5 Great Things to Do on the Caribbean Island of Roatan
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal named Roatan the Caribbean’s next “it” spot – an underdeveloped island that is poised to become a major tourist destination.
These days there is a definite buzz about this peaceful island lying just 30 miles off the coast of Honduras. No wonder: Roatan features lush tropical forests, warm turquoise water, and sugar white beaches without the crowds.
Continental Airlines now flies directly to the islands from Newark, New Jersey, and Houston, Texas. Delta flies directly from Atlanta, Georgia. Major cruise lines are stopping by more frequently, and both Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean are expanding their ship terminals to bring more passengers. Celebrities including Michael Douglas and Richard Gere have been spotted on the island in recent months.
Roatan has long been famous among scuba diving aficionados. The island sits atop the world’s second-largest barrier reef system and features some of the best diving in the Western Hemisphere. Scuba diving is still the main attraction drawing visitors to the island.
But Roatan offers much more than diving and makes a great family vacation destination.
Whether visiting with your family, making a stop-over on a cruise ship, or taking a break from diving, here are five Roatan adventures you can enjoy.
1) Zip Through the Rain Forest. Roatan features lush tropical forests where wild parrots and monkeys roam freely. A canopy tour is a great way to get close to nature while having some exhilarating fun. Guests climb to a tree-top platform, and then move among the trees by gliding on zip lines or walking over swinging bridges. It’s a thrilling ride.
Roatan has several canopy tours from which you can chose. Palmetto Bay features a 20 platform tour that includes a climbing wall and swinging bridges. The West Bay also features a 16 platform tour including two bridges. Please keep in mind that canopy tours require children to be at least four feet tall.
2) Swim with the Dolphins. The Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences on the island’s north shore features several dolphin encounter programs that are open to the public.
One of the most popular tours on the island is their dolphin swim. Guests are taken to Bailey’s Key, a white-sand island frequented by schools of dolphin. During an initial 20-minute beach encounter, trainers coax the dolphin to join your group, giving you a chance to pet them.
Guests can then snorkel and swim freely with the dolphins in 20 feet of water. Guests are accompanied by a dolphin behaviorist and videographer and photographer to capture the memories. The dolphin swim requires children to be at least 13 years old.
Divers can also chose the institute’s Dolphin Dive program, which lets you interact with dolphins off a reef wall in 60 feet of water. This dive lasts approximately 45 minutes. Participants in the Dolphin Dive must be certified scuba divers.
Not enough for you? The institute also offers a Trainer for a Day program, which gives you the chance go behind the scenes and work with the staff as they feed and care for the dolphins. Participants will learn dolphin training techniques during a hands-on session with the dolphins.
3) See Coral While Staying Dry. Even if you are not a diver, you can get a glimpse of Roatan’s gorgeous reef formations with a ride on the Coral Reef Explorer. This glass-bottomed boat seats 25 persons below the water line in air conditioned comfort. Passengers look through windows at multi-colored coral, tropical fish and graceful Spotted Eagle Rays.
The Coral Reef Explorer departs daily from West Bay Beach and you can expect the tour to last approximately 50 minutes.
4) Horseback Tours. What could be more romantic than a horseback ride along Roatan’s pristine white beaches? Guided horseback tours start in West End, passing through some of Roatan’s best scenery before ending at the West Bay, where you can take a quick swim.
Tours last approximately 90 minutes and are suitable for beginners as well as experienced riders.
5) Pet an Iguana. Perhaps the most unusual attraction on Roatan is Sherman Arch’s Iguana Farm. This private preserve is real treasure and a real treat for kids.
Over 2,700 of the big, spiny lizards roam freely on its grounds, which are located just east of French Harbor. The iguanas are tame, having been raised in cages until old enough to fend for themselves. Come during the early afternoon feeding for the best chance to hold and pet an iguana.
The Honduran Ministry of Tourism web site features a good overview of Roatan and the other Honduras Bay Islands.
About the Author
John Anton is a freelance writer specializing in the travel industry.
What is your most memorable vacation place or activity in Central America?
I would like to visit one day and have fun, maybe do a canopy tour.
Do you know of any white water rafting or tubing in nicaragua?
I would like to go to honduras gautemala, belize, panama, costa rica, and el salvador
Go to Roatan Honduras. Scooba Diving there is like going to an underwater paradise. The Coral Reef and the fauna alone are worth the trip. Besides everybody speaks English.
Bordered to the west by Guatemala, and to the southeast by Nicaragua, Honduras is a republic in central America.
Visit the Copan ruins, which is where the Mayan culture flourished. They were declared a world heritage site in the late eighties, and the ruins are complex structures, offering plazas and temples in their scores. Visit the great plaza, a collection of buildings gathered around a large lawn,. See tunnels, pillars and rooms and visit the museums to see artefacts and remnants from such a thriving time.
Visit the island of Guanaja, and step back in time. Here the houses are built on stilts to protect them from the waters, and no establishment on the island accepts credit cards or travellers cheques. No cars are allowed, and even bikes are prohibited from use,. You can experience scuba diving, white water rafting and reef fishing here if you are a bit more of a daredevil, or you can just relax and soak up the rays on one of the beautiful beaches.
Visit on e of the national parks on the mainland and see scores of howler monkeys in their natural habitat. The country is plagued by unemployment and HIV/AIDs, but the country is experiencing a revolution and rising from the folds of a little country, to improve its social systems and economy.
Honduras is really accessible, taking only one hour and fifty five minutes from Miami. There are plenty of little islands, or cays, to visit.
If you are planning on visiting Honduras, make sure you have your passport and Travel Insurance, and get going!
About the Author
name the cultural or historic resources that can be seen in the “Copan, Honduras”?
Spain Vs Honduras Live Streaming online broadcast internet tv coverage fifa world cup Monday 21st June 2010.Spain Vs Honduras Live Streaming online
Spain Vs Honduras Live Streaming online broadcast internet tv coverage fifa world cup Monday 21st June 2010.Watch World cup football 2010 live on your pc laptop or mobile devices at a very cheap rate.Watch and download the match with 3D quality.
Group H, 18:30 GMT, June 21, 2010 Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
Spain aiming to bounce back Having been upset 1-0 by Switzerland in their opener, favourites Spain face a must-win game against the minnows of Honduras, knowing that another shock defeat effectively ends their hopes of progressing.
The Spanish boast some of the world’s best players, but their team unit failed to fire against the Swiss and there have been questions raised over the morale of the squad. WAGs, tactics and tiredness have all been blamed for Spain’s demise, but they will have to dig deep to bounce back, and quickly, if they are to make an impact on the tournament.
Standing in their way are the lowly Hondurans, who defended stoically but still lost to Chile 1-0, and if they were to pull off a draw, it would represent the greatest moment in their footballing history. Led by Tottenham’s Wilson Palacios, there is a lack of quality through the side, but there is no substitute for team spirit and, with Spain rattled, anything can happen.
Spain player to watch: David Silva: He did not have an impact on the side against Switzerland and was replaced by Jesus Navas, but his quality is unquestioned and he should have the confidence to bounce back against Honduras. A tricky winger with pace and skill on the ball, he should command respect on the right side of midfield.
Honduras player to watch: Noel Valladares. If Honduras are to hold off the Spanish attacks, then their last line of defence, the goalkeeper, will have to be at his best. Pulling off the save of the tournament so far against Chile, his reflexes and agility will be tested to the limit and if he can deny the likes of David Villa and Fernando Torres, then he will have earned his crust.
Key Battle: Xavi v Wilson Palacios: The best playmaker in world football was kept quiet against the Swiss, but has the skill and experience to make an impact on any game, at any time. His passing range is unmatched and Palacios will have to marshal him carefully if Honduras are to avoid conceding a goal. Xavi’s awareness of what is going on around him gives him the vision to pick out a killer pass, but Palacios will match him for stamina and has the power and strength to assert his will on any opponent.
Trivia: Honduras are the only Central American football team to eliminate Brazil in a tournament (Copa America 2001 in the quarter-finals), so they are used to causing upsets.
Stats: Spain’s defeat against Switzerland was the first time that they have lost with Andres Iniesta in the starting line-up.
Odds: Spain (1.12), Honduras (23.00), the draw (9.00) are all on offer at Bet365, but Fernando Torres to score three or more comes in at 23.00.
Prediction: Surely it can’t happen again? Spain have the power to overcome their opponents and it could be a high scoring game.
Monday 21st June 2010 Venue: Ellis Park Kick-off: 19:30 Puyol: Honduras match akin to a final
Carles Puyol accepts Monday’s World Cup group match with Honduras is like a “final” for the European champions after their shock defeat to Switzerland in their opening game.
Puyol and co were beaten 1-0 by the Swiss in their first Group H match and need a win against the Central Americans to get their campaign back on track, having been touted as one of the pre-tournament favourites.
Barcelona captain Puyol refused to accept his team had played particularly badly against Switzerland or that the team were tired after gruelling club campaigns.
“The team is really enthusiastic and really keen after the incident the other day and we are looking forward to the next match,” he said.
“We want to feel cool and calm, to not be anxious and to play the football we know we can play.
“It is an extremely important match – like a final. We know we have to come out winning. To do that we have to be very respectful of our opponent and we hope to have a good matc
England manager Fabio Capello has come in for criticism over his policy of keeping his starting line-up a secret from his players until two hours before a match, but Puyol revealed that was the same approach Spain had adopted and felt it worked well.
“We also know the starting line-up just before a match. What coaches look for is that everybody is really alert, if you know you are not playing you can disconnect,” he said.
“In terms of Spain we are all highly committed. Even if we all knew the starting line-up a day before a game I’m sure we would all be rowing in the same direction,”
National coach Vicente Del Bosque reported no injuries other than an undisclosed problem for Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta which he expects will rule him out of the match.
Del Bosque has come in for criticism following the defeat to Switzerland, but he has been boosted by words of support from Spanish federation president Angel Maria Villar and insists he loves it when games are being played for the highest stakes possible.
“Even when you are able to come out victorious it is not always usual to have everyone on your side, but I felt huge support and I have to thank everyone,” he said.
“There are some bitter-sweet opinions because defeat is difficult to take but I shouldn’t be thinking about contrary opinions.
“We don’t have to fight that criticism, criticism should always be freely expressed. But I don’t feel ill-treated and my squad does not feel ill-treated either.
“This is the World Cup -we can’t relax. We have the right amount of pressure. Our players are experienced, they are used to high-level competition and I prefer these matches that are very intense. There are very few easy matches as you have seen already,”
Like Puyol, Del Bosque insisted there would be no radical change of approach from La Roja.
He said: “Substantially I don’t think we will change our game at all in terms of what we’ve been doing over the last two years. We have to be more accurate in terms of finishing, but in terms of moving the ball we will follow the same style.”
Honduras captain Amado Guevara has urged his team-mates to play for a famous victory against a Spain side who are “not invincible”.
Los Catrachos take on the European champions in their second World Cup Group H match at Ellis Park with both sides looking to put points on the board after opening defeats – Honduras going down 1-0 to Chile.
Spain’s 1-0 loss to the Swiss was a major shock and it would be even more surprising if Honduras were to condemn Del Bosque’s side to a second defeat.
Guevara wants his team to treat Spain with respect but not to be intimidated by them.
He told El Heraldo: “The team is good and ready to play against Spain, we know we have a great responsibility but also that we have a chance to move to the next round. We know that we are playing a team with great tradition and quality but we can win.
“They are not invincible and we must work hard to win, it will be a duel because they have strong technique and we must not allow them time to think.”
“You have to control the ball, have more discretion, be bold and have conviction. Within the group we have prepared ourselves mentally to believe that we can win and progress into the last 16.”
Honduras midfielder Hendry Thomas suffered a muscle strain on Friday but is expected to be available, while coach Reinaldo Rueda will continue to assess the fitness of striker David Suazo who is battling back from a leg injury.
Team BIO for This Match: Honduras : Group H Manager: Reinaldo Rueda Star Player: David Suazo World Cup Appearances: 2
Spain : Group H Manager: Vicente del Bosque Star Player: Fernando Torres World Cup Appearances: 12
Venue : Ellis Park
Spain Vs Honduras Team Profile: Spain : FIFA World Ranking: 2nd La Furia Roja are arguably the team to beat at the 2010 World Cup finals. Vicente del Bosque’s charges roared into the summer showpiece with a perfect 10-0 winning record in qualifying, and secured a berth in South Africa with two games to spare. Except for a blip against the USA in the Confederations Cup, Spain have attacked many of their opponents into submission, and will look to win games with attacking flair and flamboyant football. In the midst of a world class squad, David Villa stands out after scoring 12 goals in 15 games for Spain in 2008 and hitting the back of the net in six consecutive games in 2009. La Roja will need his firepower to blow by the rest of the teams in June.Coach Vicente del Bosque faces the enviable dilemma of not knowing whom to start with, considering the excellence displayed by most players in his squad during the club season as well as on an international level, considering the side’s excellent run of form that has seen them lose just once since 2008. In goal, Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes would all be automatic starters for most other countries at the World Cup. Ahead of the keeper, Barcelona’s duo of Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol have been exceptional for both club and country, but their place will be challenged by Real Madrid star Raul Albiol and Valencia’s Juan Mata. Madrid’s duo of Sergio Ramos and Alvaro Arbeloa are expected to start as fullbacks, and have plenty of international and European experience.
In midfield, La Furia Roja boast some of the world’s finest creative playmakers – Barca pair of Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez have won every trophy imaginable, except the World Cup, while David Silva, Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fabregas are often mentioned in the same breath as being amongst the top midfielders on the planet. On the bench, the Spanish will boosted by Barcelona youngsters Sergio Busquets and Pedro, and can also call upon Jesus Navas and Javi Martinez, who have been extremely impressive during the La Liga season. Up front, David Villa is Spain’s second highest goalscorer in history, and with Fernando Torres alongside him and Fernando Llorente deputizing, the forward line is a terrifying proposition for rival defences.
Key Player: Fernando Torres
One of the many superstars in a team full of big names, FernandoTorres is one of the finest strikers in the world, and will be hoping to cement his reputation at the finals in South Africa. Torres represented Spain at every youth level, before making his senior debut against Portugal in 2003. He was Spain’s top scorer in 2006 World Cup qualifying, but his finest moment to date was the Euro 2008 final against Germany when he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win and was also named man of the match. His partnership with fellow striker David Villa has yielded no shortage of goals and both players usually combine to form one of the most fearsome attacks in world football today. With his electric pace, deft touch and powerful shot, the only worry surrounding Torres is the fact that he is extremely prone to injury. If he can stay fit throughout the tournament, however, there are few defenders who can keep him quiet, and he will add that extra yard to a Spain side that is already overflowing with quality.
What they said about them: “We arrive at the World Cup with the experience of having won the European Championships. We know how to compete, we know how to win, but we also know how to keep our feet on the ground. This is our chance.” – Liverpool superstar Fernando Torres is bullish about Spain’s chances ahead of the World
What we think about spain : Chronic World Cup underachievers in the past, Spain have never been better placed to become world champions having broken their habit of freezing at major finals in emphatic fashion by winning Euro 2008. There is quality all over the pitch and most pundits believe that the tournament is a toss-up between them and Brazil. However, as we all know, the World Cup rarely delivers what pundits expect, and considering that their second round draw could see them face Portugal, the Ivory Coast, or, in a worst case situation, even Brazil, they will have to play to their obvious potential to live up to the massive expectations back home.
Honduras : FIFA World Ranking: 38th Honduras had United States to thank for only their second qualification for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. USA came from behind to hold Costa Rica 2-2 to hand Honduras third and the final automatic qualification spot in CONCACAF. Honduras have only ever played one World Cup and that was in Spain 1982. They drew two matches – including one against the host – and lost the third, against Yugoslavia.Honduras will be well organized defensively, and have plenty of experience at the international level – eight of their players hold more than 50 international caps, including Wigan duo Maynor Figueroa and Hendry Thomas, Tottenham enforcer Wilson Palacios, and captain Amado Guevara. Even so, they can hardly be touted as stars on the international level, and despite securing automatic qualification, seem an unlikely bet to go past the first round against more experienced and technically gifted opponents.
Key Player: David Suazo One of the most experienced players in the Honduran team, striker David Suazo is one of the few players in the squad who has played at Europe’s top level, with a club career during which he has represented Cagliari, Inter Milan, Benfica and now Genoa. Suazo was awarded the honor of being Serie A’s foreign footballer of the year in 2006 as he scored 26 times over the course of the season for Cagliari, and consequently became the subject of a transfer saga between Inter and AC Milan. At the international level he has scored 19 goals in 52 appearances for the Honduras team, and will be expected to be on top form for the Central American side if they are to pull off any upsets in South Africa.
What they said about them : “We’re so happy to be going to South Africa and we’re not going to let down all those people who believed in us.” – Honduras striker Carlos Pavon expresses his delight after qualification was secured.
What we think about Honduras Rueda’s men may have some top-level European experience with the likes of Suazo based in Italy and Wilson Palacios performing well at Tottenham, but it would be a big shock if Honduras made it to the second round, as they will certainly be expected to lose to sides like Spain, Chile and Switzerland. Even if they are able to pull off some group stage upsets, the side seems to lack depth and experience and it is very doubtful that they will make it to the latter stages of the tournament.
TAGS : Spain Vs Honduras Live Streaming online broadcast internet tv coverage fifa world cup Monday 21st June 2010.Watch World cup football 2010 live on your pc laptop or mobile devices at a very cheap rate.Watch and download the match with 3D quality.Spain Vs Honduras Live Streaming online broadcast internet tv coverage fifa world cup Monday 21st June 2010.Watch World cup football 2010 live on your pc laptop or mobile devices at a very cheap rate.Watch and download the match with 3D quality.
About the Author
Celtic Football fans please. Who is the best player in Celtics history and what is their number?
Please support your answer.
If possible could you please inform me of their best Scottish born player if not the same as well as thier best Irish born player if not the same. Im a big football fan from New York, and usually stick to the English Prmier leage and International games (just saw Honduras upset Mexico in the copa de oro), but ive been looking to by a new jersey and being Im Irish and Catholic . . . Celtic jumped out at me
Well, while I am a huge fan of Henrik, he isn’t even the best to ever wear number 7 for the hoops. That honor would go to the man who was voted as the greatest of all time by the supporters.
Jimmy Johnstone is the greatest of all the Bhoys. Jinky was born in Scotland. Grew up just outside of Glasgow, and was a part of the Celtic side that became the FIRST British side to win the European Champions Cup (the predecessor to the Champions League).
Johnstone wasn’t much of a physical specimen. Jinky was only 5’4″ or so, but he was the heart and soul of Celtic.
Noam Chomsky – Haiti, Honduras – History of US Rule in Latin America.
This summer I will be doing a program called ‘Amigos de las Americas.’ In short, I will be going to a country in Latin America and living with a host family for six weeks. While there I will help the community that I am living with accomplish their goals, which may include building latrines, fuel-efficient stoves, running a camp for the kids, etc. I have to choose between a city TBA in Costa Rica, a city TBA in Ecuador, La Paz, Honduras, or Intibuca, Honduras. Which country/city would you choose and why?
YAY! i did amigos last year and loved it! just so you know, when you pick you might not get your first choice. i know its not on your list but i would choose panama!! it was amazing!!
but if it has to be between these… dont pick honduras bc of military unrest. costa rica is really beautiful but they already have a lot of help from the government. ecuador sounds really cool though!! i would prob go to ecuador!
Since the year 2000, it seems that steamy storms and hurricanes are stirring more frequently, and with more intensity. Is cyclone seasons receiving progressively poorer? There are many differing opinions within the scientific community. To form your own judgment, it’s valuable to examine the number and types of storms we’ve experienced in this decade.
The first year of the new millennium saw a totality of 4 stifling depressions, 7 humid storms, and 8 hurricanes. The most significant storm of the 2000 flavor was Hurricane Keith, which caused copious fatalities and was blamed for large amounts of injury in Belize, Nicaragua, and Honduras.
The 2001 term was a strange year, with no storms actually making landfall in the United States. However, even although the eye never enthused over U.S. soil, Hurricane Allison still caused widespread flooding in Houston, Texas. Hurricane Iris caused foremost injury in Belize when it made landfall there as a Category 4 storm. Hurricane Michelle was also a spartan storm, causing various deaths and foremost injury in Jamaica, Cuba, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
During the first 21 being of September 2002, there were 8 newly shaped storms, which made that month a longest.
The 2003 Atlantic typhoon period was another evidence-tide. Traditionally, the twister time runs from June 1 through November 30. However, in 2003, Storm Ana twisted on April 20th, which launched the spell early for the first time in fifty existence. During 2003, there were 21 stifling cyclones, 16 of which shaped into named storms and 7 of which reached typhoon repute. The strongest of these was Hurricanes Isabel, which fashioned near the Lesser Antilles and landed in South Carolina as a Category 2 whirlwind. Isabel caused $3.6 billion in break and was blamed for 51 deaths in the Mid Atlantic locality of the United States.
The 2004 typhoon spell was another total year, with the flavor absolute into December. Hurricane Otto was responsible for this addition, with the storm lasting two time into the December. 2004 was also prominent as one of the most costly and deadly being on single, with 3,132 deaths and gruffly $50 billion U.S. dollars in spoil caused by hurricanes and sultry storms.
The 2005 Atlantic tornado term was noted as “most active,” with 5 storms making U.S. landfall: Dennis, Emily, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. The most catastrophic property of the period were felt in New Orleans and neighboring areas of the Louisiana coast when a 30-bottom storm flow from Hurricane Katrina caused widespread flooding and deaths.
The 2006 Atlantic tornado period was a, much fewer active spell than 2005. Like 2001, it was an uncommon year in the no hurricanes actually made U.S. landfall.
In 2007, the spell was off to an early birth with the formation of subtropical storm Andrea on May 9, 2007. The season also ran dead that year, with tropical storm Olga developing on December 11, after the season was officially over. Overall harm was estimated at $7.5 billion U.S. dollars, and the casualty toll was recorded at 416. Also noteworthy is the actuality that 2007 was one of four existence that had more than one Category 5 storm. 2007 was also the trice season on video in which more than one storm made U.S. landfall on the same day (Felix and Henrietta).
Are hurricanes and other tropical storms getting poorer? Much of the U.S. known might deem so, particularly with the shock of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which made headlines for many months after the storm. In fact, to this day, New Orleans has still not totally recovered from that storm. As to about whether tropical storms are actually becoming more everyday and more rigorous, we’re not certainly assured yet. One thing we do know is that notation-custody is far more accurate today than it was some fifty living ago. Only time will tell what the derive of hurricanes may do in arrival years. Meantime, we can learn from the former by preparing ourselves for the coming.
Im scared to go to Honduras after seeing video on youtube?
Hello. What is it with youtube saying that honduras has a high crime rate? Doesnt it have a low crime rate? There isnt many gangs in Honduras is there? WHy is it showing this video? Is honduras a safe place to hangout at? Look at video here that i saw and please tell me if thats true that honduras has a high crime rate. Thanks
see video here
Then where are these tattoed guys at? Are they in northern honduras or where?
Get a life cavpak. I get so weary of listening to these armchair travelers who don’t have a clue and the media who forgets true reporting for sensationalism. What civil war are you talking about? There are gangs in Honduras, but they are in the barrios of the big cities just like in any city in the world, and you will not ever see them in the central areas, tourist areas or most rural areas. San Pedro Sula is considered northern and yes there are some bad tattooed dudes, but again, in certain parts of the city. Absolutely, you need to use a little common sense, but would you walk alone after dark in New York City’s lower east side or south Chicago? I doubt it. Does NYC or SF have a high crime rate? Sure, but when you average it with the rest of the US it doesn’t sound so bad. Ditto for Honduras. You can make statistics say whatever you want. Walk down the street in any business or tourist section of any city in Honduras and there is a policeman or soldier on every block. Their sole purpose is to prevent crime. And they do. As far as the impeachment? That has been over since the new president was inaugurated in January of this year, the whole country is optimistic, already crime is dropping and tourism is rapidly climbing to or above past levels. It probably would be climbing even faster if those Mr. Doom and Gloom’s that don’t know what they are talking about would pipe down.
