August 8, 1998

Highlights of Honduras (cont.)
by Patrick Heyman

Roatan

Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands, extensions of the Belizean Cayes and barrier reef, which lie of the coast of Honduras. Roatan's main attraction is SCUBA diving and snorkeling. More Caribbean in flavor than South American, Bob Marley and reggae are heard more often than Merengue and Salsa. Roatan is broken up into little towns or communities, each different from the next. English is widely spoken, but tourism is slowly changing Roatan, bringing more Spanish speaking people to the Island.

The diving and snorkeling are everything promised. The coral is, for lack of a better expression, stunningly huge and teeming with life, everything from sea horses to moray eels. A dive group we met there rated Roatan as the third best diving in the world. The Marine Institute is hosts a museum split into two sections. One is dedicated to the culture and anthropology of the Bay Islands, with the other half dedicated to marine life. A dolphin show takes place in the afternoon, and for a $75 fee, you can swim and snorkel with the dolphins.

The place to stay in Roatan is, without a doubt, West End. This little town is full of character and only a short boat ride from West Bay, where the best diving and snorkeling is. Countless hotels and hostels offer everything from $5 a night to the all inclusive Anthony's Key resort. (Anthony's key does not have air conditioning, but is planning on adding it.) Dive outfits are ready to cater to your needs, including PADI certification. For a more isolated experience, you might consider staying in West Bay. If you have children, Fantasy Island is a good choice. Fantasy Island caters to families and is the only hotel with a playground and a pool. It also features cable TV and air conditioning, although for the price, you would expect better service. The food is less than the best on the island. Fantasy Island's diving facilities are more than adequate (a hyperbaric chamber is located onsite).  Diving excursions to West Bay are available although arrangments must be made in advance.  Singles looking for more nightlife should think about staying elsewhere.

Notes: Roatan is accessible by propeller flights (puddle-jumpers) from San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba. Flight times are 45 minutes and 20 minutes respectively. Just because your ticket says a certain airline for the connecting flight, does not mean you will necessarily fly that airline. There is also a ferry between Roatan and La Ceiba. This is a cargo ferry with no windows; the passage is rough and many of the passengers in the closed hold find themselves sick. Do not use the ferry. There is a rumor of a new comfortable catamaran which can ferry passengers back and forth between La Ceiba and Roatan.

Take me to Roatan	Take me to La Ceiba
Take me to Tela	Take me to San Pedro Sula
Take me to Copan	Picture Gallery
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