About 40 miles (65 kilometers) off the coast of Honduras, the Caribbean island of Roatan is home to one of the largest barrier reefs in the world—so you can trust that water adventures here reign supreme. Most travelers will get acquainted with Roatan on their cruise itinerary, with ships docking at Coxen Hole, the largest town and capital of Honduras’ Bay Islands. When it comes to things to do in Roatan, visitors tend to spend their days vacillating between thrilling outdoor adventures and taking it easy on island time, sipping cocktails against a Caribbean sunset.
Roatan’s dry season generally lasts from February to August. Within that window, the most popular months to visit are March–June; if you want to avoid peak crowds but still sneak in some great sunny weather, opt to schedule your visit from June–August. That being said, the island hovers around 80ºF (26.7ºC) year-round, so there’s no real “bad” time to visit Roatan.
Being a tourist hot spot, there are plenty of ways to get around Roatan. If you’re staying at a hotel, ask your concierge if the property has any transfer services. Otherwise, taxis abound—make sure to agree upon a fare first thing—as do minibusses. Water taxis are a convenient way to get to/from West End and West Bay; for roughly $3 per person, you can simply flag one down at the nearest dock.
More often than not, Roatan’s West End is more relaxed and less crowded than West Bay, though both have their share of tourists. If you truly want to get away from it all, nab accommodations on the East End, aka North Shore, on the east side of the island. It’s not nearly as walkable and amenity-rich, but if you stock up on groceries (like at Eldon’s in Coxen Hole) and snorkeling gear at a local dive shop, you’ll be all set.
