Roatan Questions

I am going to Roatan in a bit and have some questions. I've been doing
web research but am seeing some contradictory information and was
hoping you could help.

1. Can I get by with dollars my entire trip (assuming I bring lots of
small denominations)? It sounds like it's a hassle to exchange money
and I can't do it in advance as I'm not finding anyone who can provide
the Honduras currency.

2. Are there grocery stores there? I'm just going there to snorkel and
would like to be able to just buy groceries and save money that way.
Not interested in dining out or bars.

3. Do you need any kind of visa? I had heard there was some kind of
change recently but am not sure what it was.

4. What's a good guide book for Roatan? As mentioned, I'm mainly
interested in snorkeling and things more nature-oriented.

Thank you in advance....

"Carcharias" <carcharias66@**********> wrote in message
news:1191361649.066661.258440@19g2000hsx.********* ********...
> I am going to Roatan in a bit and have some questions. I've been doing
> web research but am seeing some contradictory information and was
> hoping you could help.
>
> 1. Can I get by with dollars my entire trip (assuming I bring lots of
> small denominations)? It sounds like it's a hassle to exchange money
> and I can't do it in advance as I'm not finding anyone who can provide
> the Honduras currency.

I've never had to have Honduran money before I arrived. I pay with US, I
get back lemps in change. My experience has been consistent with others
that travel to Roatan and expats that live there.

> 2. Are there grocery stores there? I'm just going there to snorkel and
> would like to be able to just buy groceries and save money that way.
> Not interested in dining out or bars.

Yes, there are. Where are you staying on Roatan?

> 3. Do you need any kind of visa? I had heard there was some kind of
> change recently but am not sure what it was.

Neither am I. I've never needed a visa prior to entry.

> 4. What's a good guide book for Roatan? As mentioned, I'm mainly
> interested in snorkeling and things more nature-oriented.

Sorry, can't help you there. In the past I've just cruised the web and
found everything I needed.

(snip)

On Oct 3, 1:54 am, "chilly" <slar...@shaw.canada> wrote:
> > 2. Are there grocery stores there? I'm just going there to snorkel and
> > would like to be able to just buy groceries and save money that way.
> > Not interested in dining out or bars.
>
> Yes, there are. Where are you staying on Roatan?

I'm going to be staying on the West Bay. I'm hoping I can just stock
up a bit before I head out there and not have to lean on the area
restaurants too much.

"Carcharias" <carcharias66@**********> wrote in message
news:1191420063.647174.48120@n39g2000hsh.********* ********...
> On Oct 3, 1:54 am, "chilly" <slar...@shaw.canada> wrote:
> > > 2. Are there grocery stores there? I'm just going there to snorkel and
> > > would like to be able to just buy groceries and save money that way.
> > > Not interested in dining out or bars.
> >
> > Yes, there are. Where are you staying on Roatan?
>
> I'm going to be staying on the West Bay. I'm hoping I can just stock
> up a bit before I head out there and not have to lean on the area
> restaurants too much.

Not much in the way of grocery stores in West Bay. Enough choice in West
End. Woody's is the largest and it is near Sundowner's Beach Bar but any
taxi driver and most any person on the street (unless a new arrival tourist)
will know where it is.

There's also smaller groceries at Coconut Tree (right at main intersection
in West End) and Johnson's by Cannibal Cafe and there's another right across
the street from it . .the name of which escapes me.

In West Bay there is a place called Mangiamo's, advertised as including
"internatinal food products imported from around the world and the
delicatessen carries a wide varitey of imported meats and cheeses
specializing in breakfast, sandwiches, salads, rotisserie chicken and
smoothies." It is for sale though, so can't say what its status is or will
be.

Plaza Mar in Coxen Hole, near the airport, might be a place to stop on your
way to West Bay.

>