Getting around
Contents
Boat
Water taxis are most commonly used between West End and West Bay (US$2, 10 minutes) and for getting around Oak Ridge, which is built up along both sides of a long inlet. You can hire the same boat drivers to take you on a private tour of the island, or to reach places inaccessible by car, like Barbareta Island. There are no fixed or standard prices for such excursions, however, so be prepared to negotiate.
Bus & tram
Bus
Roatán has two bus routes, both originating in Coxen Hole.
Bus 2 is the one most visitors use. It travels west from Coxen Hole past Sandy Bay and on to West End. Minibuses depart from both ends and take about 25 minutes in each direction (US$0.80, every 15 minutes from 6am to 6pm).
Bus 1 travels east from Coxen Hole past the airport to French Harbour, past Polly Tilly Bight, through Punta Gorda and on to Oak Ridge (US$0.70 to US$1, every 30 minutes from 6am to 5:30pm); the cost depends on the destination. Travel time varies by driver, taking up to a painful one hour to get to Oak Ridge.
Car & motorcycle
Car rental agencies on Roatán include the following:
Best Car Rental (445 1494; www.roatanbestcarrental.com; airport; 7am-5pm)
Caribbean Rent a Car (455 6950, at airport 455 1430; www.caribbeanroatan.com;8am-6pm)
Roatán Island Rental (455 6759; www.roatanislandrental.com; French Harbour; 8am-5pm).
Sandy Bay Rent a Car (445 1710; Sandy Bay; 7am-5pm)
In West End, Captain Van’s Rentals rents out 125cc and 200cc motorcycles for US$52 to US$64 per day plus insurance, as well as two-stroke scooters for US$45 per day.
Local transport
Taxi
Plenty of taxis operate around the island. Many are colectivos during the day, which means they stop along the way to pick up additional passengers and don’t charge much more than buses. Cabbies will assume you want a taxi privado, or direct service, so be sure to let the taxi driver know what type of service you want before you get in. Unfortunately, there are no colectivos between West End and the new ferry terminal in Dixon Cove; if you are short on lempira and long on time, catch a colectivo between West End and Coxen Hole (US$1.75), then take a private cab between Coxen Hole and Brick Bay (US$5). Otherwise, a private cab from West End to the ferry terminal costs around US$15. As with everywhere in Honduras, always clarify the price of the ride before you get in. Fares are higher after 6pm
Bicycle
Captain Van’s Rentals rents mountain bikes for US$10 per day.
Roatán
- Roatán Overview
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Getting there & around
