Roatan Revisited - Living On The Island Of Roatan
by Lyle Burke

Hillside view near Punta Gorda - Garifuna Village

Roatan - is an island of pristine beaches, lush jungle covered hills, welcoming people, unique cultures, world renowned diving and an endless array of activities. It is Caribbean and it is inexpensive Caribbean. The island of Roatan, the most developed of the Bay Islands Archipelago, is located only 40 miles northeast of mainland Honduras.


Roatan Revisited

Are you looking for an island with Las Vegas style entertainment? Or championship golf courses? Maybe a choice of 5-star hotels? Well then, Roatan Island is not the place for your next vacation---

On the other hand, if your idea of a wonderful Caribbean experience includes world class diving and water sports, a beautiful mountainous island offering both spectacular vistas and beaches, friendly English speaking native islanders, and a chance to rediscover the art of the casual conversation, then read on-----
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Maybe I should start over-I never imagined that a trip taken with my sister back in 1993, would have become a catalyst for a lifestyle change for my family and myself. We were so taken with the island, that several trips later, in early 1996, I made the move with my wife and two daughters to Roatan.

Group at "Hole in the Wall"

When family, friends, and clients ask what had brought us to Roatan, it was easy to name several things that appealed to us other than the sheer natural beauty of the Island and friendly Islanders.

To begin with, although not a mainstream destination, there are regular direct flights from either Miami or Houston to Roatan's small but modern international airport airport. Infrastructure, although basic, continues to improve. Computer buffs won't find DSL service, but they will be able to log on at several Internet cafes/hotels on the island.

Scuba diving, snorkeling, and sailing our Hobie Cat, was just a few minutes away from our front door on beautiful West Bay Beach. There was nothing like walking down the beach to West End Town and stopping by the Boulangerie, known for their delicious French pastries and hot, local coffee. In the evening, West End town offers a lively assortment of eateries and roadside pubs where it is not unusual to hear people conversing in French, German, Spanish, Italian, English, as well as the local
island patois.

Fresh seafood was only a short drive away at the Flying Fish in Cozen Hole. Here we had a wide selection to choose from, and purchased our pick of the catch at bargain prices, next to the boat that caught it.

When we felt the need to be pampered, we would drive to French Harbor for sunset cocktails at the French Harbor Dive and Yacht Club, steeped with an old world colonial feel to it. And then onward to either Romeo's or Gio's Restaurant in French Harbor Town for gourmet fare with an island flavor.

Boarding the water taxi at Oak Ridge

A must, whenever family and friends came to visit, was the scenic drive to Oakridge. Often referred to as the "Venice of Roatan", most traffic around Oak Ridge is via water taxis, or private boats. Oak Ridge is the largest community on the sparsely populated east end of the island. From the bus stop, where motor and water vehicles meet, we would take a water taxi through the mangrove tunnels and dock at Bob and Rhonda's "Hole in the Wall Bar and Grill", known for their great bar-b-que and local flavor. In the late afternoon, we would board our water taxi and boat up to pristine Carib Bight, for a refreshing swim in crystal clear water. Another colorful spot on the East End is Punta Gorda. The first Garifuna settlement in Honduras, this village was first settled in1797. A carnival occurring April 12 each year celebrates the founding of this community and is an event to plan for.

When island fever struck we would hop on a short flight to La Ceiba, a lively city on the coast of Honduras. There we could catch a movie, shop, or make plans for white river rafting or a trip to the Mayan ruins in Copan.

For over four years I worked with an international real estate firm helping others realize their Caribbean dreams. In early 2000, fulfilling a promise made to my oldest daughter we relocated to San Antonio Texas so that she could prepare herself for college.

Parrot Tree Beach

Prior to leaving Roatan, I began putting together Tropical Pathways, a company specializing in real estate investment tours. I wanted to utilize the experience and knowledge that I had gained as a realtor on Roatan to help others make profitable and safe investments in real estate. At the same time, I am able to maintain a connection to an area that I truly love. Tropical Pathways currently offers investment tours to Roatan, Panama, and Belize. Our travel calendar offers several travel dates, throughout the year, for each destination.

Sleepy Roatan is beginning to wake up and catch the eye of potential investors because of the excellent real estate buys currently available. Whether you are looking for a residential lot, a finished home, business and or commercial property, there are variety of choices with excellent value for the dollar. If you are looking for a very good investment opportunity or simply a change in the pace, believe me, Roatan is worth a look.
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