Roatan is a cultural destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
How much does it cost to travel to Roatan?
You should plan to spend around $45 (L1,115) per day on your vacation in Roatan. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $16 (L402) on meals
- $19 (L464) on local transportation
- $22 (L552) on hotels
A one week trip to Roatan for two people costs, on average, $627 (L15,610). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
-
One Week
Per person
$314
L7,805
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$627
L15,610
-
One Month
Per person
$1,344
L33,450
-
One Week
For a couple
$627
L15,610
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$1,255
L31,220
-
One Month
For a couple
$2,689
L66,900
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Roatan cost?
A one week trip to Roatan usually costs around $314 (L7,805) for one person and $627 (L15,610) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Roatan on average costs around $627 (L15,610) for one person and $1,255 (L31,220) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Roatan will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Roatan on average costs around $1,344 (L33,450) for one person and $2,689 (L66,900) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Roatan expensive to visit?
Roatan is a smaller destination that draws visitors with a range of travel styles, spending habits, and budget preferences. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.
You can find Roatan to be very expensive if you're not careful, but methods like looking for discounts and coupons can help you save money.
On average, budget travelers spend $18 (L443) per day, mid-range travelers spend $45 (L1,115) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $113 (L2,806) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Roatan.
Within Central America, Roatan is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Central America for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Roatan.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Roatan Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Roatan?
The average Roatan trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Roatan travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Roatan cost?
Roatan on a Budget
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$4
(L98)
|
$11
(L276)
|
$35
(L859)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$8
(L187)
|
$19
(L464)
|
$45
(L1,115)
|
Food 2
|
$7
(L162)
|
$16
(L402)
|
$39
(L965)
|
Entertainment 1
|
$11
(L285)
|
$27
(L673)
|
$57
(L1,427)
|
Alcohol 2
|
$1-4
(L33-100)
|
$4-11
(L87-261)
|
$10-29
(L238-713)
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Setting realistic expectations for your travel budget is important. While some think they can visit Roatan with minimal expenses, most people don't enjoy traveling that frugally. Consider what you prioritize on vacation. Do you prefer luxury hotels or budget stays? Hostels or hotels or vacation rentals? Are fun activities and dining out important to you? Your overall budget will depend on all of these questions.
What Defines a Budget Traveler?
Although you may consider yourself a budget traveler, unless you're ready to cut out many creature comforts, you'll likely spend much more than the $18 per day that young budget travelers often get by on.
For backpackers, this tight budget typically involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest eateries or fast food joints, using public transportation, and sticking to free attractions.
Roatan is packed with plenty of hostels, including Roatan Backpackers' Hostel, West End Dive Resort, and Onat Hostel. At hostels like these, you can enjoy affordable dorm accommodation and a lively social scene, but amenities might be quite minimal.
So, are you average?
Couples and families traveling for leisure often prefer mid-range hotels, dine at popular eateries, and visit key museums and attractions that require an entry fee. Most visitors to Roatan will want to visit the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. It's important to remember that most activities will cost you money. Consequently, you should anticipate your daily budget to be closer to $45 per person, per day.
What Luxury Travel Looks Like
If a complete vacation with all amenities and a higher level of service is what you want, expect to allocate around $113 per day. To stay in nicer hotels, dine at award-winning establishments, treat yourself to extravagant excursions, and hire taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination, a luxury budget will be necessary. Many high-end visitors also prefer unique experiences such as Private customized island tour - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Roatan
The wide range of prices for hotels and accommodation in Roatan can be very surprising. Some hotels have much higher price tags than others, and in turn offer higher levels of luxury and more amenities. Also, during peak season, prices are much higher. The average price for a hotel room in Roatan in the off-season is $199, but in the peak travel season it will average around $371. In general, you can expect hotel prices in Roatan to range from $98 to $797. Hostels are typically much cheaper, especially if you stay in a dorm. Also, note that the average hotel price is not always what travelers will pay (see below). You can save a good bit of money if you travel during the low season or shoulder seasons, as room prices adjust according to the overall demand. Booking in advance can often save you money, too, along with taking advantage of sale prices or special deals.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Roatan for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $22 (L552). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $11 (L276) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Roatan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
If you travel during the low or shoulder season (and avoid ), you'll find lower accommodation prices and less tourist crowds.
Transportation Budget in Roatan
Roatan does not has a good public transit system.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $19 (L464) per person, per day, on local transportation in Roatan. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Roatan is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$19
L464
Some of the standard hotel transfers and transport options include:
- Roatan Private Transfers: Airport, Cruise Port or Hotel for $107 details
- Roatan Sun & Fun, Sloths & Monkeys, Beach & Private Transfer for $63 details
- Mayan Eden Eco Park, Chocolate Factory & Transfer for $65 details
How much does it cost to go to Roatan? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Roatan will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for transit in Roatan are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the overall transportation costs in Roatan. Keep in mind that your individual costs will vary based on your method of transit, as hired cars such as taxis are generally much more expensive than public transportation.
Food Budget in Roatan
Tasting the local cuisine is a key reason for travel, so be sure to sample the unique dishes offered in the area.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Roatan can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Roatan is $16 (L402) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$16
L402
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Roatan is around $16 (L402) per person, with previous travelers spending from $7 to $39. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Roatan are as follows:
- Breakfast: $2 to $5
- Lunch: $2 to $6
- Dinner: $5 to $11
- Coffee: $1
- Fast Food or Street Food: $2
There are so many great places to eat in Roatan. The highest concentration of restaurants in West End and West Bay so look here for the most delicious and traditional island dishes. Many "North American" dishes are available, and don't forget about the seafood! A quality lobster dinner can be found for as little as $15 USD.
Many hotels provide breakfast at no additional cost, while others charge extra. The quality and price can vary widely from hotel to hotel. Knowing this ahead of time can help you decide if you should budget more. You might find the hotel's buffet is a worthwhile investment, or perhaps a nearby bakery or cafe could be a cheaper alternative.
Take a water bottle along instead of purchasing drinks constantly. This is also an eco-conscious choice.
Thinking about a tour? Check which meals are included beforehand. You might need to budget for some meals on your own, which can add to your expenses.
Taking a food tour or cooking class is a great way to experience the culture in Roatan. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Cooking classes from a Local! For $210 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Roatan
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Roatan typically cost an average of $27 (L673) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$27
L673
Roatan is nestled nicely in the heart of a tropical paradise so there is never a shortage of things to see. From beaches to jungles to underwater worlds, your eyes will be in overdrive taking in all the beauty.
The Carambola Botanical Gardens lets visitors walk beautifully maintained trails through 40 acres of protected forest. As you travel the one-kilometer to the summit of Carambola Mountain, you'll pass tons of plants, parrots and even a cliff-full of iguanas.
If you don't have lunch plans, noon is the best time to visit the Roatan Butterfly Garden. Take your time strolling with more than 30 types of butterflies and moths. This 900 square meter garden has a large collection of orchids and other tropical plants. Be sure to take a look to the sky to admire birds like toucans and parrots.
And, of course, there's always the beach. The West Bay has the best stretch of beaches on the island. Walk on up, lay a towel down and let your vacation begin.
This area of the Caribbean is famous among scuba divers. Mary's Place on the South Shore attracts divers from all over the world. Most dive shops are located on the west side of the island.
If you're the type to sail out on a boat with a beer in one hand and fishing rod in the other, Roatan can take care of you. The fishing right off the reef is perfectly plentiful. Between marlin, barracuda, tuna, wahoo and mahi mahi, you won't be disappointed with any catch that day.
And if you're truly ready to let loose for the night, you'll have to partake in the West End pub-crawl. Start at Sundowners for the best sunset view on the island, and when the pace closes, just follow the crowd
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Roatan. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Roatan animal sanctuary and island adventures for $65 details
- Monkey/Sloth Park + Zipline And City Tour In Roatan for $87 details
Nightlife Budget in Roatan
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $7.00 (L174) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Roatan per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$7.00
L174
Sure, nightlife is part of the adventure, but cutting down on cocktails can make a surprising difference in your travel budget.
Tasting tours and nightlife activities are very popular in Roatan. A few of the favorites from previous visitors include:
- Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll for $80 details
- Half-Day Tour in Roatan With Brewery, Rum and Chocolate Factories visit for $46 details
Traveling in Roatan
Roatan, Honduras
Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.
Neighborhoods & Around
The city of Roatan is split into nine different villages. You're most likely going to spend most of your time in West Bay. This area is furthest west with the most resorts, beaches and the reek is a quick trip away. The West End area also has good restaurants and places to stay. This is where you'll want to go to find bars, live music and dive shops.
Sandy Bay is mostly residential. Coxen Hole is home to the airport, stores and banks, and French Harbor is likely the furthest east you'll travel. This used to be the secret hot spot of locals, but with such a flood of tourists, they've stumbled upon the secret.
Punta Gorda and Oak Ridge are fishing communities. Camp Bay is probably the furthest you can travel by car, and Port Royal is a small community originally founded by English pirates.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.