Roatan, Honduras: where it is, when to go and what to see

When the days slowly start to get longer and the appearance of sunshine and blue skies become more and more frequent, it is impossible not to daydream about suddenly finding oneself catapulted onto a small tropical island, lulled by the sound of the waves and without worries of any kind. Roatan, not far from the coast of Honduras, is exactly one of those tropical paradises you can fantasize about for hours on end: the sea with its almost surreal colours and shades, the soft sand under your feet, the fairytale sunsets and that feeling of frivolity and freedom that only islands facing the Caribbean Sea can give you.
If you've got the urge to drop everything and set off to discover your dream island, here's where it is, when to go and what to see in Roatan.

Travel information: useful info

• Inhabitants: 44,660

• Capital: Tegucigalpa is the capital of Honduras, of which the Bahia Islands (including Roatan) constitute a secondary district.

• Languages: Spanish

• Local currency: Lempira (€1.00=27.94 HNL)

• Climate: tends to be tropical and experiences two alternating seasons, the dry season from November to May and the wet (or rainy) season for the remainder of the year. Temperatures average 27° C per year.

• Vaccinations: no vaccinations required

• Entry requirements: Passport

• Distance from Italy: 9,600 km (12-13 hours flight, more counting possible stopovers)

Location

The island of Roatan is washed by the Caribbean Sea and is part of the department of Islas de la Bahia, of which it is the largest island. The other two major islands of the Islas de la Bahia proper are Guanaja and Utila. Apart from these, however, the department of northern Honduras also consists of the Cayos Cochinos (two islands and fourteen coral islets to the south-west of the nearby Honduran coast) and the Swan Islands located to the north-east. The entire department comprises four municipalities: Guanaja, Roatan, Utila and José Santos Guardiola.

How to get there

• From Milan orRome: from Italy, and in particular from the main airports of Milan or Rome, there are several direct connections to the American continent where one can make a short/long stopover and then depart for the small island of Roatan. One very popular solution, for example, is to take a direct Italy-Miami flight (which takes about 11 hours), and then a second Miami-Roatan flight (lasting less than two hours). Among the companies offering this solution, American Airlines is always a favourite among tourists. Flights from Rome to Roatan from €615.00 - Flights from Milan to Roatan from €600.00

• Frommajor European capitals: a similar argument applies when departing from some of Europe's major cities. In some cases, in order to save money, there are those who prefer to make an additional stopover in New York, then make another in Miami and finally leave from there for Roatan. In this case, however, the duration of the flight can lengthen enormously due to the length of the planned stopovers.

When to go? Info on climate and best time

• Climate: it is tropical, hot and humid practically all year round, with two main seasons alternating, the cooler season between November and February and the hotter and more humid season between May and October. In the hottest season, rainfall in the form of tropical storms can occur with high frequency (in the worst cases, we speak of real hurricanes that strike the Caribbean islets with force, but also the coastal areas of Honduras and neighbouring states). Temperatures, however, are fairly constant throughout the year, varying from an average of 25° C in the winter months to an average of 28° C in the summer months. The sea temperature is also always very pleasant, the water temperature in the coldest months never falling below 27° C

• Best period: March to May, when temperatures are pleasant and rainfall very low.

• Period to avoid: August to October, when the much-feared tropical hurricanes can occur. One of the last very destructive ones occurred in 2005.

• Tips: bring light clothing for days at the beach and/or days when the weather is fine (swimming costumes, flip-flops, shorts, T-shirts, light clothes, etc.), but also some heavier clothing for evenings or windy days (denim shirt, scarf, jumper, long trousers, etc.). Don't forget a windbreaker, sunscreen, comfortable boots for a few hikes in nature, insect repellent and everything you need for the beach. Rubber shoes will come in very handy as there are coral reefs close to the shore.

10 things to see: beaches and places of interest

1. Little French Key: this is a small island just a few minutes by boat from Roatan, much sought after for its crystal-clear sea and the perfect isolation you can enjoy on the beach. The cost to get there is about $10.00 per person (about €0.40)

2. West Bay Beach: this is perhaps the most beautiful beach on the entire island. The transparent water is populated by tropical fish (which makes it a perfect destination for snorkelling), and the more than one km long beach is surrounded by lush vegetation.

3. Maya Key: another popular beach in Roatan. Besides the natural beauty of the place, this beach is highly recommended because you can have close encounters with sea lions.

4. Sandy Bay: if one of your dreams since you were a child has always been to swim with dolphins, you should head to this bay without hesitation.

5. Half Moon Bay: less famous and less frequented than West Bay Beach, this beach is actually very similar to it in terms of the colour of the sea, the presence of palm trees and the incredibly beautiful coral reef.

6. Gumbalimba Park: for a break from the beach days, a good alternative could be to spend a few hours in this park inspired by jungle life. You have the opportunity to admire parrots, monkeys and other local flora and fauna up close.

7. Tabyana Beach: this beach has everything you could wish for, dreamy sea, fine white sand, coconut trees to shield you from the sun, little restaurants with a view, ... Have we convinced you?

8. Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum: this is a beautiful garden of tropical plants and flowers, where you can take refuge in the coolness. Don't forget your camera at the hotel because some specimens really deserve to be immortalised.

9. Carambola Botanical Garden: another very beautiful garden to visit, whose path leads to the top of a hill from which you can enjoy a spectacular view of the panorama below.

10. Arch's Iguana & Marine Park: if you love nature parks and animals in general, you must visit this park where you will find iguanas free to roam in total freedom. If you are afraid of reptiles, however, think twice before finding an iguana two centimetres from your feet.

What to do in Roatan: excursions and tours

How much does a holiday in Roatan cost? Prices, offers and advice

Let's face it, a holiday in Roatan is not exactly one that can be described as low budget. However, compared to other islands located in the Caribbean Sea, there are also solutions in Roatan that can allow you to save considerably. For example, as far as accommodation is concerned, you could opt to stay in a guest house or a flat rather than in a medium-high priced village/resort (although here you would have to consider the all-inclusive formula, which is very popular even among occasional travellers). As far as the cost of living on the island is concerned, it is possible to spend very little by opting for dinners in local restaurants or for quick meals at street food stalls (very common). The main cost of the holiday will therefore be the airline tickets: for this reason, we advise you to look for them well in advance, not waiting for last-minute offers that are usually very cheap.

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €25.00 per room - see offers

• Low cost flights: from €700.00 - look at the offers

• Flight + hotel: 10 days / 9 nights from €1,650.00 per person - look at the offers