Is Roatan really safe? (freaking out a bit)

[Suther2136]

Hi everyone,

I checked with our company nurse, who looked up the CDC recommendations for Honduras including the bay islands. They advise that malaria, typhoid, hepatitis A & B are issues there. I plan to get a typhoid shot, already have the Hep A, Hep B is a body fluids thing so no issue (don't get too friendly with the locals). Chloroquine pills is advised for malaria and you doc can write you a script for them. Plan ahead, take precautions and go have fun!

[divingyogini]

A lot of you mentioned CocoView, what was your impression of it? How was the diving? How was the resort?

[wjsdive]

Cocoview is the easiest resort to dive 4 or 5 or more dives per day and it can be done safely. The people are friendly, the food is very good (not fancy but very good) rooms and grounds are kept clean. Most guests do not even lock their rooms.
Many of the dive sites are less than a 10 minute boat ride away and there are a lot of them.

[Malbec]

I've been to Roatan twice in the past 10 months, once with my husband and once with my mom. DH and I took a taxi to a private spa so we really didn't have any time in which to feel unsafe. My mom and I just walked among the shopping areas close to the pier. I never felt scared, but I will note that someone (a local) came up to me while I was standing on the street by myself (my mom was in a shop buying something) and asked me if I'd like to turn a trick. I'm pretty sure he wasn't talking cards and rabbits in hats.

ETA: I just said a very cold "no" and walked away, no problems ensued.

[CODMAN]

Originally Posted by divingyogini

A lot of you mentioned CocoView, what was your impression of it? How was the diving? How was the resort?

I've been to Fantassy island, the next door neighboor to Cocoview. The resort is nice, very clean. So are the boats. I've only read good, to great reviews about the place. It is entirely cut off from the mainland, so security isn,t a question. And it's geared towards the diver who want to get as many in as possible! Culturally, you won't get much contact unless you plan an evening in town or something. As far as diving goes, the south side of Roatan has about 85 sites all along, maybe 50-60 of which are easily accessed by the Cocoview boats. They take anywhere from 2 to 40 minutes to get to (but they only do the far ones if you really insist on it; generally they stay less than 20 minutes from the resort). The reef is awesome. It's very lush and healthy with a plethora of tiny fish and invertebrates. It's macro heaven and if you like this type of marine life, you're in for a treat. If you prefer big pelagic fish, well you might be disapointed. Good vis anywhere between 60 and 100 feet, depending...

It's really a great spot to get a ton of diving done!

Hope this helps!

[islandtimes]

I am worried that Roatan is not worth the trip, since I don't dive? Also, I hate bugs! any advice? thank you. I have a trip planned for May 08...wondering if this is going to be a relaxing beach vacation of laying and walking on the beach?

[CODMAN]

Island, Roatan is not Ideal for non-divers, but you can definetly have some fun while there! Where are you staying? There are on-land activities such as zip lines and cruises... Fishing... West end has lots of cool bars and restaurants. There are a few decent beaches on the island (west bay and a few private resorts).

There are 2 main bugs: mosquitos (there were none when I went) and sand flies (a problem for beach goers). Bring bug repellent for these... Also, if you don,t like taking chances, a Malaria med might be in order.

i'm sure you'll have fun... The people are very very nice...

Originally Posted by islandtimes

I am worried that Roatan is not worth the trip, since I don't dive? Also, I hate bugs! any advice? thank you. I have a trip planned for May 08...wondering if this is going to be a relaxing beach vacation of laying and walking on the beach?

[Itsjustme0770]

Advice? Yep. Avoid the Caribbean. I don't mean to sound flip, but if bugs are really an issue for you, you can't avoid them at those latitudes. Are there always an annoyance? No, there are lots of times when they are not. But you will find bugs and sometimes they will bug you.

[obrules15]

I went for a month last january and stayed in a little hole in the wall in the west end. Walked back and forth to my dive operation. I never felt threatened but I never do anything I wouldn't do at home (I grew up in Detroit). I just think that if you use a little common sense, if we all used a little common sense it's fine.

[GoldHillDave]

An enquiry was made about CocoView. We were there in late March 2008. We enjoyed it very much! I got in 20 dives in 6 days, and am glad I got my Nitrox card! The boat trips are very nice, range from 5-20 minutes, and the drop-off (second dive of each boat trip) lets you explore the walls and the "house wreck" at your own pace and then swim in. You can shore dive any time - if you want to go out at 4 am, go! The boat captains and divemasters are locals, most of which started out as groundskeepers and moved up. We met some great people there that we hung out/dined/dived with. Food is pretty good - broiled lobster tail the last night, for instance. You won't see the island or experience the culture much unless you do some land tours & stuff. You'll eat, sleep, drink & dive. (Maybe I really shouldn't post this, as we'd like to go back and the place books up far enough out as it is!)