Honduras, Roatan and Bay Islands Article Archive

Restaurants in West End
By Monish Welcome
Whether it is a night out with the family, a romantic date or a fun night out with friends, West End is a great option! Here, in this colorful community you can find great places to dine any time of day........
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West End Nightlife
By Monish Welcome
West end is mostly known for its night life environment. People from the mainland refer to it as the “zona viva” which means lively zone. And as for tourists, this is the place that is recommended for those looking to have a wild night!........
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Roatan Sailing
By Monish Welcome
Roatan, the place of white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and a large coral reef full of diverse species and plants! For all those sea lovers, Roatan has something to offer you all.........
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Roatan Fashion
By Monish Welcome
Port of Roatan cruise ship port located in Coxen Hole has scheduled a very busy season starting in October 2011, Tuesday through Friday. Port of Roatan receives Cruiseships from Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and other cruiselines........
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Island Health
By Monish Welcome
Would you like bug spray with that? In order to avoid Malaria and Dengue both common to Honduras, the single most important thing to remember when traveling to this beautiful country is to keep the bug spray close!........
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Roatan Supermarkets
By Monish Welcome
Enjoying those plantain chips from the local “pulperia”? Maybe if you take a drive to town, you can stop at Eldon’s Sun Grocery Store and buy a Ginger Ale to accompany your chips! Dessert would be nice too, huh? You can get it there too!........
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Sandy Bay Restaurants
By Monish Welcome
Dining in Sandy Bay is a must for whoever comes to visit the island of Roatan. Not only will you enjoy delicious meals but also the island’s most beautiful sunsets. Sandy Bay is a very peaceful and tranquil community where anyone can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere at any restaurant.........
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Port of Roatan
By Liz Riggs
Port of Roatan cruise ship port located in Coxen Hole has scheduled a very busy season starting in October 2011, Tuesday through Friday. Port of Roatan receives Cruiseships from Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and other cruiselines........
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Island Magazine –20 Best Islands to Live On
By Tortuga Digital
Yes it is true, Roatan has been named the "Number 1" island to live on by Island Magazine. To view the full article check out Island Magazine, August 2011........
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How far is it?
By Liz Riggs
Roatan is only 28 miles long and 3 miles wide but that is in a straight line. Many people have asked what the 'real' distance is between locations. Roatan’s winding roadways add miles. How far from the Coxen Hole Cruiseship dock to West Bay Beach? How many miles on the gravel roadway to reach Camp Bay? How far is French Harbour from West End? Where is Jonesville? This Topographical map shows the main roadway and odometer distances between locations on Roatan.....>>>Read More

Roatan in the News
By Tortuga Digital
The world is discovering Roatan in the Bay Islands of Honduras. Roatan has remained a hidden jewel of the Caribbean for many years. In recent years though more and more divers, travelers, retirees and families are discovering the wonders and treasures of Roatan, in part due to a variety of international press which rates Roatan as one of the up and coming places to be and visit......
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Exploring the East End of Roatan

Building on Roatan, Part 1
By Maria Fiallos
Building your own home or remodeling the home you bought on Roatan can be an enjoyable, frustrating, fun, patience teaching, learning flexibility experience that you will never forget. It definitely is counted as “paying your dues” to living on Roatan. You will meet different people who will help you find those particular items that will make your home unique.....
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Construction Costs, Building in Roatan, Part 2
By Maria Fiallos
Currently, building costs on Roatan run approximately $100 a square foot for wood structures and $110 a square foot for cement structures. This cost can be lowered if you average in the cost of decking. Decks or outdoor living spaces usually cost from 40% to 60% of the cost of interior spaces.....
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Building Considerations, Building in Roatan, Part 3
By Maria Fiallos
The following factors should be considered when your new home is being designed as they can all add substantially to your building costs.-Windows: Special Doors, Doorway wood trims, Glass, Mirrors, Doorknobs, Kitchen Cabinet woods and handles, Faucet Fixtures, Fans, Ceramic tiles, Special structures for generators and propane tank....
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Labor Laws, Roatan
By Lourdes Aguilar
When you are considering hiring anyone in Honduras, keep in mind that the labor laws in Honduras favor the employee. When you hire an employee, after two months they are entitled to severance payments if they quit or you fire them even if you didn’t sign a contract. The initial two months are considered the trial period after which the contract is a given, whether it was drawn up or not....
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Ten steps to purchasing property in Honduras
By Steve Hasz
1. After you find a property you like, your real estate agent will create a simple sales agreement, and after review you sign and initial it.
2. You have seven to ten working days to get a 10% earnest money deposit wired to your real estate agent’s escrow account once the contract is approved by both you and the seller.
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Recognizing and dealing with Culture Shock
By Maria Fiallos
Most people who move to Roatan have visited before, often several times, and feel that they are familiar with the island. However, the day-to-day reality of living on Roatan is not the same as a relaxing beach vacation and most people suffer some degree of culture shock. Culture shock is a form of stress experienced by those who find themselves immersed in an unfamiliar environment...
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Hurricane Felix, Roatan, Honduras
By Liz Riggs
Roatan and the Bay Islands did not receive any damage from Hurricane Felix. All businesses are open and ready for your visit! The Story of Hurricane Felix: Hurricane Felix became a serious concern to the people of Roatan and the Bay Islands on Saturday Sept 1, 2007 as the forecasted storm tracking was showing Felix heading toward Roatan and the Bay Islands as well as the coast of Honduras. On Sunday Sept 2, 2007
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A Gringa Pioneer Looks Back
By Marcia Quinn
Turn the clock back. The airport is a short dirt path. One narrow dirt road goes from the landing strip to Coxen Hole. There are only two old trucks here. There is no electricity and wouldn't be any for another 22 years. English is the only language. There are less than 15 Americans among the 12,000 Bay Islanders. Meet Dorothy Reid and her story...
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Roatan Shore Excursions
By Dean Milverton
In recent years Roatan has become more and more popular as a cruise ship holiday destination. Currently over 100 cruise ships visit Roatan each year the majority of these cruise ships arrive between November and April each year....
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Bob Lee and the Hole in the Wall
By Mark Havey
Bob Lee and his wife Rhonda came to Roatan 16 years ago in their 38 foot Trimaran to begin a new life in a new land. In the process of doing this they created what has become one of the “must see”, “must do” places and events on Roatan. I am referring...
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Re-building homes and lives in Honduras
By Julie Thompson
As Tabitha Boonstra showed the children of La Esperanza in Honduras their picture on her digital camera, she could not believe their reaction. 'They would come running up to you from wherever they were, and...
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People who make a difference
By Mark Havey
Often time’s people that actually make a difference aren’t the ones who talk about it. They just do it. Such is the case with a man named Dave Elmore. Dave hails from Huntington, West Virginia and came to Roatan...
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Can I Take My Pet to Roatan?
By Ryan Bernal
You can bring your pet to Roatan! Taking your dog, cat, bird, or other pet to Roatan includes: Flying on a pet-friendly airline; Getting a health certificate; Arriving at the airport and making it through customs...
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West End jails their residents to help pay for a new police station. All for a good cause.
By Mark Havey
On Sunday April 2nd, 2006 the community of West End had a carnival of sorts. The purpose of this event was to raise funds for the construction of a...
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Spoiling yourself at Roatan’s Day Spa

CCC Travel Writer of the Year 2004
By Ryan Shorthouse
In 2004 CCC ran the Travel Writer of the Year Competition. Participants were asked to write about their expedition experiences in no more than 1500 words. The competition offered a rare opportunity for volunteers and field staff, both past and present, to demonstrate their travel writing skills. The competition prize was...
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Food in Honduras
By Lowri Gilbert
In Honduras there are several options for eating out. In the principal towns and cities you can find a wide variety of restaurants with varying price ranges. The larger cities also have international options as well as local eateries. The less expensive places...
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Through the Eyes of Diplomats- History of the Bay Islands 1858-1895
By Lowri Gilbert
"Through The Eyes of Diplomats- History of the Bay Islands 1858-1895" is a book which aims to bring the history of Honduras a little closer to the interested reader. The main focus of this book is not on...
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Lancetilla Botanical Gardens
By Lowri Gilbert
Lancetilla Botanical gardens are located only a few kilometers from the town of Tela, which is on the Caribbean coastline. Amazingly this site is the second largest botanical garden in the world, and boasts an unequaled collection of fruit tree, hard woods, palm trees and...
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La Tigra National Park
By Lowri Gilbert
La Tigra National Park is in close proximity to the capital of Honduras, its boundaries are a mere 14km from Tegucigalpa, which is located in the southern region of the country. La Tigra was initially established as a reserve in 1952 and then became...
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We Value Our Volunteers (November 2004)
By The Heart Foundation
Our clinic on Roatan is thriving, thanks in large part to the steady stream of generous volunteers. Many physicians and nurses have donated their time and skills to support our clinic staff, provide additional training and treat patients. Without their help, we could not provide the high quality services that we do. Thank you volunteers; your help has been invaluable...
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2004 Newsletter for the SOS Children’s Village La Ceiba, Honduras
By Dave & Anton Ashby
There are now 120 children at the Children's Village. Ten new children entered the Village between January and September of 2004. The need for child sponsors continues to grow. The Village has an on-site kindergarten, which is attended by 20 children from the Children's Village and several more from the nearby villages. Sixty eight children...
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Accommodation and Hotel Guide to Honduras
By Lowri Gilbert
Camping is not an option chosen by the majority of Hondurans, and there are not an abundance of campsites in the country. However Honduras is covered in national parks, and reserves, spreading from coastal areas to more remote inland regions of the country. Many of these national parks do not have facilities for sleeping, but do allow visitors to camp...
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Pico Bonito National Park
By Lowri Gilbert
Pico Bonito National Park is located on the North Coast of Honduras near the Caribbean coastal town of La Ceiba. Pico Bonito is the second largest national park in the country, covering an area of 1073 square kilometers. Its vast size subsequently means that it's one of the most diverse national parks in Honduras. It is famous for the largest peak of the Nombre de Dios...
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Honduras Newspaper and Magazine Directory
By Lowri Gilbert
Prior to adventuring to a new country many people like to read articles published in the country. Honduras has numerous newspapers and magazines, which can be bought on the streets, but are also publicized on the internet. They print articles on the current affairs in the country, and on more general reports which would be of interest to the international world...
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Whale Sharks in Roatan
By Lowri Gilbert
The Honduran coastline has a vast variety of marine life, in particular the Bay Islands which are surrounded by pristine coral reef. Divers and snorkelers flock to these islands to enjoy this outstanding natural underwater world seeing a huge range of sea life, ranging from tiny creatures to the largest fish in the world, the whale shark...
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The Dolphin Programs at Anthony's Key Resort
By Michelle Owens
There are many dolphin activities offered at Anthony's Key Resort in Roatan, Honduras. With a scuba diving or snorkeling package, you will receive a beach encounter with the dolphins. After meeting at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS), one of the dolphin trainers gives you a brief introduction about the dolphins, and then you take the boat over to Bailey's Key, where they live...
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Copan Pinta Newsletter December 2003
By Carin Steen
"When is Copán Pinta", I get asked almost daily on the street. "On Saturday". "When is it Saturday?" "That was yesterday". "Oh… So, can I come and play tomorrow?" Well, who am I to say no? I can understand the temptation all too well now that Copán Pinta has a real playground with a slide, a see-saw, swings, monkey bars and even a pool! Not an Olympic sized one, it's more an overgrown pila...
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A Beach Lovers Guide to Honduras
By Lowri Gilbert
Honduras has a wide variety of activities for travellers to experience, making it one of the more popular destinations to visit in Central America. Activities range from hiking in the numerous national parks, walking amongst the ancient Mayan ruins in Copan, Bird Watching, strolling through the colonial towns, and most popularly heading to the coast to encounter the beaches of Honduras...
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West End, Roatan
By Jeff Blackburn
If the heart of the Bay Islands is Roatan, then that heart beat is felt strongest in West End. With flights from mainland Honduras arriving almost every hour it is a breeze to travel to Roatan's West End. Located about nine kilometers from the airport, West End is a quick and beautiful ten-minute taxi ride away. West End is small in size but huge in every other way. It is truly a one-stop shop for fun and sun...
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Utila: One Man's Memories
By Karl H. Homann
On August 4, 2003, I completed that most dreaded of required skills, a complete underwater equipment exchange, the last skill left in my certification as PADI Dive Master No. 209742. The stressful feat was accomplished on the sandy bottom under the boat dock of the Utila Dive Centre. After we surfaced and climbed back on the dock, my instructor extended her hand to congratulate me, but I gave her a hug...
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Mayan Ruins of Copan
By Lowri Gilbert
Honduras was home to the Mayan People, who are thought to have arrived in Honduras as early as 1000 BC. This society of people settled in North Western Honduras on the beautiful plains of the Copan River, and built the city of Copan. Honduras has a variety of attractions to offer travelers, and one of the main attractions is the remains of the ancient Mayan city of...
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Birding Honduras; A Checklist and Guide By Mark Bonta and David L. Anderson
By Lowri Gilbert
The handbook all zealous bird watchers have been awaiting is now readily available, "Birding Honduras; A Checklist and Guide." This book, written by two devoted birders and admirers of Honduras, has been dedicated solely to the bird life of Honduras. Honduras, located in Northern Central America, is barely known to the international world, however the country has a considerable amount to offer both travelers and ...
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Aldeas Infantiles SOS La Ceiba - Annual Newsletter
By Dave Ashby
The year 2003 has been a good one for this orphanage in La Ceiba, Honduras. The number of sponsors has grown to 85 and the number of sponsored children has grown to 115. The sponsors currently pay $12/month/child, and they send 3 gifts per year (Birthdays, Children's Day and Christmas). These gifts and the exchange of letters, provide an essential contact between the sponsors and the children at SOS La Ceiba...
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An Experience Not Soon Forgotten
By Stephanie Mahncke
When I first got to Copan Ruinas, Honduras, I was absolutely terrified. I kept on thinking: "What have I done? What was I thinking going so far away from home?". Well, the answer to that is simple. I wanted to speak Spanish fluently. What better way to do that, than to immerse yourself in the Latin culture of Honduras for two months. I had no choice but to learn to communicate in Spanish here, and luckily my fears soon passed once I was introduced to my host mom...
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Mini-guide to San Pedro Sula
By Travel-to-Honduras.com
Located in the north of Honduras on the edges of the fertile Sula Valley, San Pedro Sula is Honduras' second largest city with approximately 800,000 citizens. It is the business and commerce capital of the country and home to a modern airport, which is serviced by International Airlines. These include TACA, American Airlines, Continental, Iberia, Copa, Sol Air, Atlantic Airlines and others. The city is also situated close to the Merendon Mountain Range...
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Diving Guide to Roatan's West End/Sandy Bay Marine Reserve
By Travel-to-Honduras.com
Roatan's fringing coral reef is still one of the most beautiful and unique in the world, and at just a short swim from the shore, easily accessible. There are 38 dive sites within the West End Marine Reserve, all within 15 minutes boat ride, and they are all different. There are lots of very shallow snorkeling areas and the coral reef is perfect for everyone, as the top is about 40ft, allowing snorklers and novice divers to glide along in shallow water...
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Conference on Honduras 2003 to be Held in Copan Ruins
By Project Honduras
Projecthonduras.com recently announced that its fourth annual Conference on Honduras which will take place in Copan Ruins, Honduras, on October 24-26, 2003. The event will bring together individuals representing non-governmental organizations (NGOs), companies, churches, universities, and governments, as well as themselves to exchange information on education, healthcare, and community ...
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Temptation Island 3 - On Roatan in the Bay Islands of Honduras?
By Travel-to-Honduras.com
Fox Studios camera and sound crews follow young couples up and down the streets of quaint West End, filming every move and taking in every sound during the day. At night, resorts such a Palmetto Bay Plantation and well-known Roatan restaurants are set up for private dates and romantic meetings and moments. These liaisons are interspersed with private day trips to Roatan's tourist spots and to the Mayan Ruins of Copan ...
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Honduras' Top 10 Must See Places
By Dave Borton
If ten of us were to travel to Honduras on vacation, each of us would have differing lists of the best vacation places. All of us travel with different sets of eyes, each seeing our own realities even as we look at the same event. Here are my “must-see” places, cities, villages, or scenery from Honduras. A FLIGHT INTO ONE OF THE BAY ISLANDS When you fly to the Bay Islands...
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Sawdust rugs and Stations of the Cross in Comayagua
By Melanie Wetzel
Semana Santa is usually a wash for me. You can't get any work done that week, so you have to take time off, but Tegucigalpa becomes a ghost town. The only thing that interrupts the peace and quiet is mass, on a marathon schedule. All grocery stores close and they play Ben-Hur dubbed in Spanish several times on TV. I hate crowds, too, so the coast is not an option. So what is a finicky atheist to do in Honduras during Semana Santa? The only sane answer...
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Coral Cay Conservation Project Bay Islands
Courtesy of Coral Cay Conservation
Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) is a non-profit organization at the cutting edge of ecotourism that sends teams of volunteers to survey some of the world’s most endangered coral reefs and tropical forests. Their mission is to ‘provide resources to help sustain livelihoods and alleviate poverty through the protection, restoration and management of coral reefs and tropical forests’. They achieve these aims by; ...
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Mini-Guide to Tegucigalpa
By Eric Timar
Tegucigalpa is located in the southern part of Honduras, in Francisco Morazán province. The elevation is around 3,000 feet. The population is around 3,000 feet. The population is around one million (May 2001), according to the National Institute of Statistics. Local History: Native Americans were already living in the area of present-day Tegucigalpa, and calling it by that name, when the first Europeans–Spanish miners...
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Mini-guide to Santa Rosa de Copan
By Warren Post
Santa Rosa de Copan is located in the heart of mountainous western Honduras, nearly equidistant between the cities of San Pedro Sula and Guatemala City. Its altitude of 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) give Santa Rosa an ideal spring like climate almost year round. Local History: The history of Santa Rosa de Copan begins in 1765, when the Spanish colonial authorities established the "Real Factorma de Tabaco" (royal tobacco trading post) at what is now Santa Rosa...
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