Sign up for our free newsletter now. Book a flight, pack your bags and take a tour around the island to see if life in Roatan is in fact the life for you. Despite the fact that thousands of tourists fly in and out of Roatan each year, Honduras does have crime. As we wrote before, like many other Caribbean islands, the police in Roatan are either indifferent or corrupt. There are numerous communities within walking distance of Roatan that do not have crime. In the Bay Islands there are +/- 115,000 people, (Roatan, Guanaja, Utila). Visit theEmbassy of Honduraswebsite or any of theHonduran consulatewebsites for the most current visa information. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. Over 200 information packed pages with hundreds of beautiful photos. Im terribly confused. Violent crime occurs in all parts of Honduras with the north coast and central portions of the country historically having the highest crime rates. Vaccinations:Honduras requires proof of Yellow Fever immunization if traveling to or coming from another country endemic with Yellow Fever. The island offers one large public hospital, one fairly new private hospital and a number of small clinics. However, the ability of Honduran law enforcement authorities to prevent, respond to, and investigate criminal incidents, and to prosecute criminals is limited. This island seems perfect, but the crime reports do concern us. Port Royal is an area that is sparsely populated, and isolated. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. While many people will hitchhike on Roatan, you should avoid giving rides to or accepting rides from people that you do not know. Of course, for those that would rather steer clear of the crowds, privacy can be found on the east end of Roatan. } Fax:+(504) 2238-4357 All Rights Reserved. Like in many areas of Central America, the pace of life in Roatan is slow and relaxed, the complete opposite of life in America. Because Roatan is not yet congested with tourists, the prices remain very affordable, and yet, because the tourism industry is an important aspect of Roatans economy, the island is filled with amenities like restaurants and bars that can be great additions for local expats. Copan, Roatan/Bay Islands, and other tourist destinations have a lower crime rate than other parts of the country. Similarly, the government lacks resources like boats to patrol these more isolated areas. What are the rules on bringing in pets (2 indoor cats, in my case)? There are dozens of dive sites scattered throughout Roatan, including the 2nd largest coral reef system on the planet that is located just offshore. Having a hard time pinning down the easiest/most inexpensive option for Covid Testing before our mid_May trip. Add data for Roatan, Consider looking into aggregate data we have for Crime in Honduras. Severe Weather:Honduras is vulnerable to hurricanes, heavy rains, and flooding, especially between June and November. As a school teacher, location near schools might be a key component as well. Learn more about the best places in the world to retire in our daily postcard e-letter. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do you live in Roatan? Maritime Travel:Mariners planning travel to Guatemala should also check forU.S.maritimeadvisoriesandalerts. If you must travel by bus, always travel during daylight hours and on first-class conveyances, not economy buses. Let us do the legwork! The island of Roatan is a small Honduran island with a population of over 115,000 people, most of whom are Afro-Caribbean islanders and mestizos from the Dominican Republic. Whether its the latest news on politics, business, entertainment, sports or health, weve got you covered. Privacy Policy. Ever. Find a TourFind a JobItinerariesContact UsImportsBack to Top, In Partnership withRoatan Online Community. I would say that cruisers in this area, like any other, need to be very vigilant. The French Harbour of Roatan is the second largest community on the island and is filled with amenities like grocery stores, banks, and even a shopping center. I presume that those asking want to make a comparison to their perceived safety in the States. Im going to Roatan in 2 weeks for a short vacation, but have been island shopping for the last several years, & Roatan might be a possibility. For stays of up to 90 days, you do not need a visa for tourism. Since 1995, 115 U.S. citizens were reported murdered in Honduras; of these, just 32 cases have been resolved. Terms of Use and Also contact the U.S. Embassy at 011-504-2236-9320 or 011-504-2238-5114 (and after-hours at 011-504-2238-5114, extension 4100). Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2018 was 38.93, a 5.01% decline from 2017. Do you live in Roatan? Effective June 2, 2021: All travelers, regardless of age, must provide either proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or negative test results for a PCR, Antigen or ELISA COVID-19 test taken less than 72 hours before entry into Honduras. There are more police and security presence in the western part of the island. Emergency After-Hours Telephone:Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa: +(504) 2238-5114 or +(504) 2236-9320, extension 4100 margin: 1.5rem 0; In addition, threats and violence have been used against U.S. citizens involved in property disputes. The vast majority of cruise line passengers experience no problems, but incidents of armed robbery (like this one) and carjacking have been reported., November 23, 2018 Update: A resident of Roatan who does not feel comfortable revealing her name left this comment: I live on Roatan. The Panama City real estate market may have finally taken a turn in , Did you know there are dozens and dozens of great resources on Costa Rica for expats and investors? Should we get only rent a house with a security guard? Secure valuable items in a security box or safe if one is provided by your hotel, a resort, or vacation home. Hotels and resorts may be able to recommend trusted taxi or shuttle services. You can read the warning here. Sincerely. Yes, I'm willing to do a survey, Copyright 2009-2023 Numbeo. I think that they are probably safer there than in an isolated anchorage on the mainland coast of Honduras, Nicaragua, or many other areas. The homicide rate in Honduras was 42 per 100,000 people in 2019, making it one of the most violent countries in the world. This warning recommends that tourists avoid all public gatherings because these can quickly turn violent. with this limited time offer. overflow: hidden; A sixty-nine year old U.S. citizen, originally from California, was identified yesterday as the victim of an abduction and murder in Roatan, Honduras, according to a Honduran newspaper El Heraldo. In particular, Gracias a Dios is a remote location where narcotics trafficking is commonplace, infrastructure is weak, government services are limited, and police or military presence is scarce. Despite these limitations, Roatan is a fantastic place to retire. The island is now being recognized as a retirement destination worth visiting, with several lists of top retirement destinations published, including International Livings Annual Global Retirement Index. But the strong police presence, timely intervention, and swift application of justice seem to be an adequate deterrent to keep crime low and criminals in line. Everything Cruise Lines Don't Want You to Know. Even backpackers who normally travel on a budget are considered to be more well off than many hard workers in the local middle class. Rockslides are common, especially in the rainy season (May through December) and can cause closure of major highways. But his legal trouble in the United States was not over. Roatan, a Caribbean island off the coast of Honduras, is a popular tourist destination in addition to its beach resorts. Approximately 60 percent of Honduras 8 million people are impoverished, which is a major source of poverty. about having to have a test no more than 72 hours before arrival in Honduras. You will love Roatan and it's people, just use your head regarding safety and health. For instance, residents have an option of living in gated communities or stand-alone residences with a hired caretaker of "watchman." Many cruisers anchor in places like Calabash Bight, and other East-End anchorages without any problems. There are a few problems that come with living in Roatan, Honduras. The increasing interest in the area as a , What was once theup-and-coming expat havenofNosara, Costa Rica, has blossomed into one of Costa Rica's most established expatcommunities thatcontinues to be ranked near the top of the list of most desirable destinations in the Latin , When you hear people applaud Nosarafor its laid-back rustic vibe, what you may not realize is that despite it's off-the-beaten-path atmosphere, Nosara is also surprisingly well connected. Crime in Roatan, Honduras Compare Roatan with: We need more contributors for Roatan to increase our data quality. Posted in Crime. No Spam. 6. Furthermore, there is a high rate of crime, with robbery, assault, and murder being the most common. See the report about this attackhere. What follows is a list of safety tips which you can adhere to when visiting our island. - Photos, when, where, who was involved, What happened, what actions have been taken. Please see Fact Sheet for this country/area. Choose taxis or rideshares carefully. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. I for one would be more comfortable in a hotel than a villa. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. Unreported, downplayed and hushed up. No spam. We cover local and national news stories that are relevant to the United States and the Leicester area. Demonstrations:Demonstrations regularly occur in Honduras, particularly near the Presidential Palaces, Congress, and the universities in Tegucigalpa. Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:Honduran law requires access to buildings for persons with disabilities; however, few buildings are accessible. It is not guaranteed, William of Orange became King of England in 1689 when he invaded England with an army from the Netherlands. I got all of the recommended vaccines before I spent 10 days in Roatanhowever I was doing some medical mission work and was in some areas pretty far off the beaten path. The tropical sun is stronger. In the end, you must decide for yourself what your definition of safety is and where your personal threshold is. I did mind the sand fleas at first because I didn't expect them but it was really no problem. And with gangs, the drug cartel, and the highest per capita murder rate, it's no wonder that some expats feel wary. While no separate safety or crime statistics are kept for Roatan, an abundance of evidence strongly suggests that Roatan is a world apart from its mainland connection to Honduras. If the value is 0, it means it is perceived as very low, and if the value is 100, it means it is perceived as very high. There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI nightclubs. Last Update: Reissued after periodic review with updates to the kidnapping indicator. The official language of Honduras is Spanish. Have a comment? Of note, foreign residents of the Bay Islands who purchase properties have reported increased incidents of harassment, including being the victims of violent attacks, after becoming involved in disputes. And while Roatans safety rating is lumped in with mainland Honduras, Roatan is separate in geography, culture, and safety. No-hype updates & resource guides. Royal Caribbeans Wonder of the Seas Belches Soot, Fire on Viking Orion Quickly Extinguished, Atlantis Events New Social Media Policy Misses the Mark, Guest Aboard Sky Princess Alleges Park West Gallery Employee Raped and Infected Her With HIV. Getting residency in Roatan is a relatively simple process and you can be granted a retirement Visa as long as you can prove that you have a monthly income of $1,500. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was 42.01, a 7.91% increase from 2018. But it is raw, marinated seafood so, use your own judgement. But how does the average Joe decide where to put his money? Definitely don't leave home without some really good bug spray. According to a 2018 World Bank report, Honduras had a poverty rate of 48.8% as of 2018, and the situation has quickly deteriorated as a result of COVID-19. The others I went with did not get the vaccines. I meant to say, "we would have no problem returning a third time", lol. The only book in the world that ranks investment and lifestyle in one place. Offshore banking isn't just for the super rich. Is Roatan Honduras safe? Expat retirees, yachties, families with kids, and cruise ship tourists make up a large majority of the demographic found on Roatan at any given time. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping, is common. When visiting the island you should be aware of theselocal warnings or dangers that may affect your trip. I have been researching Roatan for the last couple of years, and the consensus of the vast majority of recently UPDATED sites state 70,000, with Bay Island Voice just blogging me that it is probably approaching 80,000. Check with your airline for vaccine requirements and be up-to-date on allvaccinations recommendedby the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Local police and emergency services lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime. It varies from business to business, with some doing everything but changing the exchange rate on a daily basis and others rounding up or down to make it a cleaner number (for example, if the exchange rate is 22.3, then they will just change it to 22). There are sand flies and mosquitos throughout all tropical areas, and the bites can affect visitors. Travel Smarter! There is no disputing that Honduras has problems with crime, much of it due to the extreme poverty, and also the proliferation of drug trade participants. Mr. Bown was one of three foreigners (i.e., not Honduran) in Roatan who died under mysterious circumstances according to the Honduran press. Crimes against property are the most common with petty theft being the leader. That prompts an internal chuckle that I find tough to stifle. Honduras, the second poorest country in Central America, is in the midst of a recession. Obviously, there is no GPS here, so once you head off the main road, you are on your own. How safe is living in Honduras? Victims of Crime:If you are a victim of crime, call the national police by dialing 911. Read about it here. 11 years ago. Soak in the the sun on the sprawl of white sand, swim or snorkel in the warm waves, or maybe try your hand at paragliding. - These gatekeepers do an excellent job of watching over your property and community. Friday, 7:30a.m. Now I am retiring, with two small pension. The annual humidity for Roatan is estimated to be 77%. If you have been looking for a retirement spot with ideal weather, picture perfect beaches and affordable prices thats only a short plane ride away, consider Roatan, Honduras.