Thread: Observations on Roatan

Have been looking over the post from Roatan. Nothing like the Roatan I saw. Most of the place was dirt poor at best with pockets of Western Opulence here and there. I was disappointed in the attractions we went to with the exception of the iguana farm - and that was only because of the total abundance of iguanas everywhere. They had a few other animals in cages including a few monkeys but nothing to get excited about. Think small time zoo in America in 1950. Cages that are not really clean. Concrete floors, a few places for the animals to climb. PETA would have the places closed down in a minute.

There was also a dock with netting keeping the larger specimens in a small area about the size of a basketball court. In the area was a barracuda, a few tarpon, some nice lobsters, and lots of small fish that swam in through holes and gaps in the netting.

We did not do the zip line which many people said was very good. There were some very long runs high above the canopy of the trees. Ditto for the snorkling.

We did go to one private beach at one of the resorts that was quite nice but it was like a place totally separated from the rest of the island. Modern buildings, a cookout going on for the residents, a nice shielded bay for swimming. There were several freshwater pools, volleyball nets, and the like. It was very nice but it was a jarring contrast to most of what we saw.

We drove by several other similar enclaves on our way to this one.

In short, if you want nature of the rain forest or of swimming, go to one of the tourist attractions set up for Westerners. Otherwise the island is a very depressing place.

Neal, is this where you docked in Roatan? We docked here when we were on Infinity.

The dock for Carnival Corp ships is further south than the one for the others (RCCL, Celebrity, etc) and does not have the vendors the northern pier has. So anyone wanting to do independent excursions, have to go up to the pier in Char's picture. Just another way for Carnival to encourage their passengers to book excursions through them and pay more money.

But as for the island itself, it's like most of the island in that for the most part, it's relatively poor with several places that are upscale for tourists. Same could be said about most places you'll visit in the area.

We found the West end area to be wonderful for the food, the beach, and especially the snorkeling, which is among the best we've ever seen anywhere.

So, as with alot of places you can visit, it depends on what you're looking for and what you want to do, which will obviously have a major impact on the experiences you get.

Pete

Char, you know I can vividly remember most of our port docking locations but Roatan escapes me. I am going to have to go back through my pictures and see if I can jostle my memory.

The irony of it is that Roatan is actually responsible for a very large part of the Honduran GNP but mainland Honduras drains most of that money off the island to support the mainland. I've been told that some Roatan Islanders would like to become an independent country again.

I could believe that. Also consider that the makupe of the island is totally different from the mainland. The island is mostly English speaking and Protestant, while the mainland is Spanish speaking and Catholic.

.... But I can't see the island going it alone. It is really too small to be an independent entity.

I agree with you Neal but also understand the thought process of those who live there and would like independence. Heck there is still a movement in Hawaii to become independent again.

Somebody linked to us! And they did not like my comments. I wish they would post here for an honest dialog.

Comments from CruiseLineFans.com “Observations on Roatan” | Roatan New Times

I have looked back and we were at Coxen Hole. From there we took the Celebrity cruises "Tour of Roatan"

Cruise reviews are just that...one person's take on what they saw and did...and that's what you reported, Neal...your experience.

As they say " Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."