West End Roatan Travel Guide: Paradise in Honduras

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If you’re planning a trip to Roatan and considering making West End your base, this guide is for you. 

West End Roatan is the place for independent travellers visiting the island. 

We were apprehensive about the mass tourism vibe of Roatan, with its mega cruise ships and large resorts, but West End was exactly the type of place we were hoping to find.

With a laidback village vibe, a range of rustic accommodations, great local restaurants and gorgeous beaches right in the centre of town, there’s a lot to love about this Caribbean gem. 

Whether you’re visiting the island to scuba dive, laze in a hammock or explore the stunning beaches, West End is the perfect place to base yourself. 

In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know about visiting West End Roatan. From how to get there, where to stay, top things to do, places to eat and our handy tips to make your stay as great as possible. 

West End Roatan in less than 30 seconds

Orientation of West End Roatan

Before I get into all the reasons why I think West End is the best place to be in Roatan, I should probably give you some more perspective on the island, and the other areas you could choose from. 

Unless you’re arriving on a cruise ship (Coxen Hole or Mahogany Bay) or you’re looking for a secluded, quiet getaway (Sandy Bay or Camp Bay), you’ve basically got two choices of places to base yourself. 

Both are clustered around the west side of the island, and it’s quick and easy to travel between the two, so staying at one doesn’t preclude you from visiting the other. 

The standard choices for a home base in Roatan:

• 📍 West Bay: home to the famous West Bay Beach, the best on the island, West Bay is the area for luxury tourism. This is where you’ll find the typical fancy resorts lined up on the beach. As a result, the whole area is a little bit more expensive with less of a local vibe, and no town/village feel. Most things are hidden amongst mega-resorts. 

• 📍 West End: West End is definitely a touristy area, but at its heart, it’s a local village. There is a proper main street, with different shops and restaurants, lower-key and more affordable accommodation options and a friendly vibe that is a mix of locals, expats and tourists. 

Why West End is the best place to base yourself in Roatan

If you’re an independent traveller who isn’t coming to Roatan on a cruise ship and doesn’t want to flop and drop in an expensive resort, West End is the best place for you! 

Everything we had read about Roatan did not sound like our vibe at all. With package tourism and cruise ship passengers unloading by the thousands, we were expecting West End to be a version of Cancun or Cabo. 

We almost didn’t include Roatan on our Honduras itinerary at all, because everyone told us when it came to Roatan vs Utila, we would prefer Utila and hate Roatan.

But they were wrong! West End was a charming little village and nothing like that. There is a little bit of tacky tourist stuff, but it didn’t impact our experience, and we actually really loved exploring and hanging out around town. 

The village feels so Caribbean, with colourful clapboard houses, quirky hand-painted signs and murals everywhere. With palm trees lining the main road and constant ocean views out of the corner of your eye as you stroll around. 

Everything branches off one main road, West End Road, so once you’re in town, it’s super easy to get around on foot. 

The town is almost entirely lined up along the waterfront. Some areas of the coast are rock walls and docks, but there are a handful of gorgeous beaches right in the heart of town, Playa West End and Half Moon Bay. 

You can keep your independence, having grocery stores and a variety of restaurants on hand, and you won’t feel like you’re trapped eating at your resort or other pricey places. 

Most of the dive shops on Roatan are concentrated in West End, so if you’re coming to get underwater, you’ll have your pick of the bunch here. They tend to be a bit cheaper and of very high quality in West End, as most are independent operations, not just an add-on to a resort.

How to get to West End Roatan

Before you can get to West End, you need to get to Roatan. 

Being an island, you’ve got two choices to arrive in Roatan, by air or by boat.

✈️ BY AIR

Roatan has an international airport (RTB Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport), which receives flights from the Honduran mainland, a handful of cities in the USA and Canada and neighbouring Central American countries. 

📍 The airport is located in Coxen Hole, 20 – 25 minutes from West End

⛴️ BY FERRY

Ferries depart from the mainland city of La Ceiba multiple times per day with a few different ferry companies, the main one being Galaxy Wave. 

We checked the schedule and booked our tickets via Bookaway, as you can see all the providers and times in one place. 

The boats are proper, huge ferries, but even still the journey can be rough. It supposedly takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, but it can be longer. Ours was closer to 2 hours, and yes, there were people spewing.

There are also services from the neighbouring island of Utila, which takes around 1 hour. Check schedules and book tickets from Utila to Roatan here. 

📍 Ferries arrive at the Roatan Terminal in Dixon Cove, 25 – 30 minutes from West End

⛴️ Book your ferry tickets from La Ceiba to Roatan or Utila to Roatan

🚌 GETTING TO LA CEIBA

The city of La Ceiba is accessible by local bus or tourist shuttle from several other destinations around Honduras, and neighbouring countries:

• San Pedro Sula: take the Transportes Cristina bus from the Terminal Metropolitana de Buses
• Lago de Yojoa: Roneey Shuttle runs an (almost) direct tourist shuttle, otherwise take the El Mochito chicken bus from Los Naranjos to San Pedro Sula, and follow the instructions above
• Copan Ruinas: take the Hedman Alas coach or the Casasola Express colectivo van from Copan Ruinas to San Pedro Sula and follow the instructions above.
• Guatemala: we arrived in La Ceiba from Rio Dulce in Guatemala on the Roneey Shuttle service that runs from Antigua – La Ceiba a few times per week.

Once you touch down in Roatan, you have a few options to get to your accommodation in West End, about 30 minutes away. You can take a taxi, navigate the local colectivo taxis/vans or pre-book a shuttle.

🚕 BY TAXI

Most taxis from both the airport and ferry terminal run at fixed prices. The taxi scene here is a bit like the wild west, but drivers who are part of a union abide by agreed-upon prices. 

To get from either the ferry or airport to West End, you can expect to pay $20 USD for 1 person, $25 USD for 2 people, and $10 USD per extra person above that. 

This local website is a handy resource for checking current prices and allows you to book your taxi in advance too. 

Paying in USD is generally better for taxis with fixed rates.  

🚐 COLECTIVO TAXI / VAN 

The public transport system in Roatan is a little confusing. There are shared taxis (colectivo taxis) that are basically normal taxis but will stop and collect other passengers along the way, so you’ll pay a cheaper fare. 

They also have colectivo minivans which are essentially their version of a bus. They ply back and forth on the main road on the island. 

From the ferry terminal or airport, you can walk out to the highway (Carratera Principal) and wait for a colectivo taxi or van to pass. 

You’ll pay more like $5 USD per person. Sometimes they charge more for luggage, or if they’re full, they might not stop for you. 

🚙 PRE-BOOKED TRANSFER

If you don’t want to deal with the stress of a taxi or public transport when you touch down, you can pre-book a transfer that will be waiting for you on arrival. 

Most accommodations can help with this, otherwise, this option is affordable and well-rated. 

🚙 Book a stress-free transfer from the airport or ferry terminal to West End

Getting around West End Roatan

• 👣 On foot: West End village is compact, and you can basically walk everywhere. From your accommodation to restaurants, dive shops, beaches, grocery stores etc. Everything is close and walking is the best way to get around. 

• 🚤 Water taxi: water taxis run from the dock in West End to West Bay Beach, for $5 USD per person, per way. This is the only form of water transport on the island. 

• 🚕 Taxi: if you want to get a little further, there are taxis around town you can call or flag down. Negotiate the fare before you get in.  

• 🚐 Colectivo taxi / van: if you want to head out of West End to explore a different part of the island, you can use the colectivo taxis or vans. I don’t think there are any official stops to wait for one, but we saw the vans frequently stopping at the southern end of West Bay Road, around Creole’s. 

• 🛵 Rent a car, scooter or ATV: if you want to get out of West End for a day or more, you can rent a private vehicle. I don’t think you need your own wheels for the entire time in West End, and it’s only worth renting if you’ve got a day trip planned to further reaches of the island. Roacar is reputable. 

Where to stay in West End

Accommodation in West End is definitely on the pricier end, particularly if you don’t book in advance.

In the peak months, accommodation can be booked out months in advance, and anything left is at an inflated rate. You need to book as soon as you know your dates.

We left it to the last minute and really really struggled to find something we could afford that was still reasonably nice.

In terms of location, basically, anything that is within a stone’s throw of West End Road is great. 

Don’t venture too far down the Carretera Principal. It’s tempting as there are some affordable options down that way, and we almost ended up there, but we’re so glad we didn’t as it was busy, noisy and commercial, rather than tranquil and tropical. 

💰 BUDGET

• West End Dive Resort: there aren’t any traditional hostels in West End, but this dive resort offers dorm rooms for solo travellers on a shoestring. You can get a taste of resort life, with a huge pool, without the high price tag. Package your stay with diving for very affordable deals.

• Seabreeze Inn: this is where we stayed in West End and we loved it. The owner was a bit odd and we had some issues with communication, but the location is unbeatable, we had a fully equipped apartment-style room, and the grounds are leafy and relaxing. It’s a great option for privacy without the price tag.

• Hotel Chillies: conveniently located on the northern shores of Half Moon Bay, this low-cost option has private rooms and rustic cabins in tropical gardens. There is a shared guest kitchen so you can keep eating out costs down. It’s connected to Native Sons Diving, and you can get good value packages.

💰💰 MID-RANGE

• Mr. Tucan Hotel: this property has a modern, boutique feel with mid-range prices! It is definitely one of the newer and fresher options in West End, and it’s perfectly located right in the middle of Half Moon Bay.

• Mame Trees: rustic but well-equipped rooms in a lush tropical setting at the northern end of Half Moon Bay. Opt for the studio option with a kitchenette to get a bit more bang for your buck.

• Lands End: tucked away on a rocky point at the northern end of Half Moon Bay, it doesn’t get much more beachfront than this. They have a gorgeous infinity-style pool with great sunset views. Rooms are rustic but clean, however, most don’t have any kitchen amenities which is a letdown. 

💰💰💰 BOUTIQUE

• The Beach House: if you want modern luxury in West End Roatan, you cannot go past The Beach House. Nothing else is of the same calibre, and after undergoing an extensive renovation in 2023, the boutique coastal vibes are impeccable.

• Brisas del Mar Beach Resort: tucked right at the southern end of West End just as the road curves inland, this is the most ‘resort’ feeling option in the area. It’s a modern high-rise building with ocean-view rooms, a gorgeous pool and outdoor area right on the waterfront, and typical resort amenities.

• Cocolobo Resort: perched on a hill above the village, this gorgeous, rustic property offers incredible ocean views, a pool and self-contained rooms with kitchenettes. It gets stellar reviews from travellers.

West End Roatan travel tips

• 🌤️ When to visit: Roatan (and most of the Caribbean islands in Central America) have quite a different wet/dry season to the rest of the region. Roatan’s rainy season is from September to February, with November and December being the wettest months. Funnily enough, this is still considered ‘peak’ travel time, given it is winter in the northern hemisphere and people travel over the holiday period. It rarely rains all day though, and we were blessed with absolutely perfect weather in February. The best time to visit Roatan for (almost) guaranteed dry, hot and sunny days is March to August.

• 🗓️ How long to stay: you could easily stay a week or more in West End, especially if you’re diving most days, or really looking to relax and unwind. At a minimum, you’ll see the highlights in 3 nights, but I’d suggest 5 nights as a good amount of time. 
• 🗣️ Language: the official language in Honduras is Spanish, but most people living in Roatan and the Bay Islands can speak English. This isn’t uncommon in the Caribbean, where locals speak Creole, which is a unique version of English, although any locals who have relocated from the mainland will speak primarily Spanish. In short, this is one place you can usually get by with English.

• 💰 Currency: the official currency is the Honduran Lempira (HNL). However, with Roatan being the country’s most popular international tourist destination and large cruise ship port, USD is accepted basically everywhere. Most tourism businesses even price in US Dollars. You can pay for things in either currency and may get change in one or both currencies. Just be sure to run the math if someone is converting a bill for you, sometimes it’s not always 100% accurate. 

• 🛂 Visas: if Roatan is your first port of entry to Honduras (via air), many nationalities will get a 90-day tourist visa on arrival.  

Best things to do in West End Roatan

There are so many great things to do in West End, and more broadly around the entire island of Roatan. 

I’ve got a dedicated post to the best things to do in Roatan, which also includes some very important reminders of things NOT to do (most involving awful animal cruelty, please read it!). 

But as a summary here, the top things to do in the immediate West End area are: 

• 🌴 Relax at Half Moon Bay Beach: the main beach in West End, this gorgeous crescent-shaped bay has quiet, shaded stretches of sand, good snorkelling at the southern point and deep water for swimming. 
• 🤿 Snorkel or scuba dive: West End is the perfect jump-off point to get underwater on the Mesoamerican Reef. There are a plethora of dive shops, and for snorkellers, I recommend this tour. 
• ⛵️ Play on the iSoar Fun Boat: permanently anchored in Half Moon Bay, this old sailboat has been converted into a fun boat, with ladders, jumping platforms and rope swings. 
• 🌞 Catch a sunset: the sunsets are unmissable from West End. Be sure to plan your day around it. Enjoy it from the beach in Half Moon Bay, with a drink at Sundowners or in our favourite spot, Playa West End. 
• 🏖️ Take a water taxi to West Bay Beach: the most beautiful beach on the island is easily accessible from West End. It’s a different scene, lined with resorts and busy with cruise passengers, but it’s undeniably beautiful. 

Dive shops in West End

For a small village, there are so many dive shops in West End it’s hard to keep track! 

But I understand why, the Mesoamerican Reef around Roatan is spectacular and West End is the perfect jump-off point. We actually thought it was much better than scuba diving in Utila!

If you’re coming to Roatan primarily to dive, being in West End is the right choice. 

The dive shops are all pretty similar in what they offer – fun dives for qualified divers, night dives a few times a week and PADI courses for Open Water, Advanced Open Water or higher. 

They all get very positive reviews, and honestly, I don’t think you can go too wrong with any of them. 

Prices are all relatively similar, with a single tank fun dive coming in between $40 – 50 USD. Open Water courses start from around $370 – $450 USD. 

We personally dived with Sun Divers and can recommend them highly. We had a great experience and were happy with their gear, instructors and prices. 

I’ve also heard great things about Roatan Divers and Coconut Tree Divers. 

Best restaurants in West End Roatan

There are so many great restaurants in West End! 

Like everything in Roatan, the cost of eating out can be on the higher end, and we were a bit alarmed when we arrived and saw all the menus in USD with very high prices. But after a bit of searching, we were able to find some affordable yet delicious local options. 

I’ve got an entire post dedicated to the best restaurants in West End, but here are some highlights: 

• 🌯 Calelu’s: for the best baleadas, under $2 USD. 
• 🍗 Creole’s Rotisserie Chicken: juicy, flavoursome roast chicken with sides. 
• 🍫 The Roatan Chocolate Factory: decadent sweet treats (carmelitas!), nice coffees and factory tours.
• ☕️ Cafe Escondido: a lovely cafe with ocean views with light, healthy breakfast options.
• 🌮 Tacos Raul: cheap tacos cooked up on a street-side grill in the evenings.

Nightlife in West End

West End is known as the hub for nightlife on the island. 

Whilst there are plenty of bars, and things do stay open later, it is not what I expected. 

We are not party people (9 pm in bed thank you very much!), and I had visions of thumping nightclubs, sleepless nights and drunk people everywhere. 

In our experience, West End wasn’t like that at all. 

If you want to party, you’ll find your place here, but we didn’t find it overly obnoxious or intrusive to us as non-partiers. 

Utila was much worse for thumping nightlife (or, I guess much better if you’re into that!).

My non-verified recommendations for nightlife in West End: 

• Frank’s Hideaway Bar 
• Blue Marlin 
• Sundowners
• Booty Bar
• Happy Harry’s Hideaway

Amenities in West End

• 🏧 ATMs: there is one ATM in the centre of West End, but it’s just on the street and isn’t affiliated with any bank, and skimmings have occured in the past. For the safest place to withdraw money, walk 5 minutes out of town on the highway to Petrosun petrol station. There are two bank ATMs inside that are safe to use. 

• 🍞 Groceries: there aren’t any huge supermarkets in West End. There are smaller stores with enough to get by, but if you’re hoping to cook a lot, it might be worth stocking up at Eldon’s in Coxen Hole on your way from the ferry/airport. Most drivers will stop briefly for you. In West End, Woody’s Grocery and Roa Market are the two largest shops. 

• 🍍 Fruit and vegetables: if you want fresh produce, there are a few little shops on the main street. We got some affordable and delicious fruits from ‘Frutas Verduras Frescas’ which was next to Blue Elephant Thai. 

• 🧢 Souvenirs: if you want to buy any souvenirs from Roatan, please consider doing so at the Roatan Marine Park store. This non-profit does important work conserving the reef, and one of the ways they make money is via their store. They have shirts, hats, bags and tons of other cool gear with great ocean graphics on them. 

West End Roatan: Final thoughts

West End in Roatan was so much more than we ever expected it to be. 

This village is the epitome of Caribbean, tropical vibes and I honestly can’t think of anything that would make it better.

Gorgeous beaches, delicious restaurants, snorkelling and diving, laidback atmosphere, colourful streets, palm trees everywhere and epic sunsets. I think that’s all I need in life! 

I hope this West End Roatan guide has helped confirm that this area is the right one for you on the island, and helped you plan a great trip here. 

MORE ROATAN POSTS

• 17 Things to Do in Roatan (+ Unethical Things NOT to Do)
• Our 10 Favourite (Cheap) Restaurants in West End Roatan
• Roatan vs Utila: Which Honduran Island is Right for You?