Roatan - change money? cruise ships? diving?

Hi - We are leaving for Roatan in less than two weeks, and the TT once again has provided us with a wealth of info. I have three questions though to clarify a couple of things -

1) where is the best place to change money? airport, coxen hole, or west end?
2) we are aware of the days the cruise ships will be in. what are the best activities to stay completely clear of the crowds? where should we flee?
3) we have our lodging already, and don't have a combo lodging/dive package. we don't need to go through a course. suggestions on what shop you like best?

Thanks for your time.

The easiest way to get money on Roatan is from the ATM's either at the airport or the West End. Dollars are accepted just about everywhere but larger denominations may be hard to break. If necessary, banks and ATM's are available in Coxen Hole. I do my best to avoid going there though. Make sure you have Visa. I went with a friend who had Mastercard with her and it was not accepted. Walking around like you are lost is the only activity to avoid on cruise ship days. There will automatically be enough people doing it so a few more won't hurt. It can actually be fun watching them for a while but gets old quick. Prices automatically go up when the boats are in. I dive every day so am not really bothered by it. I've been diving with Ocean Connections for the last ten years and highly recommend them. A new owner took over last year and has really improved the place with all new equipment. Have fun. Mike

you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wnd blows

Regarding a dive shop-- I had a nice experience at Seagrape. Luis and his family are wonderful people.

"Make sure you have Visa."

Will the ATMs generally work with debit cards that have a master card logo?

When I was there in Feb--No. None of the ATMS in West End worked with mastercard. Can't speak for the airport or West Bay.

Also, when you find one that has power and cash available--- get money. In Feb, there were frequent power outages-- sometimes the ATM affected, sometimes not.

When I was there in Feb--No. None of the ATMS in West End worked with mastercard. Can't speak for the airport or West Bay.

Also, when you find one that has power and cash available--- get money. In Feb, there were frequent power outages-- sometimes the ATM affected, sometimes not.

ETA: No matter what, WE is still the most wonderful place in the world. Slow down and enjoy.....

Edited by: scubaerin

I was there in March, and the ATM at the Dolphin Lodge accepted my card that has Mastercard, star & cirrus (I'm not sure which one of those was the one that got through to the machine, probably either star or cirrus, so check the back of your card for them). Power kept going out as well, and the ATM machine had no cash two of the days I was there, so I would follow scubaerin's advice and withdraw Lemps when you can. I can't vouch for the ATMs in Coxen Hole; you may have better luck with those.

The power is still questionable (it has already been off for 4 hours today, I have no don't it will be off again this afternoon, evening) as are the ATM machines. You do not want to be spending your time in line at a bank, that could take hours. I highly recommend if you are from the states to bring small notes with you.

I have been helping out a jewelry store Canadians and Italians go through the hassle of acquiring US dollars. It truly is the only way to assure you have cash when you need it.

Many people talk about Reef Glider’s as the people to dive with. Another thought would be a place close to where you are staying.

On cruise days it may be worth while to be off of West Bay beach by 11 am. I often go snorkeling about 10 cause the light is perfect and there are not as many people about.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the info. We probably won't do the ATM thing. Do we have to change our US$ into lempira or are dollars readily accepted?

So diving is a wise thing to do on cruise ship days? I imagined it would be crowded.

Will follow up on your recommendation.

LOL.. guess I was not clear.... English is my 1st language and some days I am still without the right words.

US$ are dollars readily accepted!

Usually change will be given in Lempira.

Hi there, I just spent 4 months in Roatan. I have a Mastercard debit card, and always used the ATM at the Hotel Dolphin in West End. I also used it successfully in Coxen Hole the one time I tried there.

In my experience the cruise shippers never caused much of a problem in West End, I would just see their buses drive by, and would see large groups of them walking down the dock for a glass-bottom-boat tour of the reef. Granted, I spent nearly all my time at my dive shop, or under water.
Speaking of dive shops, I have to recommend Coconut Tree Divers. They are a great group of people - experienced divers, fun attitude, and they have a great shop and boat. Their boat (Wish U Were Here) goes out 3 times a day, plus an occasional night dive (scheduled on demand.) The morning boat goes out for 2 dives - leaves at 9:00am and returns around 12:00-12:30. The surface interval between those 2 dives is spent on the boat, or swimming near the boat if you are so inclined. The boat has a nice big bow area for suntanning, and also a covered area with benches. The boat also goes out at 1:00pm for a single dive, then again at 2:30pm for a single dive. After the last boat comes in around 4:00pm the beers come out and most of the divers and staff hang out on the deck sharing stories until at least 5:00pm when business hours are over. Check out their website - www.coconuttreedivers.com

Have fun!
Clair

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. We leave on Saturday and I can't wait!

Hi -

We spent a week in Roatan about 8 months ago.

our dollars were never - never ever - turned away. The ATMs worked sporadically, and sproradically with different debit/credt cards. We should only have brought more, and in smaller denominations.

Our resort had a dive company on site that was fine. We used them, and they gave us a deal because we stayed with them (Las Rocas). There were lots of other reputable dive companies too though - and hundreds of dive sites - I really liked the "Texas" site - not just b/c I live in Texas.

Have fun - I would recommend STRONGLY getting some cactus juice when you arrive - the sand fleas will eat you alive - they apparently like the salt that is left from the seawater when you come out of the ocean and lay down on your beach towel/beach chair. All 6 of us were victimized, some more than others. The cactus juice helps, as does drinking a lot of the local drink - Monkey Lalas. Yum!
The cactus stuff is about $8/bottle, but worth it.