are primarily Spanish speakers. Boats zip in and out of the bay, picking up divers and taking them to a favorite drop-off spot. Every two years, the nonprofit issues a report card that assesses the main indicators of reef health: the percentage of live coral cover and that of macroalgae on the 286 monitored sites, as well as the abundance of herbivorous fish (like parrotfish), and grouper and other commercially important species. Others, like West Bay and West End, are packed with people, with resorts, condos, beach bars, and vendors abundant, with a soundtrack of Latin music and reggae. You do not need to speak Spanish to live and get around Roatan. Cayos Cochinos is a small archipelago of Honduran islands close to the mainland near La Ceiba, comprised of two main islands, Cayo Grande and Cayo Menor, plus 13 smaller coral keys. So after that first trip, in the 1980s, I began researching more affordable alternatives. WebDestination state: ISLAS DE LA BAHIA Destination city: ROATAN 2) Honduras Customs Declaration Starting, March 27, 2023 Complete one (1) form per family traveling or one (1) form per person traveling alone. French Harbour is a good size town with several nearby developments, high-end grocery stores, and the islands only shopping mall, the Mega Plaza. In March 2020, the Bay Islands abruptly shut to cruise ships and both international and domestic flights for more than six months (leaving some travelers stranded). Lets start with housing. The waters encircling the island of Roatn offer some of the most accessible reef diving anywhere. Or from snorkeling to settling down in a hammock for a nap, lulled by the warm sun. A retired couple can expect to spend about $2,000 to $2,500 a month for all their needs on Roatn. The record is also clear that Europeans traveled to Roatan and enslaved many of the locals. But the lower cost of living is seen in your everyday expenses, too. If you are like most and want to continue into the open water certification phase, that usually takes an additional two days and costs about $400 dollars. But dont forget that you will almost always receive credit for the money you spent on your introductory dive. If youre an expat living on Roatn, you can get the locals discountwith dive tours (boat, divemaster, equipment, and everything included) for $25. Tourism has always been a part of Roatan. Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you a FREE HONDURAS REPORT: Island-living at an Affordable Price in Honduras. Scuba Diving in Roatn How to Get to Roatn This island has a small elevated hill at its center, and is characterized by a large number of caves, most of which are located along a cliff on its western end. It can take an hour or more to clear processing so bring plenty of patience with you. And the good far outweighs any inconveniences in Roatn. The Bay Islands had a prepandemic economy almost entirely based on tourism, an evolution that came after the islands commercial fishing collapsed. Most of us head there after the hurricane season.. This group changed the cultural and economic course of Roatan as well. What if I tested positive and fell ill? And the real estate prices vary considerably from one to another. Whether you are chilling on the top-rated Central American beach in West Bay, deep-sea or flats fishing in the calm water of the Bay of Honduras, soaring through the jungle canopy on a zip line, or enjoying local musicians while savoring the delicacies of the sea, Roatan will not disappoint. Medical care is good and affordable. We have a good medical clinic in the town of Oak Ridge, where we can see a doctor without an appointment and obtain most drugs without a prescription. Hillside homes receive steady sea breezes while waterfront properties enjoy sandy shorelines, beaches, Mangrove Forrest, and or an iron shore. Most of this work was done online, while sitting on Diamond Lil, rocking with the motion of the water below me. The reef is a few minutes offshore, teeming with sea life. WebWhere is Roatan? There are days in which Roatan experiences the arrival of four ships on the same day. Homes further from the beach, go for around $130,000. For the early part of the pandemic, the local population was under strict curfew. The beach is free and chairs are available to rent. For those who are seeking a sophisticated beach town environment, West Bay is a fantastic spot, but its pricey when compared to other spots. You may save as much as 10% to 20% during this time. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.What are forum guidelines? Roatn has plenty of modern conveniences. I even saw a Moray eel guarding the entrance to her home. https://www.facebook.com/groups/roatantravel/files Snapper, wahoo, tuna, and more are abundant in these waters. Over time, these harbor communities made for a perfect location from which to raid passing cargo ships filled with goods, supplies, and some even came with treasures. The ad offered free dockage and electricity in the historic fishing village of Oak Ridge, Roatn. Cost of Living in Roatn Punta Gorda became the first permanent settlement on Roatan after the Paya Indian population became extinct. These ethnic groups in the area are the Garifuna, the Afro-British, the Ladinos, the Mestizos, the British Whites, and others foreigners. foto de archivo y descubre imgenes similares en Adobe Stock. In communities like Sandy Bay on the northern shore, which is mostly residential, as well as those further east you can still find beachfront lots and homes, some with their own dock for your boat. Both Miami and Houston offer direct flights with several carriers but most flights have one stop before landing at Coxen Hole airport on Roatan. One point of contention is the infrastructure. West End is the funky village by the sea, with waterfront restaurants (from Thai to sports bar fare) and bars, several docks full of dive boats, and plenty of affordable beachfront or off the beach condos and homes. Reportedly, in 1638 the first British settlement was established by William Claiborne. You will start out on the dock with a briefing about the gear, safety rules, and underwater behavior (some instructors/schools will use a pool). No visiting the beach. Roatan's call to fame is its coral reef. English-speaking whites are among the most influential group. I had major surgery in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. Both the Spanish and the English fought for the colonization and control of Roatan with neither party every settling on Roatan permanently. The boating is excellent, with plenty of smaller islands in the surrounding area to visit. The Honduras Bay Islands, a fellow boater said. With temperatures ranging from about 75 F in the winter months and climbing into the low 90s F in the heat of the summer, your need for clothing is minimal. All individuals traveling to and from Honduras must complete the Honduran Customs Declaration Baha - Bay Islands Municipio que visita Destination City. From my beachfront resort on the west end of the island, I simply waded, waist deep, into the gin-clear water and found myself surrounded by large schools of rainbow-infused fish and sprays of purple fan coral clinging to coral heads. The exposure to this marine community, however, led me to ponder how important relationships are, both under the sea and above the water, on the shores of Roatn and beyond. Some are residential and virtually privatebut its a quick walk for you if you live in the community. Tourism started on the island when the scuba community and the hardy found the Bay Islands archipelago in the 1970s. Guide To Roatan: Honduras' Tropical Island Paradise - TheTravel Those interested can find more information at www.roatanclearwater.com. If it is your lucky day, you may even spot the gentle giant of the seas, the whale shark. If you fish, youll be in heaven. The inlets and bays on the southern shore of the island that once attracted European pirates and loggers now attract scuba divers, drawn by the reef just offshore. Enjoy miles of the sandy, white beach after your ride, with swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking available. We explored the neighboring islands of Utila and Guanaja. Roatan has two main seasons. But for experts like Mr. Drysdale and Ms. Ochoa, concern now lies with stony coral tissue loss disease, considered by the Heathy Reef Initiative to be the most lethal coral disease known. It can kill off stony corals the major pillar of healthy reefs in a matter of weeks or months. Relations With Honduras Swim, snorkel, and kayak right off the deck of your private, over-the-water cabana. WebCentral America Honduras Bay Islands Roatan Things to Do in Roatan Nature & parks in Roatan Top Parks & Nature Attractions in Roatan, Honduras Nature & Parks in Roatan Enter dates Filters 1 Attractions Traveler favorites All things to do Category types Attractions Tours Day Trips Outdoor Activities Concerts & Shows Food & Drink Local resorts and dive centers normally offer introductory lessons and the prices are hard to beat. Petrosun is a gas station owned by a local. You'll hear of names like, Jonesville, Oak Ridge, Port Royal, Los Fuertes, La Colonia, and Sandy Bay. Picture white-sand beaches lined with palm trees, surrounded by a sea of azure, impossibly clear water. Some expats enjoy their beach time, or participate in water sports such as snorkeling, diving, fishing, and boating. Roatan or Bay Islands if needed. As far as grocery shopping, you have plenty of choices here. In fact, I met some folks whose normal attire is a swimsuit every day. Few venture to Roatan's East End. These days a small but active group of retirees and other expats live on this long and narrow island, whose total population is about 80,000. Nearby, the West End is a hip, funky village situated along Halfmoon Bay. Roatn is the place many envision when they hear Jimmy Buffet singing about one of his tropical paradises. 1. 10 Things to Do in Roatan, Honduras Then, you will move into waist-deep water, kneel down and experience your first underwater breaths. Pineapple Villas, an off water condominium development in French Harbour, has a 1,500-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo unit for sale for $179,000, with a distant harbor view. Cruise ship passenger numbers were even lower: Dropping from 1.4 million in all of 2019 to 180,000 from July to November 2021. Rents start at about $500 a month for an apartment or condo within walking distance of the beach. Tourism started when the scuba community and the hardy found the archipelago in the 1970s, but with the arrival of major cruise lines in the 2000s, its popularity exploded, with three ships or more arriving each day, three or more days a week in the high season before the pandemic. Are you going to the islands for the winter?. Renting or buying a home in such a beautiful location in Roatn is a fraction of what you pay in North America or other Caribbean islands. The bar, and dinner, were waiting whenever we got out of the water. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is only second in size to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. We viewed a three-bedroom, three-bathroom house on the beach listed for only $179,000. If youre a fisherman or diveror just like to get out on the water, you are in luck as oceanfront lots can be had for $100,000. Roatan is the perfect place to learn to dive. The historic record has the Paya Indian living on Roatan and trading with the mainland. As an island, its no surprise that life on Roatn revolves around the beach and the Caribbean. A mirage of buccaneers and pirates found refuge in Roatan natural and well-protected harbors. After 45 minutes of underwater wonderment, I safely ascended and surfaced while Aaren, my travel partner, and our new scuba buddies, Will and Kris, stayed just below, taking one last photograph. We had grown roots, too. But in recent years, there has been a growing immigration of Europeans and Americans to the Islands because of the beautiful landscapes and summer homes. And full-time residents appreciate the rain and understand its importance. It has a totally different feel, more reminiscent of Roatan country living, before cruise ship tourists regularly flooded the island. It is difficult to find all these requirements in one property. Even the names of local flora and fauna reflect this heritage. Although Honduras is Spanish-speaking and it is spoken on the island, English is also widely used thanks to its historical link to England (it was once a British colony). Luxury homes and condos run $400,000 and up. We rarely travel to the busy, tourist area of the island. U.S. citizens can travel with a passport without the need to apply for a special visa. Roatn, the largest of the Bay Islands, is encircled by the Mesoamerican Reef, a vibrant, diverse marine ecosystem with around 65 coral species and more than 500