TJ's BuyRoatan.com Blog

Property Taxes on Roatan! Pay da man he tax!

Tax assessments here on Roatan are different than you may be used to back home.  Every year property taxes are due on your land or home here.  And you get no notice.  No invoice.  No follow-up. So how do you know what to pay?  When?  I'll explain...

 

Can't beat Four Bucks for a Haircut!

As an island, a lot of things on Roatan are more expensive due to shipping cost, duties, etc…. but a lot of things are dirt cheap, great value and hard to beat!  One of them is beauty care.  A typical trip to the Salon for women, including cut, color and manicure is less than $80.  For men… a cut is less than $4.  The barbers here are trained and efficient.  Perhaps not that up on the latest Justin Bieber boy band styles… but it's the Tropics, mon! Who cares?…..

 

Million Dollar Success Story - Another Couple Realizes their Dream on Roatan!

Whether it be a home, a condo, a building lot or a timeshare… so many people have 'the dream' of owning property on a tropical island somewhere…. and for many, that 'somewhere' is Roatan!

You may recall me working with Canadians, Jessie and TJ back in a blog in January - where they were looking for a waterfront home as a 2nd home/vacation rental.  Well, 3 months, 34 emails, 2 offers later… they are back to close on their purchase… a fabulous Caribbean front concrete home located in West Bay's Lighthouse Estates! With rental income of up to $4,000 per week, Jessie and TJ have found everything on their wish list and today, they close and take possession of their dream…

 

el Mercado - Where the Locals Shop on Roatan!

Nestled into the bustling street of Cayo Ocho… el Mercado is THE place for one-stop shopping on Roatan! Since 1991, this indoor/outdoor market has been a favorite of locals and tourists alike.  Come along and see what it has to offer...

 

Communication Bells & Whistles - How does Roatan Compare?

Some things you just take for granted - cell phones, internet, SMS messaging…. and although these modern technologies may be available in almost all 4 corners of the globe, the questions arise almost weekly to me; just what the heck is available on Roatan?  Can I phone home?  Will my computer work with the internet there?  Let's have a look, shall we...

 

Dog Care on Roatan - Bringing Fido to the Tropics!

A family pet sometimes is no different to us than our own children.  Many people ask me about bringing pets with them to Roatan and what the dangers, regulations and ins and outs are.  There are tropical diseases here that you may not be familiar with.  Plain and simple, here's what you need to know...

 

Snail Mail - Easy Come, Not so Easy Go!

Not everything about living on a tropical Caribbean island is paradise.  Occasionally, there are problems associated with doing business and generally surviving in a 3rd world country where "efficient systems" just do not exist. It seems that if something works here, they change it so it doesn't.  Ok.. maybe it's not that bad, but you must be prepared to make certain sacrifices if you're planning on moving here.

One such is the sending of mail and packages from the island.  See how we must go about it…

 

The House (and now Tables) that TJ Built!

Got some spare time and like to work with wood?  Me too!  I recently needed 4 tables for our deck made and decided to do them myself.  I've spent 40 years around construction sites and although I am certainly no carpenter, I enjoy puttering around and building things.  Sometimes my projects turn out ok.  Sometimes, being the key word here.  I also learned how to work with Gallery Glass - a type of stained glass that's done using special 3D paints, while building our place here.  So, I combined the two mediums together and voila...

 

Closing the Deal! Buying Property in Honduras - What about my Title?

For those who have been through the property purchase procedure here in paradise, you'll understand what this informative video is all about.  Closing the deal! -- the most important aspect of buying property, a condo or a home here in Roatan!  Choosing the right attorney, proofing the paperwork and getting the title legally registered is of utmost importance here.  Come along with me today as I attend a closing at the RE/MAX Bay Islands offices.  I was the Selling Agent and am also 'accepting' the sale on the buyer's behalf.  Unlike the States or Canada… Closings in Honduras are fast, simple and relatively painless….

 

New Website is Making a Difference in Fight Against Island's Crime!

Like anywhere in the world, Roatan has it's problems with crime.  Petty thievery, assaults and even murder happen on the Island and the local police -- under-funded, under-paid and over-worked -- struggle continuously with the inept Honduran legal system to put the bad guys behind bars.   

But one group of Gringos is changing the face of law enforcement in the Bay Islands.  Private citizens have banded together to support the good guys and make it harder for the criminal element to go about their terror. Enter www.RoatanCrimeWatch.com - a place to document, communicate and review crime as it happens, before it happens and learn more about 'hot spots' all over Roatan.  Today I meet with RCW's founder, Ilias Scott, and learn more about this movement…

 

Roatan Women's Club - Giving back to the Island

The Roatan's Women's Club is a group of women, both ex-pats and locals, who are committed to helping out the island's needs.  From monthly luncheons to evening fund-raising events, the RWC has been going strong on Roatan for more than 10 years!  It's a great way for women new to the island to get plugged in!  Find out more from one of the Co-founders, Shelley Lynch...

 

Roatan's School System - Education in the Making...

Got kids?  While many 30 and 40-something parents make the move to Roatan, the topic of education and the school system in the Bay Islands always comes up in emails and inquiries.  What are the schools like? Will my child attend private or public school?  What's the curriculum like?  Is it the same as home?

Today, I sat down with  Shelley Lynch, who probably knows more about Roatan's educational programs than the teachers themselves.  Watch as she candidly discusses your options for your kids…

 

Water Taxis of West End - Low Cost Sightseeing!

A great way to see the island from the water AND get from point A to B is by Water Taxi.  These independent operators have small boats that hold 6-20 people and they run constantly during the day from West End to West Bay.  For about $2.50 usd you can jump on board and take the 5-7 min ride along Roatan's north coastline while enjoying the amazing beauty of the island!  Come along with me and enjoy the view...

 

The Living Fences of Roatan! Protecting what's Yours!

Whether it's vacant land or a home on a nice lot, fencing in your property here on Roatan is not only your right… it's a good idea.  Protecting what's yours is important in the Bay Islands.  And you won't believe your eyes when you see this fence that actually "grows" over time! 

 

Day 3 of Semana Sante 2010 on West Bay Beach!

It's only a week out of every year!  The beach fills with beach goers, families and partiers alike.  Vendors flock to sell their wares.  BBQ stands, beer gardens and more!  It's a big change for us that live here and really, it's a nice change!  Watch the action as I tour the beach!

 

Preparations Underway for Busy Easter Week on West Bay Beach!

Tents and beer stands… check!  Tourists and souvenirs… check!  Garbages and porta potys… check!  First Aid stands and lifeguards… check!  Looks like plans are taking shape here in West Bay for the Island's busiest time of the year!

 

Semana Sante (Holy Week) in the Islands 2010!

This is it!  The biggest holiday in Latin America!  Easter Week!  Holy Week!  Semana Sante!  Today marks the beginning of a holiday week here on Roatan!  Many from all over Central America flock to Roatan's beaches… and West Bay will be packed by weeks end!  I'll give you an update daily so you can see how the crowds progress. The big day is Good Friday. Then, by Sunday night… they all go bye bye!

 

"Our Building on Roatan Experience" - San Diego Couple gets Down!

Buying a 'ready to occupy' home or condo on an emerging tropical island is one thing… having one built while you're 2,000 miles away is a completely different story!  See how Americans, Tom and Julie - who first discovered Roatan during a cruise - made the decision to invest in their dream and build a home South of the Border!

 

Bringing Your Pet into the Country - Can I Bring Fido?

If you're like me.. you're extremely attached to your pets!  I absolutely adore my dogs!  Where I go… they go!  Now just how difficult is it to bring in your beloved into the Bay Islands?  Does Roatan have different laws than the rest of Honduras?  What about other pets?  I'll explain the latest restrictions here...

 

In Search of a Screw! Finding the Impossible… Impossibly!

Sometimes you need to find a special item that you're sure is so obscure… it CAN'T possibly be found on Roatan!  I mean, come on…. this little 3rd world island?  I'm building 4 tables for my deck and found some awesome long and skinny screws to fasten the table top to the legs in my bodega (translation=storage room). I don't know where they came from but they worked beautifully… that is, until I ran out of them. Now the hunt for more.. IS ON!

 

After 4 Years Vacationing on Roatan - Canadian Couple pull the Trigger!

Sometimes it takes people years to decide to invest in the Bay Islands…. and sometimes it takes only hours!  In Tim and Renee's case, vacationing here from the cold Canadian winters was a chance for them to get the "feel" of Roatan and settle into the lifestyle before buying a vacation/retirement home.  And yes! They are faithful BuyRoatan.com followers and now… Roatan's newest property owners!  Watch their story…

 

Shopping in the Bay Islands just got Better! Roatan's New Megaplaza Revealed!

Sure, buying veggies out of the back of a pickup in front of your house is a real neat way to shop, but Roatan now has other alternatives… like the newly opened Megaplaza, located in French Harbour.  Ever expanding, this commercial strip mall features shops and services that make look familiar to you!  Take a tour with me...

 

Island Life from a Kid's Point of View! Good. Bad. Incomparable!

So if you're born and raised on a tropical Island such as Roatan and live your entire life there… what happens when you are teleported into another culture?  What do you miss?  What don't you miss?  What about life in the Caribbean?  What was/is it like?  Listen to Jayson (11) and Grady (9) talk about their Island home...

 

Airport things you just won't see in Roatan anytime real soon!

Taking technology for granted is something everyone of us has done, is doing right now, or will do in the future.  And stepping off Roatan brings the picture ever clearer on just how primitive our systems are down here… not that we're complaining, but sometimes it sure is nice to see how the 1st world lives.

 

Roatan is the Place for Funky Building ideas!

Out of the box is the best way to describe some of the building ideas here… eclectic, fun, different and funky are words I've often heard people say about some of the designs and decorating here on Roatan.  Take a look at this hotel…. definitely "outside of the box" and in my opinion… FUN FUN FUN!!

 

Just Where does Roatan's Water Source come from?

Turning on the tap and getting hot and cold water.  Most of us take that for granted. Those living in rural areas may not.  Drilled wells and pressure systems are the norm in those areas and they are here on Caribbean islands like Roatan as well.  If you're planning a move here, you'll need to know how our water works...

 

2 Italian Resort Owners talk about 17 Years on Roatan!

Back when the Roatan airport was nothing but a dirt runway with a bamboo shack as the terminal.  Back when there was one dirt road on the island running east to west.  Back when there were only 4 dive resorts on the entire island.  Back when there were no cruise ships, no direct flights, no fire department and only 12 policemen holding down the fort here…. But these 2 guys saw something.  They built their dream.  And they are still around today doing what they love to do…. Meet Pasquale and Gaetano - West Bay's original entrepreneurs and true Roatanian pioneers!

 

Roatan's Night Life… Great Food! Great People!

As most tourist destinations have to offer, Roatan boasts dozens, if not hundreds of local restaurants, bars and snack bars geared more to the evening crowd after the sun sets into the Caribbean!  French, Italian, American, Spanish and Island cuisines are available here on the Island and when it comes to freshness, Roatan's seafood is second to none!  Dining out is a favorite pastime here.  Sharing a meal with friends is always enjoyable and a great place to swap stories of the past weeks.  

Tonight, 4 of my blog followers from Connecticut - Dave, Lori, Vin and Robin,  join me for dinner at a great little bar/restaurant that serves only "tapas"…

 

Buying Imported Furniture and Protecting your Investment!

We may not have Costco or Home Depot (yet)... but we sure have some great importers of fine furnishings from places like Indonesia  and the Philippines!  I needed some pieces to finish off a couple of rooms in my place so come with me and see what the Island has to offer you.  Oh, and see my million dollar tip to protect your investment!

 

Spanish or English? Communicating on Roatan!

Roatan's part of Honduras, right?  They speak Spanish in Honduras, right? What about Roatan island?  Do I need to be able to speak Spanish to communicate there?  These questions answered...