Roatan Information
Mesoamerica Barrier Reef System
The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) stretches over 1,000 kilometers (620 mi) from Isla Contoy at the tip of the Yucatán Peninsula down to Belize, Guatemala and the Bay Islands of Honduras. The MBRS is the second largest Barrier Reef System in the world.
The MBRS reef system is home to more than 65 species of stony coral, 350 species of mollusk and more than 500 species of fish. There are numerous species that live in or around the reef system that are endangered or under some degree of protection, including the following: sea turtles (green sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, leatherback turtle, and the hawksbill turtle), the queen conch, the West Indian manatee, the splendid toadfish, the American crocodile, the Morelet's Crocodile, the Nassau grouper, elkhorn coral, and black coral.
Some of the best diving on the MBRS can be found in Roatan and the Bay Islands.
Where is Roatan located?
Roatan is part of the Bay Islands of Honduras. Honduras is located in Central America and has borders with Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador. The Honduran North Coast borders the Caribbean Sea while a small section of the Southern Coast borders the Pacific Ocean.
The Bay Islands are located between 70 and 40 miles from the Honduran North Coast in the Caribbean Sea. The Bay Islands consist of over 70 islands and cays. The larger three islands are Roatan, Utila and Guanaja.
Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands and is approx 30 miles long and from 1 to 4 miles wide. A mountain ridge runs along the spine of the island and reaches approx 800 feet above sea level at its highest point.
What is the weather like in Roatan?
The climate of Roatan is tropical, hot and humid, though constant sea breezes keep the islands average temperature between 70°F and 90°F. The yearly average temperature is 82°F. The rainiest months in Roatan are October through January and the average rainfall is 87 inches.
Are there banks and what currency should we bring?
The official currency in Honduras is the Lempira though US$ are accepted throughout Roatan. Credit cards are accepted in restaurants, hotels, and stores. It is recommended where possible for smaller purchases to use cash.
Cash advances can be taken on major credit cards at most banks. Also, ATM machines can be found in West End, Coxen Hole and French Harbor for cash advances on major credit cards.
What languages are spoken in Roatan?
Spanish is the official language of Honduras and Roatan. English is spoken throughout Roatan and most local residents speak some English and Spanish.
In what time zone is Roatan?
Roatan is in the Central Time zone and does not observe daylight saving time. Roatan is 6 hours behind Greenwich mean time (GMT).
What type of electricity is used in Roatan?
The local electricity in Roatan is 110 volts, 60 Hz. This is identical to the USA, and also uses the same plugs. Voltage drops and irregularities in quality of electricity can occur, so consider bringing a surge protector for valuable items.
How to get to Roatan?
International Flights
- Miami to Roatan with American Airlines.
- Atlanta to Roatan with Delta Airlines.
- Houston to Roatan with United Airlines
- Toronto and Montreal to Roatan with SunWing.
- Toronto and Montreal to Roatan with Transat.
- San Salvador to Roatan with Avianca (connecting to all international flights for USA, Central and South America arriving/departing with Avianca).
- Belize City to Roatan with Tropic Air (connecting to all international flights arriving/departing Belize).
- Grand Cayman to Roatan with Cayman Airways (connecting to all international flights arriving/departing Grand Cayman).
Domestic Flights
Local Honduran Airlines, Sosa, Lanhsa & CM Airlines have numerous daily flights to/from Roatan from San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, La Ceiba, Utila and Guanaja.
By Land & Water
La Ceiba is the access point by ferry to Roatan, bus connections are available through San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa.
The Galaxy Wave Ferry departs from the dock “Muelle de Cabotaje” in La Ceiba to Roatan twice daily and from Roatan to La Ceiba twice daily. The Galaxy Wave Ferry dock in Roatan is located at Dixon Cove halfway between French Harbour and Coxen Hole.
Have more questions about Roatan, please do not hesitate to contact us
The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) stretches over 1,000 kilometers (620 mi) from Isla Contoy at the tip of the Yucatán Peninsula down to Belize, Guatemala and the Bay Islands of Honduras. The MBRS is the second largest Barrier Reef System in the world.
The MBRS reef system is home to more than 65 species of stony coral, 350 species of mollusk and more than 500 species of fish. There are numerous species that live in or around the reef system that are endangered or under some degree of protection, including the following: sea turtles (green sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, leatherback turtle, and the hawksbill turtle), the queen conch, the West Indian manatee, the splendid toadfish, the American crocodile, the Morelet's Crocodile, the Nassau grouper, elkhorn coral, and black coral.
Some of the best diving on the MBRS can be found in Roatan and the Bay Islands.
Where is Roatan located?
Roatan is part of the Bay Islands of Honduras. Honduras is located in Central America and has borders with Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador. The Honduran North Coast borders the Caribbean Sea while a small section of the Southern Coast borders the Pacific Ocean.
The Bay Islands are located between 70 and 40 miles from the Honduran North Coast in the Caribbean Sea. The Bay Islands consist of over 70 islands and cays. The larger three islands are Roatan, Utila and Guanaja.
Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands and is approx 30 miles long and from 1 to 4 miles wide. A mountain ridge runs along the spine of the island and reaches approx 800 feet above sea level at its highest point.
What is the weather like in Roatan?
The climate of Roatan is tropical, hot and humid, though constant sea breezes keep the islands average temperature between 70°F and 90°F. The yearly average temperature is 82°F. The rainiest months in Roatan are October through January and the average rainfall is 87 inches.
Are there banks and what currency should we bring?
The official currency in Honduras is the Lempira though US$ are accepted throughout Roatan. Credit cards are accepted in restaurants, hotels, and stores. It is recommended where possible for smaller purchases to use cash.
Cash advances can be taken on major credit cards at most banks. Also, ATM machines can be found in West End, Coxen Hole and French Harbor for cash advances on major credit cards.
What languages are spoken in Roatan?
Spanish is the official language of Honduras and Roatan. English is spoken throughout Roatan and most local residents speak some English and Spanish.
In what time zone is Roatan?
Roatan is in the Central Time zone and does not observe daylight saving time. Roatan is 6 hours behind Greenwich mean time (GMT).
What type of electricity is used in Roatan?
The local electricity in Roatan is 110 volts, 60 Hz. This is identical to the USA, and also uses the same plugs. Voltage drops and irregularities in quality of electricity can occur, so consider bringing a surge protector for valuable items.
How to get to Roatan?
International Flights
- Miami to Roatan with American Airlines.
- Atlanta to Roatan with Delta Airlines.
- Houston to Roatan with United Airlines
- Toronto and Montreal to Roatan with SunWing.
- Toronto and Montreal to Roatan with Transat.
- San Salvador to Roatan with Avianca (connecting to all international flights for USA, Central and South America arriving/departing with Avianca).
- Belize City to Roatan with Tropic Air (connecting to all international flights arriving/departing Belize).
- Grand Cayman to Roatan with Cayman Airways (connecting to all international flights arriving/departing Grand Cayman).
Domestic Flights
Local Honduran Airlines, Sosa, Lanhsa & CM Airlines have numerous daily flights to/from Roatan from San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, La Ceiba, Utila and Guanaja.
By Land & Water
La Ceiba is the access point by ferry to Roatan, bus connections are available through San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa.
The Galaxy Wave Ferry departs from the dock “Muelle de Cabotaje” in La Ceiba to Roatan twice daily and from Roatan to La Ceiba twice daily. The Galaxy Wave Ferry dock in Roatan is located at Dixon Cove halfway between French Harbour and Coxen Hole.
Have more questions about Roatan, please do not hesitate to contact us