So now that you’ve made your Roatan travel plans, you’re probably doing what I do; pondering about what to pack. Roatan Island is an interesting place to pack for. In some cases, you’ll have just about every amenity you can think of when staying at the larger, full-service, all-inclusive resorts and if you forget something, just pick it up in the resort gift shop. In other cases, you’ll need to be a bit more independent if staying at a Roatan vacation home, picking up a car rental, buying your own groceries, designing your own itinerary etc...
Here are two packing lists – the first is for everyone regardless of the type of travel you intend to do on the island. The other is for those that will be fairly independent on their trip and may need to be somewhat more prepared.
For Every Roatan Traveller
Sunscreen – you are in the tropics! Doesn’t matter if you “brown naturally” at home – 30 SPF or higher, bring lots as you need to re-apply throughout the day (waterproof stuff if you plan on living in the water like I do!) **NB: don’t panic if you run out – plenty of places to purchase here on the island.
Bug spray – it’s lush, green and tropical – yup, we have mosquitoes at times so just come prepared. I spray myself before going out for the evening and seems to work really well. Small containers are great so you can take it with you and reapply if necessary.
Flashlight/batteries - mini LED flashlights are light and easy to pack. The island doesn’t have a ton of street lighting so sometimes you need a little extra light in the evenings. Also, the power can go off at times. I carry a mini Maglite in my pocket when I go out for the evening.
Alcohol-based wipes and cleansers – I find a combo of the bottled stuff and the single packets are the best since you can leave the bottle in your beach bag or handbag but stuff a single packet in your pocket if you don’t want to be carrying anything. These are particularly handy when you see a taco cart or make some kind of impulse food purchase.
Benadryl, Afterbite or similar itch cream – in case you forget to use bug spray or miss a spot or two. I found the coolest AfterBite dispenser – so small; almost the size of a pen that I carry with me in case I do get an itch. Fits in the pocket easily. You may not need it but bring it just in case.
Chargers - you’ve brought the camera, video camera, cell phone, computer, iPod and anything else you can cram into your suitcase – but do you have the chargers for it all?? Roatan uses the North American 2 and 3 prong receptacle formation so your plug-ins work normally if you are bringing electronics from the US and Canada.
Solid pair of sandals/flip-flops - it’s funny, you’ll probably bring several pairs of shoes and when you get here, you’ll soon find yourself wearing ONE pair – flip flops. Just make them fairly solid ones with some good cushioning – we have dirt roads, rough surfaces and lots of sand so you don’t want to find yourself with a broken flip flop in the middle of your day trip! Sandals that strap on and are waterproof are ideal. Yes you can buy them here but you’ll want them as soon as you disembark the plane and hit the tropical climate!
Mini first aid kit – just the basics should cover you as there are plenty of clinics to rely on if you have anything serious. Band-aids, Polysporin or similar anti-bacterial cream can take care of most little nics and scrapes. I recently discovered the Polysporin spray on to-go dispenser – very light, small and easier to apply than the tube stuff (hands never touch it).
Sunglasses – make sure they have UV protection – the sun is strong on your eyes and squinting in all your photos is, well, yucky.
Nice-to-haves on your trip
Spanish phrase book – well, you can definitely get by without one since English is the official language but I have used my mini pocket phrase book on many occasion if nothing more than just to be polite and show courtesy to the Spanish-speaking locals. Some taxi cab drivers speak limited English so it is nice to be able to ask prices and know your Spanish numbers/fares etc... I picked a phrase book up for under $10USD at an airport bookstore.
For Fully Independent Travellers
In addition to the above, here are some items you might find very handy to have when you are designing your own vacation on the island.
Backpack/day bag – throw it all in one bag for the day or you are probably going to lose something! I bring a light, collapsible backpack that takes hardly any space in my luggage. If I buy too much (again), I can use that as a carryon on the way back.
Sealable plastic bags - these have come in so very handy when I’ve stayed in vacation rentals/condos. A mix of snack-sized, lunch sandwich-sized and large freezer bag-size bags can house everything from opened food, protecting sunscreen in your bag (in case it leaks), waterproofing a small amount of cash you put in your swimsuit pocket or keeping electronics dry, sand-free. I portion out all my vitamins, protein powder etc... into small bags so I am carrying just enough to cover my time there. Saves me space and weight in my bags. NB* I never take my camera to the beach without putting it in a plastic bag first, then in my backpack.
Small ice pack and soft sided cooler bag – not only helps you keep food cold that you take from your condo on a day trip but can help you protect food you pick up at the grocery store. Remember, it’s hot here so doesn’t take long for cold things to get very warm once they leave the air-conditioned store.
Protein bars or meal supplement bars (non-chocolate/melting type) – you may not need them but I always carry one in my backpack/day bag in case I am on an excursion or away from a place that serves food for any length of time. I found Clif Bars provide a lot of energy and don’t melt but there are several alternatives out there. How many to bring? I pack and allow for 1 bar for every two days of my trip.
Splenda or your sweetener of choice – similar to the energy bars, I allow for about 1-2 packets for each day I am on the island. They do have a generic sweetener at most restaurants so if you’re not fussy you may find that works for you. Some people are just kind of particular about the tastes and I haven’t found any Splenda on the island so far.
I hope this helps you get your packing started! Check the Roatan FAQ page for other information about what to expect on your Roatan vacation.
Christian
For a closer look at Roatan Island, browse the Tourism Roatan site. We provide detailed, comprehensive information on Roatan diving, Roatan accommodation, Roatan dining & restaurants, Roatan shore excursions, Roatan spas, Roatan Weddings and more - the most comprehensive travel information website for the Western Caribbean Island of Roatan.
