"Isla de Roatan, Honduras" Top 5 Page for this destination Isla de Roatán by Stephen-KarenConn

Isla de Roatán Travel Guide: 306 reviews and 706 photos

Isla de Roatan, Honduras - Isla de Roatán

Roatán is the largest of the beautiful Bay Islands, located off the Caribbean coast of Central America. It is approximately 60 kilometres long, and less than 8 kilometres wide at its widest point, lying between the lesser known islands of Utila and Guaraja.

The Methodist Church at Coxen Hole, Roatan

The capital and most populated town is Coxen Hole, located in the Southwest of the island. There is an airport and a dock for cruise ships here. Other important towns - all of them small - include French Harbour, West End, and Oak Ridge.

Roatan is especially popular with divers, being near the second largest barrier reef in the world, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Modern conveniences such as electricity and paved roads did not come to Roatan until the last few years of the 20th century and it is much less developed than most other Caribbean destinations. However, tourism is now growing rapidly and in the past decade it has replaced fishing as Roatan's most important economic sector.

Native Boys in Roatan

The first modern population on Roatan came the the island from the British Caribbean. As a holdover of that history, most islanders today speak English, although Spanish is the official language of Honduras and is spoken on the mainland.

On his fourth voyage to the new world (1502-1504) Christopher Columbus came to the Bay islands, visiting the neighboring Island of Guanaja. Soon afterwards the Spanish began using the Islands for purposes of slave raiding, and no original Native American communities survived.

Last visit to Isla de Roatán: Mar 2007
Intro Updated Jun 17, 2007
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Reviews (21)

Dip Your Own Flush Water Local Customs (4)

It's not often that we get to eat at a restaurant that doesn't have running water, so Karen and I got a kick out of... more travel advice

Mayor Dale Jackson's Home - Isla de Roatán

The Mayor's House Local Customs (4)

On Roatan Island we saw many poor homes as one would expect to see in a third world country. However, there were also a... more travel advice

Fishing Boats at French Harbour - Isla de Roatán

Fishing Fleet at French Harbour Local Customs (4)

French Harbour, a bustling community northeast of Coxen Hole, is home of one of the largest fishing fleets in the... more travel advice

The View Things to Do (8)

Those who take a tour around the island of Roatan will no doubt stop at The View, approximately in the center of the... more travel advice

Favorites (3)
See All Breadfruit
Transportation (2)
See All Roatan International Airport (RTB)
Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All Oak Ridge, aka "Little Venice"

Shopping (1)
Native Crafts
Restaurants (1)
Island Mom's Cooking
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Comments (13)

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sourbugger May 3, 2008 at 3:37 PM

ah-ha, jim 'me lad, pirate country ! where's roger the captain's lad ?
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starship Feb 4, 2008 at 6:31 AM

Great page! Great tips! You really covered a lot of the island, and your pictures are wonderful. I'm also a cashew lover! I saw them growing in Trinidad once. Thanks for visiting my Roatan pages too!!
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angiebabe Jan 26, 2008 at 1:45 AM

youve managed to make a really interesting page of a place Id probably never go to but have enjoyed the opportunity to have a tour!and Ive never seen cashews growing on a tree either!thanks a lot!
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freddie18 Jul 15, 2007 at 3:04 PM

I tour a country not only for the scenery but also want to meet local people and new friends. I like simple places like Isla de Roatan. It is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
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LoriPori Jun 18, 2007 at 4:29 AM

I thoroughly enjoyed this page on Roatan Stephen. Great idea to hire locals to show you around the island. You sure saw a lot that way. Like you, I looooove cashews. Your fish dinner looks like the "piscada entero" I had in Mexico.
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planxty Jun 17, 2007 at 7:28 PM

That food looks absolutely delicious - I'm a real sucker for whole fish. and plantain too, come to that. Great page. fergy.
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Jenniflower Jun 11, 2007 at 9:55 AM

Just lovely! Really enjoyed this page, thank you. Lovely pics too!
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deecat Jun 8, 2007 at 6:03 AM

Still smiling about the "Dip to Flush" & you climbing the barbed-wire. Loved the Native boys waving as well as Karen with native musicians as photos. Great idea to take the Day Tour. Cashew information was super. Shipwreck photos amazing. Another winner!
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kazander May 29, 2007 at 9:21 AM

Very enjoyable page! Looks like you guys had a spectacular time. (except for the barbed wire and biting bugs bit) I would love to go on that boat tour!
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Nemorino May 29, 2007 at 5:21 AM

A lovely new page! Thanks for including the historical background -- and for going to all that trouble to get the shipwreck photos.