While no separate safety or crime statistics are kept for Roatan, an abundance of evidence strongly suggests that Roatan is a world apart from its mainland connection to Honduras. Similarly, the government lacks resources like boats to patrol these more isolated areas. Honduras declares state of emergency against gang crime Honduras Crime. Safety and crime information on Honduras This report indicated that there were a total of 9 murders and 29 robberies on the island in 2016. Safety on Roatan. Apply repellent before going out. Royal Caribbeans Wonder of the Seas Belches Soot, Fire on Viking Orion Quickly Extinguished, Atlantis Events New Social Media Policy Misses the Mark, Guest Aboard Sky Princess Alleges Park West Gallery Employee Raped and Infected Her With HIV. Since 2010, Honduras has had the highest murder rate in the world. Today we have a guest post written by Kent Davis, owner of one of the most successful real estate brokerages in Panama City A Look at Roatans Popular Neighborhoods Most expats will look at several popular neighborhoods in Roatan. A sixty-nine year old U.S. citizen, originally from California, was identified yesterday as the victim of an abduction and murder in Roatan, Honduras, according to a Honduran newspaper El Heraldo. Obviously, there is no GPS here, so once you head off the main road, you are on your own. - Photos, when, where, who was involved, What happened, what actions have been taken. Some enjoy renting motor scooters. For instance, residents have an option of living in gated communities or stand-alone residences with a hired caretaker of "watchman." Some of these include the areas of Palmetto Bay, Pristine Bay, Turtle Crossing, & Lawson Rock. Steer clear of both as to not invite any trouble. Air pollution can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems during the dry season due to widespread forest fires and agricultural burning. There are a few problems that come with living in Roatan, Honduras. Limited offer. Please help get the word out to cruisers. Honduran lempiras and US dollars can be used in Roatan. The violence is carried out by local drug trafficking groups, gangs, corrupt security forces and transnational criminal organizations mainly from Mexico and Colombia. Sandy Bay, West End, and West Bay are the safest parts of the island. Leave your wallet wrapped in a blanket on the beach while you take a dip and chances are, it won't be there when you return. Dont flash a wad of bills or a wallet full of credit cards. There are numerous communities within walking distance of Roatan that do not have crime. If you are living on the island, purchase a safe and keep your valuables inside of it unless you are using them. Additionally, there are several areas along this walk where there is no sand, and you must walk over very slippery rocks. Roatan Honduras: The Expat Guide to Island Life. You can catch a water taxi from West End Village that will take you to West Bay Beach in around 10 minutes for under $3. Traffic signs are often inadequate or non-existent. As a general rule, visitors to Roatan should abide by the same safety rules they abide by at home. The tourist presence in Roatan is enormous and has promoted a greater police presence as a result. Crime in these neighborhoods is prevented through a combination of gated layouts and security patrols. A traveler who is found to have any amount of marijuana in their possession (including vape cartridges, edibles, organic cannabis, etc.) In addition to safety from crimes, there are other safety issues one may wish to consider. There are more police and security presence in the western part of the island. What is the safest place to live in Honduras? - 2023 } content: ""; Many of the comforts and securities which many enjoy elsewhere are simply not available in Honduras. This article is dated July 12, 2013 and it states Roatan only has a population of around 28,400 people. Dont pass by beggars; instead, avoid them and those who ask for or offer assistance. For this reason, a good idea to use ATMs that are located in banks instead of using an ATM which might be outside and accessible to street pedestrians. about having to have a test no more than 72 hours before arrival in Honduras. Honduran law requires all vehicles involved in an accident to remain in place until Transit Authority agents arrive. There are two medical facilities in Coxen Hole, the Woods Clinic and the Roatan public hospital. How about smooth, powder-white sand beaches and crystal blue water, all wrapped up with moderate, year-round weather at an affordable price? However, according to a recent report from the U.S. State Department, the crime rate in Roatan Honduras is relatively high when compared to other countries in the region. As we wrote before, like many other Caribbean islands, the police in Roatan are either indifferent or corrupt. width: 100%; Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Clarion Suites Roatan at Pineapple Villas, Fantasy Island Beach Resort Dive And Marina All Inclusive. See theDepartment of Statepage for information on scams. Crime in Roatan - Roatan Forum - Tripadvisor I got all of the recommended vaccines before I spent 10 days in Roatanhowever I was doing some medical mission work and was in some areas pretty far off the beaten path. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. Finally, crime rates are relatively high, so it is important to be vigilant about your safety. Isla de Roatn is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras, in the Caribbean Sea. Maritime Travel:Mariners planning travel to Guatemala should also check forU.S.maritimeadvisoriesandalerts. The local grocery store is similarly protected. Avenida La Paz Both are illegal on the island and, if you participate, you could be opening yourself up to dangerous situations. U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Honduras should avoid large gatherings or events where crowds have congregated to demonstrate, protest, or cause damage as a byproduct of celebrating an event, such as after soccer matches. Gracias a Dios is an isolated area with high levels of criminal activity and drug trafficking. See ourwebpagefor further information. Passengers must show the test results at check-in. All Rights Reserved. Despite the difficulties that have arisen, Roatan is still a safe and beautiful place to visit. Effective June 2, 2021: All travelers, regardless of age, must provide either proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or negative test results for a PCR, Antigen or ELISA COVID-19 test taken less than 72 hours before entry into Honduras. Since 2010, Honduras has had one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world, ranging between 59 and 86 per 100,000 according to the U.S. Department of State. One of the more common questions: Is it safe to live in Roatan? Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. Locals are always willing to share their favorite spots with visitors, and there are a lot of interesting places to see here. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. This region is known for its stunning beaches, lush jungle landscapes, and clear blue water. Period. 304 helpful votes. A general lack of prudence or showing off large sums of cash can turn visitors into prime targets for a crime of opportunity. I am the same..I prefer to stay in a multi-unit resort where there are other tourists (any where I stay) for people company mostly but it is most secure this way. I assume getting the services of an emigration lawyer would be advisable. Friday, 7:30a.m. Medical insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Sandy Bay, the West End, West Bay, Pristine Bay, Palmetto Bay Plantation, Keyhole Bay, and a number of other East End neighborhoods are among the most popular. I have a 2 bedroom fully furnished condo in W. Bay. If the value is 0, it means it is perceived as very low, and if the value is 100, it means it is perceived as very high. If you are renting a villa or condo I would suggest you check with your landlord or the property management company and ask if the door locks are key or electronic. The local police often depend on local merchants or other supporters for gas for their vehicles. Students:See ourStudents Abroadpage andFBI travel tips. A reality check shows that Roatan is only an island, and that the majority of the food consumed here is imported. Foreign workers are required to keep the tourism industry operating. In Honduras, the types of danger include, but are not limited to, violent gang activity, trafficking, rape, street crime and armed robbery. Im terribly confused. I read the Honduras gov. Since 1995, 115 U.S. citizens were reported murdered in Honduras; of these, just 32 cases have been resolved. His corpse was found yesterday wearing only shorts with a bag over his head. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctors prescription. If you are not certain of your own safety, you must be vigilant. There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI nightclubs. When at the beach, or in a public area, do not leave your bags unattended. At the time of this writing, the roads on Roatan are generally horrible, narrow with deep ruts, broken pavement, and large gaps where only sand and dirt exist. Make sure you stop by next time youre in town. Everything Cruise Lines Don't Want You to Know. Annual temperatures average out at 86F. Like every other community in all other countries, there are areas that are best avoided, especially at night. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Carnival and Royal Caribbean Suspend Cruises to Ensenada Due to Threats and Violence by Mexican Drug Cartel, Cruise Passenger Pleads Guilty to Murdering His Girlfriend on Carnival Elation, Passenger Arrested for Breaking Girlfriend's Jaw and Arm on Norwegian Breakaway, ten most dangerous cruise port in the world, or join the discussion on our Facebook page, MSC Cruises Crew Member Caught Filming Women in Bathroom, Health Hazard! Honduras - Organized Crime News - InSight Crime The Honduran government has also issued a new travel warning for the Northern Triangle region. The Rainy Season and the Dry Season. For this reason, we encourage travelers to refrain from taking long trips on scooters. There are many communities around Roatan which are void of crime. 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. What area of Roatan would you suggest? Even though you can get an advance on your credit card, its better to bring more cash than you think youll need. When they see a Gringo pull in with a boat worth 100 times more than they will ever earn in a lifetime, they get tempted. Chicago, for example,has a per capita murder rate of 24 per 100,000. The reports are scattered and hard to verify. Are there any all-inclusive resorts in Roatan? 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). Just do a search, you'll find plenty of opinions & information. Everything that anyone could possibly think or say about crime, malaria & dengue has been discussed on this forum hundreds of times. Thanks for any input. Kind of the way I live at home too. Hi: Three U.S. citizens were reported murdered in Honduras between January and September 2013. Honduras is known for its low crime rate, and many consider the island to be the safest place in the country. Honduras, despite its status as one of the most dangerous countries in the region, has seen an increase in gender-based violence during the pandemic. The Jaguar King Who Founded Honduras' Little French Key Zoo - InSight Crime Business Hours:Monday through Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. That said,Hondurasis a third-world country which is still a developing country. Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad. Keep a copy in your purse or wallet and only take as much cash as you will need. Sign in to access your subscriptions and subscriber-only content. The safety situation in Honduras has been deteriorating in recent years due to gang violence and organized crime. The country's borders were closed on March 15th, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Roatan resorts have looked forward to welcoming visitors back after being shut down for over five months. On the other hand, we have had vessels approached and boarded while surrounded by 20 other boats in the anchorage in French Cay Harbour. Is Roatan Safe for Solo Female Travelers? - Madison's Footsteps Is there a safe harbor for tourists at Roatan? Most areas around Roatan are safe. Let us do the legwork! After the housing crisis that reached an all-time low in 2008, the housing market in the U.S. is beginning to improve and the market today is prime for buyers due to extremely low prices. Business Hours:Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00p.m. U.S. government employees have no restrictions on travel to these areas. There are 4 additional murders, 2 shootings in Los Fuertes and 2 stabbing deaths. The Caribbean island of Roatan, Honduras, is a popular tourist destination. Roatan is the largest of the Honduras Bay Islands.