Well.. it's here again.. or should I say "hear" again... cause the sites and SOUNDS of Semana Sante 2012 are once again AMAZING!! If you've experienced it.. you'll know what I'm talking about... if you haven't... watch this!
The great thing about Roatan is that it's not been "discovered" like so many of the other touristy Caribbean islands. It's still relatively inexpensive here to buy property, vacation and live. I mean, where else in the tropics can you go out and have a nice evening, complete with dinner and drinks, for twenty bucks? Check out Roatan's West End... tons of food establishments, tiki bars and more!!
For more than 10 years now, Karla and Marco have been hand-crafting the finest jewelry I've seen, and selling it on West Bay Beach! They have a little stand set up in front of Emerald Beach - next to the Henry Morgan Resort and are the busiest shop on the island! They use only the purest silver, precious gems and unique designs that you'll not find anywhere else! Well worth the trip to see.. and buy! Check them out here... Jewelers Extraordinaire!!
This time of year is one of my favs... and the sunsets are spectacular!! The rains have almost stopped for the season... and the sun is out! Take a look at this from West Bay Beach...
For the past 15 years I've been setting the standard for Real Estate on Roatan! As a founding member of the Roatan Realtors Association, I helped developed the MLS system, Code of Ethics, and pioneered the sharing of listings between the island's REALTORS! I believe that cooperation between agents is paramount to better customer service AND satisfaction! As a licenced agent for more than 22 years, I've sold more properties than anyone on Roatan and even ranked the #6 Agent in the world by RE/MAX International a few years ago!! As a Buyer's agent, my job is to use my experience here to guide you through the jungle and make sure your experience is as painless, smooth and enjoyable as possible!
Built in the same shipyard in La Ceiba as the ORIGINAL Black Pearl... THIS replica is available for tours, shows, weddings and the fun of the open seas!! WOW!! This is a really cool trip.. complete with stuntmen, sword-fighting and of course... plenty of Grog!! (and it's for sale if you want to change your life...for the better!!)
Finally, they're doing something about all the crazy misfit septic wannabe systems in the West End. They've hired a company to build a sewage treatment plant (eco-friendly I might add) and another company to actually install the sewer pipes to bring the sludge to the plant. The best place to do this so that all homes and businesses can tie in? West End Road. And tonight, we will see the progress after many weeks of construction, which, by the way has been brutal (business-wise) on the local merchants there....
Buying real estate, diving, the warm waters, friendly locals - these are all reasons for peeps to blow their wad and vacation (or move) to Roatan! But the truth is... there's a bigger reason.... and here it is!
I KNEW it was there... and today is a good day for a tan... or a beach walk... or a fishing trip... or a zip line adventure... or a snorkel.... or a swim with the dolphins... you name it... the climate is perfect!!
Since our rainy season began earlier this year (October) it is certainly not normal for it to still be raining this far into the new year. Usually, we're seeing drier times about now... but not this year! Hmm.... must be that darned Obama again!!!
This is a question often asked.... "Can I bring meats with me in my luggage?" Honduran agriculture laws are strict, but loosely enforced at times... nonetheless, you need to know this before you go...
For many, 2011 was a banner year... and for Roatan, just bouncing back from the country's 2009 abrupt changes in Government, it was indeed an important year as well!! Real Estate sales were brisk, mainly due to a US stuggling economy - with many who do have money looking for investment outside the country. 2012 is already showing strong signs of more development, more sales and more tourists travelling to our little paradise in the Carbibbean! Here's my predictions...
In fact, it's JUST RIGHT! for those of us who live here. Sure, there's a few rainy stints, some overcast skies, but that warm sun still shows up everyday!! Take a look for yourself...
I've said it before and I'll keep saying it... there's more people killed by traffic accidents than anything else here on Roatan!! Well.. maybe it's true and maybe it isn't... but if anyone can get a license if they pay the $10 fee... no test, no qualifications.... then there's not a lot of hope for common sense on the roads...
After witnessing a tourist fall face down in the sand the other day and then finding out it was as a result of dehydration, I thought it necessary to include this video for those of you coming down to Paradise! Roatan is hotter and more humid than you think... so listen up!
January usually brings cooler temps and less direct sunshine to Roatan and this month we're experiencing temperatures in the 70's and low 80's for sure. At night, it drops to the low 70's and that makes dressing up and going out... that much more bearable!! But that doen't mean the beaches are any less inhabited... tons of fun going on every day!!
Who'd a thunk? In a country where even the police throw trash out the window, there is FINALLY some hope!! Roatan now has recycling bins placed along the roadside throughout the island. Now, the next step is to educate the peeps on how to use them...
If you've ever driven on Roatan's road system... if that is even the best name for it... you'll come to realize that it's about dodging, stopping suddenly, driving in the oncoming traffic lane, and unavoidably hitting a LOT OF POTHOLES.... today... I tell you why!
I got to tell you.... living on Roatan is far from boring.... mundane or anything you may believe stuck on a big rock in the middle of the ocean is cracked up to be. Between the thousands of ever-changing tourists -- to the amazing, quirky misfit residents who call Roatan home, there is always something to look at, admire, laugh to, buy, repair, build and stare at here! Here's a few of my memories from this past year... enjoy!
If you like soft velvet sand between your toes... if you like clear shallow, calm and warm water.... if you like fun activities at your fingertips... then you'll LOVE West Bay Beach! There's ONLY one on Roatan.. beach that is... that is anything short of spectacular... and this is it! Usually dead calm.. sometimes this time of year brings in some waves.. which all adds to the fun!!
If you're building a home on Roatan, or maybe just fixing up something you bought here, there are a lot of inexpensive touches you can do to "personalize" your place. Today, I'm going to show you a few ideas that may help you make some choices... and the tradespeople in Honduras ROCK!!!! They can do almost anything... and at $30/day, you won't find a better deal anywhere!!
Coming to Roatan? Get used to the humidity.. and what it does to rooms.. HOTEL rooms!! Anywhere in the tropics, not just Roatan, you have to be aware that stale, humid air causes funky smells.... and our island is no exception. But have no fear... relief is here!!!
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!
From the moment you land on this beautiful island you'll see the vast sea of smiling faces -both locals and imports- and one can't help but wonder what is going on inside their minds. Is it just the Caribbean island lifestyle that is so amazing? Roatan's amazing sunshine and warm water? I tend to think it's two-fold... 1) the tourists are smiling because of the GREAT value they're recieving for their money spent... and 2) the locals are smiling because they are making money supplying services for the tourists that come to the island. --either way, I know you'll feel it too...
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!!
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...
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....
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!!!!
TJ Lynch & Family - Life in Paradise Learn more about TJ his beautiful family. Consistently in the TOP 25 Realtors in the Caribbean, TJ is the best person you could hook up with to buy or sell on Roatan.
Rob Seaman On the ground floor of real estate development in Roatan. Rob can provide you with a great understanding of Roatan it's massive growth and more. Whether it's information you need, finding a contact, or putting your deal together...TJ's Assistant and Technical Guru... brings it all together for us!
TourRoatan.com Whether it's the latest information on a shark dive, the name of the company that offers dolphin encounters, or you just want to view the galleries of the various towns and areas of Roatan... check out the photos, videos and more on TourRoatan.com!
RoatanMag.com Dive into the culture, life and entertainment of Roatan. Looking for a great night club in West End? Who are the Garifuna? How is education and schooling on the island? Each issue focuses on important topics about Roatan.
RetireRoatan.com Roatan is picked as the premier place to retire in the Caribbean. Find out why by reading up on investment tips and strategies, business opportunities, how to retire here and more.
PropertyOnRoatan.com Real Estate is booming on Roatan. Visit this site to read about new developments, hot properties and island growth. View listings, slideshows and detailed analysis of location and properties on the island. Where is the best place to buy for YOU?
LoveRoatan.com Team Lynch pages. We love Roatan and you will too, read up on our experiences here and what life is like in this beautiful tropical paradise.
LiveRoatan.com What's it really like here? What do islanders do on a day to day basis? What food can you buy and cook, where are the best places to eat, play and relax. Read accounts and stories of tourists/occupants of Roatan Bay Island.
InvestRoatan.com Appreciation of real estate on Roatan has been astounding over the last 5 years. New roads, businesses, developments, properties and more. This site provides a history and track record of what is happening on the island. How fast is West Bay or Caribe Point growing?
ExperienceRoatan.com Get a front row seat to Roatan! Site features video collected from around the web of everything Roatan and the Bay Islands. Check out real estate, hotels, activities, music, culture and more.
DreamRoatan.com Dreaming of paradise? This site will help fill in the blurry parts...Fall in love with the natural unspoiled beauty of Roatan, in the Bay Islands of Honduras! All your questions answered here! Such as topography, climate and weather, facilities, travel documents, where to stay, how to get around, history, activities and so much more.