Roatan, from a personal perspective, is a beautiful place. It is the largest of a chain of Islands in the western Caribbean called the Bay Islands. It has been the best-kept secret of divers for years. The island is surrounded by a barrier reef, which is vibrant and full of life. The water is warm year round and has clarity to over 100'. The temperature remains around the 80-degree mark most of the year and the almost constant trade winds are out of the East. The island is quite mountainous and very green and lush. Most of the tourist action is in West End town and West Bay Beach has been voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world. The west end of the island is the most developed and the further east you get, the more privacy you have. The island is mostly English speaking.

Things have changed a lot since Margot, our son Brock and I made Roatan our permanent home in 1998. We have expanded airline service to both Roatan and mainland Honduras to support the increase in people visiting the islands. Roatan has an international airport with direct flights from Miami and Houston on the weekends. Daily flights to Roatan are available through connections on the mainland of Honduras. Our cruise ship dock has been expanded and we are now seeing multiple ships per week.

Over the last couple of years we have seen the demographics of the people investing here change. In 2000, people were investing with the idea of moving or retiring to the island in 5-7 years. Now we see people who are investing with the intention of moving right away. It would appear that the events surrounding September 11th and the changing world we live in are having a positive effect on Roatan investment. Investing in real estate on a quiet, safe island in the western Caribbean is enticing when you consider some of the alternatives. Communications have improved. Two years ago we could spend hours trying to get connected to the internet via dial up modem. Now we have high speed wireless internet. This has opened the island up to a whole new group of investors who need to stay connected to the outside world. If your business depends on you being connected to the internet, wouldn't you prefer sitting on the beach in the Caribbean to fighting the traffic in L.A.?

The last 2 years have seen a substantial reduction in the available inventory of houses and land for sale. Properties that have been on the market for a couple of years have sold. Prices are still affordable and although there are fewer houses for sale there is still a good supply of land. We are at the beginning of an upward trend and I expect that the next 3-5 years we will see some real appreciation in property values. Our son Brock is now 6 and spends the mornings in a private school and the afternoons on the beach or in the pool with his friends and nanny.

Right now Roatan does not offer the luxury that you may be used to in North America. There are no Wal-Marts or Home Depots. What it does offer is a different lifestyle. Things move quite a bit slower down here.......even when you might prefer they went a little faster. Although we don't have a "Home Depot" on Roatan you can find most of what you might need on the mainland which is only a $20 flight away. We have weekly shipments from Miami and Tampa so if you really need something that you can't find here, you can get it in a couple of weeks. No home delivery of pizza yet, but you can get some fabulous takeout if you remember before you get home.

Margot and I first came to Roatan in 1996 and we are amazed at how far Roatan has come in such a short time. I think the next 6 years are going to be quite the time as well. It certainly is an interesting life we lead down here. We live in paradise surrounded by interesting culture.....we meet people from all walks of life from all over the world......and we help people realize their dream of moving to a Caribbean island. One thing does remain the same, you need to come for a visit and see for yourself! Please email us with any questions and if you would like to view an assortment of properties for sale, please visit here.