TJ's BuyRoatan.com Blog

Beware of Roatan's Drivers - A Whole New Set of Rules!

Considering renting a car while on vacation here in the Bay Islands?  Think again!!  "Owning the Road" takes on a completely different meaning here!  You need to see first hand what you're up against!!  BE WARNED!!!! 

 

Roatan's Less Fortunate Need Your Support!

Just like back home where you live… go a few miles off the beaten track and you'll find individuals and families barely scraping by with very, very little.  Roatan is no different.  There are some very poor people living here and they can always use a helping hand!  Enter "CEPUDO and Food for the Poor"-- an NGO based out of San Pedro Sula which receives donations of all sorts… and distributes them to Honduras' less fortunate.  Our Bible Study group on Roatan was blessed with a truck load of goods from CEPUDO and last Saturday we distributed much needed food and clothing to about 100 families in need.  If you'd like to be a part of this, contact me by email [email protected] or bring something to donate down with you on your next visit.

 

TJ's Top Travel Pick of the Week - Travel From Los Angeles!

I found a great deal on flights to Roatan from LAX!

 

BuyRoatan.com Gear is Here!!!

Just in time for Christmas.. now you can order BuyRoatan.com Gear for yourself or someone special!! So many of you have asked me for this and it's now available for purchase! Part of EVERY PURCHASE GOES TOWARDS local Roatan Charities so don't delay!! Get yours today!! Here's the link Get BuyRoatan.com Gear Here!

 

Facebook Friends Discover Roatan - First Impressions?

I met Lee Lichlyter through facebook over a year ago on one of the P90X groups and since then we've been sharing comments and occasions over the social media network.  And today, as others like him, he brought his family to Roatan via the Carnival Triumph and I got to meet one of the people I've admired only via cyberspace until now.  Lee is a CEO of a technology co. and an all-around great Dad and guy! See what he has to say about our island...

 

Helping Hands Giving Back to Roatan Communities!

In any third world country there seems to be no end to the need for assistance whether that be financial or through body counts.  Roatan, being in Honduras, is on the radar screens of many NGO's who continually bring down food, clothing, medicines and other aid to the poor and needy. Communities and  Churches have a constant calling for volunteers to help organize, teach, repair or lead in their respective areas.  Today, we saddle up and offer some much needed assistance to one particular Church in French Harbour, lending our time and resources...

 

TJ's Top Travel Pick of the Week - Alternate Airports Save you Money!!

Since we're now approaching high season here in the tropics we're seeing airlines beginning to increase fares to the Caribbean and Roatan!  Here's a way you can still save significant and copious amounts of the green stuff...

 

Gibson Bight Marina - The Answer Boaters Have Been Waiting For!

For anyone who owns a boat or has visited Roatan by sea, you'll understand what I mean when I say the North shore is very unpredictable and unsafe to leave a boat.  The reason is that storms can come up during the night unexpected and anyone moored on that side of the island could see their rig swamped, or lost.  Well, now there is a safe harbour with full service Marina in Sandy Bay that offers boaters that protection and security they were wishing for… 

 

Meet Roadside Sculptor Melvin Bodden - a Sandy Bay Icon!

For more than 60 years, Melvin Bodden has been creating art from things he finds washed up on Roatan's shores… sculpting driftwood into colorful masterpieces, painting canvas with an eye on the Lord at all times, and enjoying life to the absolute fullest!  If you've travelled the Sandy Bay road to West End from Coxen Hole, no doubt you've caught a glimpse of Melvin on the side of the road chiseling away at his latest creation.  Today, I stopped to talk to my old friend and get his take on life...

 

Enjoy the Sights and Sounds of Roatan!!

Roatan has so much to offer both tourists, investors and re-locators alike!!  From great beaches with fine white sand, to awesome seafood restaurants, to fun activities like snorkeling and diving!!  Here are some of my favorite sights and sounds of the island mon!!

 

Check out West End's Newest Night Spot - Besos!!

From time to time I like to see what's new on the island and Roatan seems to have a never ending supply of entrepreneurs trying their hand at the hospitality business.  Restaurants, clubs and tourist attractions seem to be popping up every week almost!!  Today, I check out one of West End's newest and nicest evening jaunts! Besos (which means Kiss in Spanish) promised to be different.. and they sure are….

 

TJ's Top Travel Pick of the Week - Hot Deals in January!

Check out this deal I found to Roatan from Montreal in January!!

 

Cheap Roatan Fixes - Small Appliance Repair Made Easy!

If it has a motor, suction, wires or cables… these guys can fix it!!  From vacuums  to wiper motors, blenders to weed-eaters I've had just about everything you can imagine break down here… and there's usually a guy somewhere on the island that can put it right!… ya just gotta ask around!

 

Cheap Sunglasses and Other Beach Buys...

Suntanning, walking or swimming on Roatan beaches makes you fair game for the beach vendors here. Everything from necklaces, t-shirts, hammocks and sunglasses can be purchased without ever separating yourself from that Margarita!  And especially if you're going to be swimming with them.. you'll want to buy some "disposable" cheap sunglasses….

 

Cell Phone Coverage on Roatan! No More Smoke Signals?

Oh sure, we may not have blistering fast internet, taxis who can drive properly, grocery stores who maintain stocked shelves… but we DO have great mobile phone coverage… even roaming!  Today, I explain a bit about what's available now in Honduras...

 

TJ's Top Travel Pick of the Week - Don't Overpay on Airfare!

As in comedy, timing is EVERYTHING when purchasing your airline tickets… trust me.. I know!

 

The Airport of San Pedro Sula - Connecting the Country!

If you're planning a trip to Roatan in the next few weeks, DIRECT flights are offered on the weekends until December, when mid-week flights commence once again.  So if you're traveling here mid-week right now, you may be using one of Honduras' other major airports and then then catching a commuter flight over to the islands.  Here's a look at San Pedro Sula's International Airport...