Barefoot Cay :: Location

Location

Barefoot Cay is located in the Bay Islands of Honduras on the island of Roatan. Roatan is about thirty miles north of the mainland of Honduras. The islands were British colonies until the 1850s when they became a part of Honduras. Roatan, the largest of the Bay Islands, is about thirty miles long but only between two to three miles wide. There are numerous bays and fjords accessible through various cuts in the reef that surround the island. The reef drops off vertically to the deep ocean floor offering some of the most fabulous wall diving in the world. A modern international airport is located about 10 minutes from Barefoot Cay, near the town of Coxen Hole on the western side of the island with daily direct flights from several U.S. cities.

Located about one third of the way from the west side, on the south shore of Roatan, is the town of French Harbour. Barefoot Cay is one bead of a necklace of Cays between French Harbour and Brick Bay to the west. Situated between the reef entrances of French Harbour and Brick Bay, Barefoot Cay is 1.2 miles west of French Harbour. Up to a 9-foot draft vessel can travel through the 100-foot-wide canal that separates the island of Roatan and Barefoot Cay.

Continental, Delta and TACA Airlines fly directly from the U.S. to Roatan. Continental flies from/to Houston on Saturdays and Sundays. Continental flies from/to Newark on Saturdays. Delta flies from/to Atlanta on Saturdays. TACA flies from/to Miami on Sundays and from/to Houston on Saturdays. All three airlines, in addition to United, fly to San Pedro Sula on the mainland Honduras daily from various U.S. cities with commuter flights available to Roatan. Current flight information and fares can be obtained through the links above or through travel agents. Barefoot Cay can also help to arrange your travel plans and car rental, if requested.

Visa & passport requirements
All travelers need a passport valid for at least six months to enter Honduras. Upon entering the country, you will be issued a one-month "tourist" visa, which can be renewed for about $30 per month until you have reached a six-month limit. You will have to leave the country for three days thereafter, or apply for residency or working permits. There is a $33 airport tax charge when leaving the country.

Language
The national language of Honduras is Spanish, however since the Bay Islands were once British colonies, many people on Roatan speak or understand English.

Climate
Roatan offers a favorable tropical climate all year round, where the temperature generally ranges between 77°F and 84°F (25°C and 29°C). On the south shore of Roatan, Barefoot Cay benefits from the prevailing easterly trade winds.

All during the year, the weather patterns change frequently on Roatan. Mid-October to December or mid-January are the rainiest times on Roatan, but rainfall is often periodic and a typical day or week in the rainy season can include days that have full or partial sunshine, along with some occasional or continual rain. The tropical rain on Roatan often begins and ends abruptly. The island’s indigenous exotic trees and plants are kept healthy by ample annual rainfall.

The summer months are warmer and there typically is less breeze, however on Barefoot Cay, there is usually at least a light breeze, especially on the Palapa, which extends 260’ from the Cay itself. It’s easy to cool off on even the warmest days with a short swim in the pool or the Caribbean Sea. The heat on the mainland of Honduras in the mid to late summer months sometimes causes nighttime electrical storms on Roatan.

While Roatan’s median temperature is 80°F (26.7°C), its waters are equally warm. The average water temperature varies from approximately 78°F (25.5°C) in winter to 84°F (29°C) in summer.

Honduras lies to the south of the main hurricane track, which typically passes through the eastern Caribbean, then north through Cuba and to the United States.

How to Help Roatan
Some guests like to fill extra suitcases with supplies to be used by the schools or medical facilities on Roatan, or with extra clothing or toys for people the here. We will be pleased to distribute such donations brought to Roatan by guests.

What to Bring
The dress is casual on Roatan, with bathing suit, shorts, T shirts, tank tops being typical attire. Bring more than one bathing suit. The sun is intense, so a lightweight long sleeved shirt and pants are handy to have. Rubber thongs or TEVA's provide good footwear. CROCS are sold a Barefoot Cay.

Voltage
Roatan uses the same electric voltage as the U.S.: AC (60Hz), 120/240 volts. The local electric provider, RECO, has outages from time to time but they typically do not last long. Barefoot Cay has a back-up generator that serves all buildings on the Cay during power outages.

Currency
The currency of Honduras is the Lempira. The exchange rate to U.S. dollars is approximately 19 Lempiras to one U.S. dollar. U.S. dollars are accepted at nearly all locations on Roatan. There are ATM machines in French Harbour and Coxen Hole. Credit cards are accepted at many places, however there is usually a fee for using a credit card. Travelers’ checks are not accepted everywhere, but we can usually make arrangements for cashing travelers’ checks in limited amounts.

Water
All tap water on Barefoot Cay is filtered, sterilized and safe for drinking. It is best at other places in Honduras to request bottled water.

Buying groceries
Eldon's in French Harbour stocks a wide variety of groceries, produce and liquor. In addition, there are numerous pulperias that offer grocery items and produce.

Restaurants
There are numerous restaurants on Roatan offering a variety of menu selections, in several price ranges. Barefoot Cay has the menus from many of our guests' favorite places to eat. There are three restaurants in close by French Harbour , one of which can be reached by small boat.

Meal and beverage services are available to guests of Barefoot Cay. Served in the Pool Cabana or in your bungalow or boat, you can select from yummy preparations of local or imported foods and beverages.

Safety
The Bay Islands are generally safe for visitors, however normal precaution should be taken, such as when walking at night or walking in remote areas. Barefoot Cay has full security.