Medical Marijuana: Marijuana, even for medicinal use and with a prescription, is illegal in Honduras. .fullwidth-signup{ Crime:While crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country, municipalities along the north coast and central portions of the country have historically had the countrys highest crime rates. So, lets first dispense with the boring statistics. Carry personal identification documents, including your drivers license, copies of passports, and vehicle registration cards while driving. Additionally, some protests directed toward the U.S. government, usually small in size, can occur around the U.S. Embassy. The State Department and the U.S. Embassy will not pay your medical bills: Be aware thatU.S. Medicaredoes not apply overseas. Although Honduras is Spanish-speaking and it is spoken on the island, English is also widely used thanks to its historical link to England (it was once a British colony). Unreported, downplayed and hushed up. Your Name From what I have heard from the locals most of he watchmen are essentially useless. Arrest Notification:If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately. That said, this has not occurred recently. } During the cruising season, it is my opinion that the larger number of boats and cruisers tends to discourage crime against the boaters. Let us do the legwork! The only book in the world that ranks investment and lifestyle in one place. The warm, welcoming island of Roatan is an ideal place to visit. Honduran immigration authorities may also accept permission letters notarized at a Honduran embassy or consulate in the United States. Traffic signs are often inadequate or non-existent. A woman is killed every 23 hours on average, the National Autonomous University of Honduras' Violence Observatory reports. Review the. Prescription medication: If traveling with prescription medication, check with theEmbassy of Honduras in Washington, DCto ensure the medication is legal in Honduras. Protests often result in the extended closure of major roads in the cities and highways connecting the major cities. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. *We value your privacy. Along with unspoiled beaches, lush forests, and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, Roatan also has that year-round moderate weather that so many expats crave. Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Gracias a Dios as U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to the area. But his legal trouble in the United States was not over. Is there a safe harbor for tourists at Roatan? In the Bay Islands there are +/- 115,000 people, (Roatan, Guanaja, Utila). He was invited to do so by English Parliamentarians who were, The best way to prevent crime is to be proactive. 20 Is there a lot of crime in Roatan? Small cameras, jewelry, and expensive cell phones are things most often reported as stolen. Apply repellent before going out. Approximately 60 percent of Honduras 8 million people are impoverished, which is a major source of poverty. by Amanda Walkins. And while Roatans safety rating is lumped in with mainland Honduras, Roatan is separate in geography, culture, and safety. As we wrote before, like many other Caribbean islands, the police in Roatan are either indifferent or corrupt. walk to the beach. Required fields are marked *. Many expats live in Roatan, Utila and Copan , and I think there's a pretty strong expat community in La Ceiba and maybe Trujillo too (there's a new development there that seems to be attracting a lot of Canadian investors)," said one . And with gangs, the drug cartel, and the highest per capita murder rate, its no wonder that some expats feel wary. Also, the cruise ship passengers do tend to help the local economy by spending money. Due to gang and cartels fighting for control of the lucrative drug trade in the region, gangs and cartels are battling for control. width: 100%; A visit to the island country will provide you with stunning beaches, tropical forests, and world-class diving and snorkeling. Because of the growing number of expats, Roatan is becoming increasingly popular. 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. Cybercrime is part of most third world countries. Have a comment? 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. Roatan offers several residential living options as well, some safer than others. Simply enter your e-mail below to subscribe to International Livings free daily e-letter and well immediately send your free reportThe Worlds Top 10 Retirement Havens, Join International Living Today and Get the 2023 Global Retirement IndexFREE with This Special Offer. And with 4 modern supermarkets, bilingual schools (teaching English and Spanish) and other first world amenities available on the island, adjusting to Roatan life can be made a little easier for North American expats. This article is dated July 12, 2013 and it states Roatan only has a population of around 28,400 people. My question is in regards of the paperwork needed. However, due to the high level of crime in the area, visitors should take precautions such as not leaving valuable items unattended and not walking around the area alone at night. I am currently on the Honduran mainland and will be coming over to the island in a week or two.. Just maintain a low profile and avoid drinking to excess. Enjoy the simple things in life as you spend your days lounging on the beach, scuba diving, hiking through the lush forests, or stretching out in a hammock with a good book. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. And to connect with individuals who dabble in either of these two activities, one must go out and look for them. This large hill side lot offers ocean views and is located in a tranquil community of Guaiabara Beach.This up and coming seaside community is located in Big Big Its rare to find a large lot in a gated community, and this one in the Palmetto Bay development is over 1 1/3 acres. Dressing down, staying cautious about where valuable items are kept, and keeping safe areas are all ways to prevent these types of crimes. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Annual temperatures average out at 86F. Enjoying a few umbrella drinks at a local beach bar and forget to pick up your wallet or purse while you take a bathroom break andwell, you get the picture. Staff, facilities, and supplies in Honduras are not necessarily up to U.S. medical standards. Make sure to request a licensed cab from your hotel; call the number listed on your hotels website and request a licensed cab. Honduras is a country located in Central America. The more touristy parts of the island (on the west end) are the most populated and there is safety in numbers. Potholes may be harder to spot after heavy rain, so it is always best to drive slowly and take your time. There is a high rate of crime in this region, which contributes to its high levels of poverty. Passengers must show the test results at check-in. Honduras, the second poorest country in Central America, is in the midst of a recession. Roatan is a safe island. The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which killed about 5,600 people and caused approximately $2 billion in damage. You can read the warning here. I meant to say, "we would have no problem returning a third time", lol. Honduras, casualmente, est en su apogeo de la estacin seca, que dura desde (BPT) - El invierno en el Hemisferio Norte le hace soar con unas vacaciones tropicales? Your safety is your responsibility, so be vigilant. Ever. Just do a search, you'll find plenty of opinions & information. Roatan is a part of the Honduran Bay Islands. A traveler who is found to have any amount of marijuana in their possession (including vape cartridges, edibles, organic cannabis, etc.) But which king was the best looking? }. The U.S. Embassy discourages car and bus travel after dark. Just off the northern coast of Honduras, Roatan is a thin stretch of land that measures only 40 miles long and a mere 3 miles wide. And with gangs, the drug cartel, and the highest per capita murder rate, it's no wonder that some expats feel wary. The first is that the island is quite remote, so it can be difficult to get supplies or help if something goes wrong. Local police and emergency services lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime. One of the major dilemmas that many retirees face when deciding on a location for a second, or even primary home, is how much distance they are willing to put between them and their families back in the U.S. On the one hand, relocating to an affordable tropical paradise may sound almost too good to be true, but on the other, not being able to run over to see the grandkids every day could be a deal breaker for some expats. The Ace Hardware store in French Harbour has an armed guard outside and another inside. The Rainy Season and the Dry Season. Kind of the way I live at home too. Business Hours:Monday through Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Safety in numbers. Everything that anyone could possibly think or say about crime, malaria & dengue has been discussed on this forum hundreds of times. .signup-column { Secure valuable items in a security box or safe if one is provided by your hotel, a resort, or vacation home. We plan to rent at first, and then buy. If you decide to go you won't regret it. Use Radio-Taxi services (companies that operate by phone) or app-based rideshare programs rather than hailing a taxi on the street and note the drivers name and license number. 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. There are cultural differences which will enrich your overall experience but can also lead to frustrations and misunderstandings. Travelers must declare any amount over $10,000. 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. [emailprotected], Your email address will not be published. These are also known as Turtle Crossing, Palmetto Bay, and Lawson Rock. The two activities that are almost guaranteed to get you into trouble on Roatan are drugs and prostitution. We have no plans to be walking on a secluded beach at night nor down any dark alleys. Jim Walker graduated from law school in 1983 and has been handling maritime law cases for the past thirty-five years. The annual humidity for Roatan is estimated to be 77%. A general lack of prudence or showing off large sums of cash can turn visitors into prime targets for a crime of opportunity. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. So let's try to break it down a bit with Roatan safety questions and answers. But it is raw, marinated seafood so, use your own judgement. Be the first to discover secret destinations, travel hacks, and more. Leave your wallet wrapped in a blanket on the beach while you take a dip and chances are, it wont be there when you return. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. The prevalence of dengue fever can be found in both urban and rural areas. If you stay in a secure place you don't have any worries. Access to the islands is limited which helps alleviate the crime problems that plague the mainland. The capital of Honduras is Tegucigalpa. email [emailprotected]. This means that the actual crime rate on the island is still relatively low when compared to larger cities in Honduras or other countries in Central America. Honduras is home to a small island with a total population of more than 115,000 people known as Roatan. But what is it about Roatan, Honduras, that is making expatschoose this island over the many other fantastic Central American retirement destinations out there? When you close your eyes and picture your dream retirement, what do you see? The downsides of living on Roatan include poor education, safety, poverty, corruption, and low pay. Steer clear of both as to not invite any trouble. Life in Roatan, Honduras, can be calm and relaxed, but it can also be lively and invigorating depending on how you choose to spend your days. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- Honduras became the second country in Central America to declare a state of emergency to fight gang crimes like extortion. Depending on the type of repellent you choose, you may need to reapply it every few hours for it to work. The countrys borders were reopened on March 15th, 2020, a week after being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic for five months. See theDepartment of Statepage for information on scams. There have undoubtedly been some burglaries. While Roatan is generally a safe place to visit, there can be some issues related to theft. Again, even though Roatan isnt overrun with tourists and expats, there is definitely an established expat community in Roatan Honduras. Information may also be posted to theU.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and theNGA broadcast warnings. The beach walk betweenWest BayandWest Endshould not be attempted alone, as muggings have occurred in this isolated stretch of beach. Independent travelers tend to spend the majority of their time here for a week, but some spend the entire weekend here. The official language of Honduras is Spanish. That prompts an internal chuckle that I find tough to stifle. 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. Required: Honduras currently requires travelers arriving from or traveling to Panama and every nation in South America to present proof of yellow fever vaccine. Honduras Honduras, long one of the poorest countries in Latin America, is now also among the most violent and crime-ridden.