Roatan is an amazing playground with activities for every budget, with lots of stuff in and out of the water. Want more information? Click here for a full listing of Roatan activities.
$- budget friendly activities (under $10)
Carimbola Botanical Gardens: take a stroll along the paths of the botanical garden, winding up high on the hillside with a breathtaking view at the top. See all sorts of tropical vegetation including orchids, fruit trees such as mango and cashew and a chocolate tree. You might also spot an agoudi, a large rodent also known as Roatan rabbit.
Sunset drink at Sundowners: Try one of Roatan's famous Monkey La La drinks while enjoying a gorgeous sunset on the beach in West End at Sundowner's bar, where the happy hour crowd hangs out. There's also great sunsets along the beach in Sandy Bay, just a few minutes walk from the hostel
Iguana Farm: It's a bit of a trek to there (located east of French Harbour, about a 30 minute drive from the hostel), but if you've rented a car or scooter for the day, you might want to make this one of your stops. Islanders love to eat iguanas- it's now illegal, but that hasn't stopped it, so to protect them, he Arch family have been feeding and caring for a multitude of iguanas for many years.
Snorkeling: If you've got your own mask, fins and snorkel, then you've got hours of free entertainment! Otherwise, there are inexpensive daily rentals. There's good snorkeling in Sandy Bay, just minutes away from Roatan Backpackers' Hostel, as well as in West End and West Bay. All this area is a protected marine park: please don't touch or stand on the coral, no taking lobster, conch, shells or coral, whether living or dead.
Water taxi and beach: Catch a water taxi in West End and head to the famous West Bay Beach for some fun in the sun. Sunday afternoons enjoy live music at Thirsty Turtle
Spanish lesson: Want to work on some of the basics? Have a one-on-one class and make real progress
Volunteering: There are several wonderful non-profit organizations within a few minutes walk of the hostel, if you'd like to donate time or money to a great cause. Our personal favourite is Clinica Esperanza. Living Water for Roatan and PIER and the Sand Castle Library are also near by.
Sunset drink at Sundowners: Try one of Roatan's famous Monkey La La drinks while enjoying a gorgeous sunset on the beach in West End at Sundowner's bar, where the happy hour crowd hangs out. There's also great sunsets along the beach in Sandy Bay, just a few minutes walk from the hostel
Iguana Farm: It's a bit of a trek to there (located east of French Harbour, about a 30 minute drive from the hostel), but if you've rented a car or scooter for the day, you might want to make this one of your stops. Islanders love to eat iguanas- it's now illegal, but that hasn't stopped it, so to protect them, he Arch family have been feeding and caring for a multitude of iguanas for many years.
Snorkeling: If you've got your own mask, fins and snorkel, then you've got hours of free entertainment! Otherwise, there are inexpensive daily rentals. There's good snorkeling in Sandy Bay, just minutes away from Roatan Backpackers' Hostel, as well as in West End and West Bay. All this area is a protected marine park: please don't touch or stand on the coral, no taking lobster, conch, shells or coral, whether living or dead.
Water taxi and beach: Catch a water taxi in West End and head to the famous West Bay Beach for some fun in the sun. Sunday afternoons enjoy live music at Thirsty Turtle
Spanish lesson: Want to work on some of the basics? Have a one-on-one class and make real progress
Volunteering: There are several wonderful non-profit organizations within a few minutes walk of the hostel, if you'd like to donate time or money to a great cause. Our personal favourite is Clinica Esperanza. Living Water for Roatan and PIER and the Sand Castle Library are also near by.
$$- won't break the bank, but will take a little chunk from your wallet ($15-$45)
Touring the island: Rent a car or scooter and head out exploring! Just ask if you'd like a few spots marked on a map. There's one main road, so it's pretty hard to get lost
Scuba Diving: If you're already a certified diver, Roatan's a pretty inexpensive place for great diving, with many fantastic sites just minutes away from shore. The cheapest shops are down in West End (in a collectivo taxi, it takes about 10 minutes from the hostel and costs around $1.50 per person each way), there are also a few slightly more expensive shops within a 15 minute walk of the hostel. If you're not yet certified, a Discover Scuba experience or a full open water course is a bit of an investment, but cheaper than most other dive destinations in the world and worth the indulgence.
Ziplining: There are several canopy tours around the island, if you're looking for a thrill.
Gumbalimba Park: The pirate cave at the start is a little cheesy, but getting to pose with a parrot on your shoulder and having monkeys jump on your head is an ideal photo op, post it on facebook and make everyone back at home jealous
Glass bottom boat: If you're a bit apprehensive about snorkeling, the glass bottom boat in West Bay is a great way to see all the beauty underwater without getting wet
Horseback riding: Located just outside of West End
Water toys: Paddle boats, kayaks, a water playground with trampoline and inflatable slide are a few of the water activities available in West Bay
Scuba Diving: If you're already a certified diver, Roatan's a pretty inexpensive place for great diving, with many fantastic sites just minutes away from shore. The cheapest shops are down in West End (in a collectivo taxi, it takes about 10 minutes from the hostel and costs around $1.50 per person each way), there are also a few slightly more expensive shops within a 15 minute walk of the hostel. If you're not yet certified, a Discover Scuba experience or a full open water course is a bit of an investment, but cheaper than most other dive destinations in the world and worth the indulgence.
Ziplining: There are several canopy tours around the island, if you're looking for a thrill.
Gumbalimba Park: The pirate cave at the start is a little cheesy, but getting to pose with a parrot on your shoulder and having monkeys jump on your head is an ideal photo op, post it on facebook and make everyone back at home jealous
Glass bottom boat: If you're a bit apprehensive about snorkeling, the glass bottom boat in West Bay is a great way to see all the beauty underwater without getting wet
Horseback riding: Located just outside of West End
Water toys: Paddle boats, kayaks, a water playground with trampoline and inflatable slide are a few of the water activities available in West Bay
$$$- a bit of a splurge ($50-$100)
Dolphin Encounter: located just a 5 minute walk from Roatan Backpackers' Hostel at the Institute of Marine Science at AKR, this experience is magical. A chance to learn about dolphins up close and personal, pose for photos and get a dolphin kiss. If you've got a bit of cash for more of a splurge, also offered is a dolphin snorkel, dolphin dive, and best of all, Dolphin Trainer for the Day.
1/2 Day Sailing: Departing from Oakridge, it's a long haul up there, but the catamaran company can arrange transportation for an additional fee. Nothing like spending time out on the water on a sailboat, hopping in for excellent snorkeling and seeing the far east end of the island. Includes lunch and drinks for more bang for your buck.
Windsurf Lessons: About a 15-20 minute walk from the hostel, lessons offered for beginners, windsurf rentals for the experienced.
1/2 Day Sailing: Departing from Oakridge, it's a long haul up there, but the catamaran company can arrange transportation for an additional fee. Nothing like spending time out on the water on a sailboat, hopping in for excellent snorkeling and seeing the far east end of the island. Includes lunch and drinks for more bang for your buck.
Windsurf Lessons: About a 15-20 minute walk from the hostel, lessons offered for beginners, windsurf rentals for the experienced.
$$$$- beyond the range of most backpacker budgets(anything over $100)
Fishing- Take a 1/2 day or full day charter and try your luck! If you get a few people together to split on the cost, it's still a splurge, but maybe do-able.
Trip to Cayos Cochinos: Gorgeous cluster of cays between Roatan and the mainland, but expensive to get there. Cheaper options depart from Sambo Creek on the mainland, so you might want to save this activity until you depart Roatan
Submarine: The deepest tourist sub in the world has its home in Roatan. You may have to rob a bank in order to do it, or find yourself a rich sugar daddy- the sub takes two passengers at a time
