Roatán, Honduras

December 24-31 2025

Roatán, Honduras is absolutely gorgous. From the blue-green Caribbean water with some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world to the lush tropical landscape to the food-it was an experience everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. While Honduras, itself, does have its challenges in regards to poverty, infrastructure, and crime- Roatan shines as a travel destination gem where you can experience the greatness of this beautiful country without some of the troubles that come from travel in countries with that struggle (which is literally every country, everywhere).

Going to Roatán was a quick, somewhat impulsive decision I made in the spring of 2025 during a time I was feeling incredibly stressed and disappointent with some of my immediate family dynamics: i.e. I needed to escape. My three brothers had planned this trip for the holidays, but had I fully realized at the outset that I would be leaving my own family literally on Christmas Eve, I likely wouldn’t have agreed so easily.

I come from a large family, but my three brothers are the people I shared much of my young life with. Being able to connect with them now, as adults with full and busy lives, feels sacred and deeply special. Still, the timing of the trip carried a significant amount of guilt for me. My husband took to singing/humming, “All I Want for Christmas” and it nearly broke me.

Traveling from the Pacific Northwest means at least one layover to Roatán, which essentially turns travel days into full-day commitments. Nothing I stress out over as I can find plenty to do in an airport, but something to plan for in terms of travel vs. vacation days. My husband works for a major airline, so I’m fortunate to have access to pass travel and almost always choose to fly standby. It’s not ideal for everyone, but I’ve lived long enough to never take free travel for granted- and I’ll happily take advantage of it whenever I can.

That said, holiday travel is an entirely different beast. To make sure I actually got to where I needed to be, on time, my husband booked me first class for on the way over to Roatán. I flew a red-eye and was really looking forward to sleeping on the first leg to Houston. Unfortunately, I ended up sitting across from two male buddies who apparently decided that 1:00 am was the perfect time to drink themselves into oblivion and get progressively louder and more belligerent in the process. So much for keeping first class… classy.

December is the rainy season in Roatan — I knew that going in, but nothing prepared me for the intensity of those tropical downpours. The rain came in dramatic bursts, pounding the island for hours, then giving way to brilliant sunshine that made everything glisten. It was a different, unexpected way to experience Roatan, and honestly, it made the trip even more memorable.

One of my favorite memories? Watching my nieces and nephews splashing around in the pool, absolutely giddy, as sheets of warm rain poured down. The kind of carefree joy only children can bring to a rainy day.

We stayed at Vivaro Roatan Oceanfront , and it turned out to be the perfect fit for our group. Yes, it’s on the pricier side, but it offered plenty of space, a private beachfront, and our own dock — which made getting around incredibly convenient. The fishing excursion we booked even picked us up right there!

I loved my room. It was airy and spotless. The bed could have been a bit softer, but I had my own private balcony overlooking the water, where I spent every morning sipping coffee and watching the sun come up. Don’t sleep on the sunrise in Roatan — they’re breathtaking.

Our trip highlights included snorkling over (still!) vibrant reefs, swimming with sting rays and nurse sharks, and paddling along the quiet waterway by our Vivaro. The water in Roatan is beautiful- that unmistakable Caribbean turquoise that never gets old.

There was one major downside: the saned flies (n-see-ums) were relentless this trip. They made sitting outside almost impossible… until we learned the local secret. A first mate on one of our chartered boat trip told us that everyone on the island uses coconut or baby oil as bug repellent. It works like magic — far better than any chemical or “all-natural” spray we packed! Once we figured that out, our outdoor time instantly became enjoyable again.

So here’s my advice: if you’ve got your bug protection figured out, Roatan will absolutely feel like a dream.

Documents and Money:

• Passport

• Photo I.D.

• Address of where you are staying (needed for going through customs)

• Cash- Honduras uses the lempira as its official currency, but in Roatan, U.S. dollars are widely accepted. The key thing to know? Your cash must be in pristine condition. Bills that are torn, heavily wrinkled, or worn won’t be accepted as Honduran banks are strict when converting U.S. currency. If your money looks questionable, expect it to be politely declined. My brother and I ordered margaritas on the beach and the $20 he handed over had a slight tear and was refused.

  Credit cards were accepted, only in very few places (Eldon’s Supermarket near the airport being one place), so having cash on hand is essential. This is not a destination where you can rely on tapping your card everywhere.

  For reference, I brought $800 in U.S. cash which provided enough on hand for me as a solo traveler in my group. Your exact amount will vary greatly depending on your travel style. Of course it is better to ere on more than you think you’ll need (especially if you have something like a safe to keep it in). I didn’t come across many ATM's in Roatan and I hear that many are not functional. Cash rules the day in Roatan- just make sure it’s clean, crisp, and ready to spend!

Clothing and Footwear: Think easy, breezy, and flexible items. Roatan is warm, casual, and outdoorsy- but you’ll still want a few pieces that feel pulled together for dinners out.

• Swimsuits (more than one- you’ll live in them). I brought two bikinis, a one piece (love this waffle ruched one piece in dark seagrass by American Tall. I wore it into town with my jean shorts and got so many compliments on it), and one long sleeved one piece swimsuit (I am OBSESSED with this UPF 50 long sleeved swimsuit I bought prior to my trip from American Tall. Absolutely flattering and the best to wear for scuba/snorkling adventures!).

• Coverup or sarong

• Shorts, t-shirts, and one nicer dress for an evening out.

• Underwear, socks, and pajamas.

• A good sunhat is a must. I love this one I boughtnice dress for going out, underwear, socks, pajamas, a good sunhat that will protect you from the weather- both sun and rain, sunglasses I brought a sporty pair and a more fashionable pair, rugged tennis shoes, water shoes, flip flops (I brought my Ugg sliders because it was winter and they are cozy), backpack or a fanny pack. I absolutely have loved this Ori crossbody bag- and really all Ori bags for more active outdoorsy trips. We had a washer and dryer at our Vivaro which played into the amount of clothing I brought.

shorts, t-shirts, and one nicer dress for evenings. Add the usual essentials: underwear, socks, and pajamas.

A good sunhat is a must—one that protects you from both the sun and the inevitable tropical rain showers. I also recommend sunglasses (I brought a sporty pair for adventures and a more fashionable pair for dinners and beach time).

For shoes, I kept it simple and practical: rugged tennis shoes for excursions, water shoes (non-negotiable if you’re snorkeling or walking on rocky beaches), and flip flops. I brought my Ugg sliders since it was winter when we left and they’re cozy for travel days—no regrets.

For bags, a small backpack or fanny pack is incredibly handy for day trips. I absolutely loved my Ori crossbody bag—and honestly, Ori bags in general are perfect for more active, outdoorsy travel. Secure, lightweight, and comfortable.

A few extras I was glad I had:

• A lightweight rain jacket or packable windbreaker

• A cover-up or sarong (great for beach-to-lunch transitions)

• Workout or lounge clothes if you like a morning stretch or casual evenings

• A thin sweater or long-sleeve layer for breezy nights or air-conditioned spaces

We stayed at Vivaro, which has a washer and dryer, and that definitely influenced how much I packed. If you’ll have laundry access, you can comfortably pack lighter and rewear your favorites.

If you want, I can also:

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Toiletries and Health:

Electronics:

Carry on Essentials: