Roatan: Vacations in the Caribbean on a budget
2010-10-13
Families who are considering a hotel stay or home rental in the Caribbean but are finding the prices excessive may want to look at Roatan, an island 30 miles off the coast of Honduras.
Elizabeth Cano, a realtor that occasionally sells properties on Roatan, told USA Today, "When you tell people Honduras, they sometimes get scared," but claims that this fear is unwarranted in the case of Roatan. She states that the island is quickly becoming a popular destination for American and European tourists. According to Cano, many business operators on the island are American, and English is very commonly spoken.
In addition to the comforts of a large English-speaking population, Roatan boasts a healthy scuba-diving industry, and for good reason: it is surrounded by the world's second-largest barrier reef. The island is also outside of the area's hurricane belt.
Since Roatan is not nearly as popular or known as other tourist-oriented islands in the Caribbean, prices on Roatan are lower. Week-long rentals can be as inexpensive as $500, and other goods and services are relatively cheaper also, making Roatan a great Caribbean getaway for families on a budget.
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