They loved swinging off the boat and doing flips off the stairs. Wouldn’t let go of him. Expat Exchange: Expats in Costa Rica: Pros and Cons of Living in Costa Rica Expats in Costa Rica offer some advice on the pros and cons of living in the Central American country. welcome to the place where i say things. The reefs begin in as little as 20 feet with drop-offs up to 100+ feet. I was apprehensive about planning a trip because I read Honduras has one of the highest murder rates in the world. The cost of living in the Caribbean is rarely a topic that gets as much coverage as it should, so before you dive too far into your new life or give up on your dreams altogether, here’s some clarity on just how much it will cost you to eat, drink, be merry and enjoy all the activities and nightlife the Caribbean has to offer. In a real sense, Roatan is a prime example of an ancient observation: We do without doing and it all gets done. But if you are expecting a Four Seasons experience, you’ll want to go elsewhere. Much of the dramatic eastern end of the island is accessible only by boat. If you love watersports, a Roatán vacatin is totally for you. Some people live for months at a time, then go "home" to another paradise. Obtaining a retiree residency on Roatan is very straightforward. It took only 10 minutes to get there. We took a 2-hour private snorkel tour on a small boat with JC of JC Adventure Tours for $30 per person (book through him directly, not the hotel, to avoid paying more). Pristine Roatán dive sites offer canyons and the Caribbean’s most extensive variety of coral. In Roatan, there is no potable water except maybe in the larger hotels with filtration systems. Reply. Litter of kittens just outside our hotel; the boys would visit them each day. hiya! Pioneer skills are necessary. While the standard of living in Aruba tends to be very high, the cost of living is relatively low compared to other islands in the Caribbean. The entire island is surrounded by a shallow reef offering a spectacular view of thousands of marine creatures for divers and snorkelers. The boys walked on their own to get ice cream and snacks. Not only is the island fun and beautiful, but it’s extremely affordable and accessible as well. But most people stay in the West Bay and not the West End like us, so it is likely a matter of preference. As long as you plan your trip correctly, you will have a great time. * The people: the people are generally nice, especially if you go to La Ceiba or Roatan. We could take a water taxi (left boat in the picture) to West Bay for $3 a person. Roatan is a destination that is made for expat living. Your email address will not be published. These animals did not look happy and should not be living on the tiny island. They are delicious and sell for $1.50 each. Almost. West End is a very affordable place to be, with a variety of food and accommodation options to cover the full range of budgets. Rather than going to the crowded and pricey Gumba Limba Park, which I read was not worth the visit, we visited a local monkey/bird sanctuary and zip line center for $10/person and an iguana farm for $10/person. Crowded, people everywhere, all-inclusive wristbands and generic. The animals seemed well taken care of and happy. But it felt more like a rowdy hotel resort rather than a peaceful island. Unhealthy standards. No regrets there. But the first hour with the crowds and the mediocre food left an impression. Compare Roatan with: We need more contributors for Roatan to … https://www.ozofsalt.com/should-you-vacation-in-roatan-honduras When we had the place to ourselves (like in pics below), it was beautiful. I hadn’t until my husband suggested we go there for a family scuba diving/snorkeling trip. We walked this main West End street daily, with the beach on one side and stores/restaurants on the other. We loved the crystal clear water and white sand on the beach. At 2 pm, the cruise people left the island (which turned out to be about 80% of the crowd). Yes, we were afraid the birds might poop on us. Retiring to Roatan Honduras was different than we expected. As I’m writing this, I’m making stewed chicken and rice … Utila is a diving and party mecca. You can walk most places in Utila, where on Roatan, you will need to hire transportation to get around. my 6-hour flight from Europe to the U.S. costs. Example of a typical street alley in the West End. Living in Utila, Honduras – What’s it like? In Hawai’i you can live beachfront which just as the name suggests, has a beach fronting your property or you can live oceanfront. Rates for 2-3 BR home rentals are about $300/night! I visited the Great Barrier Reef in my 20’s, and it is one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. I find when I research travel, it’s tough to get objective views. You know how you avoid driving during rush hour when you can help it? Since we started planning in October, Belize hotels were already booked. Their currency unit is called … Buying a house in Roatan is much cheaper than buying a home in the majority of North America. When I bump it up against our hit list, it’s almost perfect. We honestly didn't notice too much of a difference. All Rights Reserved. Pros and cons of Roatan appreciated!!! Topics covered include the health care system, where to live, and also some general information about the natural beauty of Costa Rica. Retiring in the Philippines: Pros & Cons By Jean Folger | Updated August 23, 2016 — 12:00 PM. While a retirement visa on Roatan requires you have at least $1500 each month, a couple could live off of $1,200 a month here, per the Global Retirement Index for cost of living. Google "americans who live on Roatan." i'm a serial expat, but right now i'm back in canada on hiatus for a while. Roatan is one of the best paradises in the Caribbean. All Rights Reserved. We would have gotten both of our kids scuba certified during our trip, had we known how easy and inexpensive it would be. Workers were kind, but they were in no rush, AT ALL. There are some challenges to consider when living in the Virgin Islands, but those issues are more related to its location in the Caribbean and the logistical issues that come with that problem. Living and visiting somewhere different experiences. Certain items such as electricity and imported food products are expensive, but the overall cost of living is relatively low. One of the major problems with social media is the fact that people can post idealized versions of their lives. [This post has been adapted from a contest entry I wrote for, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window). Let’s break down the pros & cons as they pertain to us: Pros. Island life is like small-town living. There is so much I can say about our vacation in Roatán, but rather than make this a post about our itinerary, I will focus on the Pros and Cons of the island. Our hotel was considered one of the most expensive on the island at $350/night. The other thing that was off-putting was the large caged up animals (lions and tigers and more) the Little French Key island had for show. Although I’ve heard great things about Belize, I was surprised at the prices. The perfect place to relax for a vacation or to live. For dining, we enjoyed Baleadas, a Honduran dish frequently prepared at makeshift stands on the beach. We made wonderful memories on the island and are glad we visited this slice of marine life paradise! Roatan has better (easily accessible) beaches. It’s clear, however, the the benefits of living on Roatan far outweigh the challenges. We arrived at 1 pm and it was a zoo. Food and housing may be reasonable, but the same cannot be said when it comes to utilities. i'm a canadian paralegal-turned-scuba diving instructor-turned EFL teacher-turned digital nomad. This spider monkey, Lola, loved Dave as much as I do! It has been the best-kept secret of divers for years. Would you want to vacation in Roatán, Honduras? How did we feel about our Roatán vacation in a nutshell? In Hawaii, it costs $100. My Month On The Island: If there’s one thing I gathered from my month of living in Utila, Honduras – it would be if Fatboy Slim wrote the song ‘Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat’ in Utila, he would have added an extra category of ‘Dive’ to the list. We are proud of what we do & you will be 100% happy. We stayed in West End for nine nights at the Beach House Hotel. Naturally, we started with Belize (you know what they say, “happy wife, happy life!”). Dollars as Currency. Dave and I ran from West End to Wests Bay on New Year’s Day (about 3.5 very hilly miles). Living There Is Easier. Many homes have private docks and swimming pools. Oct 30th, 2008, 02:45 PM #2 CaymanSue . What do you think? The Cons of Living in Belize Utilities cost more than the average rates in US. If you haven't lived in a … DIY Mother’s Day Gifts to Say I Love You, Mom. Copyright © 2018 Ounce of Salt. Also, the island is for marine life lovers. While Roatan offers retirees a high quality of life, the cost of living compares very favourably to North America and other islands in the Caribbean. Easy to get to – Roatan is easily accessible from the US. The water is warm year round and has clarity to over 100'. But remember, the real estate agents want to sell you on the pros. People everywhere and music blaring! If you enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling and the Caribbean, this is a great destination. My husband says he is happy we stayed in a hotel to be in the heart of town and have the free breakfast each morning. Roatán West Bay reminded me of a Cancun or Ft. Lauderdale resort during Spring Break. Keep in mind, Honduras is a third world country. I’d love to touch base with you with new posts and give you access to my new freebie resource library where I’m adding new goodies to each day. The real currency used in Panama is the US Dollar. i left my cubicle in 2012 and haven't looked back since. Buying Real Estate for Your Retirement & Applying for Residency. It was between Belize (my choice) and Roatán, Honduras (my husband’s). In under 4 hours you can be there. The Pros and Cons of Living in Panama. Baleadas are handmade tortillas filled with refried beans, cheese, shredded chicken and fresh avocado. But after 2 pm you will feel like you are in paradise! It did rain for most of one day, but otherwise, there were short, heavy showers here or there with the rest of the days being sunny and perfect. But that doesn’t negate the fact that taking a 2.5-hour flight to the U.S. costs as much as (and often much more than!) I’d say pass on this place if you visit Roatán. Have you heard of Roatán, Honduras? The food quality? A Traveler’s Perspective on Planning a Vacation to Africa, Invisalign Experiences – What They Don’t Tell You, Showing off my birthday sneaks today! We hopped on the water taxi to the West Bay for the water sports. Expats groups are not officially named, but groups closely associate based on the region where they live. Our kids loved their trip, and we hope to return one day to re-experience Roatán’s magical marine world. The Pros of Living in Belize Belizean government offers a Qualified Retired Persons or QRP program. We chose to stay at the hotel, but given the service issues on the island, the benefits of staying in a hotel are not there. I usually scour Trip Advisor reviews. Dave and I would sit on the dock sipping cocktails, watching. Pros: * The food: the food is truly amazing. But the lower cost of living is seen in your everyday expenses, too. Here’s a little video my son, Justin put together from his Go Pro footage. Residency Is Easier Still. Cost of Living in Roatan. In Roatán, we waited an average of 45 minutes to 1 hour after ordering to get our food at restaurants. Roatan is very well connected in comparison to some other Caribbean islands. I would have preferred a full kitchen to cook the island’s fresh seafood on our own. Each year, InternationalLiving.com’s Global Retirement Index ranks the top 25 retirement destinations in the world, based on factors like climate, healthcare, fitting in, benefits and discounts, and cost of living. Staying in the Roatán West End allowed us to get a sense of the island life as many locals hung out in this area. A guide walked us through the park and into each cage to say hi to the animals. The beers are $2. View from our room. Expat Life in Honduras. Our 12-year-old son was PADI certified in Los Angeles in November with two ocean dives and several hours of class. Right now the average cost per square foot in Roatan is between $90 and $120. Roatan does offer the ferry to the mainland as an alternative means to travel. But there are some things to note before planning a trip. Rent. When I learned Roatán lies in the Caribbean by the second largest barrier reef in the world after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, I was excited. There were local casual restaurants selling plates for $5. Had I known what I know now, we would have rented a house on the beach (with a pool) in the West End. If you go in the morning, you won’t be happy. We passed on having our 10-year-old son do the same due to the cold ocean dives. If you’re not on a strict timeline for moving here, the cost of construction in Roatan might be more appealing than current inventory for real estate. Potable Water. It is a very touristy place that receives many visitors throughout the week, not to mention that cruise ships such as Carnival, MSC Meraviglia, and Royal Caribbean, among others, dock. It is a small, skinny island, about 45 miles long and five wide. Roatan Expats. Have you ever considered a Roatán vacation? They have everything you can ask for on the beach – kayaks, floaters, straw-thatched tables in the water, swings to jump off, bars and restaurants, even horseback riding. Let’s go through the pros and cons of construction in Roatan. We knew from our research for our Roatán vacation that there was a possibility of rain, but I would say it is safe to expect isolated showers during one part of the day/night rather than consecutive days of rain. This can really negatively impact our feelings about things like body image and what our lives should look like. Excursions were inexpensive relative to other places. Conclusion of the Pros and Cons of Living in the Virgin Islands. Because we were in a house, and not a hotel, things were a little different. Its tourism sector involves a lot of high priced hotels and tour companies. Iguana Park by the French Key departure dock. Little French Key closes at 4 pm, and it costs $25/per person to access. But after some research, I learned that the crime is in mainland Honduras and not the islands. Being deep under the sea transports you into a different world. An expat living in La Ceiba, Honduras warned, "This is a city in a third world … That’s what it’s like with planning around the masses of cruise people visiting the island. He was knowledgeable and friendly. The Piatts found that in many other places they’d looked, it cost money to stay fit … More on Little French Key in a bit. There are plenty of remote places on the island to explore. Roatán is the biggest of Honduras’ three Bay Islands, 40 miles off the coast. If you come to Honduras, you have to absolutely try the famous baleadas. For example, one dive costs $40 including equipment. With that being said, living in Roatan is much cheaper than many of its Caribbean counterparts, which makes it a highly attractive option for many expats. Join Date: Jun 2004. Working on Roatan is quite different than being retired on Roatan. And the Dream. Who said alm, 3 pages in South Bay Magazine’s Style Guide May/. But restaurants that catered to tourists were everywhere too, and they were expensive ($15-$20/dish). So there you have it. ... was knowledgeable about all aspects of purchasing a home in Honduras and extremely informative about island living. They give new meaning to the word, slow. Winter is the rainy season in Roatan, but we lucked out with great weather. The Government of Aruba welcomes foreign investment and there are no restrictions on foreign buyers buying property on the island. So its preference again, I suppose. For instance, Little French Key Island is a popular destination for tourists. The area was very safe, and people were friendly and helpful. The word “hurry” has no use; life is run on island time. But even then, I find once I see things for myself, the information is skewed. You'll find sites that speak to expats with pros and cons on living in "paradise." Cost of Construction in Roatan. There was jet skiing, kayaking, SUP, Parasailing; you name it – they had it! It cost about $1000 including the equipment we had to purchase. In Roatán, you can get the same PADI certification in a few days for $350 with the same level of teaching. Each year, InternationalLiving.com’s Global Retirement Index ranks the top 25 retirement destinations in the world, based on factors like climate, healthcare, fitting in, benefits and discounts, and cost of living. And it would have been more enjoyable to do the ocean dives in the Caribbean than in cold Catalina and the Channel Islands. Let’s just say if you are a foodie, you may want to cook for yourself during your stay. It is important to plan your excursions for popular sites to start after 2 pm to avoid the crowds. The boys tried parasailing for the first time and loved it. Utila is cheaper (if only slightly). The island is surrounded by a barrier reef, which is vibrant and full of life. Everyone knows everyone and everything. I was excited to visit this place. Panama’s popularity has much to do with its modern infrastructure, proximity to the U.S., beautiful scenery and mild climate. It’s necessary to plan for Belize at least six months in advance if you’re looking to go during peak times. We chose the West End for it’s more authentic “island feel” compared to the resort area in West Bay. Finally, we weren’t crazy about the mosquitos and sand fleas which were hard to avoid despite applying insect repellent. Live band on the beach for NY Eve with fireworks at the Locals’ joint, Sundowners, next to our hotel. It’s also easy to reach other places from Roatan like Belize and Cuba, a huge plus! We loved it. Local restaurants offer delicious and filling meals for around $6 a plate. Retiring in the Philippines: Pros & Cons. Either Dave or I would go with Justin for Scuba, while the other went snorkeling from the shore with Jake. We found the food tasted best at these joints! And FYI, Zika is an issue on the island, so it’s not for pregnant women. Roatan, from a personal perspective, is a beautiful place. It is the largest of a chain of Islands in the western Caribbean called the Bay Islands. Roatan certainly has a lot going for it! These sea creatures were much more significant in person than what they look like on video. Roatan Expats reside in many areas around Roatan, ranging from West Bay to Camp Bay, to Port Royal (on far east end). The cons. We dove or snorkeled every morning. Roatan is larger and more developed. Example of one dive site we visited – Melissa’s Reef. West Bay beach was beautiful, but the area of sand was more narrow than I expected. The boys spent a few hours each day hanging out on this abandoned ship about 200 meters from our hotel dock. Usually, we head to Mammoth to ski for winter break, but this year we wanted to spend a week in tropical, sunny weather. An active lifestyle. By Nanette Witmer. Roatan-Testimonials Hear from Our Clients and What Our Clients Say about our Agents and Company! The heaviest cruise days are Monday-Thursday. The payoff for a less convenient lifestyle is peace, tranquility, and uncommon natural beauty. Renting or buying a home in such a beautiful location in Roatán is a fraction of what you pay in North America or other Caribbean islands. When we visited Costa Rica (read my blog post), we noticed the service was slower than in the states. This tourist destination with all its beauty became a somewhat difficult place to live. We ended up eating mostly at local places with $5 plates of classic Honduran food with beans, plantains, and chicken/beef/fish. islanders speak English as their first language. As a result, this part of the island is better suited to the more self-sufficient adventurer. I saw so many pictures of Roatan Little French Key on-line before the trip. And if it was run by a family, the service was quick. And the footage does not translate the extraordinary beauty of the coral and fish! As a visitor, you don't really experience electricity costs, rainy season, travel costs, difficulty in having family visit, the problems of maintaining a building and all the cultural differences. It goes without saying what the pros of oceanfront living are but, just in case…O.C.E.A.N.F.R.O.N.T!