TJ's BuyRoatan.com Blog

Can I Bring Foods in My Luggage into Honduras?

This is a question often asked.... "Can I bring meats with me in my luggage?"  Honduran agriculture laws are strict, but loosely enforced at times... nonetheless, you need to know this before you go...

 

TJ's 2011 Roatan Real Estate Review & 2012 Predictions!

For many, 2011 was a banner year... and for Roatan, just bouncing back from the country's 2009 abrupt changes in Government, it was indeed an important year as well!!  Real Estate sales were brisk, mainly due to a US stuggling economy - with many who do have money looking for investment outside the country.  2012 is already showing strong signs of more development, more sales and more tourists travelling to our little paradise in the Carbibbean!  Here's my predictions...

 

January on Roatan - Not too Hot.. Not too Cloudy...

In fact, it's JUST RIGHT! for those of us who live here.  Sure, there's a few rainy stints, some overcast skies, but that warm sun still shows up everyday!!  Take a look for yourself...

 

Driving on Roatan… Kinda Like a Video Game!

I've said it before and I'll keep saying it... there's more people killed by traffic accidents than anything else here on Roatan!! Well.. maybe it's true and maybe it isn't... but if anyone can get a license if they pay the $10 fee... no test, no qualifications.... then there's not a lot of hope for common sense on the roads...

 

Drink Your Water People!!!

After witnessing a tourist fall face down in the sand the other day and then finding out it was as a result of dehydration, I thought it necessary to include this video for those of you coming down to Paradise! Roatan is hotter and more humid than you think... so listen up!

 

Cooler Temps and Overcast Skies.. Chillin' in the Caribbean!

January usually brings cooler temps and less direct sunshine to Roatan and this month we're experiencing temperatures in the 70's and low 80's for sure.  At night, it drops to the low 70's and that makes dressing up and going out... that much more bearable!!  But that doen't mean the beaches are any less inhabited... tons of fun going on every day!!

 

Recycling Begins on Roatan!!

Who'd a thunk?  In a country where even the police throw trash out the window, there is FINALLY some hope!! Roatan now has recycling bins placed along the roadside throughout the island.  Now, the next step is to educate the peeps on how to use them... 

 

Roatan's Potholes Could Swallow You Up!!

If you've ever driven on Roatan's road system... if that is even the best name for it... you'll come to realize that it's about dodging, stopping suddenly, driving in the oncoming traffic lane, and unavoidably hitting a LOT OF POTHOLES.... today... I tell you why!

 

TJ's Favorite 2011 Roatan Moments...

I got to tell you.... living on Roatan is far from boring.... mundane or anything you may believe stuck on a big rock in the middle of the ocean is cracked up to be.  Between the thousands of ever-changing tourists -- to the amazing, quirky misfit residents who call Roatan home, there is always something to look at, admire, laugh to, buy, repair, build and stare at here!  Here's a few of my memories from this past year... enjoy!

 

Roatan's World Famous Beach - West Bay!

If you like soft velvet sand between your toes... if you like clear shallow, calm and warm water.... if you like fun activities at your fingertips... then you'll LOVE West Bay Beach!  There's ONLY one on Roatan.. beach that is... that is anything short of spectacular... and this is it!  Usually dead calm.. sometimes this time of year brings in some waves.. which all adds to the fun!!

 

Roatan Offers a lot of Choices in Building Materials

If you're building a home on Roatan, or maybe just fixing up something you bought here, there are a lot of inexpensive touches you can do to "personalize" your place.  Today, I'm going to show you a few ideas that may help you make some choices... and the tradespeople in Honduras ROCK!!!! They can do almost anything... and at $30/day, you won't find a better deal anywhere!!

 

What's That Smell in my Hotel Room?

Coming to Roatan?  Get used to the humidity.. and what it does to rooms.. HOTEL rooms!!  Anywhere in the tropics, not just Roatan, you have to be aware that stale, humid air causes funky smells.... and our island is no exception.  But have no fear... relief is here!!!

 

Love the Beach? Stay on Roatan's West Side...

Hotels are filling up now for Christmas.. so if you want to be on the beach.. you'd better book sooner than later... and West Bay IS THE PLACE to be if you like beaches!

 

Cruise Ship Season Begins - Important for Roatan!

From the moment you land on this beautiful island you'll see the vast sea of smiling faces -both locals and imports- and one can't help but wonder what is going on inside their minds.  Is it just the Caribbean island lifestyle that is so amazing?  Roatan's amazing sunshine and warm water?  I tend to think it's two-fold... 1) the tourists are smiling because of the GREAT value they're recieving for their money spent... and 2) the locals are smiling because they are making money supplying services for the tourists that come to the island. --either way, I know you'll feel it too...

 

Cheap Canadian Flights to Roatan this 2011/2012 Season!

Canadian charter flights have begun again to Roatan! Check out the website and BOOK NOW!!  Or, you can wait until the last minute.. the day before travelling and save even more!!  Check out www.redtag.ca for all the specials from up there.. to down here!!

 

Cold Enough to Wear a Shirt? Really?

There are certainly times throughout the year here.. especially during the rainy season.. that the temps drop down in the 70's here.. and even the 60's!!!---if you can believe that?  Right now, it's in the mid 70's and it does seem cold actually.  So much so that I'm having to wear a shirt these days...

 

Roatan's Crappy Fuel Can Ruin Your Car!!

I'm not exactly sure why or how, but some of the worst, dirtiest, lowest octane gasoline and diesel is sold right here on Roatan!!  And that can cost you $$thousands in repair bills if you're not savy to the tricks of the trade.  I'll tell you more....

 

Cooler Days in November and Less Rain...

November is typically the start of the rainy season here on Roatan.. but with most of it coming early in October this year, we're really only experiencing temps in the low 80's and high 70's at night.  A few showers here and there, but the sun certainly is not letting us down neither... time to book for Christmas!!!!

 

Dog-Gone Happy on Roatan!

If it's a sunny day and life is good.. you're probably on Roatan!  Even the animals are appreciative of the sun this time of year!!

 

Cooler Temps Sends Roatanians Seeking Drier Air?

When it cools down in the tropics, the humidity levels increase and can "chill" you to the bone... and if you live here, you'll know what I mean when I say that there are days when the temps drop into the lower 70's that you wish you had a fireplace to snuggle up in front of.  But this "tip" does the trick for me and may just help  you out as well...

 

2011 High Season Begins on Roatan!

Well.. we've made it another year through the hurricane season unscathed!! WOO HOO!!  And as we head into Roatan's busy season which runs from now to the end of Easter, you'd better get busy and book your hotel if you have paradise in your radar scope for the holidays...

 

Tropical Rains Fill Roatan's Aquifers….

To some... torrential downpours during your holiday can be a bummer... and to us living here on Roatan island... they are quite welcome!  For the past 30 days or so, we've had our "winter".... tropical rains almost daily... but this is necessary to fill the islands fresh water supply.. among other things...

 

Honduras Coffees Hit Starbucks!

For years popular coffee shops like Starbucks has been buying Honduran coffee beans and using them in their various blends... but now, the mega-chain has released an exclusive 100% Honduran bean FEATURED COFFEE... (which is what I've been telling them for years to do!!!) 

 

Passport Requirements Entering Honduras

Since Roatan is part of Honduras, it's imperative you understand the Immigration requirements this country has concerning passports.  First off, you need a passport to get in and get out of Honduras. But the most important aspect of that has to do with when your passport expires.  Failure to observe this requirement, may force the airline to refuse you to board the plane from your home country, or worse yet.... the Immigration officials in Honduras may just not let you enter the country!  Check this out...

 

Working "Pirate Ship" For Sale on Roatan!

Arrrg mateys!!!  Here's a business op for you entrepreneurs out there... a real life, exact replica of the famous BLACK PEARL is offered for sale on Roatan!  Built to the exact specifications as her original, this remake is valued at more than $1.2m and is offered at $750,000 usd.  For more information, contact me at tj@buyroatan.com 

 

Blackberrys and Smartphones Work on Roatan!

Just can't help texting friends back home and gloating about your Roatan vacation?  Need to stay in touch with family?  There are 3 cell phone service providers in Honduras and ALL of them offer BLACKBERRY services for BBM Messenger, texting and MMS messages.  Whether you're on vacation, or you live here... technology is catching up here on Roatan!!

 

Another Great Kid Protection When Visiting Roatan!

Kids... they can spend hours in the sun.. playing in the waves, digging in the sand.  And the sun's harmful rays can actually do more damage to their skin than you can imagine. PROTECT THEM! Here's a great way for you to have peace of mind and your children to "look cool" and still have a great time in the sun!

 

The Constant Battle Against the Elements...

Let's face it.... living on an island, surrounded by evaporating salt water, combined with light trade winds blowing constantly can mean only one thing.... HAVOC for electronics, metals, plastics... oh.. and then add in the sun's UV, UVA and UVB rays that so nicely heat the sea and the land and you've got a battle on your hands.  And is seems that the more Roatan comes into the 21st century with technology, paved roads and other infrastructure.... the more that there is to go wrong... but hey, we like it this way.. really!

 

Roatan's Thatch Roofs… 100% Island, Mon!

When it comes to ambience... NOTHING says "tropical" like a Palapa with a thatch roof!  And if you live here, you can have one in your back yard next to the pool.... on the beach... or even as a roof on your house!! Check them out.. they're easy to build, work well to protect you from the rain and sunlight.... and look MARVELOUS!!

 

Introducing RoatanBuyandSell.com - Roatan's BEST Classifieds!

Whether you're moving TO or AWAY from Roatan... you need something, or you want to get rid of something... NOW we have a place to do it!!! For FREE!  Check out www.RoatanBuyandSell.com for items for sale, trade giveaways... place personal ads, want ads and browse categories... ALL ads are FREE to place... and there are optional small fees are for adding pictures, bolding your ad and better placements.