theshers

Thinking about Roatan for a honeymoon trip early August. Advice on where to stay? Want to snorkling, kayak, maybe a dive or two. Would do inclusive if the food's good, but not required. Remember - it's a honeymoon sp a nice room with a view would help score some points.

mad

Depending on your taste, check out Infinity Bay (probably the nicest place in terms of amenities on the island). If you want someplace a little more secluded, check out Tranquil Seas. The beach is nothing special here, but the snorkeling is great and they'll take you out snorkeling or diving anytime. Food is good at both places, but better at Tranquil Seas. These are vastly different, but both great places to stay.

Denise_Weber

If you are not into West Bay crowd - Pristine Bay is stunning! It is not all inclusive (I think only Infinity Bay is) but there are three restaurants on property and a sports bar around the corner - you would need to drive to West End and West Bay is you wanted to go there (which I recommend) - but Pristine Bay is stunning!

volcanogirl

I'm bookmarking because I'm interested in Roatan too!

volcanogirl

Are there a lot of organized tours on Roatan? Or is the focus primarily on snorkeling and diving? I'm assuming no ruins, not much in the way of wildlife, etc. Is that right? Have heard great things about the snorkeling.

mad

We were traveling with a young child, so I'm not sure what is out there. We ziplined, snorkeled, swam with sharks and visited a park with lots of wildlife running around freely. It was all much less expensive than anywhere else we've been, which was nice. You can def do an island tour, but I'm not sure what it entails. Wildlife is nothing compared to Costa Rica. The snorkeling is phenomenal, especially if you take a boat out- really the main reason to go there.

mad

BTW, there's an american woman there with a business called "At Your Service". She can set you up with any kind of tour you might be interested in at no extra cost- she knows everyone and everything!

volcanogirl

mad, that all sounds great - thanks for the info.

Denise_Weber

Just am fyi - there are plenty of tours and activities that can be had..jeep tours, mangrove tours, of course zip lining and many other activities.
I would never do an all inclusive on this island - the food and drink are the cheapest I have seen and all very very good. And yes- there are NO ruins on Roatan

volcanogirl

So if we like Belize and CR, do you think Roatan would be our kind of spot?

mad

I haven't been to Belize, but we love CR, but for different reasons than we liked Roatan. For example, West Bay is a cruise ship stop and can get very busy- it's a really nice beach and great for snorkeling. We never experienced crowds like that in CR. However, the rest of the island reminds me more of the Puerto Viejo area, but the beaches aren't as nice. If you like remote, it's easy to find on Roatan, but you won't find the amenities that you find in more remote spots in CR. We enjoyed Roatan for the snorkeling and some of the adventure excursions (good zip lining), we also had good food. For us it was a one time, super fun vacation, but CR is a place we go back to again and again- it's hard to beat! I think if you're excited about going to visit an amazing reef, than Roatan is more than worth the trip. Hope that helps!

Denise_Weber

I agree about West Bay - BUT not every day is a cruise ship day. We actually do go to West Bay during at least one of the cruise ship days - it's kinda fun and huge party atmosphere. Not sure what the above poster is referring to about not finding the amenities. Many many of the resorts and restaurants have all the amenities one could want. of course there is the more rural or "island" spots. I have to admit I have not been to CR but we have been to Roatan 6 times in three years and continue to go back.

mad

Well, it's all relative. you can certainly find very comfortable places to stay in Roatan in the West Bay area. Outside of West Bay, you can't compare with CR. Don't get me wrong, the places are nice, just not comparable. Just pointing out the differences. Both great places, but different in terms of what they have to offer.

volcanogirl

Wimpy question - can anyone recommend some good hotels that would have a.c., or is that not common?

We had it in one hotel in Belize and not the other, and it got pretty sweaty without it.

mad

My knowledge is limited to our one trip- all I can tell you is both places we stayed had AC. They were vastly different. Are you looking for a quiet eco-lodge type place, or a someplace a little busier with more amenities? West Bay is the nicest beach and there are a few nice places to stay there, but the beach can get quite busy. We stayed in Sandy Bay for a few days, which is quieter- Tranquil Seas is prob the nicest place over there, but I'm not positive. We had A/C there too. Also, check trip advisor forum- it's very active with lots of "experts".