CaribTrekker
Registered
Does anyone have recommendations for topside attractions on Roatan? I've heard about the zip line and some shopping on the west end. Anything else that is a "must do / see" while I'm there? Going in April...Can't wait!!
Topside in Roatan
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steve70638
Guest
Two not really a topside recommendations:
1) There is a shark dive company that has a truly amazing shark dive
2) There is some guy with a deep water submarine that gives tours to 1500'+. It is supposedly amazing. I didn't go, but the people I met who did said it was unforgettable.
1) There is a shark dive company that has a truly amazing shark dive
2) There is some guy with a deep water submarine that gives tours to 1500'+. It is supposedly amazing. I didn't go, but the people I met who did said it was unforgettable.
Dave Zimmerly
Contributor
When we were at FIBR this last May, they had a small plane fly in several times during the week that would take you on a tour of the island at low altitudes.
Don't forget to take some high-power DEET with you for the no-see-um's.
Dave (aka "Squirt")
Don't forget to take some high-power DEET with you for the no-see-um's.
Dave (aka "Squirt")
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Adding to what others have posted....
How do you feel about beer or rum?
There really isn't much to do on Roatan otherthan dive... yet.
You can go over to AKR and pester Flipper. I suggest the snorkel vs. the dive- it's cheaper and you get more contact.
There is the Iguana Farm and the Botanical Gardens. N.B.D.
Depends on where you are going, but due to the bias towards dive-dive-dive, CoCoView imports one and sometimes two selected artists each day to display their artwork and wares.
There are (so far) transitory shops that pop-up and are occasionaly resupplied in Coxen Hole, worth 2 hours to walk around. Other than the West End where you will largely find Guatemalan Imports, there is a straw market at the cruise ship dock as well as one that may still be operational on cruise ship days at Dixon Cove (just E of the airport).
What's cool? Honduran crafts are limited but look for small wooden hand carved boxes, Black Coral (do your own ecology argument here as its fishing by-catch), various coffees including Indio Fuerte and Medaglia de Oro, excellent prices on real Vanilla extract, cinamon sticks, and of course: Flor de Cana Rum. Your driver kniows the place in Bario Fuerte where the Flor de Cana is sold at "locals" prices.
More info on Roatan activities, check in at http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/ccv
Real adventure? Head East towards Punta Gorda and Diamond Rock on the Northern coast, or along the South... push East to Oak Ridge where you can get into a Water Taxi.
A tame outing will take you along the Southern Intercoastal Mangroves, stopping at bars along the way, trading empty Salva Vida bottles for cool ones.
For those with a real wanderlust? Tell them you want to go up to the Northside through the "Helena Creek" path hacked in the mangroves that now divides Roatan from Helena. Then head further East to open sea making a landing on Barbaretta.
This is about as far as one can get into the "wilds of the Mar Caribe"... well- at least in one day, anyway!
See http://www.roatanonline.com/maps.htm for a nifty map.
Hire an English speaking driver. It's worthy the hassle and cost, but don't just say, "I dunno, just take me for a tour". You'll get the lowest common denominator tour. He will get a free lunch from wherever he takes you and probably a few dollars kickback from your entrance fees to any "attraction". Skip it. Tell him where and when you want to go.
Do not rent a vehicle. The roads suck, there are no trauma units. They drive like absolute lunatics and the vehicles you will encounter on the road are in the "road hazard" category. Your liability for injury is limited only be the amount of North American money in your bank account back home. Example: If someone attempts to jump into your Samurai uninvited and he falls in the attempt... you're buying! Hire a driver.
Roatan will someday become as hosed-up as many of the common Caribbean islands, right now- all there is to do is SCUBA dive.
Well, there is the Bojangles Chicken franchise restaurant. Probably more advisable than getting into a Honduran submarine, dunno.
How do you feel about beer or rum?
There really isn't much to do on Roatan otherthan dive... yet.
You can go over to AKR and pester Flipper. I suggest the snorkel vs. the dive- it's cheaper and you get more contact.
There is the Iguana Farm and the Botanical Gardens. N.B.D.
Depends on where you are going, but due to the bias towards dive-dive-dive, CoCoView imports one and sometimes two selected artists each day to display their artwork and wares.
There are (so far) transitory shops that pop-up and are occasionaly resupplied in Coxen Hole, worth 2 hours to walk around. Other than the West End where you will largely find Guatemalan Imports, there is a straw market at the cruise ship dock as well as one that may still be operational on cruise ship days at Dixon Cove (just E of the airport).
What's cool? Honduran crafts are limited but look for small wooden hand carved boxes, Black Coral (do your own ecology argument here as its fishing by-catch), various coffees including Indio Fuerte and Medaglia de Oro, excellent prices on real Vanilla extract, cinamon sticks, and of course: Flor de Cana Rum. Your driver kniows the place in Bario Fuerte where the Flor de Cana is sold at "locals" prices.
More info on Roatan activities, check in at http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/ccv
Real adventure? Head East towards Punta Gorda and Diamond Rock on the Northern coast, or along the South... push East to Oak Ridge where you can get into a Water Taxi.
A tame outing will take you along the Southern Intercoastal Mangroves, stopping at bars along the way, trading empty Salva Vida bottles for cool ones.
For those with a real wanderlust? Tell them you want to go up to the Northside through the "Helena Creek" path hacked in the mangroves that now divides Roatan from Helena. Then head further East to open sea making a landing on Barbaretta.
This is about as far as one can get into the "wilds of the Mar Caribe"... well- at least in one day, anyway!
See http://www.roatanonline.com/maps.htm for a nifty map.
Hire an English speaking driver. It's worthy the hassle and cost, but don't just say, "I dunno, just take me for a tour". You'll get the lowest common denominator tour. He will get a free lunch from wherever he takes you and probably a few dollars kickback from your entrance fees to any "attraction". Skip it. Tell him where and when you want to go.
Do not rent a vehicle. The roads suck, there are no trauma units. They drive like absolute lunatics and the vehicles you will encounter on the road are in the "road hazard" category. Your liability for injury is limited only be the amount of North American money in your bank account back home. Example: If someone attempts to jump into your Samurai uninvited and he falls in the attempt... you're buying! Hire a driver.
Roatan will someday become as hosed-up as many of the common Caribbean islands, right now- all there is to do is SCUBA dive.
Well, there is the Bojangles Chicken franchise restaurant. Probably more advisable than getting into a Honduran submarine, dunno.
Hank49
Contributor
RoatanMan:
Why Doc, I'm surprised at this advice....you must be getting old.
I rented a car there after I saw you and it wasn't any different than the Philippines.. A couple rules for driving in these places....Bigger has the right of way. If you rent, check the horn and brakes. These are the two most important functions of the car. Lane usage has no meaning....there may be some paint but no one knows what it means. You have to be a bit more aggressive. Defensive driving will get you about 2 miles a day.
If you scuba dive I do HIGHLY recommend the shark dive...they video the experience and over charge for it, but it's worth every penny as you relive the experience with your family and freinds. I had an absolute blast this past Feb!
beautybelow
Contributor
well Roatanman, that was eight or nine paragraphs on things to do other than diving. Not bad for a place where there is nothing to do but scuba dive.
beautybelow:
Instead of attacking a very well respected member of this boad who has been going to Roatan for many, many years, you might want to accentuate the positive instead. Roatan has very little top side activities WHEN compared to many other locations that people could choose. People go to Roatan for the diving.
Btw, I went to your website and your photos are very nice. The resort looks very nice as well.
A list of a few things that don't involve diving:
1. Gumbalimba Park near West Bay various attractions aimed mostly at kids, animals, caves, trails things like that. www.gumbalimbapark.com
2. Monkey Combat paintball, pre-book if you have a big enough group or join a walk on game on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. tel4454158 monkeycombatroatan@yahoo.com
3. The Iguana farm - if you visit tell them to let their turtles go they are NOT protecting the species by keeping mature turles out of the ecosystem!
4. Glass bottom boats in Half Moon Bay and West Bay, www.roatancoralreefexplorer.com
5. Yubu Garifuna experience in pollytilly - learn a bit about the natives who lived here before all the dive resorts and pirates arrived!
6. Kayaking - many operators.
7. Sportfishing - Earlybird charters are good.
8. The DEEPEST tourist submarine in the world taking you to 2000 feet! A must if you can afford it! Starts at $500 for two people.
9. Massages and Spas there are a few on the island. The free KOOL magazine is a good place to find details. Mayan Princess Spa, Sante, Baan Suerte and Paradise beach spa, Mariposa Lodge
10. Roatan Institue of Marine Science has a lttle museum which you can combine with the AKR dolphin experience.
11. Sailing trips with Nina on her luxurious Catamaran Tel: 3607082, or with Dusty in his Monohull 'First Light' or Calypso Lady Tel: 3365597
12. Turquoise bay has watersports www.turquoisebayresort.com
13. There are three different canopy tours on the island.
14. There is an excellent Bilingual driver named Enrique who has a nice Dodge Caravan seven seater, well maintained. He can be contated on (540) 9180766,
j8kike@yahoo.com
15. Rent a car and explore the island - It's not THAT dangerous, London is worse!
HTH
Will
1. Gumbalimba Park near West Bay various attractions aimed mostly at kids, animals, caves, trails things like that. www.gumbalimbapark.com
2. Monkey Combat paintball, pre-book if you have a big enough group or join a walk on game on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. tel4454158 monkeycombatroatan@yahoo.com
3. The Iguana farm - if you visit tell them to let their turtles go they are NOT protecting the species by keeping mature turles out of the ecosystem!
4. Glass bottom boats in Half Moon Bay and West Bay, www.roatancoralreefexplorer.com
5. Yubu Garifuna experience in pollytilly - learn a bit about the natives who lived here before all the dive resorts and pirates arrived!
6. Kayaking - many operators.
7. Sportfishing - Earlybird charters are good.
8. The DEEPEST tourist submarine in the world taking you to 2000 feet! A must if you can afford it! Starts at $500 for two people.
9. Massages and Spas there are a few on the island. The free KOOL magazine is a good place to find details. Mayan Princess Spa, Sante, Baan Suerte and Paradise beach spa, Mariposa Lodge
10. Roatan Institue of Marine Science has a lttle museum which you can combine with the AKR dolphin experience.
11. Sailing trips with Nina on her luxurious Catamaran Tel: 3607082, or with Dusty in his Monohull 'First Light' or Calypso Lady Tel: 3365597
12. Turquoise bay has watersports www.turquoisebayresort.com
13. There are three different canopy tours on the island.
14. There is an excellent Bilingual driver named Enrique who has a nice Dodge Caravan seven seater, well maintained. He can be contated on (540) 9180766,
j8kike@yahoo.com
15. Rent a car and explore the island - It's not THAT dangerous, London is worse!
HTH
Will
beautybelow
Contributor
renpirate:
I suppose I should have ended my comment with an "lol" or something. I was more entertained by the post than anything (as usual with Roatanman's posts) There always seems to be humor mixed in with the information. It was not meant as an attack. If it came off that way I apologise.
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