janenicole

Haven't even been on our vacation this year, and I'm already kicking around some ideas for next year. I've been looking at and reading about Roatan, but am wondering how busy it is there. Does it get a lot of cruise ship tourists? There seems to be a lot of resorts and hotels on the island. We love the look of Mango Creek Lodge, but is it truly as remote as it looks? Would Utila feel more quiet and remote? We're thinking about combining some beach/snorkel time with a few nights at the Lodge at Pico Bonito.

hopefulist

Mango Creek Lodge is gorgeous and truly as remote as it looks. There are a few photos in my 2006 flickr collection linked below and there is a link to my travelogue on the main page. You can also check out my Trip Advisor review. While Roatán does get cruise ships, they appear on specific days and the passenger tend to go to a few specific venues. If you avoid those venues on those days you won't be bothered. At Mango Creek they won't even be on your radar.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections
http://www.tripadvisor.com/members-reviews/hopefulist

Utila would definitely NOT feel more quiet or remote. It's a bustling town filled to the brim with young people from all over the world whose interests are scuba and, for many, partying. We love it (inspite of being middle aged and not party types) but quiet and remote it's not. If you decide to check it out I have a great hotel recommendation.

I haven't been to the Lodge at Pico Bonito, though I've heard it's beautiful. I can personally recommend Omega Lodge which is much cheaper and has some gorgeous, artsy jungle suites that might interest you and lots of great adventures. You can read about it using the links above.
http://www.omegatours.info/

Happy planning! Let me know if I can answer additional questions.

volcanogirl

Bookmarking.

hopefulist

Oh, volcanogirl, you poor thing! You are JUST LIKE ME! Always dreaming vacations beyond vacations!

volcanogirl

I know - it's a sickness. I found some Belize things I had bookmarked two years ago! Sometimes the info. is too irresistible!

janenicole

Thanks, hopefulist. I think I found Mango Creek on another post and looked at your pictures and travelogue, but good to hear from you firsthand that it is truly peaceful. It looks really nice. Are there any other small resorts on Roatan that have that same remote feeling? I won't even check into Utila.

I wish the website for Omega Lodge gave me a better feeling for the atmosphere there. I'll have to read your travelogue about it and check out TA. It looks like they offer some serious adventure activities. If you book a package at Pico Bonito, the price is better than if you pay only for the rooms. Even a more expensive place in Honduras is much cheaper than Belize, unless I am missing something.

hopefulist

We found great budget and mid-priced options in Belize, too, but Honduras is cheaper in general. Check out my photos and travelogue and let me know if I can answer specific questions. Wish I had photos of the jungle suites - very cool. They could send you add'l photos and answer questions, too. Happy planning!

janenicole

Another question for you: If we split time between Roatan and someplace near La Ceiba, does it make the most sense to fly into Roatan, then transfer from there? Better by boat or plane?

I am going to send you a pm on TA about some other questions.

hopefulist

I'd just look at the flight cost and convenience of dates/hours. You could also look into an open jaw that flies into San Pedro Sula (SAP) and out of Roatán (RTB).

If you fly into SAP you can either fly or bus (3 hours on a luxury bus) to La Ceiba; the lodges are a half hour or so from there. Then you can ferry to Roatán or fly there. You can fly from Roatán to SAP for your return flight if necessary and/or preferable to ferry/bus (the flights stop in La Ceiba enroute).

Happy trails!

www.hedmanalas.com - bus
http://www.flyislena.com - airline (sometimes there are others but the websites aren't updated)
http://safewaymaritime.com/ - ferry

janenicole

Thanks so much. Sounds like we have a few different options!