What to do in Roatan - recommendations?

[Huey]

What would you recommend to do in Roatan? We have all of our other ports planned for our 14-day Zenith cruise leaving 03/27/05, but still not sure about this port. ANY help is appreciated.

[hdawson]

Suggest you research on the CC Ports of Call board for Roatan, Honduras. LOts of good information there.

[berrybright]

Huey -

 

Stopped at Roatan last year on Radiance. Had no high expectations but it turned out to be the best port we went to. I hadn't been thrilled with the cruise sponsored excursions because they seemed so pricey - I mean, more than traditional cruise-sponsored excursions. So, we got off the ship to explore. There were about 15 people offering tours of the island. We decided to try one and it cost about $40 for my husband, my daughter, and I. I can't remember where we went as we let our guide show us his country. These were the highlights...

 

We stopped at a store to look at crafts & things. Our guide (he was probably in his upper teens/lower 20's), would tell us when something was too expensive. "I'll get that for you cheaper" he would say. And he did.

 

We toured the country (beautiful) but we were also interested in what it was like in a third world country. We asked to see an orphanage (which we were excorted inside and met the children). We went to a local hospital. We saw a high end resort that was being built and we were able to see the rooms that would eventually be sold. (Again, beautiful). We walked along the beach while he waited.

 

One of the things I like to do is collect "one dollar" from every place I visit. Though the US dollar is WIDELY accepted there, they still have their own currency. Their dollar is worth about a nickel. I couldn't bear to give him a nickel so I traded his dollar for mine.

 

English is also the main language there.

 

One of the things I noticed on this, my first, cruise is that the residents of Roatan DEPEND on the cruise ship (and there are maybe a few ships each week) to make their living. They greeted the ship with traditional music and several people dancing at the pier. I later noticed at Grand Cayman that there were SO MANY cruise passengers that the vendors didn't care about my business - they knew there were 10 more behind me.

 

I have been long winded and for that I apologize. I know that I almost did not get off the ship and it would have been the biggest mistake I would have made.

I wanted to upload pictures to show you but they are too big. I hope you have the best time - I did!

[flamingosun]

Huey -

 

We'll be boarding the Zenith the day you get off. The main reason we picked this particular cruise was so that we could return to Roatan. It's one of the most intriguing ports we have visited.

 

While there, we'll be visiting the orphanage berrybright spoke of. Afterwards, we'll do a little snorkeling...

 

It''s beautiful there.

[Kathy & George]

We were there on a NCL Basketball Themed cruise a few years back. The weather was rainy, but expected to clear so we took an excursion over the mountains to a beach on the other side. We got rained out and they had to take us back. The mountain roads are very treacherous in the rain, lots of mud slides and slippery roads and there were several points at which we thought it might be better to walk back. At one point the bus got stuck and we teased the Basketball players that they would have to get out and push as they were the most physically fit to do the job. The scenery was absolutly the most beautiful I've ever seen at the top of the mountains over looking the jungle areas. It is a very underdeveloped country and every dollar there is truely appreciated. We would definately do it again, but if weather is an issue stay on lower ground.

[jsaadat]

This is a "newer Port" for most cruise ships...... probebly less that 3 years. Pretty realistic as far as poverty is concerned...... also very dirty until you get out of the port area. Unless things have changed...... you will tender to the docks. Nothing fancy and controlled but somewhat annoying solisiters. If you walk out the gates from the dock area you really get his pretty hard by folks selling stuff... cigars, trinkets etc......

 

We took a risk and rented a car from Avis near the airport..... I think we payed $70 to $80 for the day but well worth it. We drove around the island and finally pulled into a small resort and used there beach, bar etc..... for the entire day.

 

E-mail me if you want pictures

 

J

[greeneg]

Roatan has absolutely fabulous snorkeling and beaches. If you want an alternative to the ship excursions, check out Salt and Pepper Tours at

 

http://www.roatansaltandpepper.com

 

Excellent tour operator, gives good value for money. Here are a couple of pictures from our Zenith trip in January, one of the beach and one underwater.

[hisfirstm8]

We were on the Zenith last April and Roatan was our favorite stop. We took one of the beach excursions thru the ship and loved it. The price was very reasonable and included lunch at the beach. This is a private beach, only open to cruise ship passengers. The people of Roatan are very appreciative and it is a beautiful island. WE look forward to returning soon.

 

Barbara

[Lvteks]

We were there on the Opera Feb 10th and I long to return. Roatan was the highlight of our cruise. Really naturally beautiful, we did not tender so early AM my DH went shopping near the ship and found a tablecloth/wall hanging and colorful stole etc. Then we negotiated a taxi for the Butterfly Garden and Botanical Garden. However on what ever next trip we take there, I would engage Victor Boden..see Roatan in Destinations. also I would go to Sante Spa if I could get reservations.

 

More importantly, I would check out the orphanage CSI?? and get everyone on the cruise to bring "stuff" they need. We found out about the orphanage on the CC Board. One couple had arranged to visit there and we gave our USA purchases to them. They were picked up at the ship and after the orphanage visit, were escorted all around the island for a nominal fee.

 

We paid $40.00 (US) including tip and had a driver for wherever we wanted to go. But he was not a tour guide and I feel we missed a lot. Our DD and her DH found a very unique shop on the West end, if truly interested, will get the details. They even had hand made crayons. They were on a kayak and snorkel tour.

 

Do check out the Roatan posts...and have a wonderful time.

 

Blessings

[flamingosun]

....

 

More importantly, I would check out the orphanage CSI?? and get everyone on the cruise to bring "stuff" they need. We found out about the orphanage on the CC Board. ...

Do check out the Roatan posts...and have a wonderful time.

Blessings

 

 

If anyone is interested in reading or discussing how CC members are helping CSI, just click on the link in my signature (Cruisers reaching out...) Post # 900 has a copy of the latest 'Needs List' from Brad Warren, director there.

 

OR visit CSI's own website: www.csiroatan.org for some great pictures, including some of cruisers who visited there, and took supplies.

[cali4niacruisin]

We almost went to Roatan on our next cruise and had decided to try the Santee Wellness Center. We decided to take a different cruise instead. We got lots of information from the port of call boards and they have a website. Basically, it is a day spa run our of a couples home. She runs the spa and does many of the treatments(also has some staff) and he cooks adn leads snorkelers off their private beach. Sounded great to us! We are planning to try it if we ever get to Roatan.