CCV -- Off-Resort Activities

[t-mac]

We are preparing for our first trip to CCV. Did the immigration precheck and getting packed. I've looked at some of the trip reports and I think we're really going to enjoy this. As I've never been to Roatan, I do wish to get off the resort a couple of times and I was looking for some guidance there. We are doing the typical Sat-Sat stay and so at least Friday afternoon is available for an excursion. I did see the resort offers a half-day island tour, which I suppose would be a really simple way to do it. Another might be a car rental and we just do our own thing (I do typically enjoy this). Any suggestions in that regard? Also, while I'm sure I will be happy with the food, going somewhere else for a couple of dinners might also be nice. Thoughts on where to go and best way to get there? I do not get the impression that we will be able to walk to anything off the resort.

Thanks!

 

[Bratface]

Walking is not a option. There are places to eat on the West End and you should go there anyway. Also some nice restaurants in French Town. Renting a car to tour the island is worthwhile but you won't need one for the whole week. There are activities you can do through CCV, visiting the Iguana farm and the botanical garden. Ask the DM where to go. They will be happy to tell you and you may even be able to hire someone to drive you instead of renting a car. Just ask.

 

[t-mac]

Thanks. That's what I figured. Will definitely get the local thoughts once I arrive.

 

[The Chairman]

I felt no need to wander when we stayed at Anthony's Key Resort. I enjoyed every minute and was sorry to leave.

 

[diversteve]

Mention it to your fellow CCV'ers during the week and if you can get a group of 7-8 or so together, ask CCV to get you a shared van instead to go to the West End. That should cost you a fixed $10pp each way - a cab would likely be closer to $40 or so. It was suggested by several people here and elsewhere to not rent a car due to liability issues if you hit something. A local told us one night that all the stray flea-bitten dogs become someone's cheri$hed family pet the second you hit one.

I don't agree with these rankings - for ex. Ooloonthoo is arguably the best restaurant on Roatan - wins all sorts of foodie awards/reviews but they've got it 50th? It's about the only place I know where reservations are required, small place, I believe only 2 seatings and there might be a casual dress code.

The 10 Best Roatan Restaurants 2016 - TripAdvisor

Our shop owners wife - a self-proclaimed foodie - said it's among the best on Roatan. A couple other options we liked were Tong's Thai (partly because it's waterfront) or Argentinean Grille for steaks, good food, service, decent prices. This is most likely written by her: Coconut Tree Divers - Dining

Do notice how many are in the West End though - or West Bay two miles farther west. On Friday night the party is in the West End also. We did the bar crawl since a couple of our DM's graduated that week - lots of drinking and some live music.

 

[robint]

Definitely stop at the Iguana reserve. It is a blast to see hundreds of iguanas, all sizes, wandering around, and you can feed them.
Zipline or West End hangout/shopping are both good, too.

 

[Doc]

We've been to CCV a lot and gotten to know Roatan pretty well- we owned property there!

CCV is a catered experience. There will be sign-up sheets for various off premises adventures including a mid-week dinner, shark rodeo, dolphin deal (at AKR) and Friday afternoon van offerings. No need to form up a group on your own.

The CCV Photo Pro, Tim Blanton offers his own trip that heads to the seldom travelled East end to visit ancient Pirate territory. Roatan Bay Islands, Eco Tour | CoCo View Resort There are other ways to go East, and this is what I would recommend as it doesn't present the usual touristy silliness that is quickly evolving on Roatan, notably in the West End zone which is tourist central, Jimmy Buffet on the cheap.

One of my favorite off-prem trips is to send my fellow travelers down East to Oak Ridge and get them on a water taxi tour through the mangroves. There is an 'intercoastal' waterway that connects the villages and not surprisingly, a string of places to buy beers along the way.

If you want to do a bit of shopping, the only thing other than wood crafts (simple boxes to ornate chairs) that is really Honduran in origin can be found at the grocery just 5 minutes West by car in French Harbour. There you can get Vanilla, and some other local packed spices. The local favorite Rum is Flor de Cana, a Nicaraguan product adopted by the Bay Islands.

Here are some images that include those vendors-> CoCoView Explained In Pictures by doc adelman

At CCV, each day, you will see various artists arriving and setting up temporary shop to tempt you with really first rate selected craftwork presentations. After many years of Roatan visits, there's nothing cooler that I brought home than what was shown to us daily by the one or two vendors allowed on the small islet that is CCV.

CCV has a stable of van/cab drivers who are English speaking and will take you on whatever character of trip you decide after conversations with the various resort staff. DO NOT drive any rental vehicle.

I stand with NetDoc as above. (altho if he couldn't be tempted to leave AKR after a week, he might never want to leave CCV) Maybe I'm jaded by Caribbean trips since 1972, maybe it's because this will be Week 72 upcoming that we will dive with CCV, but I'm just not bothering to leave CCV if I can be there and be diving. No local restaurant beats missing the worst night dive. As for Friday? (You can do a very shallow dive or two on Friday morning) As for Friday afternoon... pick from the land tours as presented by CCV, or just sleep in the Sun- something which most people do on their second and subsequent visits. Not a lot of motivation to leave.

 

[Colo Hippie]

Track- while Doc has a lot of good points and I agree with his assessment for the most part.

I will add my .02 and since it is your first time to the island I would say definitely do the mangrove tour in OakRidge and if you do it on Sunday eat at Pukie's. Also, push your time on your SI day and go do West End, yes it is becoming the cheap Jimmy Buffet experience as Doc indicates but it is not there yet and still does give you a taste of what the real Roatan is.

You will love the diving. However, Roatan is not your typical carabean destination.

There is no reason or need to rent a car for a day. Just use the taxi's. Get one and he will take you everywhere you want to go and wait for you. There are some great restaurants on the island and I recommend eating out once or twice, it will add to your experience. We personally love Gios but there are so many others.

Enjoy your trip and post up your experience when you get back.

 

[ljwillia]

We are preparing for our first trip to CCV. Did the immigration precheck and getting packed. I've looked at some of the trip reports and I think we're really going to enjoy this. As I've never been to Roatan, I do wish to get off the resort a couple of times and I was looking for some guidance there. We are doing the typical Sat-Sat stay and so at least Friday afternoon is available for an excursion. I did see the resort offers a half-day island tour, which I suppose would be a really simple way to do it. Another might be a car rental and we just do our own thing (I do typically enjoy this). Any suggestions in that regard? Also, while I'm sure I will be happy with the food, going somewhere else for a couple of dinners might also be nice. Thoughts on where to go and best way to get there? I do not get the impression that we will be able to walk to anything off the resort.

Thanks!

We were there for the first time last May. We did the east side tour with Tim and thoroughly enjoyed it! He was a great guide and a lot of fun. Saw a part of the island and a way of life we would have never seen otherwise. Highly recommend it!

I was happy to stay on the resort all week and just dive. My husband was feeling a bit claustrophobic. He enjoyed the diving but wanted to do more top side. After a full day and an early morning I was content to hang out at the bar or on our porch and chill.

We're headed to Laguna Beach on Utila in April. With Utila town close by we may be able to strike a better compromise

Enjoy CCV. It's a great place!

 

[tridacna]

What does the immigracion pre-registration do you for you? Is there a different entry procedure? Makes things any faster?