And with 4 modern supermarkets, bilingual schools (teaching English and Spanish) and other first world amenities available on the island, adjusting to Roatan life can be made a little easier for North American expats. 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). Another thing that plays into this situation is the poverty and corruption in government. Yes, I'm willing to do a survey, Copyright 2009-2023 Numbeo. Finally, crime rates are relatively high, so it is important to be vigilant about your safety. Locals are always willing to share their favorite spots with visitors, and there are a lot of interesting places to see here. Depending on the type of repellent you choose, you may need to reapply it every few hours for it to work. Women Travelers:See our travel tips forWomen Travelers. I would say that cruisers in this area, like any other, need to be very vigilant. Faith-Based Travelers:See our following webpages for details: LGBTI Travelers:There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Honduras. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. Save. But drugs and prostitution are not the only way to get in trouble. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctors prescription. You can read the warning here. Sand flies can also be an annoyance here, and are burrowed in the beach sand. Then, click on the red marker to open the add anchorage window. Thanks for any input. Once youve acquired that, you can own up to acres of land in your own name, the property taxes are very low and any foreign earned income will not be taxed at all. If you move here and get more comfortable and familiar with the area and the people, of course, you can feel at ease walking down West End road with your normal gadgets. There are certainly crimes committed on Roatan and those crimes are on par with other booming tourist destinations across the globe. See theDepartment of Statepage for information on scams. Crime can be easily avoided by taking basic safety precautions. Plan your outings in advance and enjoy Roatan. They do not have boats for patrols, and the less populated areas do suffer as a result. information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. That puts Roatan/Honduras a few points ahead of the U.S. Iceland holds the number one rated position and Afghanistan holds last place, ranked at 163. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. Always ensure you have enough medicine to cover your travel time, and research its availability in Honduras, or whether there is a viable replacement. 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. Find a TourFind a JobItinerariesContact UsImportsBack to Top, In Partnership withRoatan Online Community. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2020 was 36.33, a 13.52% decline from 2019. Period. Roatan is a safe island. Honduras is a country in Central America that is washed by the Caribbean Sea in the north and the Pacific Ocean in the south. 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. I think that they are probably safer there than in an isolated anchorage on the mainland coast of Honduras, Nicaragua, or many other areas. email [emailprotected]. 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. The U.S. State Department states that: Roatan and the Bay Islands are geographically separated from and experience lower crime rates than on the mainland and other Caribbean islands; however, thefts, break-ins, assaults, rapes, and murders do occur., The State Department Crime and Safety Reportalso states that Cruise ship passengers should take safety precautions, avoid unfamiliar areas, and book only with reputable tour companies during their stopover. Travelers should still exercise reasonable precautions. In fact, on any given night, you can find a fair chunk of them at Sundowners Beach Bar on Half Moon Bay beach. Tell me about Taxis (land) and Public Transportation please? border: 0.2rem solid #ffb500; Beware. What Im having trouble with is obtaining a general population number of expats, that question has alluded me. Re: Crime in Roatan. 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. /* Clear floats after the columns */ The short answer is yes. These neighborhoods have a high level of security and a combination of gated layouts and security patrols in place. By Jim Walker on June 3, 2014. The location and timing of criminal activity is unpredictable. Dont flash a wad of bills or a wallet full of credit cards. The average temperature in Roatan is a perfect 28C, with the lowest temperature being around 22C and the highest, 31 C. So pack away your heavy coats, for in Roatan, you will never need more than a light jacket to be comfortable. Poverty and corruption are two of the most serious challenges that people face in Roatan. The newspaper reports that the body of Philip Foster Brown was found in a ravine near a road leading from West End to West Bay in Roatan on Tuesday. Visit theEmbassy of Honduraswebsite or any of theHonduran consulatewebsites for the most current visa information. Be the first to discover secret destinations, travel hacks, and more. Being in isolated anchorages in Honduras or anywhere, brings the benefits of quiet, privacy, solitude, but also the dangers we have seen here. The annual humidity for Roatan is estimated to be 77%. However, the ability of Honduran law enforcement authorities to prevent, respond to, and investigate criminal incidents, and to prosecute criminals is limited. It is not easy to find these individuals without a deliberate effort. This island seems perfect, but the crime reports do concern us. This report indicated that there were a total of 9 murders and 29 robberies on the island in 2016. Crime:While crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country, municipalities along the north coast and central portions of the country have historically had the countrys highest crime rates. Coxen Hole, Los Fuertes, French Harbour, are some of the main places where tourist and residents alike should keep a watchful eye. Special Requirements for Minors: Under Honduran law, children under age 21 who are traveling unaccompanied or with only one parent must have written, notarized permission to travel from the non-traveling parent(s). If you decide to go you won't regret it. However, many activists report that crimes committed against the LGBTI community go unpunished. There are a few problems that come with living in Roatan, Honduras. Hi: position: relative; In Punta Gorda, you will find the largest population of Garifuna people. This Central American country actually has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Copan, Roatan/Bay Islands, and other tourist destinations have a lower crime rate than other parts of the country. Please leave one below or join the discussion on our Facebook page. A woman is killed every 23 hours on average, the National Autonomous University of Honduras' Violence Observatory reports. Over 200 information packed pages with hundreds of beautiful photos. Roatan is a beautiful island about 40 miles off the coast of Honduras. There are two medical facilities in Coxen Hole, the Woods Clinic and the Roatan public hospital. With an almost total absence of guns and the purchase of ammunition being restricted and almost impossible to find, petty criminals are likely to have neither and rely on the inattention of tourists (many who may have had a few too many rum drinks) to make their living. The truth of the matter is, the majority of the crime in Honduras is situated on the mainland in the country's major cities. - Photos, when, where, who was involved, What happened, what actions have been taken. Honduras crime rate & statistics for 2019 was 42.01, a 7.91% increase from 2018. Because Roatan is not yet congested with tourists, the prices remain very affordable, and yet, because the tourism industry is an important aspect of Roatans economy, the island is filled with amenities like restaurants and bars that can be great additions for local expats. If you choose to settle down in Roatan, you will be free of some of the crowds that would be simply unavoidable in other popular expat spots in Central America. This is good for both tourists and residents. content: ""; 1. Gracias a Dios Department Level 4: Do Not Travel. width: 50%; For additional IPCA-related information, please see theInternational Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (ICAPRA)report. This article is dated July 12, 2013 and it states Roatan only has a population of around 28,400 people. New data shows where U.S. expats are residing all across the globe. Honduras population has access to clean water, with 84 percent having access. For sensitive individuals, use anti- itch cream or coconut oil to alleviate itchiness. He received his information from his research and the Mayors of the two Municipalities on Roatan. } Many cruisers anchor in places like Calabash Bight, and other East-End anchorages without any problems. Enjoy the simple things in life as you spend your days lounging on the beach, scuba diving, hiking through the lush forests, or stretching out in a hammock with a good book. Telephone:+(504) 2558-1580 The more typical crime against tourists on Roatan will be property crime - theft of money and portable goods. overflow: hidden; The businesses and resorts that depend on the tourism take steps to try and protect their customers. Infrastructure is weak, government services are limited, and police and military presence is scarce. Along with unspoiled beaches, lush forests, and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, Roatan also has that year-round moderate weather that so many expats crave. IMO you should visit your family doctor or better yet a travel medicine specialist and follow his advice. As such, thisCosta Rican hotspotcontinues to be one . Instant Download. As is expected in any tropical environment, there are hot and rainy seasons in Roatan. Maintain a high level of vigilance, take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security, and follow instructions of local authorities. Due to gang and cartels fighting for control of the lucrative drug trade in the region, gangs and cartels are battling for control. Travelers must declare any amount over $10,000. This country is a particularly dangerous place to visit for the majority of travelers. Just off the northern coast of Honduras, Roatan is a thin stretch of land that measures only 40 miles long and a mere 3 miles wide. width: 100%; In addition, threats and violence have been used against U.S. citizens involved in property disputes. 7 years ago Park & Josh closed their businesses, moved to Central America, and bought a 400 acre island in Panama. Make sure you stop by next time youre in town. I assume getting the services of an emigration lawyer would be advisable. Roatan has a lot to offer, including the beautiful beaches, the laid-back atmosphere, and the friendly people. Just do a search, you'll find plenty of opinions & information. Most areas around Roatan are safe. U.S. citizens should not travel to Gracias a Dios. Many of the comforts and securities which many enjoy elsewhere are simply not available in Honduras. IsRoatanSafe? } Where do most expats live in Honduras? walk to the beach. Springing out of the sea, the Bay Islands form part of the underwater mountain range of Bonacci Ridge. Students:See ourStudents Abroadpage andFBI travel tips. The local government is well aware of the powerful economic impact these visitors have on the economy and maintains a strong, visible police presence on behalf of their guests. There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI nightclubs. Roatan is a part of the Honduran Bay Islands. The beach walk betweenWest BayandWest Endshould not be attempted alone, as muggings have occurred in this isolated stretch of beach. Honduran roads are poorly lit and poorly marked. This, by the way, applies to all travelers in all countries. Both combined will qualify Me for retirement with income that is above the required $1500.00 US needed. Copan, Roatan/Bay Islands, and other tourist destinations have lower crime rates than other parts of the country. January 8, 2015. Emergency After-Hours Telephone:Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa: +(504) 2238-5114 or +(504) 2236-9320, extension 4100 What would be the total cost (ball park figure) of the time required to do it properly, and amount of money needed including legal fees and consulting for the whole process. According to a 2018 World Bank report, Honduras had a poverty rate of 48.8% as of 2018, and the situation has quickly deteriorated as a result of COVID-19. As a result, Roatan is among the cheapest places to live in the Caribbean and North America. As we wrote before, like many other Caribbean islands, the police in Roatan are either indifferent or corrupt. I have been researching Roatan for the last couple of years, and the consensus of the vast majority of recently UPDATED sites state 70,000, with Bay Island Voice just blogging me that it is probably approaching 80,000. Falling off your motor scooter and collisions with other vehicles are a real possibility for the uninitiated. Honduras was ranked 121st out of 187 countries in the UN Development Program 2011 Human Development Index. We plan to rent at first, and then buy. Latest News Profile Criminal Actors Investigations News 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. Quickly find out which country is right for you. Who knows how many keys get 'lost'. On May 15, 2019, the Honduran police surrounded Lahijani's house in Puerto Francs on Roatn and arrested him for money laundering and confiscated some $130,000 in cash. One of the most frequently asked questions about Roatan by potential visitors is "How safe will I be?" Certainly reports about the high violent crime rate in Honduras trigger reasonable concerns for folks who have not experienced Roatan. This region is known for its stunning beaches, lush jungle landscapes, and clear blue water. Your Question Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen are among the most dangerous countries to visit in 2022, according to the United Nations. Rents vary depending on length of stay. Stay safe and enjoy. The tropical weather in and around Roatan is inclusive of sea breezes which keep the annual temperatures within a range of 70F to 80F. There are numerous communities within walking distance of Roatan that do not have crime. 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.