While no place on the planet is completely safe I never felt in danger there and I would bet that Roatan will fall well within the personal safety range of nearly everyone. The beach walk betweenWest BayandWest Endshould not be attempted alone, as muggings have occurred in this isolated stretch of beach. The Bay Islands are the only palace in Honduras that can (kind of) be considered somewhat safe. Have a thought? However, due to the high level of crime in the area, visitors should take precautions such as not leaving valuable items unattended and not walking around the area alone at night. However, More than2 million touristsvisited in 2017. Despite its small size, the lack of basic infrastructure on the island is not a problem; however, the lack of infrastructure will be a concern if the island grows rapidly. Simply enter your e-mail below to subscribe to International Livings free daily e-letter and well immediately send your free reportThe Worlds Top 10 Retirement Havens, Join International Living Today and Get the 2023 Global Retirement IndexFREE with This Special Offer. But Honduras is far from Eden. Roatan is a beautiful island about 40 miles off the coast of Honduras. There is no road access, and it is frequently used for drug smuggling operations because it is so difficult to patrol. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. Regardless of how romantic you may think it will be, there is nothing romantic about being mugged so why take a chance? #25. The Inescapable Prison of Barrio 18 in Honduras, Death, Taxes, and Extortion: Why Latin American Companies Keep Paying Up, Timber Mafias - Preying on Latin Americas Forests, State and Community Responses to Extortion, A Mayor and a Wave of Narco Violence on Guatemala's Pacific, One Party, Many Crimes: The Case of Honduras National Party, Drug Trafficking and Political Protection in Paraguay: The Case of Cucho Cabaa, How Colombia Regulators Became Purveyors of Illegal Wood, The Logging Barons of Catacamas, Honduras, How Drug Cartels Moved into Illegal Logging in Mexico, Municipalities Fight Back in Guatemalas Gang-Preyed Upon Neighborhoods, How the Private Sector Helped Counter Rural Extortion in El Salvador. The MS13 and Barrio 18 street gangs control urban neighborhoods in the countrys two major cities Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula and rural towns close to the border with El Salvador. This island seems perfect, but the crime reports do concern us. Its also a nice place since the ferry toUtilaruns from here, making it easy to escape to the tropical paradise of theBay Islandswhenever you feel like it. Read our prior article about crime in Roatan. Extortion in Latin America continues to bring in fortunes for criminal gangs. Avoid non-essential travel to the following areas and departments due to instances of violent crime, increased gang activity and violent demonstrations: within 20 km of the border with Guatemala with the exception of Copn Ruinas. I got away when another tourist group drove by with several guys in the car. The most extensive database on organized crime in the Americas. It is not easy to find these individuals without a deliberate effort. There are many communities around Roatan which are void of crime. This is good for both tourists and residents. In addition to these two recent incidents which were reported directly to us by the victims, concerned expatriate U.S. citizens living in Roatan have told us about armed robbery on the island, mainly against people riding in taxis or driving on beach access roads. Additionally, the infrastructure is not always the best, so power outages and water shortages are not uncommon. Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs. So backpacking Honduras isnt always just a breeze. } Not really. October 16, 2021 by archyde. Due to gang and cartels fighting for control of the lucrative drug trade in the region, gangs and cartels are battling for control. Activist groups, like the Grupo Prisma, have formed that educate and inform the general public as well as fight the current rules against homosexual relationships. It wont be down to the wire cutting edge info on the most current events, but it is layered in the expertise of veteran travellers. For sensitive individuals, use anti- itch cream or coconut oil to alleviate itchiness. This is especially true for children. The origin of this broken English can be traced back to the various languages spoken throughout the island. WebAlthough crime and violent crime occur in all parts of Honduras, the north coast and central portions of the country have historically had the countrys highest crime rates. width:auto; It is said to be 31 miles (50km) long, but only 1.2 miles (2km) to 2.5 miles (4km) wide. WebRoatan News Join the Bureau Cruise Ship Schedule Community Forum. This is essentially anunsafecountry. The downsides of living on Roatan include poor education, safety, poverty, corruption, and low pay. Read on for more detailed information on how to have a safe trip to Honduras. WebCrime in Roatan 11 years ago Save We are considering visiting Roatan and have read about the crime rate being high, home invasions, break ins etc. We use cookies to facilitate personalisation i.e. WebRoatan is a part of the Honduran Bay Islands. With all of its branches of government and its armed forces plagued by corruption, Honduras has evolved into a transit nation in which criminal groups, protected by the political system, have developed the capacity to produce cocaine hydrochloride in local laboratories. Leave your wallet wrapped in a blanket on the beach while you take a dip and chances are, it wont be there when you return. Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry. Isla de Roatn is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras, in the Caribbean Sea. We are a team of dedicated journalists and writers who strive to bring you the best news and stories from around the world. People live here with children, by themselves, as couples, some retire here, and some people have even started up their own hostelsor otherbusinesses. These drug trafficking gangs rule peoples lives. Obviously, there is no GPS here, so once you head off the main road, you are on your own. display: table; Violence has long ruled here. Expat retirees, yachties, families with kids, and cruise ship tourists make up a large majority of the demographic found on Roatan at any given time. Avoid wandering around local villages after hours. You basically pay for safety, but better safe than sorry wed say. The US is losing allies in Latin America just as production of cocaine, fentanyl, and other synthetic drugs is going through the roof. If youdo get one in the street, ensure that you tell the taxi driver that you dont want to share the taxi. There are a few problems that come with living in Roatan, Honduras. Be careful driving at after hours or at dusk as pedestrians do walk along the side of the road because there aren't sidewalks along most roads in Roatan. color: white; Its a country with a big heart. WebAdd data for Roatan Consider looking into aggregate data we have for Crime in Honduras Crime rates in Roatan, Honduras Safety in Roatan, Honduras Contributors: 7 Last The problem is that criminals in these poor countries are targeting U.S. passengers with iPhones, cameras, jewelry and cash. The safety situation in Honduras has been deteriorating in recent years due to gang violence and organized crime. Be aware of your surroundings. Use these tips to reduce the risk, but we also recommend that you pack some medication fit for a bad stomach. The point is that certain types of crime occur more often in certain places than others. I have learned a scary and nearly life ending lesson.. While some areas in Honduras may be more dangerous than others, the majority of the country is relatively safe. You can definitely push your luck by staying in the wrong neighborhood as well. Fotos, cundo, donde, quin estuvo involucrado, qu occcurri, qu acciones han sido tomadas. It is, in fact, much safer than mainland Honduras and feels infinitely safer than the U.S., if for no other reason than the total absence of a gun culture. }. A visit to the island country will provide you with stunning beaches, tropical forests, and world-class diving and snorkeling. In my seven months living in West End, Ive only heard of one or two burglaries in the area. Lots of travelers stick to bottled water,but please dont. January 8, 2015. There are some safety pointsthat travelers should know for anywhere they travel, but Honduras requires these special considerations. The woman, a single mother, stated that the cruise line, Royal Caribbean, did not warn them that there is a crime problem in Roatan or, in particular, armed robbery at the roads to and from the beaches in Roatan which seems to be a particular problem. Were not going to say its thesafest place to travel,nor is it going to be the easiestplace to travel as a solo female. width:max-content; There have been protests due tocontested election results in late 2017. If a restaurant or eatery of any sort looks busy, thats probably because its good, both in terms of taste and. Make sure to check the reviews from previous travellers to check for any problems during their stay. .fullwidth-signup{ Honduras has freed dozens of individuals tied to organized crime a year after reforming its money laundering law. You can catch a ferry from the mainland atLa Ceibato eitherUtilaorRoatan. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Under the pretext of promoting tourism, the Bay Islands have been left without a gatekeeper. That being said, its still one of the murder capitals in the world, so if youre an inexperienced travellers, you wont be safe. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. With those come violenceandpoverty. This helps keep everyone in poverty. The capital of Honduras is Tegucigalpa. As I mentioned in our prior article, the warning indicates that the vast majority of serious crimes in Honduras, including those against U.S. citizens, are never solved; of the 50 murders committed against U.S. citizens since 2008, police have only solved two.. The local government is well aware of the powerful economic impact these visitors have on the economy and maintains a strong, visible police presence on behalf of their guests. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Be careful when riding on scooters on the island. Because Roatan is a third-world country, cattle, horses, erratic taxi drivers, big trucks, and other dangerous drivers are not uncommon. Seeing the world without anyone to answer to, getting to challenge yourself andgrow as a person. These are pretty safe. This coastal city is more welcoming togringos than other places and features beaches fringed bycoral reefsand theres a lot of new development happening here. The violence is carried out by local drug trafficking groups, gangs, corrupt security forces and transnational criminal organizations mainly from Mexico and Colombia. It is well-known for its incredible offshore reefs and is ideal for both new and advanced divers alike. But if you meet the local ladies andlearn about their livesyoure going to have a VERY enriching experience on your hands. Between the pandemic, ever-worsening cultural division, and a click-hungry media, it can be hard to maintain what is truth and what is sensationalism. That said, the governmentclaimsthere has been a 52%decreasein violent crime over the past five years. Leave your Rolex and big diamonds at home and keep a low profile. Because of its own language and customs, the Garifuna language is unique. It was so frustrating, said Dussault. Honduran authorities have detained a mayor who allegedly led a criminal organization dedicated to drug trafficking and hired killings, in a case highlighting just how blurred the lines between corrupt officials and Honduras is one of the most important drug trafficking operation centers between South America and Mexico. Some enjoy renting motor scooters. These areas should be avoided entirely by tourists, and instead they should spend their time in the safer southern and eastern parts of the country. We wouldnt recommend members of the LGBTQ+ community to visit Honduras unless theyre prepared to keep any sort of affection behind closed doors. Further, third parties may set cookies for personalised advertisment (Adsense, ) and statistics (G. Analytics). There are two medical facilities in Coxen Hole, the Woods Clinic and the Roatan public hospital. This means that the king or queen had complete control over the government and the people. At the time of this writing, the roads on Roatan are generally horrible, narrow with deep ruts, broken pavement, and large gaps where only sand and dirt exist. I presume that those asking want to make a comparison to their perceived safety in the States. Dont hitchhike ortake lifts from strangers , Other ways to meet fellow travelers and. Roatan is the more developed, more expensive, and family friendly big brother of Utila. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide and armed robbery, is common. width: 100%; Leave extra cash and credit/debit cards at home or locked securely in your hotel room. 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