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!!
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...
If you've come to West Bay Beach you would have had to drive right past the 5-star entrance to one of Roatan's finest developments… Keyhole Bay. But what most people don't know is what's inside Dan Taylor's incredible project! From vision and planning…. all the way to perfectly executed construction and decor… Keyhole Bay has it all! And priced from around $200k for a condo with a view or $80k for a treed lot overlooking the Caribbean Sea … now THAT is affordable luxury! Take a look see...
If you've been to Roatan and flew in by air, you are quite familiar with the incredible coastline the Island boasts with it's deep bays (bights), shallow reefs, and ever changing water colors….. well.. today, I got to go up once again and see it…. woo hoo!!! A great friend of mine from Chicago flew down to stay with us at The Mansion and took me for a scenic tour of Roatan in his airplane…
The "Ley de la Tercera Edad" (the Law of the Third Age) refers specifically to Seniors here in Honduras, whether they be nationals or foreigners. The law stipulates discounts and courtesies for our aged residents and is something you'll want to know more about if you're over 60 and planning to visit or move to Roatan.
Often times people will ask me how long the bad weather, rain or wind may last.. and my answer is quite always the same.. "if you don't like the weather here… wait 30 mins". Literally, I've seen it go from calm, clear and hot to stormy, downpour and windy in 10 minutes here in the Bay Islands! Bad weather from elsewhere in the Caribbean can catch us off guard and often does… like today in fact!
Nearing 13 years of life on Roatan I've come to know a thing or two… and trust me, the language they are supposed to speak here… and the language they actually speak here are often quite different! When they tell you Manana (which translates into "tomorrow") they really do not mean tomorrow 90% of the time. You get used to it. You find it amusing. You start to do the same….. or you end up frustrated pretty darn quick! Today, I'm going to put that to the test…. check out the results!!
For quite some time I've been studying Islands and the phenomena called "island fever". It affects many a rock dwellers and those living on the beautiful isle of Roatan are certainly not immune from it. If you're planning a move here.. you need to watch this...
Unlike Mexico and some other Caribbean islands, you CAN own property in your name, fee simple here on Roatan.. but there are limits… LIMITS? What does that mean? What about title? Title Insurance? What if I want to buy acreage? Today, I answer these questions.. and more!
As another busy week comes to a close I wanted to show you what you're missing if you're not here.. and what's in store for you if you're on your way down this weekend!! September is a great hot dry month on Roatan and the water is crystal clear!!
So I had to take my German Shepherd, Picasso back to the Vet for her 2nd round of treatment for heartworm -- a potentially fatal disease that will eventually kill the animal… if they don't die first from the toxic treatment needed to kill off the disease. And we do have some incredible Veterinarians here like Dr. Santiago Soto… a good friend and certainly one of the most respected doctors on Roatan!
For those of you who missed out on that $119k beachfront condo I featured a couple months ago here (it sold in 24 hours) I went back today to shoot the RENOS which are now completed and were part of the purchase price… WOW.. it really turned out nice!!! I have another one in there coming up soon so drop me a note if you are interested..
Many people come to Roatan but few venture to the other end (East) of the island. For one, it's a dirt road past Oakridge, often in poor condition. You need to rent a car or take a tour bus to go there.. but believe me, it is well worth it!! It's like a completely different side to this amazing Bay island! Come with me today as I journey out there...
Many people ask me about building their dream home here on Roatan and many purchase lots for just that purpose. But what about the building costs and availability of materials? What about hiring a builder? Do they build the same specs as back home? Today, I interview the Engineer that built my own home, Jorge Perez… to find out more about building on Roatan...
I've had to pleasure to talk to a lot of people about Roatan and what they think.. first impressions, short term stay, long term and those who've invested here. Here's what some of them had to say...
From time to time I like to post what I feel are the hottest deals on the island!! Right now.. this is IT!! If you have the ability to buy this.. I'd jump on it FAST! My previous deals have sold within a couple days…. take a look at this view… 0.34 acre, location AND beach access!!
Some of the biggest news about the Island of Roatan in the past 4 years has just been made public… And you saw it first… right here!
In Honduras law is quite different at times than back home. There are different procedures and protocols that you may not be familiar with.. and it could cost you a bundle. If you're not willing to take that chance, you'll want to watch this...
Ok.. so we've been to the hospitals and clinics… and today we go to the local dentist… and see what the heck that is all about…. one thing for sure.. it's a lot cheaper than you pay back home! See Dr. Sherry Webster work on me… if you dare. Hey, remember that movie with Steve Martin as the mad dentist - Little Shop of Horrors?… well, luckily it's NOTHING like that!
Ok.. so you're considering buying property in the Bay Islands… and you're concerned about hurricanes, fires or theft. What happens if there's a flood, or wind damage? Former Governor of the Bay Islands, Arlie Thompson has the answers. His agency, Arlie Thompson Insurance has been around and long time… and offers big name insurance services here!
Since coming to Roatan more than 7 years ago, Canadian entrepreneur, Murray Russ has been up to his elbows in tourism on Roatan! From buying Capt. Van's Rentals to opening a DVD store and more, Murray has seen good times, troubled times and has some provocative comments on the future of Roatan and the Bay Islands...
Ok.. I've talked before about the mail and package forwarding service on the Island… RAS Express! Today, I'm interviewing the owner of RAS Express, Gil Garcia, in hopes of shedding a bit more light on the process. After all, you WILL want all your bills, subpoenas and Overstock.com purchases shipped here, right?
There were no parades. There was sun, sand and surf. There were no soldiers in uniform. There was an all-you-can-eat BBQ with live Caribbean music. There were no reciting of the "Declaration of the…". There was people of all countries joining in the celebration. There was unity. There was pride.
HGTV's mega-popular travel/real estate show House Hunters International© has been to the Caribbean many times! Personally, I've been involved in two episodes here on Roatan. In one particular episode, Louis St. Louis and his beautiful wife, Jamie come to Roatan in search of not only a new family home for them and their young daughters, but a thriving business venture as well. That was in 2007. Fast forward to today and we interview Louis on how his family's investment has faired, life in the tropics and what he sees in Roatan's ever-emerging future.
She came to Roatan first on a cruise ship. She returned to spend more time. She fell in love. Lynda Burton is not alone - so many feel the same way she does. Even after exploratory trips to Costa Rica and other tropical places, Lynda's heart was still in the Bay Islands. Listen to her story...
Getting the perspective of island life first hand from someone born and bread here, as well as someone who lives off the tourism trade in Honduras is powerful stuff. Gary Lee Diaz offers some unique insight into life on Roatan and where he thinks we'll be in the future. As a business owner, Gary Lee has a lot to say...
Hope you're all having a super weekend! From time to time people ask me about coming to Roatan and that little paper they staple into your passport when you arrive. Today, I show you the process of landing in Roatan AND what the heck that paper is for. If you're planning a trip here, DON'T MISS THIS ONE!
It's not just Canadians who buy on Roatan… although there certainly are a lot of Canucks down here! Americans, who are coming out of an incredible economic downturn, are finally looking once again to invest outside the USA…. for investment, retirement, income among other reasons. Watch the testimony of John and Lizeth Fowler from Kentucky as they describe the reasons and the process of buying here. Roatan is prime real estate, undervalued and ready for you to find your dream!
Sure, there are lots of reasons to buy in the tropics… and there are a lot more things to consider rationally before you pull the trigger though. I sit down with my clients and try to address EXACTLY what it is they hope to accomplish with their purchase. Investment, retirement, revenue stream… will they be using it often throughout the year? Do they have family that will be using it? Condo or home? View or beachfront? The list is quite extensive… and what area of Roatan suits you? Watch as I give you some pointers I provide to all my clients…
