For many of you who are considering the Bay Islands, and specifically Roatan as a possible retirement spot, a couple of things to consider: 1) you may want to make an exploratory trip down soon, and 2) when to make that trip.
I encourage those who contact me to come to paradise during the slow season to really get the "feel" of the place… for when the cruise ships are in port, or high season is upon us in the hotels.. it's more touristy and the "island magic" can get lost in the intent. Right now and continuing into late June, is low season in the tropics. That means there's less tourists, less cars and buses on the roads and more table choices at local restaurants and bars. You can chat longer with local waiters and bartenders, barter prices better with local merchants and generally be treated with more patience and time.
Roatan is an amazing place. Rich with culture from Black Caribs (African freed slaves), Spanish, Dutch, Arab, English and German influences… and now Italian too! Come on down for a visit, but first, send me an email to find out which hotels are offering discounts during this time. Some of them are offering up to 30-40% off their normal rates…. [email protected]