Safety Tips for Traveling to Roatan

General Safety Tips
– Secure items of value in a security box or safe, if provided by your hotel, resort or vacation home.
– Keep a photocopy or scan of your passport, credit cards and airline reservations, in the event that they are lost or stolen.
– When on the beach, restaurant or a bar, do not leave your bag or belongings unattended or hanging from the back of a chair where they can be easily stolen.
– Exploring of isolated areas of the island are best done through a guided tour or a car, rather than on scooters, as there have been a few isolated incidents of muggings on scooters.
– The beach walk between West End and West Bay Beach should not be attempted alone, as muggings have occurred on this isolated stretch of beach. It is safer to take a land or water taxi.
– Avoid displays of money and valuables such as expensive jewelry, watches, cell phones, i-pods, cameras, etc. Roatan is very casual, and by dressing casually, you will not draw attention to yourself.
-The tropical sun is stronger than you may realize. Apply sunscreen before going into the sun, especially on children.
-There are sand flies and mosquitos throughout the Caribbean and the bites can affect visitors. Apply repellent before going out for sensitive individuals, use anti-itch cream.

Driving Safety Tips
– Carry your driver’s license at all times when driving.
– Do not leave valuable items in your car.
– Make sure when driving your vehicle you also have the ‘matricula’ or registration card.
– Police and road checks are common in Roatan, please be courteous, polite and patient with the local police. Do not run road blocks.
– Do not drink and drive, or accept a ride with someone that has been drinking and is driving.
– It is illegal to drive without seat belts or for the driver to use a cell phone unless it is used in hands free mode.
– Be careful driving at dusk or after dark as pedestrians do walk along the side of the road.
– Be careful at all times especially near schools and day care centers during daylight hours as children walk to and from school along the side of the road.
– After rain the roads can be very slippery and you should reduce your speed and take extra caution when driving.
– There are no white lines in the median strip marked on the roads in Roatan, please be careful overtaking on corners and hills and when passing other vehicles.
– Avoid giving people rides or a lift that you do not know.
– If you are involved in an accident, do not move your vehicle until the police arrive.

Water Safety and Marine Park Laws
– Avoid touching or standing on the reef, as it is living and is easily damaged. Fire coral, urchins and other aquatic life can cause stings, and abrasions from coral become easily infected. If tired while snorkeling, float until rested.
– Removing lobster, conch, shells, and coral within the marine park is strictly prohibited.
– Net fishing is prohibited. Spear fishing is only allowed if a permit is obtained from the Marine Park office in West End and can only be used to catch Lion Fish, an invasive species.
– Line fishing is permitted from shores and docks within the marine park. No license is needed.
– Certified divers should adhere to diving regulations including depth and time restrictions.
– If using small watercraft such as kayaks, peddle-boats or snorkeling etc, stay within swimming distance of the shore in the event that weather conditions change and you are not able to manoeuvre the watercraft or swim back.
– Avoid swimming in the water taxi lanes and shore access points in West End or West Bay Beach.
– Please do not leave rubbish, cigarette butts or bottles on the beach.

Night Time Safety
– Do not leave drinks unattended, or accept a drink that you have not seen opened or prepared in front of you.
– Avoid walking in poorly lit or deserted areas.
– Avoid walking home alone late at night.
– Avoid carrying large amounts of money or valuable personal items while out.
– Don’t open your hotel, resort or vacation rental room door to anyone that you don’t know.
– At night, avoid areas of Coxen Hole especially El Suampo, Calle Ocho and Wild Cane. In French Harbour Barrio Suampo and Barrio Los Fuertes.
– Be aware that in Honduras it is illegal to use or be in possession of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy etc.
– Be aware that in Honduras, prostitution is illegal as is sex with minors.
– When leaving your accommodation at night do not leave valuable items in areas which can be seen or reached through windows.