History of Roatán

This is the biggest of the islands that make up this archipelago (the others are Guanaja, Utila, Jose Santos Guardiola, the smaller islands of Morat, Santa Elena, Barbareta, and 65 small keys), which together form the island department of Islas de la Bahia in the Honduran Caribbean. They are off the coast of Atlantida and Colón. Roatán is the island in which touristy is better developed. The Roatán County was created in 1872 and its first name was ‘Coxen Hole’, which is now the name of one of the small towns located in this place. The Honduran Institute of Tourism has divided this island into seven areas, Coxen Hole, French Harbor, Parrot Tree, West End, Sandy Bay, Paya Bay, and Oakridge/ Punta Gorda. The name Coxen Hole derives from a pirate that lived there circa 1642, when several filibusters took over Roatán and neighboring Guanaja and made it their headquarters. It was here where they planned the plundering of the gold filled Spanish Galleons. Gold that was taken from the New World colonies and was on its way to Spain. Later on Spanish authorities from Santo Domingo and Guatemala were able to expel them.

In 1742 Spain had a legal and diplomatic struggle to recuperate these islands from England, which had taken over them. In 1796 England took over them once more and it wasn’t until April 22, 1861 that Honduras got them back when Santos Guardiola was president and Crescencio Gomez was the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

General Information

English is the dominant language in Roatán; nevertheless Spanish and Italian are also spoken. The main reason for English being the main language is the 200 year British presence in the island, which is also reflected in the architecture and traditions of the locals.

Roatán is approximately 40 miles off the Honduran coast and has an extension of 97 squared miles and a population which in the year 2002 was estimated to be of 15,000, and is surrounded by a coral barrier reef which is considered to be the second largest in the world and offers excellent conditions for diving and fishing. These underwater gardens are extended throughout the western coast up to a tip that points towards Utila, the island closest to the mainland. A 50 mile highway crosses half the island and a mountain chain forms the island’s backbone.

Mr. Pool Adams, an American, is considered the pioneer investor in tourist activities, as he opened a small hotel and restaurant in the West Bay area. Now this is one of the country’s main tourist attractions because of its white sand paradisiacal beaches, bordered by coconut trees and see-through water in which water sports are practiced, to the delight of those who spend joyful vacations in it.

There are very good hotels, restaurants, and clubs in the French Harbour, West End, West Bay, and Sandy Bay areas. Its restaurants offer a great variety of international menus to satisfy the tastes of natives and foreign visitors.

It is important to highlight that Roatán has two coasts, one to the north and one to the south which give its visitors the opportunity to dive in the deepness of the coral reef, the north being a solid barrier with a few openings into the open ocean.

How do I get to Roatán?

You may reach Roatán in two ways: by sea and by air, in most cases leaving from La Ceiba, even though this island receives international flights from Italy, Miami, San Salvador, Houston and Atlanta among others. Airlines that fly into its airport are Continental Airlines, TACA, Isleña Regional, Atlantic Airlines, Sosa Airlines, Delta Airlines, Alitalia, and chartered flights from around the globe.

If you wish to visit Roatán, we recommend that you contact us so we may arrange your arrival. Let us be your host and call us.

Gastronomy in Roatán

International cuisine influences Roatan’s gastronomy, this is why you may find restaurants that prepare meals from different parts of the world. We suggest that you read Honduras Tips (a tour guide), which includes a list of chosen restaurants that will satisfy your palate. As to know how to obtain this guide, just call us.

Coxen Hole

Coxen Hole is one of the most important communities in the island of Roatán, in which you may find an international airport (Marco Aurelio Soto), and where Galaxy, Tropical, and Nautica Ferries dock coming in from La Ceiba, as it is the gateway into this paradise. The Afro-Antillean influence is very noticeable in this picturesque community. Even though it is the better known place in the island it is the one that offers the least amount of tourist attractions. Nevertheless, it is from here that buses and taxis depart to other areas in the isle. It is also here where you will find banks, stores, and other businesses.

You may exchange US Dollars in any bank. To make your credit card or traveler’s checks transactions we suggest that you use BAC Honduras, since it provides you with ATM’s, where you may withdraw cash using your VISA, Master Card, Diner’s Club, American Express, and JCB credit cards.

If you wish to learn more about the island you may want to visit ‘‘Casi Todo’’ bookstore on the exit to Sandy Bay. Want to buy crafts? Go to Yaba Ding Ding Souvenir’s Shop where you may find a wide array of high quality products.

Remember that when you arrive in the island you will be in Coxen Hole and from there you will depart to your chosen destination but the distances are not long. What about the temperature? It is usually over 30º Celsius with a yearly average of 62% relative humidity, so you may wear your best beach clothes.

In case you wish to spend the night in Coxen Hole you may better choose from among other options in the island that are comfortable and budget friendly, just as the ones you may find here.

French Harbour

The second town in importance is French Harbour, a very picturesque port in which most of the island’s fishing fleet docks. The boats are always well painted and maintained, to the point that they are worth seeing. French Harbour is a very active fishing community to the point to which there are more banks here than in Coxen Hole. These banks include Lafise, HSBC, Banco del Pais, and Banco Atlántida among others.

There are several hotels here, being the most important Casa Romeo, El Faro Inn, and Harbour View Hotel. Nearby you also find Bolongo’s Club, where you may dance Fridays and Saturdays.

If you continue down the road going to the east you will reach the Fantasy Island Beach Resort Dive & Marina, one of the most exclusive hotels in the Bay Islands. This hotel has its own diving operations available to its guests. The Fantasy Island also offers a marina with multiple services for the public, including fishing yachts rental, wave runners, etc.

Outside French Harbour there is an estate where iguanas are protected. The Arch Iguana Farm is located in French Key and is easy to reach it by following the multiple signs that show the way. The first sign is in the road that goes to the east from French Harbour towards The Fantasy Island Hotel. It is basically an iguana sanctuary and has four varieties of this reptile. You may wish to ask at your hotel’s front desk the current price or just write us and it will be our pleasure to inform you.

Parrot Tree

An interesting place to look at is Parrot Tree, to be found between French Harbour and the Jonesville-Oak Ridge area, its access is clearly marked on the main road. It is an urban settlement designed with good taste and it’s worth visiting. There is a small inlet that is ideal to practice snorkeling. In this small community there is a SPA, Centro de Bienestar Santé, with an exquisite variety of massages and skin treatments and a well-appointed room in case you wish to spend more than one day for an intensive treatment.

Oakridge/Punta Gorda

Driving eastward on the paved road you will arrive in Oakridge, a small fishing port of great beauty and ambience. At the other side of the island (north) you find Punta Gorda, which is the only real Garifuna community in the island. You may comfortably lodge here, enjoy a good meal, and learn scuba diving.

Punta Gorda is the oldest Garifuna community in Central America. This is where the Garifunas were abandoned by the British after the rebellion that broke out in Saint Vincent; this is why their arrival is celebrated on each anniversary every April 12. Close to Oak Ridge, and moving to the east along the coast you find Calabas Cay. Moving to the west from Oak Ridge you will reach Jonesville, another cute and picturesque Antillean style town. All these communities are interconnected by canals in the midst of mangrove forests and it isn’t necessary to go out into the reef to navigate in them.

The paved road ends in Oakridge, nevertheless a dirt street stretches on for 16 to 19 more miles towards the tip of the island. This is where the least developed, and therefore, the more natural Roatán lies. Camp Bay beaches and the towns of Port Royal and Old Port Royal are some of the charms you may encounter in this area. It is important to mention that there are very few tour services in this part of the island. This part of Roatán is a paradise for those who love tranquility and a constant contact with nature. The previously mentioned dirt road is accessible any time during the year, but we do recommend that you bring water and your own food to enjoy this tropical paradise.

Paya Bay

There is no doubt that this is one of the most natural areas in the eastern part of the island. You may see what the isle was like years ago, when the Spanish conquerors, and then the English entered this heaven. It is an easily accessible zone by the road that goes beyond Oakridge. Some of the best beaches are to be found here, so you may adventure into Helena, Morat, and Barbareta from here, or simply relax and enjoy the magnificent natural surroundings.

Sandy Bay

To the west of Coxen Hole is the road that goes to West End, you will pass by Sandy Bay. This place is one of the most complete districts in Roatán; it is here where most of the cultural activities take place. Carambola Botanical Gardens, the Museum of Roatán, and the Institute of Marine Sciences are all located here.

In Anthony’s Key Hotel are the Institute of Marine Sciences and the Roatán Museum. These are open to the public from Thursday thru Tuesday, closing on Wednesdays. The Institute of Marine Sciences offers among other things a dolphin show and the opportunity to swim or dive with the dolphins, of course at a cost that is used to carry on research the Institute is doing.

The show is at 10:00 a.m. and at 3:00 p.m. on weekdays and at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. during the weekend. There is no show on Wednesday s. Near Sandy Bay there are several hotels of different categories, such as the famous Anthony’s Key, which is one of the most luxurious in the island, the friendly Oceanside Inn, and the Roatán Sunrise Resort, of intermediate category. In front of Anthony’s Key is Carambola Botanical Gardens where you will appreciate an extended collection of native orchids. The path inside the garden leads to Carambola Hill, from where you will enjoy one of the best views in the island, being able to even see the island of Utila in the horizon. It will take you approximately 20 minutes to walk from the entrance to the top of the hill.

The Fantasy Island hotel offers a fabulous tour along the island that includes the visit to several of these charming places in Sandy Bay.

Another tourist attraction in Roatán that is to be found in this area is known as ‘‘Tropical Treasures Bird Park and Gift Shop’’, which has an extraordinary collection of Honduran native birds including macaws, parrots, and toucans inside large aviaries under the refreshing shade of huge mango trees and the fresh Caribbean sea breeze. There are more than 17 species and 95 different birds, all of them with colorful tropical feathers that rival one with the other. The ticket to enter the park includes a guided tour. The souvenirs store is located in an old island house that takes us back to old times. The park is open Tuesday thru Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

West End and West Bay

Perhaps the most famous zone in the entire island is West End and West Bay. The most beautiful and most visited beaches in Roatán are in this area, just as most of the scuba diving stores and tourist related establishments. You may spend several days in this zone enjoying their paradisiacal beaches and the hospitality of the people. Among the many hotels in the zone the most outstanding ones are the Coconut Tree Hotel, Pura Vida Hotel, Half Moon Bay Cabins, the Sunset Inn, the Lost Paradise and Geophi’s Tropical Paradise. All of them include bar and restaurant. The Pura Vida Hotel has charming European style rooms that include cable TV. For more information about the hotels and their services see the annexed chart.

To get to West End you may use the public transportation system that works from Monday to Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

West Bay is a less commercial area with beautiful white sand beaches considered the best in Honduras, with comfortable hotels such as The Henry Morgan Resort, the Mayan Princess Beach Resort, and the Paradise Beach Resort which holds some of the best rooms in the island.

West End doesn’t have any bank so you would have to go to Coxen Hole or French Harbour for any transaction. There are several boats that have tours in the area but for an up-to-date information visit Casi Todo Bookstore in West End, locate just across the street from the church. You will not only buy magazines and books here, but also find out about several tours and you may even take them on.

There is an Internet Café service in West End, which can be found in several businesses around the town.