There doesn't seem to be too much information about things to do in Roatan here. So I'll start a conversation to see if anyone has any insight.

Airfare is good so I'm thinking about going there to do some diving. Any good hotel options? Other things to see or do?

Many thanks in advance.

Some friends and I just got back from Roatan in September and we had a great time.


We stayed at a place called Luna Beach Resort (LBR). The hotel was very nice - we rented one of their houses (air conditioning, kitchen, washer/dryer) etc. The resort was about a 10/15 minute walk along the beach from the downtown West End area. Close enough but far enough away if you know what I mean. The weather was pretty hot so we only ventured into town at night for dinner and groceries. The downtown area was very casual, a few good restaurants (try Dian's - we ate there 3 times, maybe 4 for dinner; everything we ate was fantastic). There is an Argentinian place that is good as well. We went there primarily for the diving. I'm a new diver but everyone I was with has been diving for years and they thought it was great. I've been watching air fares since we got back - I just want to go back! What kind of price are you finding for the fare? We paid $826 back in July.

The dive staff at Roatan were very professional. I did some work towards my advanced open water certification and it was all business - which I liked. You felt like you were in good hands with this group. And they definitely warmed up as the week went on. Most of the time there were only 5 of us on the dive boat - which mean't it was only us and the dive master and boat driver. It felt like we were at our own private resort. We would typically only do two dives a day although looking back I wish we would of done 3. From what I've heard this is more "micro" diving. Water temp was about 85 degrees. If you're interested, I'll get out my dive book and tell you some of our favorites. Definitely Bear's Den and Spooky Channel. In fact, if you want to get an idea of what it was like, our last day there a local girl came out with us and video taped our last day of diving there. Unfortunately, the places we were diving that day were murky and the tape doesn't catch the color of the reefs at all - but you might get some idea. You'll see a little of the resort and some diving. It's about 15 minutes. Here's the link: http://www.grizzelle.com/show6.cfm or go to http://grizzelle.com and click on Portfolio and then click on Video/DVD samples and then click on the Luna Beach section. Again, color from the video isn't great - doesn't represent how beautiful it was underwater.

Our last day there we also did the Canopy Tour ( I think there is only one??) and my friends loved it. Me? Not so much but it was OK You basically go thru about 4/5 miles of jungle - kind of repelling - from the top of the mountain down to the ocean.

Anyways, hope that helps

I stayed on Utila a few years ago. It's the less touristy neighbour island. Both are filled with the very intriging Garifuni people, the decendants of slaves and British pirates. Lots of strange blue crabs living in holes on the trails and some very scary looking spiders even if your not an arachniphobe, read BIG.

I've taken both boat and plane to the mainland, but there's not much to see there unless your really interested in Honduras.

The diving is world class by anyone's standard and I spent the better part of one afternoon chasing around a 2+ foot puffer fish of some kind trying to get it to puff up, it didn't seem to give a hoot about me, staying just out of reach. A few wrecks are divable and well worth it. I dove twice a day and snokeled most afternoons. So much to see!

Thanks for your help SFlanagan and Dudemon!

Utila is really cool, and if you want even more less-touristy than Utila, head to Jewel Cay (or maybe it's called Water Cay - can't really remember) just off Utila.
It's a *tiny* little island, with a bunch of houses built on stilts around it. It'll take maybe five minutes to walk across - tops.
But the dive shop that owns the biggest house on the island is very cool - and unbelievably cheap. (I think the name was Captain Morgan's). The only real way to get there is to sign up for dives with captain morgan's.
While out on the cay, there is a small restaurant/bar, where you can sit on the pier and feel like you really are lounging in the middle of the ocean. Eagle rays will swoop below your dangling feet, and beers are under $1.

Only 10 days until I am in Honduras. This made me smile (specifically the thought of a beach and >$1 beers

Can't wait to hear how your travel went GregWTravels. I will be in Honduras January but for business in San Pedro on the 9th and 10th, so I'm thinking about trying to squeeze in a leisure weekend on Roatan with Mrs. Outoftown while I'm there, however it looks like I may be only able to spend one night in Roatan. Is it worth it to spend from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon in Roatan? We will be traveling from San Pedro Sula. Airfare looks like $100 each rt so I'm thinking about just staying in Honduras. Funny thing is, this trip is unexpected. One day after we return, we are headed back to Punta Cana on vacation for a week.

Outoftown (8 degrees where I'm at in Chicago right now!)

I lived in San Pedro Sula for 3 months and returned once or twice a month for a year thereafter - there is not much in the way of tourist activity in SPS. If you decide to stay, I would recommend a visit to the market at Guamalito for crafts and local flavor. Roatan for one day would be a bit much, especially if you have to connect in La Ceiba which used to be required. That said, if you are a diver or into snorkeling, the experience would make you want to go back. The one major drawback to the Bay Islands, of which Roatan is one, is the cost of airfare. The water is beautiful, full or colors and the diving and snorkeling truly spectacular.

Just returned. I had an excellent time. Inexpensive and beautiful. I don't dive, but my friend who does says it's some of the best coral he's ever seen. Inexpensive too!

Check out the details in my trip report: Roatan trip report