I get this question from tourists on a near-daily basis, usually after I tell them I’ve been on the island for two years. Uhhhh… if I didn’t like it, would I live here for two years? Now don’t get me wrong, this place makes me want to pull my hair out sometimes. But so did every place in Canada that I lived at some point in time or another. (Can I be any clearer to people that paradise does not equal no problems?) But that doesn’t mean there aren’t amazing things about it. Here’s some from my friends at West Bay Tours:
I think it’s pretty obvious (on this blog or a quick Google search) that Roatan has amazing diving (duh) and gorgeous beaches. I don’t need to reiterate that for you. So here are the absolute best things about this little island that you may not have known about:
1. The old-school islanders and their hospitality.
At the place I used to work, my boat captains and I used to head down the beach and up the side of the hill every once in a while to visit a local family who was watching some land for the gringo owner who lived in the US. Several generations of family were living in a massive run-down vacation home and doing what they could to survive off the small payment the landowner sent them every month. I used to see the younger boys fishing, gathering local fruit (mangoes, plantains, plums, avocado, etc.) and hunting rabbit…the day I realized this was to feed the family and not just for fun was a very humbling day for me. They were always so happy to see us coming up the hill to visit them, and we would sit and chat with them while the grandpa told hilarious stories about ‘the old days’. The last time we went, one of the little boys came running after us while we were walking back down with little bags of fresh homemade popcorn for us to eat on our walk back. Such a touching gesture from people who had so little – this is what real islanders are like, not the violent crap you hear about on the news.
2. Not ever being ashamed of my clothes.
I would never walk around with ripped, torn or stained clothes in Canada, or something that wasn’t “in”, or matching. But here, people don’t judge what you’re wearing (unless you are being a tourist and walking around in your bathing suit, a neon crop top with booty shorts or barefoot). You don’t just go throwing away clothes every time they get a little damaged or dirty. I felt really self-conscious last summer walking around in Canada with my clothes from Roatan – I hadn’t even noticed some of the rips and stains until my friends (lovingly and helpfully) pointed them out. I never think twice about it here. Awesome!
3. Walking down the street in West End.
After two years of walking down the same 1 mile road that comprises the little village of West End, I still get a kick of hearing my name and a ‘hello’ yelled out of nearly every shop/restaurant/hotel that I pass. I thrive off being connected to lots of people, and this place is fantastic for it.
4. The tortilla guy.
There is a dude who drives his motorcycle through all the neighborhoods every evening yelling “TORTILLAS!! TORTILLAS!!” with a big cooler strapped to the back full of fresh tortillas inside. Because really, is there anything better than fresh tortillas that you can flag down from your front porch?
5. Being in the loop faster than CNN breaking news.
One of the first things you need to learn about Roatan is you find out basically all the news through various Roatan Facebook groups. There are thousands of members from all over the island who constantly update regarding power outages, crimes, where you can find ______, and which restaurants are open that night. I find out everything from Facebook groups!
I've been looking into going to Roatan, and your blog is probably the best encouragement out there! Oh, I would kill someone around here (not really but…) for some fresh tortillas. Nom nom. Your photos are amazing.
Great video! We can't wait to travel there at the end of next month. We'll be there for a few weeks. Treating family who lives on the mainland Catacamas to a fun vacation. Gotta find some of those Facebook groups you speak of!
It is an awesome feeling here but I definitely feel like a hillbilly when I'm back in North America!
My fave is definitely "not ever being ashamed of my clothes" – I feel that way a lot just traveling, and sometimes it's a little tough to come back to the US. I LOVE not worrying about it. I'd also add not being ashamed of my hair or lack of makeup – haha.
Really? Awesome! Come diving with me?? 🙂
I'll be going there in a couple of months. This is a really helpful post. Thank you!
Yep, and my clothing budget has gone from about $100/month in Canada to…well… zero 🙂
It is definitely different than big city living.. MUCH slower and a lot less convenient, but in a lot of ways easier. And thankfully, we don't experience as much crime as the mainland of Honduras. Glad you enjoyed the video!!
Roatan sounds like a lovely place to live! I especially like the fact you don't feel ashamed of your clothes…I'd be more than happy to walk around in broken, stained clothes, if it wasn't for the funny looks I got off people (and even then I'm still happy to do it half of the time!).
Great reasons there Rika. The paradise of Roatan seems a simpler, more straightforward life than the big city living of the west. By simpler life I mean that a 100% positive way. So Roatan has crime, show me somewhere that does not.
Looking at the video everyone seems so happy and in a place they feel an affinity with. I also love the bit with the guy doing the dance on the boat around half way through.
As we discussed yesterday, let's start coordinating a weekly switch on the tortilla dude and the veggie truck!!
Thanks! I wish the video was mine, but it's from my friends at West Bay Tours (http://www.westbaytours.com) and I agree that it's a pretty awesome video!
I feel like I would be happy to trade for a week – what do you say? I'd kill for some Indian food right now… we have none here!
It really makes you realize what a big deal it is/can be at home!
Sometimes I mess with people and tell them that nope, I hate it, and I'm being held here by guerrilla forces. That usually smacks some sense into them 🙂
I hope you get here soon too!! xo
Yes x5!!! Love this little island and all of its fun quirks. Tortilla guy doesn't come through my street though, so feel free to send him our way. But only after the veggie truck, the water truck, and the gas truck all leave. Nobody likes a traffic jam on a tiny dirt road…
Awesome video. It really looks like a place I have to see 🙂
I literally just made a bitch face at you when I saw you get fresh tortillas…. do u know i bring these back from the US to India?!?!!? mexican is my fave and Indians do not understand….. I have a bike boy who delivers bread, pao, and it's ok but c'mon TORTILLAS!! you are SO lucky!!
I love the whole not-worrying-about-clothing thing in some countries! It's so liberating.
So….. You really like living there? :-p hahaha… I get asked this as well. On the reg. Dude, do you think someone is holding me here against my will? I mean, I DO still have my US passport and I could go back at anytime. It's quite obvious that I don't want to. Hence the reason I'm HERE… Now go on your stupid tour and let me live my life. JK…but not really. lol
I hope I get to make it to C America soooooonnn! 🙂