RetireRoatan

Roatan, Eden of the Caribbean

While the Caribbean is teeming with hordes of tourists and masses of aggressive hagglers, and the high-rise all-inclusives are winning the skyline battle with palm trees and rain forests, there IS at least one Eden left. The island of Roatan is truly a fantasy and one of the Caribbean's best kept secrets.

Roatan Past and Present

The islands have an interesting history, including evidence of Maya occupation. Columbus landed on Guanaja in 1502, but the Spanish later enslaved the islanders and sent them to work on plantations in Cuba and in the gold and silver mines of Mexico. By 1528, the islands were completely depopulated. English, French and Dutch pirates then occupied the islands, followed by the Garífuna, who were shipped here by the British after an uprising on St Vincent. The islands, in many ways, still look more toward England and the US than to the Honduran mainland, and a richly Caribbean version of English is the main language.

Roatan Dining and Food

Wow Roatan has grown with a great variety of food to test your senses and enhance your palette. Roatan doesn't have but a few fast food stops, so enjoying a great healthy meal is always an option. The food is fresh and most if not all of the seafood comes just minutes from a fresh catch nearby it's shores. Below is a collection of restaurants around the island.

Roatan Atmosphere

Island life in Roatan is laid back and friendly and "island time", like most other islands, is the way of keeping track of time. Life in Roatan is quite quiet, there is not a huge area for bars, nightclubs, and shopping malls; instead people enjoy the slow life, the beauty of the island, and the relaxation that comes with fishing or a long lunch with friends. Although West End does have a fantastic night life!

Bring in the New Year with a Day at the Spa in Roatan

Sante' Wellness Centre, Day Spa/Retreat, is Roatan's exclusive waterfront Boutique Spa. On a private cay with lush vegetation, Sante's tranquil setting offers excellent Spa/Massage Therapies. Unobstructed ocean views, sounds of the gentle surf, whispering breezes, silence. Enjoy the private beach, cool pool, excellent dining, and talented spa staff. With recommendations by Lonely Planet, Conde Nast Traveler, the Washington Post, and NY Times, Sante' assures you receive what you deserve.

Great Wine and Cheese on Roatan

Retiring in Roatan won't cause you to miss out on much. Just a little more patient for items to arrive to Roatan and with the free tourist zone law now in place, the arrival of goods is ever increasing.

So you have had a long day of snorkeling, diving, relaxing on the beach and need a place to unwind or sample great wine and cheese. Don't miss Roatan De La Vina Wine Bar and Jug Shop. Convenient location, in West Bay at the mall, quiet and relaxing atmosphere, excellent selection of South American wines, immaculate  shop!   Bread, oil, cheese and fruit are available.  Get a bottle of wine "to go" and watch the sunset!

The owners are very knowledgeable about wine and Roatan.  If you enjoy wine, give this shop a try while staying or retiring in Roatan.

 

Great Update on Tourism in Roatan

From TJ's Blog . .

Since the great article in the Wall Street Journal last month, Roatan is getting more attention than a pork roast on an ant hill... and not only Roatan! Utila and Guanaja each got rave reviews as well as part of the Bay Islands... the last natural and unspoiled paradise in the Caribbean!

Our season is kicking back up quickly, read TJ's article . . .
http://www.buyroatan.com

Pick your paradise in the Bay Islands - Feature on MSNBC

Ready to learn about the Bay Islands - Roatan, Guanaja, Utila? Here is a complete article just posted on MSNBC website. Roatan is gaining so much focus in the real estate, investment and travel world.

So close to the Honduran mainland that you can see the mountains from the island’s southern tip — and imagine ancient Maya priests staring back at you from those mountaintops — Roatan is the most developed of the Bay Islands.

Partly that’s because, when it comes to the Bay Islands, “developed” is very much a relative term. Here it means not neon signs and mega-hotels, but the fact that the island has several communities connected by paved roads, and that, for several years now, electrical power has been available from a single, central provider. The vibe is still very much tropical and tranquil, but all of the essentials — from a choice of dining and accommodations to a plethora of stunning dive sites — are here in abundance.

Read the full article.

Roatan Makes Travel Section of MSNBC.com

Get in touch with your inner Tarzan -- Take a walk on the wild side with these 5 unique and adventurous trips

Trip #2: Swimming with dolphins in Honduras
Thirty-five miles off the coast of mainland Honduras on the Bay Island of Roatan, Anthony's Key Resort (www.anthonyskey.com) operates a unique, natural dolphin lagoon complete with a living coral reef ecosystem on the world's second largest barrier reef. Guests have their choice of diving, swimming, or snorkeling with the dolphins, and physical contact is allowed. Part of the bay is sectioned off, giving guests the rare opportunity to swim with the dolphins in the ocean, as opposed to an artificial pool or tank.

All inclusive, 7 night packages start at $1160 per person in season (Jan to Aug), and individual dolphin excursions are extra, ranging from $84 for dives, to $73 for swimming/snorkeling. Children between the ages of 5-9 are an additional $899 each.

READ THE WHOLE MSNBC.com ARTICLE

Roatan Talk Radio . . Yep We Have One

The show is the first English speaking (non-religious) talk radio programming on the Bay Islands. It is the main source of important, timely interviews and information for English speaking residents and visitors on the Bay Islands and Northern Honduras.

In addition to playing many of the most popular and upbeat Soul and R& B music from the 70's and 80's, Roatan Bruce hosts top business, community, political and real estate leaders who share important information about the islands and greater Honduras. Roatan Bruce has already interviewed more than 250 people.

One of the most unique factors about the show is that for the first time, businesses can now promote their products or services to the thousands of English speaking people and tourists on the Bay Islands and northern mainland Honduras on both radio and television.

The Roatan Bruce Show is heard on 106.5 FM from 10 am to 1 pm.