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Bay Islands Facts
- Culture: top
Spanish is the principal language and is spoken throughout the country, although English (spoken with a broad Caribbean accent) is the language of choice in the Bay Islands. The remaining Indian tribes have their own distinct languages.
Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion, but there are also many other Christian sects, including Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, Baptists, Pentecostals, Assemblies of god, Evangelicals, and so on. The indigenous tribes have their own religions, often existing alongside Christianity and incorporating elements of African and Indian animism and ancestor worship.
Honduran crafts include woodcarving (notably wooden instruments), basketry, embroidery and textile arts, leathercraft and ceramics. The country's cuisine is based around beans, rice, tortillas, fried bananas, meat, potatoes, cream and cheese.
- Language: top
The official language is Spanish, though English is widely spoken in the major tourist areas and in the Bay Islands. Some Maya and other indigenous languages are spoken in pockets on the mainland.
Ethnic Groups:
Mestizo: 90 %
Native American: 7 %
Black: 2 %
White: 1 %
Religions:
Catholic: 97 %
Protestant & Other: 3 %
- Location: top
Honduras is set in the heart of Central America, Honduras is bordered on the north by the Caribbean Sea, on the south by the Pacific Ocean and Nicaragua, and on the west by Guatemala and El Salvador. Located in Central America, just south of Belize, the three islands of Roatan, Utila and Guanaja are located slightly off the northern mainland; The Gorda Bank lies off the eastern shores, as to the cayes along the West Caribbean Barrier Reef.
- Government: top
Honduras has a democratic form of government with 3 branches: Legislative, Judicial and Executive. The President is elected by popular vote every 4 years.
Honduras has a large United States business presence in Standard Fruits, Dole Industries, , and huge lumber concerns, textile clothing as well as substantial U. S. aid and military presence. New Orleans has become a major import export city dealing with Honduras. Because of the good relationship with the United States government,t Honduras has proven good stability with a governing system much like the United States.
- Taxes and Banking: top
Roatan, Honduras has a sales tax of 12% to be applied to merchandise and services. There is an alcohol beverage and cigarette tax of 15%. There is a 4% tourism tax for tour related services. Property tax in Roatan is .25% of the recorded value of said property. Based on a $100,000 recorded value villa, the annual property tax will be approximately $250.00.
The U. S. dollar is widely accepted in Roatan. It is recommended that you exchange dollars for Lemps for ease of purchases. Travelers checks are not accepted in most establishments in Roatan and can be a burden. Most major credit cards are accepted for most purchases with the addition of a small processing fee that is standard in Roatan. Most of the banks in Roatan including Credomatice, Roatan, will give cash advances on major credit cards. Money wire transfers from the states to Roatan can be very timely and also a burden. Wires are not recommended for tour visitors unless absolutely necessary for the island of Roatan.
- Bay Islands Climate: top
Tropical in the Bay Islands, temperatures range from 75-80F year round, although the evenings are generally cool because of the prevailing trade winds blowing in from the southeast. Inland temperatures vary with altitude, but generally pleasant all year round.
The Bay Islands are approximately 1,100 miles due south and a bit to the east of New Orleans. The islands support a warm tropical climate that averages in the mid 80s during the day and mid 70s at night. The humidity is much milder than New Orleans, and Miami creating a dryer atmosphere. The trade winds are mostly constant providing comfort throughout the year. The Caribbean rainy season that is usually very slight in the Bay Islands runs approximately from mid November to February. Like all tropical paradises there are mosquitos and sand gnats also called (noseeums). The use of standard repellents will ward off these varmints. Clothing should be comfortable and cool, shorts and light weight cotton pants are recommended. Even for the evening the dress is casual for the better restaurants.
- Water Visibility: top
As with many locations, visibility is best in summer when seas are calmest, when it reaches around 100'.
- How Do I Get Around?: top
The island is easy to navigate by car. One paved main road runs east-west from Oak Ridge to West Bay Beach with dirt or gravel side roads. Driving is on the right side of the road. There are several car rental companies on the island.
Drivers are required to show a valid drivers license and a major credit card or a cash deposit. Of course, there are taxis and buses. You should always negotiate the price before you hire the taxi, possibly comparing with another taxi.
- Getting Around: top
TACA offers domestic flights between Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba and Roatán. Isleña and Sosa airlines have flights between La Ceiba, the Bay Islands and towns in the Mosquitia region. There are frequent buses to most towns; the first bus usually leaves at the crack of dawn, the last late in the afternoon.
The only passenger train services are in the north between San Pedro, Puerto Cortés and Tela. Trains are slow, rudimentary and very cheap. Services have been disrupted in the past, so check whether the trains are actually running before planning to use one. Boats are common modes of transport between the Bay Islands and along the Caribbean coast, especially in Mosquitia, where there is just one road.
There are plenty of taxis in most towns but they are not metered, so negotiate a fare before you get in. Car rental is available in main towns and the main roads offer excellent driving. However, this is not a cheap way to travel, and away from the highways the roads are unpaved and can be dusty in the dry season and slippery in the wet. Hitching is generally fairly easy in rural areas, where pick-up trucks often stop to pick up passengers.
- Roatan Population and People: top
Several different cultures are evident among the 30,000 residents of Roatan, including English, Spanish, Honduran, Payan Indian, Garifuna, and Antillean. The islanders primarily speak English flavored with Creole. About 3,000 North American and European expatriates also call Roatan home.
- Scuba Diving: top
Roatan
Largest of the Bay Islands at 33 miles long and 3 miles wide. Beautiful coral gardens can be found in as little as 20'. On the north side of the island, the wall can be found in as little as 40', while on the south shore, you can actually shore dive the wall that begins in just 25' and drops vertically to about 180'.
Guanaja
A small island at just 3 miles wide and 9 miles long. Relatively undeveloped with no roads. The only way around the island is by boat. Guanja is very easy to dive. Reefs start in just 10' of water with steep dropoffs to more than 120'. Lots of swimthroughs and sand channels that will fill your days with great experiences.
Utila
If you are looking for a variety of sealife, Utila has something for you. Here you will also find the steepest walls, where on the north shore the wall drops from 25' to over 1000'. The southern shore sports mini-walls and gradual slopes from 15' to about 200'. There are also a string of seamounts rising to within 40' of the surface where you may have a chance to dive with pelagics such as sharks, rays and turtles.
Cayos Cochinos
This group of small islands and cays are located closest to the mainland and are the least developed of the Bay Islands. Here you will find the healthiest reefs and a profusion of marine critters. Reefs start in just 5' - 10' and there are walls, caves, swim-throughs, and seamounts. Underwater photographers will be amazed with the variety of macro subjects.
- Climate and Weather: top
The climate is tropical with a rainy season from mid-October to late November.
While Roatan’s median temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit, its waters are equally warm. Almost-constant trade winds cool the island year-round. The island’s indiginous exotic trees and plants are kept healthy by ample annual rainfall. Honduras is not in the main path of the hurricanes. They typically turn north to the United States - Minus Hurricane Mitch.
- Currency: top
The lempira (named after a famous native chief) is worth about 1/14 of a U.S. dollar: $1 U.S. = 13.7 lempira.
- Time Zone: top
Honduras is on Central Standard Time and does not observe Daylight Savings Time.
- Roatan Topography: top
Roatan has gentle, lush hills and offers clear turqoise waters and spectacular beaches and harbours.
- Water Temperature: top
Average water temperature varies little throughout the year. Expect about 76 F in winter and 83 F in Summer.
- What Can I Do While Visting Roatan?: top
Hobbies that are supported here on the island are scuba diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking, swimming, charter boats, deep sea fishing, water skiing, horseback riding, sailing, salt water fly fishing and an ok night life to only name a few.
- Visas and Residency: top
Foreigners may visit Honduras for up to 30 days without a visa. A six-month visa may be obtained from your nearest Honduran consulate or embassy and should also be done when processing documents for residency. Additional 30-day extensions may be obtained from the Honduran Immigration Service. If you want to avoid the paper work involved with acquiring the residence visa that is required for anyone wishing to stay longer than six months, you can make a quick three-day trip to a neighboring county. Went you return, you are eligible for another six-month visa-free stay.
- Scuba Diving Opportunities: top
Walls, caves, sponges, tunnels, night dives, shore diving dolphin diving at Anthony's Key, eel gardens & sand chutes, some wrecks.
- Roatan Technology: top
Modern telecommunications systems on Roatan allow reliable telephone, fax, and online accees - there is a high speed internet cafe located at the REMAX location on the corner of French Harbour. There you'll find 4 fast computers available for email and web surfing while you're here.. In addition 24-hour electricity, paved roads, and good medical facilities exist.
- Medical Facilities: top
There are several clinics and two hospitals on the island. Woods Medical facility is the newest and most modern on Roatan. Only five minutes from Sea Star beach Resort is a small clinic and decompression chamber. Larger medical centers and large hospitals are available in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba on the mainland. Due to the influx of American medical personnel after Hurricane Mitch many of the professional people giving aid are now practicing in Honduras. Trauma case emergencies can be handled by 24 hour air ambulance service to the mainland, or States. Optometrist, and specially doctors are located on the mainland. A visit to the doctor will cost approximately $15.00 and pharmaceutical drugs cost approximately 20% less than in the United States.
- Approximate flight times: top
From Tegucigalpa to New York is 8 hours. From Tegucigalpa to London is 12 hours 30 minutes. (There are no direct flights to London; connections are generally via Miami, Houston or Los Angeles).
- Telephone: top
IDD is available. Country code: 504. Outgoing international code: 00.
- Airlines Serving Roatan: top
TACA Airlines, Sol Air and Continental fly directly from the U.S. to Roatan on a weekly basis, TACA and Sol Air fly from Miami and TACA and Continental fly from Houston. All three airlines, in addition to American, fly to mainland Honduras daily from various U.S. cities with commuter flights available to Roatan. Also, travelers can fly in through Belize City as well.
- Clothing: top
Casual everywhere, particularly in the Bay Islands and mainland eco-tourist areas. Choose lightweight, easy-care cottons; slacks or dresses should always be worn in churches. Sturdy, comfortable shoes with closed heel and toe are a must for walking and hiking in the jungles.
Comfortable cool clothing is recommended. A light jacket might be handy for some December through March evenings. To protect the reef from damaging runoff, major spraying programs are not permitted. Therefore, there are sand flies on the beach. Use repellent or Avon Skin So Soft and you shouldn't be bothered.
- Taxes and Banking: top
Foreign residents living on their foreign income, including pensions, are not subject to income taxes on their foreign income regardless of the amount of the income. Only the income earned in this country of Honduras will be taxed by Honduras. You are exempt in the U.S. from paying income tax on the first $75,000 per person of earned income in a foreign country. Be sure and check with your CPA for details. It is next to impossible to cash personal checks in Honduras. You can, however, have U.S. dollar bank accounts in which you can deposit money and cash personal checks. U.S. Dollar savings accounts and term deposits are available at Honduran banks on Roatan.
- Customs: top
Honduran customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Honduras of items such as firearms, antiquities, medications, and business equipment. For example, Honduran law prohibits the export of antiques and artifacts from pre-colonial civilizations. To protect the country's biodiversity, it is illegal to export certain birds, feathers and other flora and fauna.
U.S. citizens who intend to stay in Honduras for an extended period of time and who bring vehicles or household goods into the country should consult Honduran customs officials prior to shipment.
- Immunizations: top
No vaccinations are required for travel to Honduras; however, it is advised that you consult your doctor concerning any currently recommended health precautions. For the latest health information contact the Centers for Disease Control's International Travelers Health Fax Service at 888-232-3299 or visit their web site at www.cdc.gov.
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