New to ScubaBoard Roatan money ?s

[CajunDiva]

Trust me...I'm still jealous of you! We just got back from Roatan 2 1/2 weeks ago and we're already SERIOUSLY missing the place. You are in for a major treat

 

[Thunder66]

I am currently on Roatan and ATM machines are available, there are a couple in the airport and one in a grocery store called Plazamar. For cc machines you mine as well leave them at home because most places don't take them other than the larger resorts. Another thing to remember is that the power is not always on and it never fails that the power goes off on the hottest night of the week.

 

[Thunder66]

Also if you get injured while you are here don't go to the public hospital you need to go to either Clinica Esparanza better known as Ms. Peggys Clinic which most resorts either give donations to the clinic or have brought people there before or Anthoneys Key Resort to there clinic. Clinica Esparanza is an american clinic that is very american friendly and has most american doctors. But other than that Roatan is an exclient place for diving and vacationing with one of the most beautiful reef systems on earth surrounding it.

 

[ncchuck]

Thunder66 made a point about the electricity. Going off at night is one thing but when it goes out for hours during the day and you don't have any money in your pocket you can be in big trouble. Those ATM's are sometimes out of money, out of order and they certainly don't work if there is no electric. If you are not staying at an all inclusive, you'll need money for things like food and beer and whatever all the time. Make sure you keep a small supply of dollars or Limps.
The adivce on clinics is dead on too. There is one on the far north east side of the island too. The hospital is a very scary place.

 

[RTBDiver]

The clinics can help out with a lot of things but let us not forget about the private Woods clinic/hospital in Coxen Hole which is much more up to date than the public hospital and I believe the only well equipped lab. The public hospital building leaves a lot to be desired but the doctors there are good, some of them also assist at Clicica Esperanza/Miss Peggy's.
the biggest thing I see lacking on the medical side is lack of any real trauma care and while people can be hurt doing just about anything, it is this lack of care that has me recommending against inexperienced tourists renting scooters, I have tens of thousands of motorcyle miles under my belt and have no desire whatsoever to ride two wheels on Roatan roads.

 

[DandyDon]

I never do research clinics in advance of visiting a location, but interesting posts there. I do ask about chambers, but prevention is always best in both areas. DAN membership (not the actual dive insurance) includes Travel's Assist for members who need to arrange transport thru them but initial care can be so very important. Yet, if a surprise need comes up, it's generally then that we survey our choices.

 

[Thunder66]

The only chamber on the island is at Akr. The only two clinics on the island that I would go to is woods or Miss Peggy's but generally I would go to Miss Peggy's because it is in sandy bay and would be much faster to get to if you are in the west end area or flowers because don't have to fight all the traffic in coxen hole. Also at Miss Peggy's clinic there is a ER doctor from Arizona that would be good for the trauma part and the normal staff there is very well trained but the equipment is not there nor the infrastructure. If I cut off a finger while working or had a heart attack I would go to Miss Peggy's clinic but if it was a major trauma incident I would probably still go there since the government hospital is not very clean. While you guys are on the island come by Miss Peggy's clinic and get a tour to see what is like to visit a clinic in a third world country and maybe make a donation to better help the already fantastic clinic that has already been established.

 

[DandyDon]

While you guys are on the island come by Miss Peggy's clinic and get a tour to see what is like to visit a clinic in a third world country and maybe make a donation to better help the already fantastic clinic that has already been established.

Are you associated with the clinic, or am I reading too much into your wording?

I visited the chamber clinic on Utila once.

 

[RTBDiver]

Thunder,
Not sure how experienced you are with Roatan but from Flowers Bay it is much faster to Coxen Hole than Sandy Bay. My needs would certainly depend on what was needed. I have been at the public Hospital, Woods clinic/hospital as well as Miss Peggy's and It seems strange you would give such false information while supposedly trying to help. Do you know where Flowers bay is?
Many locals of Flowers Bay will try to visit Clinica Esperanza because it is cheaper than woods but do not suggest it is faster and while there are ER Doctors at different places throughout the year, without the facilities or equipment that is not all that relevant. Serious issues will need to head back home or to the mainland.

 

[Thunder66]

I know the island quite well and I based what I said about the times by experience in the last week by going to serannos in coxen hole which is right near the public hospital.