Roatán

Where ships dock

Coxen Hole pier: the pier is in Coxen Hole, and the port area has shops and visitor services. Isla Tropicale: a separate pier east of Coxen Hole; go beyond the port area by taxi or tour.

• Port of Roatán, Coxen Hole (Royal Caribbean and other lines)
• Isla Tropicale, formerly Mahogany Bay (Carnival and Princess)

Best time to go

Ships call year-round, more than 20 a month. In 2024–25 the high season started in October, with October to December the busiest stretch.

The dry season runs from November to about April. Most rain falls from May to October, and the Caribbean hurricane season runs from early June to the end of November.

How far from the pier

One way. Short call OK means 20 minutes or less.

• Gumbalimba Park (West Bay)Taxi40 min

Ship tour or go independent?

Going on your own works, but plan it. West Bay is about a 30–40 minute drive from either pier, and Gumbalimba Park sells its own shuttle from the cruise port. Canada suggests cruise passengers book tours through a reputable company, and both the US and Canada warn against flagging taxis in the street.

• Don't flag taxis in the street or take one from a taxi stand. Pre-book a ride, agree on the fare first, and note the driver's name and plate.
• Don't use shared taxis.
• Know which pier you're at. Isla Tropicale and the Coxen Hole pier are separate ports, so tell your driver which one.
• The US says tourism in Honduras is not well regulated, with rare safety checks on gear. Research tour providers before you book.
• Gumbalimba Park has no ATM. Bring cash.

Getting around

No rideshare

• WalkAt Coxen Hole, the port area has shops and visitor services, but West Bay is too far to walk. At Isla Tropicale, the beach, pool, restaurants and bars are inside the port, and a scenic chairlift runs there.
• TaxiTo reach West End or West Bay, use a taxi company your hotel or tour operator recommends, not a white street taxi or a taxi stand. Agree on the fare first and carry small bills. No official fare list is published.
• ShuttleGumbalimba Park runs a bookable shuttle from the cruise port with set pickup times and a return ride. It names both Mahogany Bay and the Port of Roatán.

Uber lists only Tegucigalpa among Honduran cities, not Roatán. Plan on a pre-booked taxi, a shuttle or a tour.

Money, tipping & phones

Money

The Honduran lempira (HNL) is the official currency. US dollars are easy to exchange, and credit cards are accepted on Roatán. ATMs can be out of order, charge high fees or draw thieves, so use one in a mall or bank, avoid large withdrawals and skip ATMs at night.

Must-sees

• West Bay BeachRide neededA white-sand beach with snorkeling, glass-bottom boats, ocean kayaks and parasailing.
• West EndRide neededA beach village with calm water, a reef near the shore, and plenty of dive shops and restaurants.
• Gumbalimba ParkRide neededA nature park in West Bay with white-faced monkeys, scarlet macaws, a 13-cable zipline, a pirate cave, a beach and a freshwater pool.
• Isla Tropicale beach (Mahogany Beach)WalkableCarnival's port beach, with a pool and swim-up bar, kayaking, a nature trail and a scenic chairlift. Carnival and Princess ships dock here.
• Punta GordaRide neededA mostly Garifuna fishing community. Its April carnival is the island's most traditional celebration.
• Arch's Iguana and Marine ParkRide neededA sanctuary with more than 4,000 free-roaming iguanas, plus rescued sea turtles and monkeys.
• Sandy Bay and the Roatan Institute for Marine SciencesRide neededDolphin encounters at Anthony's Key in Sandy Bay, next to the Roatán Museum. The tourism board lists them as open Thursday to Tuesday.

Free & cheap near the pier

• West End beachFreeWalk the sand at West End, where calm water and a reef sit close to shore.
• Roatan Marine Park reef bracelet$10 voluntaryA voluntary fee to help protect the reef. You get a bracelet or token at the park's EcoStore in West End or at partner dive shops and resorts.

Eat like a local

• BaleadaA folded flour tortilla with beans, cheese and cream, sometimes with egg, avocado or meat. You'll find it all over Honduras.
• Sopa de caracolConch soup with coconut milk, cassava, plantain and cilantro, from Garifuna cooking.
• TapadoA seafood stew with plantains, cassava and root vegetables. Coconut gives the coastal version its flavor, and Garifuna cooks on the Bay Islands are known for it.
• Pan de cocoCoconut bread served with Garifuna meals.
• Fish and shrimpGrilled fish in garlic sauce, ceviche and shrimp done many ways. West End has many of the island's best-known restaurants.
• Local drinksSalva Vida lager is a common local beer, and rum is the usual drink on the Bay Islands.

Rainy-day backups

• Port of Roatán shops, Coxen HoleThe port area at the Coxen Hole pier has shops and visitor services.
• Isla Tropicale restaurants and barsCarnival's port has a beachside restaurant and bars, including a swim-up bar.
• Gumbalimba Park Pirate Museum Cave and insectariumCovered stops at the park in West Bay, which is open daily 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Safety & scams

Official advisoryUS State Dept: Level 3 — Reconsider travel (as of August 25, 2026)

• The US Level 3 covers all of Honduras, including the Bay Islands, with no separate safety note for Roatán. The only Do Not Travel area is Gracias a Dios, on the mainland.
• Canada and the UK call the Bay Islands generally safer than the mainland, with less violent crime. Petty theft is still a problem in tourist areas.
• Canada says to stay out of the Coxen Hole, Los Fuertes and Suampo neighborhoods once it's dark, and to avoid isolated beaches and areas. Assaults on beaches have mostly happened at night.
• Don't flag taxis in the street, use taxi stands or ride in white street taxis. Use a company your hotel recommends, and don't share a cab with strangers.
• Book tours, diving and water sports with well-established companies. Riptides are common, and not every beach has a lifeguard.
• Tap water is not safe to drink. Use bottled water.
• Dengue is a risk. Use insect repellent; the mosquitoes bite mostly by day, especially around sunrise and sunset.
• Roatán has a recompression chamber for divers, but other emergency care on the islands is very limited.
• In an emergency, dial 911. Roatán has tourist police.

From official government and port sources. Check the latest advisory before you travel.

Accessibility

At the pier

Ships dock at both piers, so there is no tender. Neither port publishes step-free or wheelchair details.

• Isla Tropicale has a scenic chairlift.
• Gumbalimba Park suggests allowing extra time if you use a golf cart there, since there may be a wait.
• Emergency medical care on the Bay Islands is very limited. Serious cases may need evacuation.