get10wet,
It sounds like you've got a great plan in place! Congratulations on picking a place and finalizing your plans. Just a couple more pointers to remind you of:
1. Cash is king in Roatan. Do not expect to get by on plastic as well as you can elsewhere in the Caribbean. There is a 16% tax levied on credit card purchases that usually does not apply to cash.
2. Taxi's to/from the airport run $15.
3. Departure tax is $32.32, if my memory serves. You will need this in cash.
4. If you run low on cash, the most compatible ATM in West End is in the Dolphin Hotel about 3 doors down from Coconut Tree. There is an ATM immediately next door to the dive shop in front of the small grocery store, but it works on less cards.
5. Some restaurants include the tip in the bill. Check your bill and be sure you leave a tip appropriate for the level of service rendered. Very few people are getting rich working in Roatan, so tip whenever possible if you enjoyed the service or product.
6. Internet access has been limited since Tropico was shut down by Hondutel. Do not be surprised if some businesses that advertise having internet access do not actually have it anymore. This happened in January and may be fixed by April, but let me just say the businesses were not necessarily dishonest if such advertisement was made, they just may not have updated their marketing material in response to a sudden cutoff of their ISP.
7. Talk with a medical professional about risks associated with the Bay Islands. If you choose to take antimalarial pills, remember to start before your trip and be sure you are taking the correct dosage.
8. Since you are diving with Coconut Tree let me suggest their after-dive 'happy hour'. Many of my fondest memories of Roatan are from sitting on their deck after the last dive of the day kicking back a Port Royal and listening to some of the stories from the dive masters and instructors.
9. PJ, Gay, Tree, Will, Loren, Liz, Marco, and Mark are among the nicest people you will ever meet while traveling. They'll take care of you and ensure you have a safe and enjoyable time while diving. Do not take their laid back Caribbean attitudes as a sign of slacking off - they work their butts off, but all seem to love what they do. If you decide to take Rescue while you are there... be afraid.... Mark taught the Rescue class on our last trip and the two guys we were with looked like something dredged up off the bottom after five days. They also had the biggest grins you can imagine from learning how to do it right.
10. Have a great time and don't stress any of the little things! Roatan is a special place, but it is Central America. If something doesn't go as planned, be it a room that isn't ready or a taxi that decides you should pay $5 more, don't let it detract from your enjoyment.
Lastly, have a beer for me at Sundowners! We'll be there two weeks later!
It sounds like you've got a great plan in place! Congratulations on picking a place and finalizing your plans. Just a couple more pointers to remind you of:
1. Cash is king in Roatan. Do not expect to get by on plastic as well as you can elsewhere in the Caribbean. There is a 16% tax levied on credit card purchases that usually does not apply to cash.
2. Taxi's to/from the airport run $15.
3. Departure tax is $32.32, if my memory serves. You will need this in cash.
4. If you run low on cash, the most compatible ATM in West End is in the Dolphin Hotel about 3 doors down from Coconut Tree. There is an ATM immediately next door to the dive shop in front of the small grocery store, but it works on less cards.
5. Some restaurants include the tip in the bill. Check your bill and be sure you leave a tip appropriate for the level of service rendered. Very few people are getting rich working in Roatan, so tip whenever possible if you enjoyed the service or product.
6. Internet access has been limited since Tropico was shut down by Hondutel. Do not be surprised if some businesses that advertise having internet access do not actually have it anymore. This happened in January and may be fixed by April, but let me just say the businesses were not necessarily dishonest if such advertisement was made, they just may not have updated their marketing material in response to a sudden cutoff of their ISP.
7. Talk with a medical professional about risks associated with the Bay Islands. If you choose to take antimalarial pills, remember to start before your trip and be sure you are taking the correct dosage.
8. Since you are diving with Coconut Tree let me suggest their after-dive 'happy hour'. Many of my fondest memories of Roatan are from sitting on their deck after the last dive of the day kicking back a Port Royal and listening to some of the stories from the dive masters and instructors.
9. PJ, Gay, Tree, Will, Loren, Liz, Marco, and Mark are among the nicest people you will ever meet while traveling. They'll take care of you and ensure you have a safe and enjoyable time while diving. Do not take their laid back Caribbean attitudes as a sign of slacking off - they work their butts off, but all seem to love what they do. If you decide to take Rescue while you are there... be afraid.... Mark taught the Rescue class on our last trip and the two guys we were with looked like something dredged up off the bottom after five days. They also had the biggest grins you can imagine from learning how to do it right.
10. Have a great time and don't stress any of the little things! Roatan is a special place, but it is Central America. If something doesn't go as planned, be it a room that isn't ready or a taxi that decides you should pay $5 more, don't let it detract from your enjoyment.
Lastly, have a beer for me at Sundowners! We'll be there two weeks later!
