Third World Travel Tips & Roatan Memories
News from the Honduras Bay Islands and North Coast
07 January 2001
By Pierre Renaldo, The Coastwatcher©

I have been overwhelmed again, this time with many messages from readers who are planning a trip to Honduras and the Bay Islands during 2001. Many of you have requested information about such a variety of subjects that I think I need to review several areas of the most discussed topics germane to travel in third world countries.

Requirements for entry into Honduras, and most other Central American Countries.

Please understand that I am no authority on documentation for entry into foreign countries. I would encourage you to call the closest consulate of the country you are planning to travel to/in/through for the most update information. You can also frequently gather sound advice from the travel department of American Automobile Association, or similar agencies sponsored by oil companies and travel related businesses.

You can travel to most Central American countries with a valid US Passport or a tourist card, including Roatan, Honduras.

There is no longer a requirement for the International Health Certificates that many of you have carried in the past. I still do, mainly as a reminder to myself that I should get booster shots to keep up my immunities for various diseases. It is just good practice, especially if you are the adventurous type who may take an unexpected side trip into a remote region where health and sanitation conditions are much less than ideal.

Many problems occur from water sources and fresh fruit and vegetables. You have all heard of Montezuma’s Revenge, and malaria, both of which can be a hazard in any third world area, especially the more remote regions.

Play it safe. Get the standard shots as recommended by your local Health Department Clinic. They have an outline of recommendations for what would be best suited in the way of immunizations for the far away places you yearn to explore. If you have any physical condition that may cause you a problem, then get yourself prepared for that contingency, so that you will not experience an uncertainty, aggravated by something you did not anticipate. Good judgment up front will insure a bon voyage.

What to bring if you are visiting Roatan.

Many of you come here for the diving and snorkeling, you probably already own dive boots, but if you plan to just walk the beaches and wade the shallow waters inside the reef then I suggest a pair of the lightweight beach shoes that you can wear in the water or on the beach, and for just walking around.

Suntan lotion, the waterproof varieties are best, and likewise insect repellents. We have mosquitoes and no-see-ums just like other places. The more remote the region you will be traveling, the less likelihood of finding those items if you have run out or have forgotten to bring them.

If you have a sensitive stomach, then by all means bring Imodium or equivalent, aspirin, Tums, Pepto-Bismol and Alka-Seltzer.

Remember, the rules apply whenever you travel, to any resort area worldwide. Do not bring valuables unless it is essential to your trip. Never leave money or valuables in your car or hotel room. Don’t tempt fate by carrying your money or cameras in a backpack or other obvious places of ‘safekeeping’.

Cameras are a favorite target of thieves anyplace. The professional crooks gravitate to the resorts all over the world, especially during the high tourist seasons. Gold chains and earrings etc., are the easiest targets out in public places, and if snatched from your person, may also involve personal injury to you. Do not display valued possessions. Leave them at home or in your safe deposit box.

The pocket calculator: A universal language.

If you don’t already have one, pick up an inexpensive pocket calculator. It is essential for anyone traveling in foreign countries because it speaks the universal language of PRICE/MONEY. Even if you do not know one word of Spanish this little handy dandy will get your message across to whomsoever you are negotiating with, even if they do not speak one work of English.

Be current in the exchange rate of the currency in which you are dealing. Then when you are quoted a price for something you can convert those numbers into dollars to give you a better grasp on the value for whatever is being bargained or reviewed. It may be a restaurant check, or an interesting sombrero, but you can stay on top of the process by entering the price the merchant shows you on her/his calculator, then dividing the rate of exchange into that number to give you the number in dollars.

If you like the number then purchase the item. If not, punch in your counter-offer and hold it out for acceptance or rejection.

One other word about exchange rates. The official rate is not always the rate used in a particular loca`. For instance, the rate quoted by the banks on Roatan will be several points below the bank rate and ‘official’ rate on the mainland, and likewise if you are exchanging dollars at a resort, or at a place of business, then you will probably be quoted a lower number than the banks are offering.

Always ask for the rate the business is willing to pay, in advance of your purchase or patronage, if you intend to change money there or pay in dollars. You could lose the savings on that bargain price you worked so hard at, by changing your dollars for a lower exchange that is offered to the unsuspecting and uninformed. Be alert, know your numbers, use your calculator on every purchase to make sure you are not being ‘Gringoed’.

Do not change money on the streets.

You may have experienced the long lines in the banks in Central America, but it is worth the wait to avoid being cheated or fooled with funny money.

Street changers use many ploys to fool the inexperienced and unwary. Folded bills, quick counts, peripheral diversions, and funny money. Sometimes the street rate of exchange is the lure, but for a few cents difference, I stand in line inside a bank. You will not get rich here in the money changing business. Why take unnecessary risks?

Renting a Vehicle and the Insurance Requirements.

Here is an area where many tourists have had misunderstandings that have cost them aggravation and even money in some cases. Being astute and well informed can save you from both of these pitfalls.

If you are accustomed to using a credit card when you rent vehicles in the US, and you enjoy the benefit that most credit cards offer in the form of "free" auto liability/collision insurance, then there is something you need to check out before you rent a car in any foreign country.

Many credit card companies do not cover rentals of vehicles outside the US and Canada under the provisions outlined in your credit card agreements as to ‘automatic free insurance.’ Likewise, unless your auto policy specifically covers you if you rent a vehicle in a foreign country, then it does not. Call your insurance agent if you intend to use that type of rider for coverage in a foreign country. Better to be sure than sorry.

Collision insurance in Honduras is written as $1,000 deductible. You are responsible for anything that happens to the vehicle while it is in your possession and any damage occurring during that time is going to be charged to you. That includes blowouts and other non-repairable tire damage. When you see the condition of most roads here you will understand why the rental companies consider tires your responsibility. Some rental customers drive the cars over some extremely bad conditions, causing damage that could affect you when you rent that vehicle.

You will be required to inspect the vehicle for defects in evidence before you take charge. (There will be a multitude). Make sure the attendant marks every flyspeck! Do not miss anything. Check the roof, the grill, the trunk lid, hubcaps, wheels and bumpers. Note any defect no matter how insignificant. Check the condition of the tires on the car and in the trunk!

After you inspect the exterior, the trunk and spare tire, jacks and safety triangles (there should be a minimum of two reflective safety triangles), sit inside and look at the windows, the upholstery, the floor mats, and instrument panel. Check turn signals, air conditioning, radio, gearshift lock, cigarette lighter, hand brake etc. Cracked windshields and cigarette burns are very common. Windshield damage cannot always be seen from outside tinted windows. If you miss it, you could be charged several hundred dollars for replacement. Same with paint jobs. Take the time to check everything thoroughly, no matter how anxious you are to begin your trip.

Do not let the foregoing scare you. It is not meant as an ominous warning for traveling in Honduras. But it is a reminder that some things are different in the third world countries, and you should be informed and prepared so that you experience this beautiful place under ideal conditions.

It is my purpose to have you avoid the common pitfalls to which some tourists seem to be drawn like magnets and only because they are not informed. If you cover yourself, then you will not have to waste time worrying about things that are under your control from the beginning of your trip.

Drive defensively! There are few rules of courtesy practiced by drivers here. Be alert and if you want to look at scenery, just stop or let someone else drive. Here is one of the few driving rules that everybody follows here.

‘HE WHO HITS, PAYS.’

Our rainy season has been especially wet this year, and I have noticed many problems caused by erosion. The roads can get into a deplorable state, due to this type of water damage. Storm water can do great harm if the run-off is not properly controlled. Fast moving water can virtually wash away mountains. The placer mining operators of the last century did exactly that.

If you are contemplating building anywhere, especially on steep terrain, then you will need to prepare your building site to accommodate storm water run-off, both during the construction process, and as a permanent measure. This is a very broad topic so I hope to cover some of the more common problems and solutions/preventatives, in the next several issues of Roatan Insights.

Fast running water traveling down a steep incline can create a deep ravine in just a few minutes. This is a very common occurrence here on Roatan. So how do you alleviate the problem?

Objective: Slow the flow. Channel the runoff away from the construction and existing buildings or structures. Create swails and ditches, to divert the water to holding/settling ponds or shallow absorption depressions that will allow it to be kept from flowing freely. Slow it to a trickle, divert it away from the easiest and quickest course downhill.

Objective: Be sure that the site preparation allows for the ground to slope away from the building site in all directions. Channel storm water runoff to any natural, existing drainage. Water takes the course of least resistance. Be sure you do not allow your storm water runoff to indiscriminately pour onto a neighboring property. There could be serious consequences.

Objective: Eliminate any potential pooling of water in areas where you do not want it. If you allow water to stand in a depression on the building site it can turn into an inconvenient mud hole, especially if construction vehicles are compelled to drive through it for deliveries and/or site access.

Objective: Stabilize your driveway base. Use stone, crushed rock, and /or marl to create a solid stable and permanent base for your driveway(s). The use of crushed rock, consisting of many different sizes is ideal. This creates a binder, wherein stones of varying sizes lock together in a solid base. Do not let water flow across surface areas of roadways or driveways.

Objective: Place temporary erosion control devices in the most obvious permanent locations. Locations for catch basins, culverts, holding ponds etc. can usually be determined in advance of construction. Occasionally, heavy runoff will indicate other necessary requirements that were not originally apparent.

Objective: Contour the slopping land, to slow storm water runoff and beautify your land at the same time. Terracing creates a series of nearly flat bands around the circumference of a hill. These nearly flat bands may be of varying widths and shapes, but all are effected to collect and slow the flow of water. Sometimes, enhancing ponds and cascading spillways can be created to add charm and interest to a property by imaginative methods of erosion control.

Objective: Retention ponds and settling basins can be beautifying reflective pools.

Retention pools also act as a source for replenishing the aquifer. They can also be a supplemental irrigation source during the dry and drought times. This method of erosion control can have many residual advantages, if the land involved is large enough and has such potential.

Always use a professional who has expertise in drainage methodology and erosion control when site planning and doing drainage analysis. It will save you big money in the long run.

These ideas are just a few of the methods you may be involved with when you build you dream home, either where you live now, or here in our tropical ‘Paradise’. If you are contemplating such activities in the future you may find one or more of the following e-books useful before you get too far into your planning.

You can access the book site by clicking: http://www.eroatan.com/pierre/books.html

Or the individual titles as follows:

How to Avoid the Pitfalls: Building Your Dream Home: http://www.eroatan.com/pierre/pitfalls.html

How to Build Your Dream Home in a Third World Paradise: http://www.eroatan.com/pierre/logistic.html

How to Survive in Third World Retirement: The Handbook: http://www.eroatan.com/pierre/handbook.html

Just click on any one for a preview, and remember, you can still read Part One of Pitfalls, and Chapter One of Building in a Third World paradise absolutely free and without obligation by taking advantage of the free offer in the last issue of Roatan Insights, December 2000. Just look in archives on the side bar index of the e-book site.

I can assure you that you will be adequately informed after reading either. There is a special price if you are interested in all three.

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So here it is, 2001 and nothing happened in 2000 except the unusual U.S. Presidential election.

The year 2001 began with a massive tropical storm that dumped enormous amounts of water onto the island. It began at about ten o’clock on New Year’s Eve and continued throughout the day and night on January 1, 2001 and well into the daylight hours of January 2 and 3 and 4 and 5.

A series of tropical waves crossed Roatan, thirty, maybe forty, (I stopped counting when it became apparent they would just keep on coming) causing havoc in many areas. Of course we had power outages, beginning on New Year’s night at dinnertime and lasting fourteen hours. That’s tropical paradise. My cistern runeth over.

Questions & Comments Corner: elouis@globalnet.hn

I am always delighted to hear from my readers. Just drop a line anytime.

I have received an e-letter from a subscriber who has been visiting Roatan for many years. She has some interesting comments and observations, which I will pass on to you. I’m sure you will love reading this lady’s writing for a different perspective. Enjoy!

Roatan Memories
By Sue Porubek

Some 16 years ago, while reading a new magazine we'd just received in the mail, I came across a small picture of one of the most beautiful beaches I'd ever seen. The caption under the picture read only 'Roatan, Honduras.' Wow! I had never thought of Honduras as a beach destination. Actually, I hadn't thought of Honduras much at all. It was a time when the only news of this small Central American country was of rebellions and political unrest. This beach, though, was gorgeous. I decided I had to find out more and set out to find travel information on this place called Roatan.

It was not an easy feat. At this time, Honduras was not promoting tourism in the US The only half-helpful information I received was from the Honduran Embassy and, since they aren't really in the business of promoting tourism, weren't much help. I didn't give up.

Ten years later, I became addicted to snorkeling. I'm sure my husband curses the day he taught me. I became intrigued with undersea life and the beautiful tropical fish. I stopped at the newsstand to browse some dive magazines and low and behold, there was an ad for a hotel in Roatan! The place did really exist.

Now I knew for sure that there was at least one hotel there. I called the number and had a copy of their brochure in my hands within a week. Within two more weeks we had a reservation. A month later we were on a TACA flight headed to Honduras. Destination: the Sueno del Mar Hotel located on this mystery island called Roatan.

This vacation was a quick six-day trip. Getting there was a trip all in itself and enough to scare off most people traveling to a Third World country for a first time. This was in the days before the new airport terminal was built. There were no runway lights so arrivals were all during daylight hours. Due to darkness and thunderstorms, our arrival on Roatan was delayed by a day.

After an unexpected overnight in the coastal city of La Ceiba, we arrived on Roatan before breakfast the following morning. The island was nothing like our idea of a Caribbean paradise, such as Grand Cayman. The sun was shining, the water was the prettiest blue and you could imagine, and from the air we could see the reef that surrounded the island.

But where was the airport? The terminal was a little shack, so unlike any airport we'd ever seen in all our travels. I was excited! This place was unlike anything I had imagined. As we came out of the airport property, onto the main (and only) paved road (at the time), a big sign welcomed us - "BIENVENIDO"

The 15 or 20 minute drive to West End and our hotel was full of interesting sights. Roatan was very lush and hilly. The road was twisty-turny. There was little development between Coxen Hole and West End. Children waited cub-side in their uniforms for their ride to school. Men walked along the roadside on their way to work, machetes at their side. There was a bus that had been in an accident quite some time ago laying off the side of the road in the heavy jungle-like growth. This apparently had been a big deal to the locals as our driver pointed it out specifically. It was like a local landmark.

We were trying to take in all the scenery and names of other hotels and resorts that we passed (for possible future visits). Finally, we came to the end of the paved road. A sign in the middle welcomed us - WEST END.

Half Moon Bay was straight ahead. The road, a term I use loosely, turned into nothing more than a sandy path full of ruts. As we bumped our way along this track that in some places seemed unfit for motorized vehicles, we wondered if the driver knew where he was going. Of course he did and I was already in love with the place.

Later that morning, dark clouds rolled in and the winds started to pick up. For the next 3 ½ days we were 'treated' to a February tropical storm. We spent the time drinking mass quantities of coffee to stay warm and watching the water come in under the door of our room, wondering just how deep it would get. Even the diving was halted for a couple of days due to the rough seas. This was not exactly the tropical vacation we'd hoped for. I was antsy to get out and explore.

The sun finally came out for the last 2 days. We had a lot of time to make up. West End was a settlement with quite a few small hotels, rooms to rent & places to hang your hammock for $5 a night. There were little restaurants in people's front yards, and some of the Guatemalans displaying their brilliantly colored woven wares on blankets and fence posts. Everyone was so friendly.

Snorkeling here in Half Moon Bay was really nice, but a short water taxi ride to West Bay Beach was spectacular. And then I found it! That beautiful, deserted sandy beach from the magazine 10 years ago. West Bay Beach! Every bit as pristine and gorgeous as the picture had portrayed. White sand, beautiful coconut palms, the lone local guy selling cold sodas and Salva Vida beer from his wheelbarrow.

There was my beautiful azure sea with incredible undersea life - coral, sea fans and fish galore. ‘Bite on the Beach’ restaurant was just a shack in the shade of some palm trees, serving up some great island fare. This was paradise. And I haven't even told you about the rest of the island.

Most people would have said "Enough of this place." Rather I said, "We have to come back and see more." Prior to this, I had always said that there are too many places in the world to see. No matter how much I might like one particular spot, I can't go back until I've seen all the other interesting places this world has to offer. Six years later ... we're still coming back.

It is true, the island has caught the development bug like all Caribbean islands have. There have been many changes over the past few years. The airport features a modern international terminal. Cruise ships dock at a brand new pier. There are many new hotels, dive shops, restaurants, and bars. West Bay Beach is no longer 'deserted.'

There are new attractions to enjoy and the Guatemalans in West End now have little enclosed shops. Over the years, we've made some good friends there - some locals, some ex-pats. Both have become like family to us and our visits now seem more like homecomings rather than just a vacation destination. We're still not divers, but have taken a resort course. My husband and I have fallen in love with this curious Honduran island and its people. I'm not really sure how it happened ... it just did. The place has a magic about it that hits you unknowingly. Maybe it’s all those pesky little sand flies!

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Well there it is friends, a first hand account of someone falling in love with Roatan. I surely thank you Sue, and look forward to hearing from you again.

As of January 2, 2001 the exchange rate is $1 US = LPS 15.36

Ciao, Pierre

By Pierre Renaldo, Mountain Coastal S.A,. General Contractors, Construction Management and Construction Consultants.