Business
- Property Tax
- Low; approx 0.35% of the appraised value annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer tax approx. 1.5% plus legal fees (approx. 3-5% total)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- ZEDE Prospera (nearby) offers unique pro-business legal/tax frameworks including 0% capital gains for residents.
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $128,000 for a condo in West End)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $84,000 in Sandy Bay)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,900 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $174,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,950 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $117,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $208,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $144,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Honduras standard)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Territorial (Foreign-sourced income is generally not taxed in Honduras)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25%
- VAT
- 15% (standard); 18% on alcohol and tobacco
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None
Essentials
- City
- West End, Roatán, Islas de la Bahía, Honduras
- Population
- Approximately 1,500 permanent residents
- Internet Speed
- Starlink is now common (100+ Mbps); Max Communications fiber offers 25-50 Mbps for $60/month
- Currency & Banking
- Honduran Lempira (HNL), 1 USD ≈ 24.7 HNL. USD is widely accepted in West End.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; 5-gallon 'garrafon' purified water costs approx. $3 delivered
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (US Standard). Frequent power outages; surge protectors are essential.
- SIM Card
- Tigo or Claro; Tigo has better coverage in West End. 10GB data plan approx. $15-20
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Atlántida and FICOHSA; ATMs available at Coconut Tree Supermarket (fees around $5 per withdrawal)
- Accommodation
- Roatan Property Management or local Facebook groups (Roatan Rental Group)
- Cashless Friendly
- Partial; restaurants accept cards (with 4-7% surcharge), but small shops and water taxis are cash-only
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, or local guesthouses like Mavis & Sadi ($600-$1,200/month)
- Budget Accommodation
- Roatan Backpackers' Hostel (Sandy Bay) or Roatan Bed & Breakfast ($25-$45/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Half Moon Bay (central to restaurants, bars, and diving)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Sunset Villas or Mangrove Dock (quieter residential areas within walking distance to the strip)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Beachers Hotel (offers day passes with reliable Wi-Fi for approx. $15/day)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Bean Crazy (HNL 80-120 for coffee; decent Wi-fi and AC); Roatan Chocolate Factory
- Networking Events
- Roatan Networking Meetups (at The Hangover Bar or Sundowners on Tuesdays)
- Social Events for Expats
- Trivia Night at Blue Marlin (every Thursday); Roatan Expats Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; use yellow taxis. Local 'colectivo' taxis cost HNL 30-50 between West End and West Bay.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Captain Van's Rentals ($35/day or $180/week for scooters)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Half Moon Bay (in West End) or West Bay Beach (10 mins via water taxi)
- Top Regional Airline
- CM Airlines (domestic flights to Tegucigalpa or San Pedro Sula)
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines, United, and Delta (Direct from Miami, Houston, Atlanta)
- Highway Access
- Main Island Road connects West End to Coxen Hole and French Harbour
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport (RTB) in Coxen Hole, 20 mins away
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes; pay cash to van drivers (Microbus) HNL 30-60
- Regional Travel
- Galaxy Wave Ferry to La Ceiba (approx. $35 one way)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- AKH Medical Center (private) or GARM Clinic (specialized); Corner of West End road
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Roatan Yoga (at Beach House) - approx. $15 per drop-in class
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- West End Fitness Center (monthly pass approx. $50)
- Laundry Services
- Wash & Dry West End (approx. HNL 200 per 10lb load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- No major apps; order directly via WhatsApp for 'Huggies' or local delivery guys
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Baleada Gringa (at Calelu's or street stalls approx. HNL 60-120)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Sandy Buns Bakery (offers veggie burgers and bowls; $10-$15)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Roatan Chocolate Factory (locally sourced cacao); Gelato at The Beach House
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Coconut Tree Supermarket (West End); Eldon's Supermarket (Coxen Hole for bulk)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Aeropost (for importing from Amazon/US via Florida hub)
- Grocery Delivery
- Eldon's Supermarket (can be arranged via island delivery services on WhatsApp)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The West End Strip (Sundowners for sunset, Blue Marlin for dancing)
- Local Brewery
- Roatan Island Brewing Co. (located in Palmetto Bay, 25 mins away)
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Shop (West Bay Mall nearby)
- Street Food Stalls
- Creole Chicken/Baleada stalls near the entrance to West End (evenings)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Thai Island (authentic Thai, entrees $15-$25); Clevelander (American)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Roatan Marine Park (West End protected reef)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Waves of Art Gallery (local Caribbean art and jewelry)
- Historical Sites
- Coxen Hole (original settlement and pirate history spots)
- Religious Sites
- West End Baptist Church
- Annual Events
- International Bonefish Restoration Tournament; Roatan Fishing Tournament (September)
- Cultural Districts
- Garifuna Village in Punta Gorda (cultural immersion 45 mins away)
- Theater Venues
- Occasional community theater at the Paradise Beach Hotel
- Local Markets
- West End Saturday Market (local crafts and produce near the dock)
- Music Scene
- Live reggae and punta music at Sundowners and Booty Bar
- Street Art
- Ocean-themed murals along the West End main road
- Cooking Classes
- Punta Gorda Garifuna culinary tours ($40-60)
- Art Galleries
- Shawn Jackson Gallery (Photography in West Bay)
- Historic Buildings
- Small wooden Caribbean 'stilt' houses in West End village
- Local Heritage
- Bay Islands seafaring history; Afro-Caribbean Garifuna traditions
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Gumbalimba Park (monkeys and macaws, $30 entry)
- National Parks Nearby
- Pigeon Cay (Marine Reserve reachable by boat)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Iron Shore path (rugged walking path along the North shore)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Lighthouse at West Bay; view from Carambola Gardens Mountain
- Birdwatching Locations
- Carambola Botanical Gardens ($10 entry)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Sundowners Beach Beach (regularly organized sunset fires)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Dip Shipping (Coxen Hole) for sea freight; DHL for air
- Tech Repair Services
- Electronic Solutions in Coxen Hole (20 min taxi ride)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Usually found in private villas or communal areas of diving resorts like Anthony's Key
- Language Classes
- Spanish School Roatan (West End)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Public libraries are rare; use quiet cafes like Bean Crazy
- Community Centers
- Roatan Marine Park Headquarters (volunteer and education center)
- Gaming Lounges
- None; digital nomads mostly use mobile/laptop setups
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Paradise Island Casino (West Bay)