Finding accomadation in Roatan in March?

I went to Roatan alone last year, when I was twenty-four. Overall I thought it was very safe, although I stuck to well-traveled areas like West End and West Bay. I don't know if there is GREAT snorkeling anywhere on the island. In West End, Half Moon Bay has decent snorkeling in certain areas. There is GREAT diving though, and you can do a four-day PADI certification program for only about $250 US. You'll see soooooo much more this way. I stayed at Posada Arco Iris, which I would highly recommend, but I also recommend you bring a Raid plug-in mosquito repellant with you (you can only buy the inserts on the island, not the apparatus) because mosquitos just make their sneaky way in no matter what (and yes, the windows do have screens). This hotel cost $35 US a night I think. I had smoothies for breakfast every day ($2 or so), lunch was usually in the $8-10 range, and I ate some nice dinners out for $10-20 (though the amaaaazing Indian food at Ooloonthoo is worth splurging on, at around $40-50 for dinner). A couple of times I took the water taxis out to West Bay ($2 each way) and rented a beach chair from the resorts so I could sunbathe all day ($10 for the day gets you a sun chair, unlimited purified water, and access to their pools and- most important- their bathrooms!).

You need to get on your antimalarials ASAP if you're going sometime in March.

Good Day,

Much of what Jetgirly says is good information.

I am a single female and have been coming down alone for nine years. No one will bug ya if you use common sense.

I have no idea what kind of accommodation you may find mid march if you just show up. I do not know when Easter is this year but if it is close to mid march, there is no way you will find anything. I suggest you make a choice and reserve now.

Ya know, it may not be accommodation you have to worry about as much as a plane seat to get here. I do not know where you are coming from so it may be worth while to check in to that. I had friends show up last week, and the week before, both those planes were chock a block full, they were direct flights from the states.

Many people talk about Half Moon Bay Cabins, Posada Arco Iris and the other one Posada owns, there is a place called Casa Calico and it may be Hotel Roatan is still open.

I found a place just past Half Moon Bay with a sea view, sorta kitchen area (cooking saves on food) not a bug in sight as long as you close your doors at sundown. I truly do love this place. I have no idea if she has space available. Blennys Cabins.

I understand people wanting you to learn to dive but for those of us not willing to spend the money to use a skill once a year, snorkeling is a grand option. One can hop in the water where ever it suits them, the reef on the leeward side of the island for the most part is within swimming distance. I have clients who are big divers who enjoy snorkeling the outside of the wall in Sandy Bay. I have been outside the wall in West Bay and enjoyed the sillyiness of the creatures in Half Moon Bay. If ya want to can pay what ever Gumbulina Parks price is and go power snorkeling or snuba. Both look like fun but I am to cheap. :)

There are several Zip lines on the island people love them.

If you are up from it a boat trip to Cayos is a fun thing.

I believe everyone should rent a car and drive the island, the greens and blues of this place are breath taking.

I walk...alot. Roads, hills, dales, trails. The stroll from West End to West bay will save you the water taxi fee.

If you want to be close enough to people, food and fun the west end of the island is the place to be.

I have clients in Palmetto Bay...it is quite and a beautiful beach is not far but you are pretty much stuck there cause it is so far out.

I just noticed the date..I may be to late, if not and you come down...enjoy your stay.

By the by ~ I have never taken any drugs for Malaria.

Thanks so much for the info. I will be planning, if I do make it, to leave well before Easter and flying in from Toronto. (btw, I'm cheap/broke too... so I hear you with the bare-bones options)

I took a collectivo (like a taxi-van-bus that picks people up along the way) from Coxen Hole to West End last year, and the two other people in it were both visitors who were freshly released from the hospital after catching malaria. One of them was also getting over dengue fever. They weren't together (we picked them up at different spots) so it's not as though they had gone together to some place where malaria is more common than on the rest of the island. The whole island is a major malaria risk zone.

guess I am just tough...lol I have been coming down for 9 years for 4 weeks at he least and 12 weeks at the most...never been sick.

Lucky is me!

Hello mooninhermouth,

I am in Roatan right now. I will be here till May. It is very busy, I had a hard time finding affordable accommodation. I would suggest Chillies ($20/$25 a night), Milka's Place ($10/$20 a night), Georphie´s Hideaway ($20/40 a night).

When you get here West End is the place to be. You can walk (45 minutes) or take a water taxi ($2.50) to West Bay where there is a very nice beach. You can also snorkel or sit on the beach in Half Moon Bay in West End. West Bay Beach is nicer but also full of EXPENSIVE resorts.

Roatan is very safe. I would avoid Coxen Hole at night. The East end of the island is very remote. I would suggest renting a scooter and taking a day trip. There is an Iguana Farm and very nice remote beaches.

There is a travel agency that books only for Roatan. I did not discover them till I got here. They found cheap accommodation for me and arranged a cheap scooter rental.

My situation is a little different. I am diving so I booked a dive/accommodation package.

I would say you can have a great time and accommodation for less than $50 a day. I booked with roatandiver.com. They can probably book you a room.

Good Luck.

Wow, how could anyone say the snorkeling is not that good. I went all over Halfmoon Bay and the wall in West Bay and it was spectacular. No one was near me but schools of fish.