How safe is Roatan right now for a solo female traveler?

[oreocookie]

I'm looking to do a DM internship this summer or fall and Coconut Tree in Roatan is one of my front-runners. My issue is about how safe it is there, especially as a solo female traveler. I've heard that mainland Honduras isn't very safe right now, but I've also heard that Roatan is quite different from the mainland. I passed through on my way to Utila this past summer, but I was not alone, nor did I spend enough time on the island to get a feel for it (5 hours tops, most of which was in the airport or a taxi). I don't want to go somewhere and realize during the first week that I don't feel safe and know that I'm going to be there for another 2 months.
Thanks for any insight.

 

[Doc]

Yes, you're right- Honduras is what it is- the Bay Islands are way different.

So far there have been no remarkable negative incidents with casual visitors. This may change, as the years go on. Most negative interactions are spawned by relationships. These interactions can occur with an increase in the regularity and intesity of social situations that you decide to place yourself into.

One end of the scale: a cruise ship visitor. The other end of the scale: taking up residency, a job, being a regular at the bar, and looking for love. As a DM Intern, you will fall somewhere between those two points.

To be totally safe, do your DM work, stay near Coconut Tree, avoid the bar scene, don't hook-up with anyone, just stick to being the best DM Intern you can.

Boring? Sure- but that is my best advice for any locale... even your own hometown back in Montreal.

Every step you take outside of your own circle and space is a big leap. Don't put a whole lot of stock into the perception of safety "if you're not alone". That only works if your buddy is a slower runner than you are.

 

[Carl_F]

My wife and I were on West Bay Beach for a couple weeks in late February and she felt very safe during the day on the beach, at the resort (not gated) and going up to the little West Bay strip mall by herself when I was out diving. That being said, at night she was advised to stick around where there was light and security (the resorts have roving security and some security at select points.) But the safety perception and the advised precautions were really no different than the non-slum urban areas of any larger city I've lived in (Charleston, SC and Portland, OR.)

 

[oreocookie]

So what I'm getting here is to be prudent when walking from point A to point B (eg, dorms to dive shop) and to mingle with the people I'm seeing on a daily basis (dive shop staff, other interns, shop customers when appropriate, etc) as opposed to mingling with the locals. Seems more or less like advice that applies almost anywhere. That makes me more comfortable with the idea of choosing to go to Roatan vs some other options I've considered that seem to be safer on first glance but where the training options don't seem to be on quite the same level. Nothing decided yet, but it does adjust how I'm comparing options.

 

[diversteve]

I would ask Gay - she owns CTD with PJ. And is a very straightforward, levelheaded person with small children. Despite what you've read about her on the website...lol.

She sometimes posts here but not since Dec. http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/members/cocoloca.html

Call her - each time I have it's been a surprisingly good connection. Tree is another person I'd trust completely. Or Will.

Personally I never felt unsafe walking around the West End - even late at night. However I'm 6'4". And it was 3 years ago.

 

[RTBDiver]

. My issue is about how safe it is there, especially as a solo female traveler.

Roatan is probably just as safe now as it has been for the last couple of years

.

. I've heard that mainland Honduras isn't very safe right now, .

Many are killed daily, of course once again, this has been the norm for many years

. but I've also heard that Roatan is quite different from the mainland..

Yep, Quite different as is Utila that is also part of Honduras


You have been given some great advice already, Its up to you to decide if it's right for you. I cannot enforce enough what has already been mentioned, Become the best divemaster you can be and do not get involved in relationship stuff as so many issues involving foreigners all fall back to that

 

[sololady]

Impossible! You will no longer be alone 30 seconds after you arrive on their deck and introduce yourself. I'm a 58 year-old female solo diver who has a few hundred dives off Roatan and Utila. In 7 years, through many challenges for Honduras, I have never felt myself in any danger on Roatan outside of the time I rented a scooter for a day (my legs are too darn short to ride the things safely by myself). I always travel alone and I call Coconut Tree Divers my LDS. My gear doesn't even make the trip back to the states anymore. Besides Gay, ask Rags (Ragnhldur) or Sigita how they feel about being women "alone" on the island. No where in the world will you get better training than what you will get from the Coconut Tree Divers Team. CTD rocks! I'll be seeing ya in about June.

 

[RTBDiver]

Impossible! .

Uhhhm, What is impossible?

 

[MoreSunLessRain]

SoloLady is 100% right. Coconut Tree is like one big family. You won't be alone at all unless you want to be. Lot's of events that they all get together for, so you definitely won't be bored. Plus the training you'll receive is easily one of the best DM programs I've ever seen. Have fun!

 

[RTBDiver]

SoloLady is 100% right. !

I guess I am just missing something here, What is she 100% right about when she say's Impossible!" What does this refer to?