Where in the world is Roatan?
Thanks to a flood of cruise passengers and new non-stop flights from the US, a once obscure place named Roatan, Honduras, is turning up on more traveler’s maps than ever before.
The Caribbean outpost is about 30 miles off the Central American coast and has long been a favorite of divers seeking the world’s second largest barrier reef.
But today, more visitors are arriving via non-stop flights from Atlanta, Newark and Houston. And their numbers should be swelled this year by a projected 730,000 cruise passengers, a number nearly two thirds what it was in 2009.
“Cruise ship visits proved to be one of the few bright spots on Roatan after President Manuel Zelaya’s ouster in June prompted a US State Department travel warning to stay away from Honduras. The advisory was lifted in December, but tourism revenue plummeted by 80 percent last year,” says USA Today.
Honduras’ other draws range from some of the planet’s best bird-watching (in Pico Bonito National Park and the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve) to the Paris of the ancient Maya world, Copán — all on the mainland.
Most hotels here are small and under 50 rooms. Tourists find prices surprisingly low.
The area also got its first golf course this year (designed by Pete Dye).
The area’s laidback style of life fits the needs of many visitors.
“It’s a Jimmy Buffet place, even though he’s never been there,” says Edward Moulder, a real estate broker.
By David Wilkening
David
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