We just returned from two weeks on the island. It is
a fabulous place--truly everything about our stay
exceeded our expectations. We loved it so much, we are
trying to buy property there.
Must do--snorkel or dive!
Our doctor sent us with malaria meds--we took them.
Check with your doc. Most need started a week ahead,
however, Malarone can start one to two days ahead.
Check the state department website for specific
recommendations on meds. We are world travelers and
are all ready protected against things like Hep A and
B, typhoid, rabies, etc. It is always a good idea to
check both the state department's recommendations and
a travel medicine specialist. That being said, the
people who live on the island do not take
anti-malarials--they say that the malaria that is on
the island is not the horrible kind and that because
the medicine they give you to recover is the same as
the medicine taken to prevent, it is not needed. I
think that I would probably make the same decision if
I lived there--I would not want to take that medicine
longer term--however, since the meds have minimal
shorter term side effects, we decided to take them.
Didn't want to deal with malaria. So, arguments for
both sides--you need to make your own decision. Many
of the Americans who live on the island admit to
having had malaria at least once or more, with always
speedy recoveries once they get medicine.
You need insect repellant. And you need to reapply it
frequently. Again, lots of different opinion on what
works. The only things I found to work had at least
23% DEET and were difficult to sweat off.
All sorts of alcohol available on the island--but not
too sure of the cost. I found coca-cola at several
places--but seemed less available than Pepsi.
Actually I was pleasantly surprised at quantity and
quality of all the food available both in restaurants
and the grocery stores.
If you want to drive around most of the island,
four-wheel drive is really a big help. We got a
fantastic diesel double cab pickup from
www.tropicalrez.com. It got us everywhere we wanted
to go (and we went on lots of very steep roads). Some
people will tell you to be careful about deserted
roads after dark. We had no trouble anywhere, but we
are normally cautious people and live in a big city in
the US and know and follow safety rules here!
Bottom line--use your head for safety purposes. You
need to in the US, nothing about that changes there.
But I never felt threatened. Biggest advice, don't
take anything with you that you are not willing to
hand-over--the only dangerous stories I have heard are
on the very rare instances when a tourist is robbed
and the tourist fights back. But, I don't actually
know of anything--just "stories".
Have a fabulous trip--I am certain you will love it as
much as we did. The island is breath-taking, the
people are friendly, helpful and fun, the water
superb!
--- thenagtx wrote:
> Will be traveling to Roatan next week...leaving
> Saturday the 18th.
> Anything special or "must know" or "must do"?? Can
> anyone tell me
> about Bay Island Beach Resort? Any specific
> precautions - read some
> things about Malaria...and "noseeums"... do I need
> to see a doctor
> before leaving? Smoking allowed or not allowed?
> Beer and alcohol
> prices?? What brands of soft drinks available? I
> LOVE my rum and
> cokes! (pepsi preferred but coca cola works)...
> Safe to rent a car
> and go about the island? Looking forward to my week
> on this special
> island!
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/travel-to-honduras/
travel-to-honduras-
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