Roatan - Potential Concern

[ncchuck]

I don't really want to alarm anyone because I love Roatan. I lived there for several months and have visited many times. However, like many areas of the world, there are occasionally travel warnings issued by the US State Department. I have traveled to areas where warnings have been issued in the past and not had a problem. I'm sure this is just a caution but divers should be aware of potential problems especially if they leave their resort. Since I lived on the Island, I had my name listed with the American Embassy just for situations like this. I have received this warning twice in the last few weeks so I thought I would post it. I'm sure some people will strongly protest or disagree but let's make sure people know the good things about Roatan along with the potential problems.

[FONT=&quot]U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Avenida La Paz [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Tegucigalpa, Honduras[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]To:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] All American Citizens[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]From:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] American Citizens Services Unit, Consular Section[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Date:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] November 5, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Subject:[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Warden Message Disturbances in Roatan Continue [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa alerts American citizens residing in and traveling to the Bay Island of Roatan about ongoing protests throughout the island. The Embassy has reports of widespread demonstrations and road closures related to the rise in the price of electrical services provided by the islandÃÔ utility company, RECO. The demonstrations are also affecting RECOÃÔ ability to respond to power outages on the island.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The Embassy once again strongly recommends U.S. citizens to remain in their homes and not try to pass roadblocks, as there have been incidents of violence in the past. U.S. citizens should avoid travel in affected areas and should monitor the situation via media sources, including TV and radio, and avoid large gatherings. Additionally, we encourage residents of the island to make preparations for possible continuing power outages.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the DepartmentÃÔ Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, can be found.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Americans living or traveling in Honduras are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State DepartmentÃÔ travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Honduras. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The U.S. Embassy is located on Avenida La Paz in Tegucigalpa; telephone (504) 238 5114, after hours telephone (504) 236 8497; Consular Section fax (504) 238 4357; E-mail: usahonduras@state.gov Web page: http://honduras.usembassy.gov[/FONT]

 

[James Bond boat entry]

From the Utila East Wind newspaper website - Utila East Wind - Free Monthly Newspaper

ROATAN PROTESTS RESUME

NOVEMBER 5th 2008

Blockades have been set up in strategic locations around Roatan. The Airport, Seaports, ZOLITUR offices and RECO power plant are now inaccessible. We will deliver updates as they happen.

*************************************************************************

The locals are poor, so any increase in the cost of living hits them hard, hell, in Honduras the price of beans and rice is news worthy!!!

 

[Isaac-1]

The protests were going on while I was there 3 weeks ago, by the end of the week they had stopped and had seemed to have reached some agreement, I guess that fell apart. The locals (Boat captain, DM, US citizens living there, etc.) I talked to about the protest felt they were somewhat justified as it seemed there was little reason or scheme to the increase as it did not seem to reflect meter readings (people with 1 light bulb and a small refrigerator were paying as must as people with air conditioning). This was not just a cost of fuel adjustment, in the case of the dive boat captain his bill had increased by 300% in the last 3 months.

 

[Doc]

The biggest problem that will be felt by any tourist is that their Dive Boat Captains and Dive Masters might be late for work.

If you drive around the one and only road on the island, you may get hung up in one of these traffic jams. Very few people do drive cars on Roatan. There isn't much to see on your own (hire a driver) and the roads suck really badly, and there are absolutely no medical facilities if you crack up. Driving is ill advised.

Once you are parked in your resort, or once you have been deposited in West End- you are likely to know nothing of this- other than the crummy electrical service. Hey- it's paradise, deal with it.

Tourists are labled as "hands off" on Roatan. If they were blocking tourist busses from airports or bothering vacationers, that wouldn't last very long.

 

[ncchuck]

I was sure we'd hear from Roatan Man and I wasn't disappointed. I will however question some of his comments.

The roads on Roatan are not great but I've seen much worse. I'm sure I put at least 2000 miles on my employers truck when I lived in Roatan. There are several places where the roads have crumbled and you have to go slowly to avoid potholes. There are many miles of roads that are paved and not that bad. The main road is at least two lanes. The taxi drivers are a bit of a concern and they often stop in the middle of the road to pick up or drop off passengers so lots of caution is required. If I only had a week on the island I probably wouldn't venture out much but anyone with more time might really enjoy seeing something outside their resort compound. There are several restaurants off the beaten path that are fun to try. There are unbelievable views from some of the mountains. A couple of restaurants offer spectacular views, good food and reasonable prices. Some of the lessor known villages are fun places to visit. Most of the time things are very stable on Roatan and the villagers are very friendly. Some resorts like Paya Bay are built on spectacular points and have private beaches worth visiting. The village of Oak Ridge is one of the most picturesque places in the bay islands. Water taxis offer tours through the village and angroves that are really fun and unusual. It will definately be something you'll remember for a lifetime. There is even a dive resort on a small cay in the village. Jonesville is not far away and has a great little restaurant called Hole in the Wall that all expats and locals visit regularly.

Most villages have few if any services for tourists. West End has all the crap you'd expect at any tourist trap but it's still kinda fun to visit once too.

I don't entirely agree with the statement about tourist being hands off. That is certainly the intent of all the businesses that support tourism but it doesn't always work out too well. The local people are very friendly and I never had any problems with them and none of my guests ever reports any problems with locals and many rented cars on Friday for a tour of the island. However, the police are a different story. Like most of the residents, they are very poor and always looking for a way to make an extra buck. Tourist are not off limits to some of them. They occasionally hassle tourist in an attempt to get a few bucks.

I was actually stopped on a remote dirt road once. I was travelling between a resort and a small expat development where I was staying for a short time. Six armed police and military officers pulled me over. They ordered me out of my truck and they starting going through all of my clothes, bags, computer and camera. They asked for my papers. All I had was my US drivers license and truck registration. They demanded my passport. It was about 1/4 mile away at my house. They would not let me go get it nor would they follow me there. They took my license from my wallet and said I'd have to pick it up the next morning at the police station. I protested and they just laughed. Only one spoke broken English and the others all joked in Spanish. I was probably there for at least 20 minutes with this stand off. I suddently remembered that I had a local cell phone and I grabbed it and told them I was calling the American Embassy. Suddenly my passport was no longer and issue. They returned my license and I was on my way.

I believe Roatan is safe and I highly recommend it as a dive destination. Just use common sense and check with the state department before visiting Roatan or any other developing country with political or economic issues.

 

[Doc]

Being a resident alien driving a truck (such as NCChuck writes above) is one thing, a tourist in a rental car is a different deal. A local is a target.

Knowing (As NCChuck does) where the ruts, potholes, invisible speed bumps and turns are on non-reflector marked rain soaked roads, that's one thing. Being unfamiliar with those roads like any tourist- that's quite another.

In terms of seeing roads elsewhere that were worse? Not on any Caribbean SCUBA destination island that I know of. Roatan wins the prize.

I don't really want to alarm anyone because I love Roatan.

(You're doing a fair job.) I think it's bad enough when I say that the roads suck and there are absolutely no Trauma Centers, Medical Facilities or Rescue Squads by any standard that an American might expect. Plain undeniable truth.

I am not sure what NCChuck took issue with in regards to what I said, but among many who I know that vacation on Roatan regularly, none of us drive rental cars. We always hire a driver for the day. It is a bargain, it's safer, and you have no cares.

The undeniable truth is that once you are in the West End including the North Side Resorts such as BIBR, AKR, IoLR; or once you have arrived at FIBR or CCV, Oak Ridge or Paya Bay, you have no concern about any "roadblock". If you look at a map or know where they are doing this, it has little or no impact or visibility to tourists. That is simply not their target for this occasional and sporadic civil disobedience.

Renting a car will cost about the same as hiring a driver, plus- if you're a rider, you can drink Salva Vida beers at every stop.

I was sure we'd hear from Roatan Man and I wasn't disappointed. I will however question some of his comments.

Apparently your perceptions on this and other things have altered with time. You lived for some time on Roatan and had an excruciatingly blog documented miserable experience trying to become a dive instructor as a second career. I understand how difficult it was for you, but for the weekly vacationer, they are unlikely to have your experiences. NCChuck's Roatan Blog where you noted...

"One of the things I dislike most is the trip to town for gas. It's about 45 minutes and most of it is on bad roads. The dirt road has really gone down hill with all the rain lately. There is one place where a drain pipe goes under the road and a couple of guys tried to repair it the other day. They didn't fill it in properly and now there is a huge ditch about 10 inches deep and wide in the road. One of my workers got stuck there yesterday and we had to tow him out with our truck and rope. It really tricky to negotiate. You can't go too fast but it you stop, you are done.

Another daily hazard is cows and horses. Cows constantly break out of pens and roam the streets....Horses don't seem to cause as much problem but they are in the road a lot. You just drive real slow until they move. My horn doesn't work so I don't have any way to warn them."

I remember when NCChuck posted on SCUBABoard in a contrary response to my comment about a particular resort being marginal. When I read his experience in his blog about working there, seems he agreed with what I posted, in reality. Perceptions obviously change with time and distance.

In short: It is a different experience for the locals. Don't fret about the power company protests, hire a driver to see the island, go diving in Roatan.

* edit to add: Tourists routing through the city of La Ceiba (LCE) on the Honduran mainland were delayed by these protests occurring in La Ceiba on 11/06.

 

[Isaac-1]

One comment regarding the roads and driving, while there on our recent trip we spent little time on the road, to and from the airport and a friday afternoon island tour. In that limited time I saw 3 car accidents, a taxi mini-van roll over in the ditch (all glass broken out and about 4-5 tourist looking glad to be unhurt), a 2-3 car pileup, perhaps head on it was being cleaned up as we passed, and a one vehicle in the ditch dodging a head on.

 

[Over My Head]

I recommend anyone considering visiting Roatan go to boards.cruisecritic.com and find thread 860099. Unfortunately, I don't have enough postings on scubaboard to give the URL (I used to, but they got wiped out by a computer crash :ermm. Perhaps somebody else can post it. Anyway, there seems to be some dispute as to whether there is actual bloodshed on Roatan, but in any case it sounds very serious. I just canceled my plans to do DM training there in December.

I've been to Roatan many times and am very fond of everyone I've met there (especially the staff of Coconut Tree). I really pray that things will return to normal there.

 

[UTLgirl]

The folks at Utila East Wind post updates at - Utila East Wind - Free Monthly Newspaper

 

[UTLgirl]

This was this afternoon's post:

ROATAN PROTESTS END

NOVEMBER 7 2008 All blockades are being removed on Roatan and business is returning to normal. A deal was made to end the protests and details will be posted as available.

NOVEMBER 6th 2008 Power protests and blockades continue. As of last night the power has been shut off in Roatan until a resolution to the conflict is found.

NOVEMBER 5th 2008 Blockades have been set up in strategic locations around Roatan. The Airport, Seaports, ZOLITUR offices and RECO power plant are now inaccessible. We will deliver updates as they happen.