Travelers around the world have grown accustomed to beach vendors. Whether you love it or hate it, if you're on a popular beach, there seems to always be a crowd of people touting their wares. Personally, I like the convenience of a mobile shopping center passing right by in front of me, so I don't have to go anywhere, as long as it's up to me to approach the vendor, rather than constantly having to fend off aggressive sellers. I traveled in Brazil, and thought their style of beach vendors were great- you could buy everything from a sarong to a kebab roasted right in front of you, entire bars with blenders wheeled on past on the beach. None of them really approached, they just called out what they were selling, and if you were interested, you could stop them. Other places, I've had to constantly ward off the bombardment of people selling their wares.
In Roatan, the area with the biggest concentration of vendors out on the hustle is West Bay. West Bay is the most popular beach on the island: white sand, turquoise blue water only a little over a km in length, and lined with resorts. On cruise ship days, hundreds get taken to West Bay by bus to enjoy a day on the beach. The beach itself is public, no one can charge you to use it, but there are no public facilities. Want a lounge chair? There'll be at least a couple vendors who can offer to rent you one for $10 for the day. Hungry? Vendors with coolers or buckets pass by, selling empanadas, banana bread, ice cream. Thirsty? Try coconut water or pineapple juice. Alcoholic beverages are one of the few things the beach vendors don't sell, so you'll need to visit one of the beach bars if you want a cold beer or Monkey Lala. If you're looking for an activity, there's someone to sell one to you, whether it's jetskis, parasailing, snorkel tours, ziplining, paddle boarding or fishing. Didn't pack your shades? There's a vendor for that. Need some souvenirs? Multiple options passing up and down the beach, from t-shirts to mahogany, bracelets to hammocks, cigars to hats. To get in the season, there are also Christmas ornaments for sale. If you need a new look, someone can help you out with braids. And don't forget the massages- there's never a shortage of massage ladies. These are the most persistent sellers on the beach, seemingly impervious to averted eyes and disinterested airs. Don't think about just saying a polite 'maybe later', as that guarantees that you'll be followed by a shadow, so that 'later' isn't missed- the only way for them to move on is after a firm 'no thank you'.
Is the constant sales pitch bothering your beach relaxation mode? Though the muncipality has tried to crack down and limit the amount of vendors on the beach, it seems to be a never ending hustle. Stick in your headphones, pull down your sunglasses and just let them do their best and continue on their way. Though the bombardment can be annoying, there are lots of hardworking people out in the sun all day long, just trying to make an honest living. And if you'd rather relax in solitude, there are other, less touristic beaches around the island that can provide that for you, so get out and explore!
In Roatan, the area with the biggest concentration of vendors out on the hustle is West Bay. West Bay is the most popular beach on the island: white sand, turquoise blue water only a little over a km in length, and lined with resorts. On cruise ship days, hundreds get taken to West Bay by bus to enjoy a day on the beach. The beach itself is public, no one can charge you to use it, but there are no public facilities. Want a lounge chair? There'll be at least a couple vendors who can offer to rent you one for $10 for the day. Hungry? Vendors with coolers or buckets pass by, selling empanadas, banana bread, ice cream. Thirsty? Try coconut water or pineapple juice. Alcoholic beverages are one of the few things the beach vendors don't sell, so you'll need to visit one of the beach bars if you want a cold beer or Monkey Lala. If you're looking for an activity, there's someone to sell one to you, whether it's jetskis, parasailing, snorkel tours, ziplining, paddle boarding or fishing. Didn't pack your shades? There's a vendor for that. Need some souvenirs? Multiple options passing up and down the beach, from t-shirts to mahogany, bracelets to hammocks, cigars to hats. To get in the season, there are also Christmas ornaments for sale. If you need a new look, someone can help you out with braids. And don't forget the massages- there's never a shortage of massage ladies. These are the most persistent sellers on the beach, seemingly impervious to averted eyes and disinterested airs. Don't think about just saying a polite 'maybe later', as that guarantees that you'll be followed by a shadow, so that 'later' isn't missed- the only way for them to move on is after a firm 'no thank you'.
Is the constant sales pitch bothering your beach relaxation mode? Though the muncipality has tried to crack down and limit the amount of vendors on the beach, it seems to be a never ending hustle. Stick in your headphones, pull down your sunglasses and just let them do their best and continue on their way. Though the bombardment can be annoying, there are lots of hardworking people out in the sun all day long, just trying to make an honest living. And if you'd rather relax in solitude, there are other, less touristic beaches around the island that can provide that for you, so get out and explore!
RSS Feed