Located off the coast of Honduras, Roatán is one of the Caribbean's best-kept secrets. With white sand beaches, turquoise water, and plenty of activities - this small island is ideal for a weekend getaway. There are plenty of amazing experiences, places to see, and delicious dining here, but the best thing about Roatán is you can choose to spend your whole weekend relaxing and you won’t be missing out, as the scenery is gorgeous enough to be the main event.
You can fly into the mainland and then take a ferry, but with plenty of airlines flying direct to Roatán with affordable fares, it just makes sense to make the most of your trip by flying directly to the island if you can (depending on where you’re coming from). Most flights land early in the day, so you will have Friday afternoon to get acquainted and start exploring. There is only one main road on Roatán, so we recommend arranging hotel-coordinated transport so all you have to worry about after landing is enjoying the scenic views on your winding journey to the hotel.
Our recommendation of where to stay is Ibigari; located between two of the most popular areas on the island, West Bay and West End. The hotel offers complimentary water taxis to both, but walking along the beach is also an option. Its gorgeous and eco-friendly design is the perfect balance between beach-living and a high-end stay. Breakfast is included in your stay if you prefer slower mornings and would rather stay at the resort for the first few hours of your morning.
Once you’ve settled in, it’s time for your first activity of the trip: exploring the beautiful coral reefs that surround certain portions of the island. You can choose to scuba dive or snorkel, depending on whether you are certified or not. If you’ve been wanting to get scuba certified, Roatán is the perfect place to do it!
If you prefer above-water activities, the West End Beach area is great for paddle boarding or kayaking – the resort even has complimentary paddle boards and kayaks. Another great thing about this area is all the beach bars that adorn the coastline. After an afternoon of watersports, it’s time for an evening of dancing. Frank’s is a local favorite with a large dance floor, and it’s close enough to the resort to walk home after a night out.
Saturday we recommend wearing the mini dress version of our Viajera Convertible Dress and throwing the detachable skirt in your purse to transition from day to night. It’s best starting bright and early to beat the crowds at Gumbalimba Park. This eco-tourism park includes wildlife tours as well as ziplining, and it is a protected wilderness area, so it gives you the opportunity to truly take in Roatán’s native flora and fauna. After a tour of the park, you can explore the beautiful waterfalls around the park and the nearby beach. This portion of the coast is especially serene!
There are shuttle services provided by the park and once they drop you back off at the hotel, it’s time to head to our next destination. After an action-packed morning of sun, white-faced monkeys, and zip-lining, changing gears to a relaxing afternoon of shopping will be exactly what you need.
If you took our advice to wear the Viajera from the morning, now is the time to add on the longer, flamenco-inspired skirt. Its chic and versatile design is well-suited for going from your day of activities to an upscale evening meal at the fine dining bistro Sea Salt. The charming bistro has many delicious vegetarian options, in addition to top-notch fish and meat dishes. Don’t miss out on their molten lava cake, it’s worth saving the room for dessert!
The restaurant is within walking distance of the resort, so you can enjoy a stroll with the sky full of stars as you end your second day on Roatan.
Most flights depart from Roatán in the evening, so depending on where you are flying to, you will be home in the evening with time to unpack before Monday. Sunday will be a half-day on the island and a great time to sleep in after two action-packed days. After you check out of the hotel, head over to Cafe de Palo for one last meal on the island–brunch (we love a good brunch, and this one is high on our list!).
This little cafe is right on the beach and the perfect place to close out your getaway. It’s a short drive from the hotel and in the direction of the airport. After a coffee or cocktail and some eggs benedict, you’ll be saying goodbye to the island.
Hasta luego, Roatán!