Pristine beaches and amazing jungle-covered hills, heartwarming people and unique cultures, world renowned diving and endless activities, authentic Caribbean charm and inexpensive accommodations - Can travelers even dare to dream that such a wonderland exists? Even if it does, it's surely overcrowded with tourists and burdened with aggressive local hagglers peddling their wares. However, this dream is a spacious, haggler-free reality, and it's one of the Caribbean's best kept secrets. This Eden is the island of Roatan, the most developed of the Bay Islands chain located just 40 miles northeast of mainland Honduras.
This Caribbean secret is steeped in culture and history. The friendly, English-speaking population offers a unique blend of African, Spanish, Paya Indian, and British cultures. British and Spanish settlers invaded the Paya as their respective countries fought over possession of Roatan in the 16th century. Soon after, pirates numbering nearly 5,000, including Henry Morgan and associates, claimed Roatan as their stronghold. During the height of the slave trade, Roatan became a dumping ground for rebellious slaves that the British could no longer control. These marooned slaves, now called Maroons or Garifuna, form a present day ethnic group near the town of Punta Gorda.
This unique mix of people and cultures, presently controlled by Honduras, has created a population that is rich in tradition yet welcoming to visitors. In addition, while islanders have plenty of wares to exhibit and offer to visitors, hagglers and aggressive salespeople are virtually non-existent. Plus, with both the lempira and the U.S. dollar widely accepted, shopping on Roatan is a pleasant, atypical Caribbean experience.
The island itself is a mere 28 miles long and an average of four miles wide - creating easy navigation on its one major paved road and endless adventurous exploration off this well worn path. The world's second largest barrier reef lies just 100 yards off shore, and several marinas and dive operations offer countless opportunities to view the abundant species of coral, tropical fish, and aquatic animals. Due to its semi-mountainous jungle and 1998's Hurricane Mitch, little food is produced, and few products are manufactured on the island. Aside from fruits, vegetables, and seafood, all food and most manufactured products are easily transported to Roatan from mainland Honduras via daily ferries and flights.
Each of Roatan's quaint communities seems to offer its own special blend of authentic Caribbean culture and charm. Located near the southwest corner of the island, Coxen Hole is the point of arrival for almost all visitors and the capital of the Bay Islands. In addition to the airport and ferryboat docks, Coxen Hole also houses most of the island's banks, plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops, and a couple of quaint hotels and lively discos.
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