TJ's BuyRoatan.com Blog

Love the Beach? Stay on Roatan's West Side...

Hotels are filling up now for Christmas.. so if you want to be on the beach.. you'd better book sooner than later... and West Bay IS THE PLACE to be if you like beaches!

 

Cheap Canadian Flights to Roatan this 2011/2012 Season!

Canadian charter flights have begun again to Roatan! Check out the website and BOOK NOW!!  Or, you can wait until the last minute.. the day before travelling and save even more!!  Check out www.redtag.ca for all the specials from up there.. to down here!!

 

Cold Enough to Wear a Shirt? Really?

There are certainly times throughout the year here.. especially during the rainy season.. that the temps drop down in the 70's here.. and even the 60's!!!---if you can believe that?  Right now, it's in the mid 70's and it does seem cold actually.  So much so that I'm having to wear a shirt these days...

 

Roatan's Crappy Fuel Can Ruin Your Car!!

I'm not exactly sure why or how, but some of the worst, dirtiest, lowest octane gasoline and diesel is sold right here on Roatan!!  And that can cost you $$thousands in repair bills if you're not savy to the tricks of the trade.  I'll tell you more....

 

Cooler Days in November and Less Rain...

November is typically the start of the rainy season here on Roatan.. but with most of it coming early in October this year, we're really only experiencing temps in the low 80's and high 70's at night.  A few showers here and there, but the sun certainly is not letting us down neither... time to book for Christmas!!!!

 

Dog-Gone Happy on Roatan!

If it's a sunny day and life is good.. you're probably on Roatan!  Even the animals are appreciative of the sun this time of year!!

 

Cooler Temps Sends Roatanians Seeking Drier Air?

When it cools down in the tropics, the humidity levels increase and can "chill" you to the bone... and if you live here, you'll know what I mean when I say that there are days when the temps drop into the lower 70's that you wish you had a fireplace to snuggle up in front of.  But this "tip" does the trick for me and may just help  you out as well...

 

2011 High Season Begins on Roatan!

Well.. we've made it another year through the hurricane season unscathed!! WOO HOO!!  And as we head into Roatan's busy season which runs from now to the end of Easter, you'd better get busy and book your hotel if you have paradise in your radar scope for the holidays...

 

Introducing RoatanBuyandSell.com - Roatan's BEST Classifieds!

Whether you're moving TO or AWAY from Roatan... you need something, or you want to get rid of something... NOW we have a place to do it!!! For FREE!  Check out www.RoatanBuyandSell.com for items for sale, trade giveaways... place personal ads, want ads and browse categories... ALL ads are FREE to place... and there are optional small fees are for adding pictures, bolding your ad and better placements. 

 

Keep an Eye on Roatan's Weather This Time of Year!

During the Hurricane season in the tropics... you need to always be aware of potential threats to the island... and your holiday plans... Stay tuned into what is happening... and it's easy on the Web!

 

Sunshine After Harvey… and Lots of it!!

One of the great things I love about Roatan is its ability to change weather directions, as if on a dime! There's an expression here in the Bay Islands... "if you don't like the weather out, wait 15 mins"... and that certainly rings true more often than not.  Take a look at today's weather right after Tropical Storm Harvey passed through.... 

 

TS Harvey Brings Much Needed Rains to Roatan!

As we prepare for our first (and hopefully only) storm of the 2011 Hurricane season, Tropical Storm Harvey moves slowly on top of us.  With 30-40 mph winds and gaining strength, the real impact from Harvey will be felt in Guatemala and Belize, AFTER it passes over us tonight.  Right now, there's still tourists and locals on the beaches of Roatan enjoying paradise... rains should start in a couple hours though. 

 

Amazing August Sunsets Make Your Jaw Drop!

Although August is probably the HOTTEST month on Roatan, the amazing surreal sunsets are well worth the heat blisters... LOL.  Clear skies mean colorful sunsets AND star-filled evenings... a bonus to all the other great reasons to invest in our little island!

 

Big Changes For Honduras' Currency!

A major announcement last week saw a shift away from the subsidizing of the Honduran Lempira and that brings big changes to business here in Roatan and throughout the country.  After years of a stable currency, Honduras now has a similar valuation as other countries.... learn more here...

 

More Grocery Shopping Tips… Roatan is Growing!

Just a few short years ago, grocery shopping on Roatan was an all-day ordeal. You had to drive on a dirt road all the way to French Harbour, pick through a meager assortment of dry, wilted produce... wait in line as the butcher cut your choice of meat off the hanging corpse... well, you get the picture. And now, thanks to progress (which some newbies who think less is better dislike), we have more choices, more selection and better prices and quality foods!!! 

Today, I visit TWO NEW STORES on Roatan and tell you some important shopping tips GUARANTEED to save you money here!

 

Another Roatan Grocery Store Means More Choices and Better Value!

As more businesses open up on the Islands, more selection of goods, more choices in quality and better pricing as competition grows.  While most place in the world are getting more expensive to live in, Roatan (as it grows) seems to be getting cheaper in many ways.  This Friday, Eldon's officially opens their 3rd store on Roatan... this one in Coxen Hole right next to Plaza Mar... let the price wars begin!!

 

Changes in Flights to Roatan…

So just when we thought we'd have these almost daily flights to Roatan from Houston on Continental to keep.. they go and pull a lot of them for August.  Weekly Roatan flights are still offered on Saturdays and Sundays.. but the mid-weeks are going, going....

 

Meet Bill Williams - Roatan's New Bug Man!

For those of you who have been to Roatan, fighting the sand flies (noseeums) seems like a never-ending problem… until you've been here a while and "climatize"… meaning either your body builds up an immunity, or they just leave you alone for some "fresh blood" from other tourists.  And just when you've thought you can't possibly don anymore DEET…. in comes Bill Williams -- a North Carolina businessman who's environmentally-friendly, NON-DEET insect repellent is taking the island by storm!  Manufactured right here on Roatan, William's Blue Ocean product is by far the best solution I've seen to date!  More information can be found at www.blueoceanoil.com  

 

Sun is Out!! -- Don't Worry…. Be Happy!!

Even though we'll most likely be getting some rains this month (hopefully for our water tables), the sun is OUT!!! It's HOT and you will definitely see some sunshine during your Roatan visit!!  Come on down.. July is one of the best months of the year to discover paradise…!!!

 

July Brings Thunderstorms for Roatan's Parched Ground

Well you could almost set your clock to it this year… July came in and so did the light rains… nothing to much yet.. but typically, July brings in some thunder and lightning to the islands… and the little rain we've been receiving is much needed and welcomed!!

 

Now More Direct Flights to Roatan to Choose From!

Yeeee HAWWW!  Now you can fly to Roatan direct from Houston, Texas more days during the week. Continental just added more flights!!  Check this out….

 

Finally… a Little Rain Come!!

God Bless the islands mon!!!  Great to have a bit of showers today… and well needed.  Yellow plants do not look so good…. but after today, and perhaps the next few days….we'll see them happy and green once again!!

 

Deep Sea Fishing Among the "Favs" for Roatan Tourists!

Whether you live here or are just visiting, you'll want to try your hand at fishing!!  Just being out on the water on a warm day is enough… but then add a 45-minute-long battle with a fighting 180 pound giant… and your day just can't get any better!  Fishing charters are common place here and right now is a great time to book yours!!  Or, you can just negotiate with one of the guys pulled up on the beach for a half or full day of fun!  But be careful who you choose….

 

Hot, Humid and the Need to Conserve Roatan's Water Supply!

May is certainly one of Roatan's HOTTEST months… and without rain for more than 3 months, the water table is getting low… so the word of the day is…. CONSERVATION!  Thanks for helping out during your visit to paradise!!

 

Spanish Tourists Coming on New Roatan Charter Flights!

Up to 3 new charter flights are starting in June from Spain and that's got people buzzing in glee here on Roatan.  A whole new market is opening up and that will bring good business to the Bay Islands. European tourists presently have to travel through Milan, Italy to visit us and now they'll have more options!

 

Smoke-filled Skies Over Roatan!

IIIIIIIIIIIIIttttttt's Baaaaaacccck!  Smoke fills the skies over Roatan and most of Central America once again as the winds die down and the humidity and temperatures rise!!  A blistering 92º (felt like 98º) here in the Bay Islands today…. and sadly, you can't even see the sunset…. but this should all blow by by the weekend we're told…. yeah!!

 

"Fresh" New Bakery is Another Roatan First!

Located just outside of Roatan's West End town…. "Fresh" opened it's doors just a short time ago and is already receiving rave reviews for quality ingredients, great prices and incredible, yet simple pastries…. Today we check out this great shop and savor some delectable treats… Mmmmm!

 

Be Smart! Book a Hotel with a Generator!!

With a little rain coming down in the Bay Islands, once again RECO (Roatan Electric COmpany) is giving us daily power outages… and who knows why… but you'll do yourself a favor if you are SURE that your vacation spot has a back up generator...

 

Bin Laden is Dead…. or is He Hiding Out on Utila?

So the big news of the decade really… Bin Laden is dead!  But maybe that too is a hoax… as some Utilians like to boast of Elvis and others hanging out on their island…. well.. you just never know…. 

 

Less Flights per Week Mean Longer Stays for Some...

With all the airlines cutting back their direct flights to Roatan for the next couple of months, travelers don't have the luxury of being able to fly mid-week to the Bay Islands right now.  Saturday to Saturday stays are more common this time of year, but there ARE some advantages….