Is Roatán Island Safe? What to Know Before You Go

We love Roatán. It’s a place where tourism is a major part of the economy, and locals are welcoming and friendly. Like most destinations, however, it has areas where you’ll want to be aware of your surroundings. We’ve spent considerable time over the years in both West End and West Bay — two of the most popular spots for visitors — and we’ve never felt unsafe walking around during the day or even in the evening in the populated areas. That said, we use the same common-sense precautions we would in any other destination. Here’s what we’ve learned in general and specific to Roatán.

West End Safety

West End is the more local and lively of the two hot spots, with restaurants, bars, and dive shops lining the main road. During the day, it’s a casual, easy place to wander. At night, it stays busy, but lighting can be uneven in some areas. If you’re walking back to your hotel after dark, especially on the edges of town, it’s worth taking a taxi. There’s a taxi stand at the circle right near The Beach House at Half Moon Bay and we’ve generally had luck finding an available ride when we needed one.

West Bay Safety

West Bay is more resort-focused and feels quieter at night. The main safety concerns here are petty theft (don’t leave valuables on the beach) and water safety (watch currents and boat traffic near the reef). The beach path between West End and West Bay can be a fun walk in daylight but is not recommended after dark. We typically take the water taxi between West Bay and West End and will take a land taxi if it’s late or if we have our luggage.

10 Practical Safety Tips for Roatán Travelers

We love Central America but understand that people are concerned about safety, as there are certainly areas to avoid, particularly on mainland Honduras. It’s worth noting, however, that while Honduras has a level three travel advisory (reconsider travel) from the US Department of State, Roatan is an island off the coast with a completely different infrastructure that relies heavily on tourism – and you can fly directly to Roatan Island from the US (Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Houston, and Miami).

The US State Department notes: “Around resort areas in the Bay Islands, which include Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja, there is a concentration of resources, and these areas are better policed.”

We have always felt very safe in Roatan, and indeed, even more safe and comfortable in West Bay and West End than in some other Caribbean destinations. That being said, you should always take safety precautions. Here are our top 10 safety tips:

• Use taxis at night, especially if your hotel is outside the main strip or you’ve been out late.
• Don’t carry all your cash and cards. Bring only what you need for the day and leave the rest locked up. But you should note that getting cash on the island is a little difficult. It’s better to bring enough USD from home and lock it up at the hotel. Most places will take credit cards or Venmo but you will need some cash.
• Keep an eye on your beach bag. A waterproof pouch for valuables is handy if you swim.
• Avoid isolated areas after dark. Stick to busy, well-lit spots in the evenings.
• Be cautious on beach paths. Only walk off the main strips in daylight.
• Pay attention in the water. Boats often pass close to swimmers. There aren’t many marked swimiming areas, but there are boat lanes, so keep aware when snorkeling the reef.
• Know your taxi fare. Agree on the price before getting in, especially for longer trips. It’s best to have US dollars for taxis and tips, and easier if you bring it from home.
• Watch your drinks. This is just commonsense advice and not specific to any experience we’ve had in Roatán. Don’t leave drinks unattended in bars or clubs.
• Stay on main roads when exploring. Side streets can be unlit or uneven, especially after rain, and curves make it hard to see approaching vehicles.
• Respect local advice. If locals or hotel staff say an area isn’t safe, trust their guidance. When in doubt, just ask. You can check out the Roatan Tourism Bureau for more information about what to expect and areas to avoid at night, especially if you will be outside of the main tourist spots of West Bay and West End.

Our Experience

We’ve walked together many times in the dark for short distances between restaurants and accommodations on the beach in West Bay and down the main drag of West End. We’ve never had any problems with crime. Our biggest concerns are boat traffic when snorkeling, especially near Infinity Bay which has the best snorkeling but also is by the water taxi drop-off point, and car traffic on West End’s main road, especially when navigating potholes after the rain.

We love Roatán and feel relaxed and comfortable every time we visit.

Was this helpful? Would you like to see more posts on Roatán? Let us know in the comments.

Up Next: When is the best time to visit Roatan? Tune in Monday for our post on weather, crowds, and prices.

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