Roads, Boats and Automobiles

 

The state of the roads

Transportation on Roatan has undergone significant changes over the past 17 years, for which I am extremely grateful. When my family and I first moved here, the roads were primarily dirt or tarmacadam, and with every rainy season, potholes would open up, creating disaster zones. Major road upgrades began during COVID and continue to the present day, resulting in a much smoother experience for getting around Roatan.

Additionally, there’s an ongoing project to complete a concrete road from Coxen Hole to West End, although this project has caused some delays. However, its completion will significantly improve transportation around the island, making it much more accessible.

Notably, the main roads are now being transformed into concrete roads. The initiative began with the roads connecting the cruise ship docks, and the concreting of Mud Hill road has created a ring road that helps prevent major traffic blockages.

Traffic and slowdowns are not uncommon on Roatan, and they can be attributed to various reasons. For instance, in the event of an accident, vehicles may not be moved until the police arrive and give clearance. While the police have improved their response time, it can still be frustrating for those on either side of an accident that could be easily moved to the side but blocks the road entirely. Another reason for traffic congestion is the slow travel of some vehicles, causing long lines of cars unable to pass, especially when ATVs carrying cruise ship passengers are in transit, which is known for slowing down traffic.

 

Driving your own car

When driving your own car or a rental vehicle on Roatan, it’s of utmost importance to ensure that you have your up-to-date registration inside the car and that you carry your driver’s license with you at all times. The local police sometimes set up roadblocks for various reasons, and if your documentation is in order, they will promptly allow you to proceed. However, if your registration or driver’s license is missing or incorrect, they may impound the vehicle.

In my experience, even after spending a significant amount of time on the island, I often present myself as a visitor when encountering the police. The officers change regularly, typically do not speak English, and often come from the mainland. Generally, they seem to have been instructed not to create issues unless absolutely necessary. As always, it’s essential to treat them with respect and be prepared to provide the documents they request.

Gas stations are readily available on the West End of the island. However, as a general practice, when I’m heading East past French Harbor, I make sure to fill up on the way. Getting lost on Roatan is quite challenging since there’s essentially only one main road. Occasionally, while searching for a specific place, you might take a wrong side road, but it’s usually straightforward to get back on track.

Registrations for vehicles must be renewed annually at the bank, and the fees can fluctuate, possibly due to new taxes or vehicle age. To avoid any issues, I always obtain an extra copy of the registration for a nominal fee and leave it at home, ensuring that I never have to remove the original from the car.

Regarding obtaining a Honduran driver’s license, I cover this topic in other articles. However, it’s worth noting that the process can be quite challenging and unreliable until you have residency, and even then, until you achieve 5-year residency. The license typically cannot be valid beyond the expiry of your residency, and there are instances where you may spend significant portions of your day waiting for non-functioning machines or unavailable forms. Consequently, many individuals find the process not worth pursuing due to these complexities and uncertainties.

 

Bus routes

I personally find the buses on Roatan to be quite claustrophobic. They are essentially large vans that can carry anywhere from 15 to 25 people. These vans are typically solid black or white and will stop for passengers if you flag them down. You can usually identify common pickup points as you’ll see people waiting in groups.

Roatan has two primary bus routes, both starting in Coxen Hole. One route travels west, connecting Coxen Hole with Sandy Bay and West End. Unfortunately, this route does not extend to West Bay. The starting fare for these buses is 15 HNL, regardless of whether you’re traveling just a short distance or a longer route, and it caps at 25 HNL, which covers the journey from Coxen Hole to West End or vice versa.

If you’re on the bus taking the westbound route, keep in mind that it briefly detours into Sandy Bay (La Colonia), stopping there for a maximum of 5 minutes to pick up additional passengers.

The second route heads east from Coxen Hole, passing by the airport, Dixon Cove, French Harbour, and eventually reaching Oak Ridge. Eastbound minibusses depart approximately every 30 minutes, serving destinations such as French Harbour, Polytilly Bight, Punta Gorda, and Oak Ridge. Fares for this route range from L20 to L40 (approximately $1 to $2 USD), and the trip to Oak Ridge takes approximately one hour each way.

 

 

Taxis Private and “Colectivo”

Licensed taxis on the island are easily identifiable as they are white and display numbers on their sides. It is crucial to only use licensed taxis for your safety and peace of mind. Taxi fares are higher compared to bus fares, usually double the amount. Currently, there are approximately 600 licensed taxis on the island. The government charges them a significant fee for licensing and registering their vehicles for taxi service. Additionally, they must pay 40,000 HNL every six months for their taxi number, totaling 80,000 HNL annually. In contrast, on the mainland, this fee is only 1,000 HNL per month, totaling 12,000 HNL annually. Therefore, taxi costs on Roatan are relatively expensive, and drivers often charge more to tourists who may not be familiar with the regular prices.

When you hire a private taxi, it generally means that you are the only passenger or group of passengers in the vehicle. This can be a regular white taxi or a private car operated by a reliable driver who has moved away from the shared collectivo taxi system. It’s advisable to inquire about the fare and agree on the price before getting in. Most taxi drivers tend to quote higher prices to tourists, assuming they may not be aware of the regular rates.

Taxis at the airport have fixed fares, and the prices are posted on the airport walls. These fares range from $25 to West End, $30 to West Bay and Punta Gorda, and $40 to Camp Bay. Some drivers may charge extra if you request a stop at Eldon’s to pick up groceries on the way. However, it’s generally possible to negotiate the price, as you can find taxis for a lower cost by walking out to the road. Many residents and hotels have trusted drivers they regularly use for airport transportation. While the price may be the same, these drivers are known for their reliability and friendliness.

For residents, it’s beneficial to have a few trusted taxi drivers in your contacts list, even if you own a car. You can recommend these drivers when asked or use them yourself in emergencies. If you inquire, you can likely find a reliable taxi driver who offers day trip services for a fixed fee, which can be convenient when running multiple errands or making trips to places like Eldon’s.

Collectivo taxis are the primary mode of transportation for residents who do not own cars on the island. These shared taxis pick up and drop off passengers along their route, so they only pick you up if you are heading in the same direction as their existing passengers. Make sure you are facing the correct direction when flagging them down. Collectivo taxis will deviate from the main road to drop you off at your specific destination. Therefore, even if you are only a short distance from your stop, it may take longer if someone else on board lives down a side road before your destination.

Tipping is generally not expected with collectivo taxis. However, if the driver goes out of their way to assist you, provides excellent service, or helps with your bags, it’s a courteous gesture to tip them. If you are their first passenger of the trip, be sure to establish the collectivo fare before closing the door to avoid unexpected private rates.

 

Estimated Collectivo rates

When discussing prices and currency on Roatan, it’s common to use HNL (Honduran Lempiras), and for convenience, some may round to the nearest dollar for conversions.

It’s important to note that the prices mentioned are applicable during the daytime and are subject to doubling at around 5-6 pm. Additionally, be aware of potential price variations and traps, especially when traveling from West Bay to West End at night, where some individuals may charge you as much as $20 or L 500.

Official Taxi Costs

The information provided represents the last official rate sheets available. However, it’s essential to understand that what you are supposed to be charged may differ from what you are actually charged. Taxi fares can vary, and drivers may refuse to take you if you do not agree to the fare they propose. This situation is particularly common when traveling to and from West Bay, as taxis may not pick up as many passengers in that area, leading to more negotiation on fares.

Water Taxis

Water taxis on Roatan operate a single route, traveling between West End and West Bay, and vice versa. The taxi point for water taxis is situated in West End, specifically in front of Splash Inn Dive shop. The fare for this journey typically ranges from 100 to 125 HNL per person, which is approximately $4 to $5 USD.

It’s important to note that water taxis typically do not depart until they have a minimum of four passengers. However, if you are in a hurry, you can often pay an additional fee to secure your ride. You have the option to be dropped off either at Infinity Bay or Foster’s dock, depending on your preference.

Water taxis typically commence their operations at 7 am and conclude at 6 pm. With the emergence of boutique hotels and restaurants along the beach strip between West Bay and West End, there are now more stopping-off points available. Many of these establishments can arrange a water taxi for you, providing added convenience and accessibility for travelers.

 

For transportation to the island of Roatan read here.
Prices quoted in this article are subject to change, especially with the current oil crisis, and should be used as a rough estimate guide only.