Roatan is a long, skinny island. Quickly find out which country is right for you. Limited offer. Remember, many criminals are opportunists. Are there any all-inclusive resorts in Roatan? The vast majority of cruise line passengers experience no problems, but incidents of armed robbery (like this one) and carjacking have been reported., November 23, 2018 Update: A resident of Roatan who does not feel comfortable revealing her name left this comment: I live on Roatan. Tourism:The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. To avoid them, bring or purchase insect repellent that contains DEET. What are some typical costs for groceries, liquor and transportation? Fraudulent deeds are common and have led to numerous disputes. Because of its own language and customs, the Garifuna language is unique. Finally, for those with existing medical issues, and especially those taking prescription medication, be sure you have an ample supply as local inventory of such things as insulin, blood pressure medication, and common antibiotics may not be readily available. /* Create three equal columns that floats next to each other */ There are dozens of dive sites scattered throughout Roatan, including the 2nd largest coral reef system on the planet that is located just offshore. But it is raw, marinated seafood so, use your own judgement. Traffic signs are often inadequate or non-existent. font-size: medium; Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:Honduran law requires access to buildings for persons with disabilities; however, few buildings are accessible. IMO you should visit your family doctor or better yet a travel medicine specialist and follow his advice. Traffic Laws: In an accident, contact the Honduran Transit Authority (Transito) by dialing 911. Hi! Despite its size, it is home to a plethora of natural beauty and . background-color: #1a3c95; Of course, for those that would rather steer clear of the crowds, privacy can be found on the east end of Roatan. Don't miss this up and commer. Vaccinations:Honduras requires proof of Yellow Fever immunization if traveling to or coming from another country endemic with Yellow Fever. Crime in these neighborhoods is prevented through a combination of gated layouts and security patrols. } Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry. I am coming to Roatan in July for a month. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. Also, we read about malria and dengue fever. .fullwidth-signup{ Everything Cruise Lines Don't Want You to Know. The Panama City real estate market may have finally taken a turn in , Did you know there are dozens and dozens of great resources on Costa Rica for expats and investors? There are 4 additional murders, 2 shootings in Los Fuertes and 2 stabbing deaths. That said there is no question that your tetanus vaccine should be up to date. I have been researching Roatan for the last couple of years, and the consensus of the vast majority of recently UPDATED sites state 70,000, with Bay Island Voice just blogging me that it is probably approaching 80,000. The truth of the matter is, the majority of the crime in Honduras is situated on the mainland in the country's major cities. Certain areas of the island should be avoided because they are not considered to be so dangerous. That puts Roatan/Honduras a few points ahead of the U.S. Iceland holds the number one rated position and Afghanistan holds last place, ranked at 163. Having a hard time pinning down the easiest/most inexpensive option for Covid Testing before our mid_May trip. Your use of this service is subject to our, Worries being subject to a physical attack because of your skin color, ethnic origin, gender or religion, Problem property crimes such as vandalism and theft, Problem violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery. But his legal trouble in the United States was not over. The income disparities between the majority of Hondurans and those visiting Roatan is noticeable. Be the first to discover secret destinations, travel hacks, and more. information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Further, both the hard drugs and prostitution are illegal in Roatan. Honduras, casualmente, est en su apogeo de la estacin seca, que dura desde (BPT) - El invierno en el Hemisferio Norte le hace soar con unas vacaciones tropicales? Important information if heading to South Africa, For support using your membership please email, For all other inquiries or to contact the editor please email. Maintain a high level of vigilance, take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security, and follow instructions of local authorities. 2023 Smarter Travel Media LLC. Sign up for our free newsletter. The beautiful island of Roatan Honduras, can offer expats all of the above and the best part is, you dont have to be dreaming to make it a reality. Small cameras, jewelry, and expensive cell phones are things most often reported as stolen. Crimes against property are the most common with petty theft being the leader. To be quite honest that may have been over kill. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2018 was 38.93, a 5.01% decline from 2017. Being in isolated anchorages in Honduras or anywhere, brings the benefits of quiet, privacy, solitude, but also the dangers we have seen here. It is well-known for its incredible offshore reefs and is ideal for both new and advanced divers alike. Faith-Based Travelers:See our following webpages for details: LGBTI Travelers:There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Honduras. Part of the country of Honduras, Roatnwhich is 30 miles offshoreis world's away from the mainland. I think that they are probably safer there than in an isolated anchorage on the mainland coast of Honduras, Nicaragua, or many other areas. Despite the fact that thousands of tourists fly in and out of Roatan each year, Honduras does have crime. Honduran lempiras and US dollars can be used in Roatan. assist you in reporting a crime to the police, contact relatives or friends with your written consent, explain the local criminal justice process in general terms, provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution, help you find accommodation and arrange flights home. And that would be the same for me no matter which tropical locale I choose. Presuming we use common sense and take taxis is there anything here we should worry about? The truth is that criminals look for easy targets. Carry personal identification documents, including your drivers license, copies of passports, and vehicle registration cards while driving. Your Name I assume getting the services of an emigration lawyer would be advisable. What could be better? with this limited time offer. Everything that anyone could possibly think or say about crime, malaria & dengue has been discussed on this forum hundreds of times. Roatan is only a few miles from the United States, there are numerous charitable groups that would benefit from expat assistance, and the expat community is fantastic. And to connect with individuals who dabble in either of these two activities, one must go out and look for them. Because of the growing number of expats, Roatan is becoming increasingly popular. Copan, Roatan/Bay Islands, and other tourist destinations have lower crime rates than other parts of the country. Carlos Mejia, head of the Policeman in Roatn, he told LA PRENSA this afternoon that "we are working with two strong . Honduras was ranked 121st out of 187 countries in the UN Development Program 2011 Human Development Index. Required fields are marked *. Sandy Bay, West End, and West Bay are the safest parts of the island. to 3:00 p.m. U.S. Consular Agent - San Pedro Sula Thats 7 total. Now that weve established a frame of reference, heres the scoop on Roatan. Sure, we have a ton of resources for Costa Rica on our site, and a whole bunch , It's easy to find tons of articles and information out there highlighting all the great benefits of living in Costa Rica. The local government is well aware of the powerful economic impact these visitors have on the economy and maintains a strong, visible police presence on behalf of their guests. Enjoy the simple things in life as you spend your days lounging on the beach, scuba diving, hiking through the lush forests, or stretching out in a hammock with a good book. Travel to Honduras should be avoided if possible. A home in Roatan, Honduras, can be the perfect solution for expats in this predicament. Honduras is a dangerous country to visit. All rights reserved, The Queen Of England: A Look Back At 1992, The Best Looking Kings Of England: Edward VII Charles II And George, Impeachment: American Crime Story Everything You Need To Know. There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI nightclubs. Life in Roatan, Honduras, can be calm and relaxed, but it can also be lively and invigorating depending on how you choose to spend your days. His corpse was found yesterday wearing only shorts with a bag over his head. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. In Roatan, expats can not only expect to be welcomed by their fellow expats, but by the friendly locals as well. The following diseases are prevalent in Honduras: Please review theU.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) website for further information. By in large, foreigners are viewed as belonging to the wealthy class when they visit Honduras. This includes leaving handbags hanging on the back of chair backs or under a table. These are examples of how to commit a crime or steal from you. } Guidance appreciated! On the Island of Roatn taxi drivers quote prices that are per person instead of by mileage. I got all of the recommended vaccines before I spent 10 days in Roatanhowever I was doing some medical mission work and was in some areas pretty far off the beaten path. As a result, Roatan is among the cheapest places to live in the Caribbean and North America. Be careful when riding on scooters on the island. Clarion Suites Roatan at Pineapple Villas, Fantasy Island Beach Resort Dive And Marina All Inclusive. We have no plans to be walking on a secluded beach at night nor down any dark alleys. This island seems perfect, but the crime reports do concern us. As a general rule, visitors to Roatan should abide by the same safety rules they abide by at home. Drivers dont always use headlights at night. Described by Lonely Planet as pitch perfect, West Bay Beach is what you expect the Caribbean to be, a true tropical oasis. Furthermore, some crimes are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. State Departments Investment Climate Statement, U.S. Embassys information page on purchasing property in Honduras, Department of State's Human Rights report, State Departments Traveling with Disabilities website, information on insurance providers for overseas coverage, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is safer, faster, and much easier to take land or water taxi. 11th Floor, across the street from Central Park Numerous U.S. citizens have reported significant delays in resolving judicial cases and/or lack of cooperation from courts and the legal system. .signup-column { Crime can be easily avoided by taking basic safety precautions. Burglaries are the most common type of crime in Roatan. Tegucigalpa M.D.C. The average temperature in Roatan is a perfect 28C, with the lowest temperature being around 22C and the highest, 31 C. So pack away your heavy coats, for in Roatan, you will never need more than a light jacket to be comfortable. I get questions about moving to Roatan all the time. Find out why. There are only a few street food vendors and with the abundant seafood available, typical of an island, many restaurants and beach bars offer a varied menu. 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. How safe is living in Honduras? The two activities that are almost guaranteed to get you into trouble on Roatan are drugs and prostitution. There are many communities around Roatan which are void of crime. The island is now being recognized as a retirement destination worth visiting, with several lists of top retirement destinations published, including International Livings Annual Global Retirement Index. Transportation on Roatan can be a challenge as public transportation is a bit sketchy. email [emailprotected]. Hard drugs and prostitution are in general the two activities which lead to the most exposure to trouble. Add data for Roatan Consider looking into aggregate data we have for Crime in Honduras Crime 0 120 51.16 Crime rates in Roatan, Honduras Safety in Roatan, Honduras Contributors: 7 Last update: October 2022 Have a comment? The largest of the Bay Islands, Roatan can be found just off the northern coast of mainland Honduras, encompassed by the clear, warm waters of the Caribbean. Do you live in Roatan? Most of the traffic coming in and out of Roatan arrives through monitored access points like the airport and ferry terminals and Roatan also uses a primary road that makes police stops quite easy. This compounds the difficulties as Coxen Hole is in a different municipality from where the incident occurred and some 30 miles from the scene of the crime. Crimes against U.S. citizens are rarely solved or prosecuted. Even though Honduras is still a safe place to visit, visitors should exercise caution because crime is on the rise. Posted in Crime. Roatan is a Honduran island with a population of more than 115,000 people made up primarily of Afro-Caribbean islanders and mestizos. In Honduras, the types of danger include, but are not limited to, violent gang activity, trafficking, rape, street crime and armed robbery. The culture of Roatan is friendly and welcoming, the cost of living is low, the weather is beautiful, and there is a lot of food to eat. So let's try to break it down a bit with Roatan safety questions and answers. Here you can sunbathe, snorkel, dive, and stroll the mangrove forests in a much more solitary environment. In these slow times, the local people have no work, no source of income, and many are on the verge of starvation. Is Roatan Honduras safe? All Rights Reserved. The U.S. Embassy discourages car and bus travel after dark. The family had arrived in Roatan via a Carnival cruise ship. They do not have boats for patrols, and the less populated areas do suffer as a result. Plan your outings in advance and enjoy Roatan. Port Royal is an area that is sparsely populated, and isolated. Jim Walker graduated from law school in 1983 and has been handling maritime law cases for the past thirty-five years. Do you live in Roatan? The local police often depend on local merchants or other supporters for gas for their vehicles. We are a team of dedicated journalists and writers who strive to bring you the best news and stories from around the world. Required: Honduras currently requires travelers arriving from or traveling to Panama and every nation in South America to present proof of yellow fever vaccine. .signup-row:after { Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). 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. Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthlemy (French West Indies), North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea). border: 0.2rem solid #ffb500; As a result, the U.S. Embassy has restricted U.S. government personnel travel to Gracias a Dios. However, the ability of Honduran law enforcement authorities to prevent, respond to, and investigate criminal incidents, and to prosecute criminals is limited. Whether its the latest news on politics, business, entertainment, sports or health, weve got you covered. Honduras One of the major dilemmas that many retirees face when deciding on a location for a second, or even primary home, is how much distance they are willing to put between them and their families back in the U.S. On the one hand, relocating to an affordable tropical paradise may sound almost too good to be true, but on the other, not being able to run over to see the grandkids every day could be a deal breaker for some expats. .signup-column { Finally, crime rates are relatively high, so it is important to be vigilant about your safety. The businesses and resorts that depend on the tourism take steps to try and protect their customers. Severe Weather:Honduras is vulnerable to hurricanes, heavy rains, and flooding, especially between June and November. I starting to shop around for retirement destinations. Students:See ourStudents Abroadpage andFBI travel tips. Hi: . The tropical weather in and around Roatan is inclusive of sea breezes which keep the annual temperatures within a range of 70F to 80F. Since 2010, Honduras has had the highest murder rate in the world. Detalles por favor! Some enjoy renting motor scooters. I presume that those asking want to make a comparison to their perceived safety in the States. Also, the cruise ship passengers do tend to help the local economy by spending money. When at the beach, or in a public area, do not leave your bags unattended. Roatan is a popular port which is heavily marketed as a paradise getaway by Miami-based cruise lines like Carnival, NCL and Royal Caribbean. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was 42.01, a 7.91% increase from 2018. Simply enter your email address below to sign up for our free daily postcards and well also send you a FREE report on The Worlds Top 10 Retirement Havens, plus access to over 10 more free reports. 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. These insects are extremely small. Due to gang and cartels fighting for control of the lucrative drug trade in the region, gangs and cartels are battling for control. Medical Marijuana: Marijuana, even for medicinal use and with a prescription, is illegal in Honduras. What would be the total cost (ball park figure) of the time required to do it properly, and amount of money needed including legal fees and consulting for the whole process. The island offers one large public hospital, one fairly new private hospital and a number of small clinics.