All About Roatan. Roatan is an especially easy destination for Americans since almost everyone on the island speaks English as their first language, they accept American currency and even use the same outlet type as the USA. Of note, foreign residents of the Bay Islands who purchase properties have reported increased incidents of harassment, including being the victims of violent attacks, after becoming involved in disputes. As a result, the U.S. Embassy has restricted U.S. government personnel travel to Gracias a Dios. While Roatan is generally a safe place to visit, there can be some issues related to theft. Travelers must declare any amount over $10,000. We are a team of dedicated journalists and writers who strive to bring you the best news and stories from around the world. Were in West End, and there is definitely a large and friendly expat community. Since 1995, 115 U.S. citizens were reported murdered in Honduras; of these, just 32 cases have been resolved. LGBTI travelers should exercise caution, especially when expressing affection in public. When visiting the island you should be aware of theselocal warnings or dangers that may affect your trip. The annual humidity for Roatan is estimated to be 77%. There are certainly crimes committed on Roatan and those crimes are on par with other booming tourist destinations across the globe. October 16, 2021 by archyde. If you are renting a villa or condo I would suggest you check with your landlord or the property management company and ask if the door locks are key or electronic. Always ensure you have enough medicine to cover your travel time, and research its availability in Honduras, or whether there is a viable replacement. However, due to the high level of crime in the area, visitors should take precautions such as not leaving valuable items unattended and not walking around the area alone at night. Please help get the word out to cruisers. The bandito shot the car up, terrifying the three children in the car as well as their parents, who had . Along with unspoiled beaches, lush forests, and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, Roatan also has that year-round moderate weather that so many expats crave. When you are on the beach, rub a layer of oil over your skin to keep them at bay. Emergency After-Hours Telephone:Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa: +(504) 2238-5114 or +(504) 2236-9320, extension 4100 There are dozens of dive sites scattered throughout Roatan, including the 2nd largest coral reef system on the planet that is located just offshore. ( Roatan or not ). Friday, 7:30a.m. Required: Honduras currently requires travelers arriving from or traveling to Panama and every nation in South America to present proof of yellow fever vaccine. Both are illegal on the island and, if you participate, you could be opening yourself up to dangerous situations. Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry. MUST READ! Is Honduras Safe to Visit in 2022? - The Broke Backpacker document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Cruise ship accidents, injuries, crimes, disappearances, fires, and collisionson the high seas involve issues of maritime law. SeeourLGBTI travel informationpage and section 6 of theDepartment of State's Human Rights reportfor further details. Only 60 percent of the people in the district of Choluteca are malnourished, making it one of the poorest areas in Honduras. overflow: hidden; This warning recommends that tourists avoid all public gatherings because these can quickly turn violent. The largest town in Roatan, Honduras, is Coxen Hole, where the airport, government offices, and cruise ship docks can be found. If you move here and get more comfortable and familiar with the area and the people, of course, you can feel at ease walking down West End road with your normal gadgets. Steer clear of both as to not invite any trouble. Not sure I would want to be in a private rental. Roatan is such a lovely place. If you are a beach lover, West Bay Beach cant be beat. Potholes may be harder to spot after heavy rain, so it is always best to drive slowly and take your time. The original research on Roatan was done by Ilias Scott, a Managing parter at Clarion/Pineapple Villas on Roatan. Apply repellent before going out. But how does the average Joe decide where to put his money? Staff, facilities, and supplies in Honduras are not necessarily up to U.S. medical standards. See our webpage for moreinformation on insurance providers for overseas coverage. 304 helpful votes. Keep a copy in your purse or wallet and only take as much cash as you will need. Be careful when riding on scooters on the island. But unless youre catching a flight, Coxen Hole isnt the best area for expats. clear: both; January 8, 2015. I think that they are probably safer there than in an isolated anchorage on the mainland coast of Honduras, Nicaragua, or many other areas. This Central American country actually has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Being in isolated anchorages in Honduras or anywhere, brings the benefits of quiet, privacy, solitude, but also the dangers we have seen here. Chicago, for example,has a per capita murder rate of 24 per 100,000. These are examples of how to commit a crime or steal from you. Our gift to you, on our favorite destinations. Please review the information on theState Departments Traveling with Disabilities website. Get Your Free Honduras Report Here: Crime in Roatan - Roatan Forum - Tripadvisor With so much to offer, what is keeping expats from immediately jumping on the next plane to Roatan, Honduras? Roatan Honduras came onto the radar of Cruise Law News in January of this year when a U.S. family who took a Carnival cruise to the island was robbed at gun point while driving in a rental car. Its not right, but when your kids are starving, its not easy to have ethics and morals. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Having now lived outside the U.S. for nearly eight years, I am frequently asked by my friends back in the States if living outside the U.S. is safe. Everything that anyone could possibly think or say about crime, malaria & dengue has been discussed on this forum hundreds of times. Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Honduras, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Hondurass Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Prescription medication: If traveling with prescription medication, check with theEmbassy of Honduras in Washington, DCto ensure the medication is legal in Honduras. People and animals wander onto the roads. Because Roatan is a third-world country, cattle, horses, erratic taxi drivers, big trucks, and other dangerous drivers are not uncommon. Let us do the legwork! As is expected in any tropical environment, there are hot and rainy seasons in Roatan. Law enforcement is also slow to respond, if at all. Of course, while it's not ever good to generalize an. Isla de Roatn is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras, in the Caribbean Sea. /* Create three equal columns that floats next to each other */ swimming pool and a few min. to 3:00 p.m. U.S. Consular Agent - San Pedro Sula The tourist presence in Roatan is enormous and has promoted a greater police presence as a result. Despite the fact that thousands of tourists fly in and out of Roatan each year, Honduras does have crime. Do you live in Roatan? Privacy Policy. The reports are scattered and hard to verify. The prevalence of dengue fever can be found in both urban and rural areas. This article is dated July 12, 2013 and it states Roatan only has a population of around 28,400 people. The newspaper reports that the body of Philip Foster Brown was found in a ravine near a road leading from West End to West Bay in Roatan on Tuesday. Crime in these neighborhoods is prevented through a combination of gated layouts and security patrols. The local police often depend on local merchants or other supporters for gas for their vehicles. Re: Crime in Roatan. Some would argue that it was King Edward VII, who, The American Crime Story franchise is back with a brand new season, this time focusing on the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. Our thanks to Ken Carrothers, Dockmaster at Fantasy Island Marina, for his comments about crime and safety in Honduras in response to the recent attack on a cruising yacht in Port Royal, Eastern Roatan. The following diseases are prevalent in Honduras: Please review theU.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) website for further information. Do you live in Roatan? float: left; Again, the officials have kids to feed, so they often accept a token payment rather than writing a traffic ticket, etc. Carlos Mejia, head of the Policeman in Roatn, he told LA PRENSA this afternoon that "we are working with two strong . Many of the top destinations are in nearby Latin America. By in large, foreigners are viewed as belonging to the wealthy class when they visit Honduras. Period. Soak in the the sun on the sprawl of white sand, swim or snorkel in the warm waves, or maybe try your hand at paragliding. If notarizing a permission letter in the United States, the letter should be apostilled by the U.S. state registrar where the notary is registered. The family had arrived in Roatan via a Carnival cruise ship. These data are based on perceptions of visitors of this website in the past 3 years. Despite its small size, the lack of basic infrastructure on the island is not a problem; however, the lack of infrastructure will be a concern if the island grows rapidly. To be quite honest that may have been over kill. If you are nervous about crime, protect yourself by making smart decisions. } Additionally, the infrastructure is not always the best, so power outages and water shortages are not uncommon. And to connect with individuals who dabble in either of these two activities, one must go out and look for them. Travel Crime Warning: Tourists Assaulted, Robbed & Terrorized in Roatan Crime in Roatan, Honduras Compare Roatan with: We need more contributors for Roatan to increase our data quality. There are usually speed bumps near all school zones, so be aware and slow down. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. Just off the northern coast of Honduras, Roatan is a thin stretch of land that measures only 40 miles long and a mere 3 miles wide. Is it Safe to Travel to Roatan, Honduras? | Getaway USA No spam. Information may also be posted to theU.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and theNGA broadcast warnings. Roatan has two main seasons. Public Transportation: Avoid public transportation in Honduras. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. Roatan is in a third world country, and as such, it is not unusual to find cattle, horses, erratic taxi drivers, large trucks, and other unsafe motorists. For years, street gangs have charged protection money from bus and taxi drivers and store owners in Honduras, as in neighboring El Salvador. As a general rule, visitors to Roatan should abide by the same safety rules they abide by at home. A sixty-nine year old U.S. citizen, originally from California, was identified yesterday as the victim of an abduction and murder in Roatan, Honduras, according to a Honduran newspaper El Heraldo. There are two medical facilities in Coxen Hole, the Woods Clinic and the Roatan public hospital. The islands lack of access is one of the reasons crime on the mainland is so prevalent. I get questions about moving to Roatan all the time. Copan, Roatan/Bay Islands, and other tourist destinations have a lower crime rate than other parts of the country. Maritime Travel:Mariners planning travel to Guatemala should also check forU.S.maritimeadvisoriesandalerts. Honduras Detalles por favor! Honduras was ranked 121st out of 187 countries in the UN Development Program 2011 Human Development Index. Despite this, Roatan is a poor country in a variety of ways. For this reason, we encourage travelers to refrain from taking long trips on scooters. Here are the world's top banking jurisdictions. Evidence of onward travel. Sign up for our free newsletter. IsRoatanSafe? The homicide rate in Honduras was 42 per 100,000 people in 2019, making it one of the most violent countries in the world. This is good for both tourists and residents.