Things to do on Roatan

Roatan has been called ‘The Last of the Caribbean Frontiers’.   There is no doubt that Roatan Honduras is a traveler’s paradise: you can rest on the white sand beaches and while dipping your feet in the crystal clear ocean water, snorkel or dive on the second largest barrier reef in the world, have year ‘round weather that is the never ending summer and overall be part of a new life’s adventure on a tropical island paradise.

Roatan, part of the Bay Islands, 30+ miles off the north coast of Honduras, opens fantastic doors of travel adventure. A place where besides the white sands and clear aqua waters you can also get lost in the ancient world of a Mayan civilization, cross the waters of the Caribbean on board a vessel, stand face to face with exotic animals like macaws and jaguars in their natural environments, enjoy music and excellent dining at the beat of the most scrumptious Caribbean customs.

‘Three Worlds/One Country” is what the Tourism Department promotes here and it truly is a land where you can explore ‘all three worlds’.  Although many know Honduras for its beaches and pre-hispanic heritage, no visit should stop there. While these two destinations can’t be left out of any travel itinerary, the rest of the national territory should never be forgotten. 

The Bay Islands themselves can take years to explore if you are inclined to do such. Beyond some of the world’s most beautiful waters, the island has considerable elevations, (places that are over 1,000 foot in elevation), spectacular vegetation and unusual wildlife including the only place in the world where you can find the endangered ‘spiny backed Iguana’.  The east end of the island has one of the largest stands of the protected Black Mangroves in the world.  Central America, including the Bay Islands, also serve as a ‘thorough fare’ to hundreds of types migrating birds, while parts of the mainland have over 350 species of our ‘feathered friends’ all but year ‘round.  This country also has one of the largest quantity of species of butterflies north of the Amazon River in South America.

Are you looking for some less 'adventurous' activities. How about some of the best deep sea or 'flats' fishing in the world?  Maybe a round of golf on one of the finest courses you have ever been on?   A Hall of Fame Designer inductee, Pete Dye course? Yes we have one right here on the island. 

Beyond these paradisiacal and popular tourist spots, there is a land of pure and incomparable natural and cultural wealth. Due to the growth of eco-tourism in the country, the natural wonders within national parks, cloud forests, reserves and botanical gardens can be easily reached.

From Roatan you can take a ‘day trip’ to La Ceiba and visit the cloud forest, do some white water rafting, tour the Spanish Culture small city and be back on the island by morning. White water rafting on the Canjegal River, depending on the time of the year can be done as Category two up to Category five rapids. (see photos on the ‘Photo Gallery’ Link).

Is ancient history something that interests you? A trip to the Mayan Ruins in Copan in the Department of ‘Copan Ruinas’ may be right up your alley. (a ‘department’ here is like ‘county in the U.S. or a ‘Province’ in Canada).

Although a trip that needs more than a day, you would want to spend more than a day in Copan.  Copan is exactly what you would picture a small Central American town to look like.  Cobble stone streets with concrete stucco buildings, tile roofs with gorgeous flowers and flora of all types up in a small mountain town where you can sample some of the best ‘high grown’ organic coffee in the world. (see Copan Photos on the Photo Gallery Link).

Ancient home of the Maya Indians it has some of the oldest and in best condition ruins of the Maya Culture which lived from Copan north to Guatemala, Belize and Mexico. It is estimated that it will take about 200 years more to excavate.  This ‘third world’ of this country is a must see.