Expats in Roatan live and work on West End. There are 4 additional murders, 2 shootings in Los Fuertes and 2 stabbing deaths. Avoid walking at night in most areas of Honduras, and do not walk alone on beaches, historic ruins, or trails. Clinica Esperanza which is also known by locals as "Nurse Peggy's Clinic" is arguably it's most popular. Emergency Numbers (COVID-19) Roatan Tourism Bureau These waters are perfect for water sports, safe for children, and amazing to experience. The mall area has apartment rentals and other restaurants which are usually less expensive than restaurants directly on West Bay. Where are the police station locations on the island? Shield of Hope Ministries is committed to the municipal police through. These Cays and Islands are only accessible via boat rides and cannot be accessed via ground transportation. This police station is manned 24 hours a day and seven days a week. [citation needed], At the time of the 2013 Honduras census, Roatn municipality had a population of 41,831. But it is simply horrendous the amount and serverity of the murders that are commited everyday just a few short miles from Roatan. Thats 7 total. The sands are powdery white and just of the shoreline is a palm-fringed lush green area which only adds to the allure of West Bay. If you are ever transiting through Belize Airport, stop into "Jets Bar". U.S. government programs promote a healthy and open economy capable of sustainable growth, an improved business and investment climate, protection of U.S. citizen and corporate rights, and the well-being and security of the Honduran people. Roatan Municipal Police (French Harbor to West End) Joseph Solomon/Tito Dixon 445-0416 Santos Gardiolas Municipal Police (Parrot Tree to St. Helena) 'Salas' - good cop in Oakridge 97 30 45 62 and helped us (Free Radical) in Jan 2010. Looking at their website the club does a lot of good things on the island for the kids that I'm more than happy to donate to. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Do not leave valuable items in your car. A friend of mine is CPD and I would like to make a t-shirt trade with the local police if possible. It is home to Coxen Hole, and it extends from First Bight to West Bay. The refuge is amazing and makes for a wonderful hike. We have created a guide to protecting yourself and others to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, certain areas of the country demonstrate higher levels of criminal activity than others. Brick is among or the oldest development on Roatan. Gibson Bight is a large marina which makes for a nice hangout away from the business of West End. Avoid walking in poorly lit or deserted areas. Barrio La Punta in French Harbour has remained unchanged for years. Deforestation, run-off, poorly managed waste treatment, and pollution are the main threats to the terrestrial and marine environments. Chief Joe Solomon leads his department with a heart for Christ. Incidents of crime along roads, including carjacking and kidnapping, are common in Honduras. The island consists of two municipalities: Jos Santos Guardiola in the east and Roatn, including the Cayos Cochinos, in the west. Alternatively, you may use, Clarion Suites Roatan at Pineapple Villas, Fantasy Island Beach Resort Dive And Marina All Inclusive, http://www.clubrunner.ca/Portal/news/HomeNewsDetail.aspx?accountid=7013&nid=41512. Waters on the northern become too rough for scuba and snorkeling. Snorkeling off of West Bay is second to none. A Eurocopter EC 145 of the State Police of Hessen, Germany. Do not run road blocks. U.S. citizens do not appear to be targeted based on their nationality. The organization was formed in January 2005 when a group of concerned dive operators and local businesses united in an effort to protect Roatn's fragile coral reefs. World Report 2021: Honduras | Human Rights Watch His corpse was found yesterday wearing only shorts with a bag over his head. Francis this comes up regularly so you might want to check the item on personal security in the right hand column - Top Questions. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. There are many characteristics about West Bay that make it so. Of these, 52.06% were Mestizo, 20.97% Black or Afro-Honduran, 12.41% White, 11.19% Indigenous (3.73% Chorti, 3.49% Lenca, 1.26% Miskito, 1.07% Pech) and 3.37% others. This section is called Helene, or Santa Elena in Spanish. Honduras has the highest murder rate in the world. But most, take a water taxi to and from these two destinations. The Juan Manuel Glvez International Airport (RTB) on Roatn is one of five airports able to receive international traffic that is in service in Honduras. All Rights Reserved. Roatan's Electric Company (RECO) is located along the route from Coxen Hole to French Harbor. The Parrot Tree Plantation sits on the southern shores of these areas. What follows are the phone numbers to dial should you need to report unauthorized or suspicious activity to a member of law enforcement or an authorized overseer. Homes in these two sub-divisions are located on Roatan's windward side and enjoy gorgeous sea breezes most of the year. No actions from local or national govt. A similar project has been completed and now serving West End Village (the Island's tourism, social and diving hub) with even greater success than its predecessors. The streets on Coxen Hole are narrow. Anthony's Key Resort also has a clinic of its own. Avoid walking home alone late at night. The Santos Guardiola Municipality is home to Oak Ridge, and it stretches from First Bight to the East End of Roatan Island. However, because of the tourism and cruise ship industry that supports the economy of the islands, English continues to be the first spoken and dominant language among all native island peoples. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. -The tropical sun is stronger than you may realize. Despite all this, there are many expats living in the Camp Bay and Port Royal areas. This port is one of two main cruise ship ports on Roatan Island, and it is located along the southern coastline of Coxen Hole. There are also a few remains from the famed pirate fortress in Old Port Royal. Roatn - Wikipedia We are staying in Sandy Bay if that helps determine the closest location for you. Both are in route to French Harbor as you travel east from Coxen Hole. Municipality of Roatan Legal Services Roatan The Buccaneer is a local favorite as well. [citation needed], Over time, the form of English spoken by the Roatn Islanders has changed. I don't know how many of you care enough to take the time to look at the Honduran newspapers online from time to time. This garden has many well-maintained trails with lush orchids which bloom throughout the year. Honduras Travel Advisory - United States Department of State I figure I'll ask a bartender or someone else when I'm down there on who try to trade with or just give to. The problem with calling the police in Roatan is that they all speak only Spanish or hardly any English at all. The United States is the chief trading partner for Honduras. Lawson Rock is located on both sides of the main road. If you are involved in an accident, do not move your vehicle until the police arrive. Tel: 2445-0416.-Roatan Municipality, Coxen Hole, Tel: 2445-1697. !. In 1722 fisherman Philip Ashton was captured by the pirate Edward Low and managed to escape on a watering rendezvous on Roatan. With the steady influx of mainland Hondurans migrating to the islands in the late twentieth century, Spanish language use has increased. This office is located in the town center park area. I agree with idiots, check out the link on safety at the upper right hand corner. It is approximately 77 kilometres (48 mi) long, and less than 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) across at its . Visitors walk to and fromWest EndtoWest Bay. Much of Roatan's central and eastern end has been set aside to form the islands larges wildlife refuge. In French Harbour Barrio Suampo and Barrio Los Fuertes. Sandy Bay is home to a few medical clinics. Be aware that in Honduras, prostitution is illegal as is sex with minors. This pier offers an excellent photo opportunity. Be careful at all times especially near schools and day care centers during daylight hours as children walk to and from school along the side of the road. Roatan Communities Roatan Tourism Bureau There are daily shows and tours available for those looking for a once in a lifetime experience. The shipmate was quarantined and remains isolated. -Light in the Darkness-. Dixon Cover and Brick Bay are where cruise ships might dock and where the local ferry port to the mainland is located. Barbareta is privately owned. During the winter months, the island also receives international flights to Roatn from Montreal and Toronto. There are several reasons why self-isolation may be recommended in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Make sure when driving your vehicle you also have the matricula or registration card. Many areas are accessible only by boat as you head further east and beyond Port Royal. The Port of Roatan is located in Coxen Hole. Alternatively, you may use, Clarion Suites Roatan at Pineapple Villas, Fantasy Island Beach Resort Dive And Marina All Inclusive, http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts. Please leave this field empty. [8] RIMS is located in Sandy Bay, specifically in Anthony's Key Resort, on the northwest coast of Roatn with over 50 kilometres (30 miles) of fringing and barrier reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and shoreline. Of the 6,358,890 vaccine doses, 100% were donated in partnership with COVAX. But in recent years, the resort has catered more and more to the nudist community. Roatan is a popular port which is heavily marketed as a paradise getaway by Miami-based cruise lines like Carnival, NCL and Royal Caribbean. We have a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? He plays a pivotal role in the success . It's natural that foreign governments issue warnings. I'll for sure get the hat for a gift, plus it goes to a good cause. Mahogany Bay is also in between Coxen Hole and French Harbor. In June 2012, the government agreed to increase police presence in areas frequented by tourists, such as the Copan Mayan ruins and Roatan. French Harbor is an industrial harbor for Roatan's fishing, shrimp, and shipping industries. VETERINARIANS Arguably, the most visited town on Roatan - West End and neighboring Half Moon Bay are perfect pedestrian destinations for sightseeing. Many own businesses or run dive operations out of West End. For this reason, many come and go from Roatan and never set foot on Roatan's wildlife refuse. Have a comment? The Honduran government is in the early stages of substantial reforms to its criminal justice institutions. The government also established special tourist police forces in Copan and Roatan and is evaluating this option in other locations. There are few Expats living in Coxen Hole. The legal system is somewhere between barbaric and non-existent. Various economic activities were engaged in and political struggles played out between the European powers, chiefly Britain and Spain. Depending on the individual taste of each traveler, this might be a good thing or a bad thing. During strong downpours, the road along the edge of Flowers bay can flood so it is best to avoid it during inclement weather. Be careful driving at dusk or after dark as pedestrians do walk along the side of the road. The Roatan Municipality is the most populated. The West Bay Mall sits just off the main beach, behind the waterfront hotels. French Harbour has a variety of service companies which supply Roatan with construction, design, and general goods. Both Dixon Cove and Brick Bay are between Coxen Hole and French Harbor. U.S. citizens should be vigilant of their surroundings at all times, especially when entering or exiting their homes or hotels, cars, garages, schools, and workplaces. More devastating for the local people was exposure to infectious diseases to which they had no immunity, such as smallpox and measles. If using small watercraft such as kayaks, peddle-boats or snorkeling etc, stay within swimming distance of the shore in the event that weather conditions change and you are not able to manoeuvre the watercraft or swim back. West Bay faces directly west, so sunsets are as magical as they get. Through local donations to the Marine Park and the many causes along with a concerted effort from the resorts on the island weekly clean-ups are undertaken to insure no metals or plastics litter the reef system and beaches as well as all major dive shops doing clean-ups on most of their daily dives. President Biden committed the United States to be the worlds arsenal for vaccines, leading an international and coordinated vaccination effort, and announced that the United States will provide 1.2 billion doses of safe, effective vaccines free of cost to meet global needs and save lives now. Following Camp Bay is Port Royal. Probably too late now, but it's pretty easy to trade patches with them. In the interest of being aware of your surroundings when in a foreign country, I would suggest that you do read La Prensa and if you do not understand Spanish, invest in a dictionary and become aware of what is going on just a few short miles away. Our guide is based on commonly accepted international guidelines, and we hope you will take a moment to review it in depth. 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The U.S. State Department states that: Roatan and the Bay Islands are geographically separated from and experience lower crime rates than on the mainland and other Caribbean islands; however, thefts, break-ins, assaults, rapes, and murders do occur., The State Department Crime and Safety Reportalso states that Cruise ship passengers should take safety precautions, avoid unfamiliar areas, and book only with reputable tour companies during their stopover. Here is the link, you can read if you like. We all win when Roatan (and more broadly Honduras) shows itself to have a mature and just legal system and protects the personal liberties of its citizens & residents. Certified divers should adhere to diving regulations including depth and time restrictions. Offshore reefs offer opportunities for diving. Emergency Police, dial *199.-Municipal Police Office and the office of Chief Justice Joe Solomon, is located upstairs in the yellow building in the park area. There are still obstacles to be defeated but the Islanders and expatriates living on the islands have taken a united stand to conserve and educate. The other airports in Honduras are the Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport (SAP) in San Pedro Sula, Toncontin International Airport (TGU) in Tegucigalpa, Goloson International Airport in La Ceiba (LCE), and Palmerola International Airport (XPL), in Comayagua. Residents of Oak Ridge get around on small panga boats or motorized canoes. It is also the center for local parades and festivities. There are several Mangrove tunnels along this coastal area. See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories. There are few expats living in this community. Explore Roatan with us while learning about hotels, activities, rentals, real estate, local events, the reef and so much more! The Canadian-based charter airline, Air Transat, operates flights from mid November to mid April. The Coxen Hole police station is located just on the outskirts of Coxen Hole. Unreported, downplayed and hushed up. Los Fuertes and Mount Pleasant are two smaller towns with their fair share of commercial establishments. Mestizo migrants settled primarily in the urban areas of Coxen Hole and Barrio Los Fuertes (near French Harbour). Druggies from the mainland or the island do not care if you are a local or a tourist they just want your stuff to buy more drugs. Kidnappings and disappearances are a concern throughout the country. Initially, the RMP's goal was to run a patrol program within the Sandy Bay-West End Marine Reserve (SBWEMR), to prevent over exploitation through unsustainable fishing practices. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title.