Roatan is a spectacular Caribbean paradise off the northern coast of Honduras, the largest of the Bay Islands, an archipelago formed by the islands of Roatan, Utila, Guanaja, and numerous Honduran islets and cays.It is one of the most attractive tourist destinations because of its virgin white sand beaches and its turquoise sea, surrounded by a mountainous environment with lush jungle and tropical foliage.To get to know the island’s native culture, you can visit Punta Gorda, a traditional town in Roatan, or take a guided tour to Oak Ridge or Port Royal, where you’ll learn about the pirates who once settled on the island.
The best areas to stay in Roatan are on the north and west coast .If you are looking for the perfect combination of beaches, leisure activities and nightlife, the best area to stay in Roatan is West End . if you prefer a quieter area but not too far from the action, West Bay is a good place to stay because it has wonderful sunsets, incredible beaches and the best diving options.On the other hand, the most relaxed area to stay in Roatan is Sandy Bay , which offers beach lovers and divers the perfect place for an unforgettable vacation.
If you are interested in knowing where to stay in Greater Roatan , you may also be interested in knowing where to stay in Belize, where to stay in Costa Rica and where to stay in Jamaica.
Best places to stay in Roatan
West End
West End is located in the northwest of Roatan, around Half Moon Bay, about 20 minutes from Roatan International Airport. It is the most commercial area of the island and has one of the best beaches in Roatan, a long curve of golden sand with palm trees, restaurants, bars and a wide variety of accommodation options to suit different budgets.The main attraction of this area is the diving and snorkeling activities, with a coral reef that captivates all visitors, and the largest number of diving schools. You can rent diving and snorkeling equipment at one of the many shops in the area and swim to the reef to explore the marine life among tropical fish, rays and turtles.For the more adventurous, you can also dive in other more remote areas, where you can see whales, sharks and dolphins.
West End is one of the most vibrant areas of the island with restaurants, bars and shops where you can buy souvenirs of Honduras, it is also known for its deep sea fishing, so it is recommended to try the dishes of local cuisine as baleadas, one of the most representative of Honduran cuisine and seafood specialties in one of its restaurants.West End is also one of the best areas of the island to admire the sunsets and once the sun has set, there are many bars and live music venues with happy hours, local bands and DJs to dance until dawn.
There are numerous companies in town where you can rent a motorcycle to explore other areas of the island such as nearby West Bay, Flower Bay, Coxen Hole and Sandy Bay.You can also go horseback riding on some secluded beaches or explore jungle trails leading to mountains from where you can enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the islands and do mountain and zip line activities.
West End Hotels
West Bay
West Bay is quieter than the West End area.Located west of West End and 30 minutes from Roatan International Airport, where the island’s upper class lives, West Bay offers a relaxed family atmosphere, ideal for visitors who want to enjoy diving, relaxing on the beach and swimming in the crystal clear waters.It has some of the best beaches on the island such as West Bay Beach and Paradise Beach with soft white sand and calm blue waters, typical of a Caribbean paradise.the shallow beaches give way to wonderful coral reefs where you can dive to explore tropical fish, rays and sea turtles, especially around Tabyana Beach.There are numerous companies that offer scuba diving, fishing trips and parasailing right on the beach.
Although it’s more relaxed and quiet than the West End area, there are a good variety of restaurants and hotels to stay at and it’s less than a 10 minute drive to the West End nightlife, in case you want to dive into Roatan’s lively nightlife.You can also get to the West End by boat from the beach, which takes about 10 minutes, or in the West Bay you can enjoy traditional dishes made with fresh fish and seafood or start your day with a delicious Honduran coffee, or visit the West End Wildlife Reserve and Gumbalimba Park.
Hotels in West Bay
Sandy Bay
Sandy Bay is located on the west coast north of Roatan, about 20 minutes drive from Roatan International Airport and is a quiet area where you can find beautiful blue beaches surrounded by palm trees and resorts.There are many dive operators in the area and just a short distance from the coast you can reach the famous coral reef of the island, where you can dive to discover a whole tropical marine world.
You can take a kayak trip, windsurf or go on an excursion to the Carambola Botanical Garden where you can explore the local wildlife including flora, fauna, medicinal plants and exotic species.In addition, you can find the Roatan Institute of Marine Sciences and Sandy Bay National Park, and finish the day with a sunset and a traditional dinner at one of the many restaurants that serve baleadas, local seafood and tropical cocktails.
