Hotels in Roatan

Roatan: Caribbean Reef Island off Honduras's Caribbean Coast

Roatan sits 65 km north of the Honduran mainland in the Caribbean Sea, forming the largest of the Bay Islands at roughly 50 km long and 5 km wide. The island sits on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-longest coral reef system in the world, making it one of Central America's primary scuba diving destinations. Dive sites like Mary's Place and Spooky Channel draw certification students and experienced divers alike, with visibility frequently exceeding 30 metres.

Where to Stay in Roatan

Accommodations cluster in three main zones. West End is the backpacker and dive-resort corridor, lined with small guesthouses and beachfront cabañas on a walkable strip. West Bay Beach, 2 km south of West End, holds larger all-inclusive resorts along a white-sand beach rated among the Caribbean's clearest. Coxen Hole, the island's capital, functions as a transit hub with budget options near the ferry terminal and Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport (RTB).

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Direct flights operate from Houston (IAH) and Atlanta (ATL); the ferry from La Ceiba takes roughly 1.5 hours.
• Currency: The Honduran lempira is official; US dollars are accepted in most tourist zones.
• Diving seasons: Visibility peaks December through April during the dry season.
• Getting around: Water taxis connect West End and West Bay; collective tuk-tuks cover inland routes for under 40 lempiras.