Roatan Facts:

Population: 65,000 (2005 estimate)
Area: 49 sq. miles/ 127 sq. kilometers /with 23 cays
Dimensions: 2-4 kilometers wide / 45 kilometers long
Language: English, Spanish, Garifuna
Cultures: Afro Caribbean, English settlers, Garifuna, Ladino
Temperature: Tropical: 80-85 degrees / 75%-90% humidity
Rain Season: Mid October - mid February
Hurricane Season: April 1- September 30
Flora: tropical forests, mangroves, sandy beaches
Fauna: 12 mammals, 36 species of reptiles and amphibians.
Birds: 120 species of resident and migratory birds
Marine Life: Fringing coral reef with hundreds of fish andinvertebrate species
Currency: $1US = 19 Lempira / 1 Lempira = 5 cents US
Measurements: Imperial and Metric
Electricity: 110 Volts / 60 Hz
Telephone Code: (504)- country code and .HN (Honduras internet domain)
Entry Requirement: Passport, no visa for most countries, 30 day entry permit renewable up to 90 days
Departure Tax: $32- international / $1.60- domestic
Driving: Drive on right hand. Foreign license valid for 90 days.
Taxis: Agree on price before ride (see chart for prices)
Tipping: 10% at restaurants

Yearly Calendar:

February: Roatan Baseball Season begins
March: Bay Islands Triathlon
April: Holy Week celebrations
April: arrival of Garifuna celebrations
April 22: Bay Islands Return to Honduras celebrations
April: Jonesville Pirate's Fair
May: La Ceiba Carnival
June: Roatan International Shrimp Festival
July: Island Baseball Championship
September: Roatan Fishing Tournament and Carnival
December 13: free zone anniversary
December: French Harbour Christmas Festival

Roatan Museum & Roatan Institute of Marine Sciences, Sandy Bay:
Learn about the island's history, or enjoy a dolphin skill show. (445-3003)

Canopy Tour in West Bay and French Harbour:
Glide or zoom through rainforest canopy on a 200-meter steel cable from hilltop to a beach. (970-0864, 965-2135, 904-7855)

Carambola Botanical Gardens, Sandy Bay:
Enjoy a hike or a picnic at this rainforest garden while watching for birds watching, wildlife. Open 7 days/week. (445-3117)

CASS Spanish School, Sandy Bay & West Bay:
Learn Spanish through culture classes on weekly basis. (3331-3585)

Dolphin Experience, Sandy Bay & Coxen Hole:
Swim, interact and learn about these smart marine mammals at one of the islands oldest resorts. (445-3003)

Roatan Butterfly Garden, West End:
The garden is home to over 12 different species of butterflies, exotic plants and tropical fruit trees. Open Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm. (445-4481)

Iguana Farm, French Cay:
The Iguana Farm is home to over 3,000 iguanas, 200 lobsters, 200 conch fish, tarpon fish and turtles. (455-7482)

Glass Bottom Boat, West Bay:
Watch marine life and reef with your entire family, in comfort with a knowledgeable guide. (3336-5597)

Pirate Tours, Port Royal:
Take a guided tour on the Captain Merrell boat across the bay from Oak Ridge to Port Royal. (435-2576)

Parasailing:
Enjoy a delectable view of the island while being pulled by a boat (9967-0777)

Diving & Snorkeling:
Some of the more famous island wrecks are Prince Albert and the Aguila. Roatan has over 15 dive shops located through the island and excellent snorkeling from the several beaches.

Mangrove Tours:
Take a nature tour through Roatan's quiet, pristine and magnificent mangroves. Water taxis are available from Jonesville, Oak Ridge or Calabash Bight. (435-2576)

Shark Dive, Las Palmas in Dixon Cove:
If regular reef diving isn't exhilarating enough, try diving in a company of dozens of reef sharks. (445-1283)

Horseback Riding:
Several horse stables on Roatan offer rides along beaches and trails in Sandy Bay, West Bay, West End and Palmetto Bay. (445-3003, 3391-3688)

Gumba Limba Park, West Bay:
Something for everyone: monkeys, tropical birds, a beach with water equipment and a museum cave. You can catch and release fish from a pond fed by a waterfall. (9946-5559)

SCUBA diving, West Bay:
Dive to three or 30 feet in comfort and without the hustle of air tanks.

Sea Shell Carving, Gravel Bay:
Watch artists carve intricate cameos and sea shells at a Stone Castle Cameo. (408-3169)

Coral Cay, Dixon Cove:
See a turtle hatchery, a nurse shark or just rent snorkel gear, a kayak and swim off to nearby coral and two ship wrecks. (445-5744)

Deep Sea Fishing:
Bay Islands' waters and banks are heaven for anglers on the lookout for wahoos, king mackerel, mahi mahi, barracuda, tuna and marlin. (455-7841)

Fly Fishing:
If you want to wade in the cool waters to try fly fishing, Roatan offers packages in the east end. (455-7841)

Windsurfing School, Sandy Bay:
The school offers advanced & beginner lessons and equipment rentals. (3378-8878)

Kiteboarding, Marble Hill Farms:
Exciting sport combining wind, jumps, and boarding (3312-8439)

Spa, Parrott Tree Plantation:
When all activities tire you out, treat yourself to a massage, a body wrap and bring yourself back to life in style. (9991-0474)

Parasailing, West End:
Harness yourself for a better view of the island from a boat-pulled parachute. (9967-0777, 445-4335)

Catamarans, West Bay & Dixon Cove:
Rent your own or go along on a sailing trip around the shores of Roatan. (455-7841)

Plane and Seaplane Charter:
If you want to have a bird's view of the island just go up in a Cessna or hire a two seat seaplane. (445-1417, 9858-8819)

Deep Water Submarine, West End:
Ride in the world's deepest tourist submarine at Half Moon Bay. There is a shipwreck at 2,600 feet to explore & a seamount rising over 2,000 feet. (3359-2887)

Yübu Garifuna Experience, Politilly Bight:
This Garifuna experience center exhibits the African-Caribbean community's dancing, handicrafts, traditional activities & food. (3369-0015)

Caribbean Paintball:
Shoot it out with your friends in the jungles of a tropical island.

Cayos Cochinos:
A marine protected area and home to the Smithsonian Tropical Institute. You can visit it and dive with AKR, Subway Water Sports, Las Rocas or by boat from Nueva Armenia. (3387-0579)

West End Barhopping:
Sip a 'Monkey lala' or a 'Mojito' watching a sunset.

Jet Skiing and wakeboarding:
Turquoise Bay (455-7506, 419-1240)

Sea Kayaking:
Roatan has over six kayaking rentals located through the island and excellent snorkeling from the several beaches.

Hook 'Em Up with Capt. O:
Deep Sea Fishing, Island Tours at West End 27' Sport fisher, Quality Gear: Penn, rapala, squid (9919-7603)

Scooter & Motorcycle Rentals:
Coxen Hole, Sandy Bay, West End & West Bay

Roatan Paint Ball:
Monkey Combat located in west end (445-4158)