General Facts

Population: approximately 70,000

Size: 60km/37miles east-to-west, 7km/4miles north-to-south at widest

Cultures: Ladino Honduran, Afro Caribbean, Garifuna, various expatriates

Languages: English, Spanish, Garifuna

Currency: 18.9 Honduran Lempira to 1 US Dollar (see currency cheat sheet)

Electricity: 110 volts / 60 Hz

Telephone Code: +504 (land lines are seven digit numbers; mobile lines are eight digit numbers)

Climate Facts

Climate: tropical; brief scattered showers frequent

Air Temperature: 26-30C/80-86F during day, 21-25C/70-78F during night

Humidity: 70-90%

Water Temperature: 25-29C/78-84F

Water Clarity: 18-40m/60-130ft

Rainy Season: mid October to late January

Hurricane Season: April through October (infrequent)

Rainfall: 105 inches annual

Tradewinds: east-southeast 16-32kmph/10-20mph

Environmental Facts

Coral Reef: part of Mesoamerican Reef, the world’s second largest coral reef; large coral mounds and walls formed by reef-building corals; reef immediately fringes entire island

Flora: tropical jungle, cactus, pine trees, mangroves, white sand beaches

Fauna: 12 mammals, 36 species of reptiles and amphibians

Birds: 120 species of resident and migratory birds

Marine Life: 90% of all Caribbean reef species present on Roatan

Travel Facts

Entry Requirements: passport required; some countries require visa (see list)

Visa Restrictions: 90 days for select countries (see list), 30 days for all other renewable for up to 90 days

Departure Tax: $34.05 cash only

Driving: right side of road; foreign drivers license valid

Tipping: 10% customary for restaurants and tourist services; no tipping for taxis