Roatan

Man and woman looking at ocean while sitting on white sand beach

Overview

Roatan is unspoiled and uncrowded. On this fantasy island, you’ll enjoy pristine white beaches that offer access to the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, the Mesoamerican.

Airport served by:
RTB

5 things you’ll want to do

1

The Mesoamerican Reef

You don’t have to dive deep to see the wonders of the sea on this majestic barrier reef, but you can. Snorkel or dive three main coral reef formations in the waters around the island.

Highlight: It’s all spectacular

2

Daniel Johnson Monkey & Sloth Hangout

Get up close and personal with sloths, White Face, Spider, and Capuchin monkeys, parrots and Scarlet macaws.

Highlight: Holding the animals

3

Gumbalimba Park

Located in West Bay, this beachfront park offers water and beach activities and 20 acres to explore. Walk in lush surroundings and over the suspension bridge to see 200 vibrant plant and tree species, Capuchin monkeys and exotic birds, lizards, iguanas, flowers and butterflies

Highlight: Go chasing waterfalls, you’ll find them

4

Lighthouse Reef night dive

From the boat on a cloudy evening, you’ll see an exquisite display of bio-luminescent ostracods ascending to surface to find mates. If you’re a certified night diver, you’ll enjoy among the best night dives in the world.

Highlight: Perhaps you’ll see an octopus

5

Street food in the West End

For local favorites served in the sun and enjoyed by the beach, you’ll find vendors on the main road near Half Moon Bay. They serve beginning in the afternoon until well into the night.

Highlight: BBQ chicken, homemade tortillas, rice and beans. Mmm.

A spectacular day in Roatan

Stephen and his friend start their day with a snorkel and a nap on the beach. As evening approaches, they’ll wander the busy streets of West End, Roatan to watch the fisherman put in after a long day’s work and watch the sunset sky from a table on the pier.

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Destination Basics

Roatan diving is some of the best in the Caribbean. With 8 notable dive sites, there’s something for everyone. If you’re new to diving, you can learn while you’re there. For certified divers there are shipwrecks, caverns, nurse sharks, barracudas, eagle rays, and tarpon to discover.

Roatan snorkelling is a delight where ever you choose to go. The barrier reef formations offer spectacular under-sea views, in-and outside the barrier. Inside, closer to shore, is calm. You’ll swim with large schools of fish amidst colourful coral formations. You may see a curious turtle. Outside the barrier in deep waters, the current picks up and larger fish swim outside the coral wall, through several shipwrecks and into the blue abyss.

Aside from the being in or on the water, things to do in Roatan are best done by area. Each offers its own unique Roatan excursions, highlights and activities. For those looking to get away from it all, you can schedule a trip to a private, secluded beach area at the Havana Beach Club.

Popular spots include West Bay, West End and French Harbour. Discover more here.

Roatan vacation activities especially good for kids and their families

Zip line

Zip along the two lines with your friends and family. Stay for lunch and relax on the beach.

Arch's Iguana and Marine Park

This park serves as a sanctuary for Roatan's most vulnerable species. Get up close and personal with an iguana and learn about the importance of protecting the natural habitats where these peaceful creatures can thrive.

Daniel Johnson Monkey & Sloth Hangout

You'll get to hold White Face, Spider, and Capuchin monkeys, parrots and Scarlet macaws and perhaps the sloth itself. This inexpensive, fun spot is a Roatan highlight.

Gumbalimba Park

Located in West Bay, this beachfront park offers water and beach activities and 20 acres to explore. Walk in lush surroundings and over the suspension bridge to see 200 vibrant plant and tree species, Capuchin monkeys and exotic birds, lizards, iguanas, flowers and butterflies. Seek out the waterfalls while you're there.

Sure, you’ll find pizza and burgers here, but you must indulge in traditional island food like stewed or fried chicken, pork, seafood, rice and beans, cabbage salad, coleslaw, and fried plantains. Highlights include macuhca, a creamy coconut milk fish soup and baleadas for breakfast: fresh tortillas with refried beans, hard cheese and your choice of eggs, avocados and shredded chicken.

Recommended to us

Locals and visitors alike say that La Sirena de Camp Bay is worth the drive. Found on a dock in Camp Bay, they serve up traditional island food with an unbeatable ocean view.

In Punta Gorda, you’ll find Garifuna Living Foods, the place to order machuca, a creamy coconut milk fish soup.

Street carts are where the best local cuisine can be found. In the West End, beginning in the afternoon and well into the night, you’ll find local favorites served on the main road near Half Moon Bay.

The Roatan Marine Park

In 2005, a group of concerned divers and business owners came together to create this NGO. You can learn about how to protect the spectacular, sensitive Mesoamerican reef.

Arch's Iguana and Marine Park

This park serves as a sanctuary for Roatan's most vulnerable species. Learn about the importance of protecting the natural habitats where these peaceful creatures can thrive.

During daylight hours, minibuses travel only east or west, from Coxen Hole to one end of the island.

Roatan rentals include cars at the airport, but if you’d rather feel the wind in your hair, rent a motorized scooter at stands across the island.

You’ll find taxi stands in every major tourist center. Colectivo taxis, that pick up other passengers, are friendlier on the pocket book and run set routes.

A water taxi service runs daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is a convenient way to get between West End and West Bay.

Check out maps of the island