Roatan Cruise Port
Ships call at one of two ports on Roatan: the Port of Roatan in the Town Center of Coxen Hole, or Isla Tropicale (formerly Mahogany Bay) near French Harbour on the southwestern shore. At Coxen Hole the pier opens onto shops and shore excursion information, and taxis wait in the parking area. At Isla Tropicale, walking out to the main road makes taxis a third to half cheaper.
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Where ships dock
The Port of Roatan sits on about 6.5 acres in the Town Center of Coxen Hole, the island's capital. It can hold one ship alongside and two at anchor, so when ships coincide some passengers tender to shore. Isla Tropicale, formerly Mahogany Bay, is a Carnival-operated port in Dixon Cove outside French Harbour. It is a two-berth terminal that can take a couple of post-Panamax ships at once. It has two connected areas: the Plaza, where the ship docks, and the Beach. Roatan keeps Central Standard Time year-round with no daylight saving, so check the ship's all-aboard time against island time.
Getting into town
At Coxen Hole the terminal is called Town Center, and shops and shore excursion information are in view as soon as you step onto the pier. The port is flat and easy to walk around, and the main road is a short walk from the pier. At Isla Tropicale, a shaded Nature Trail walk connects the Plaza to the beach as an alternative to the chairlift. Cruise staff there discourage leaving the compound, but walking out to the main road gives access to cheaper local taxis. Independent tour pickups are just outside the port, and there are no tour kiosks inside the welcome center. Excursion operators return guests to the pier at least one hour before ship departure. Ships usually stay about 9 hours in Roatan, and most arrive between 8 and 10 am.
Getting around
Taxis are the main way visitors get around. The approved Taxi Association publishes rates in the parking area at the port, and fares are per trip by group size, with a per-person surcharge for groups of three or more. Taxis are usually arranged as a round-trip deal. Agree the price in advance, and ask about group discounts. From the Coxen Hole pier, West End is about 20 minutes by taxi. Pre-booking a taxi lets the driver meet you with a sign bearing your name. Buses run every 15 minutes during the day between Coxen Hole and West End, leaving from opposite the market in Coxen Hole. Water taxis link West Bay and West End in about 10 to 15 minutes during daylight; they generally wait for at least four passengers and stop running around sunset. Oak Ridge can be explored by water taxi. Car rental companies include Atlantis Rent a Car, Avis, Captain Van's Rentals and Sixt, and Captain Van's also offers island shuttles and tours. Rental agreements can carry stricter guidelines than in the US, and companies may ask for a large deposit upfront. Ferries run from La Ceiba to Roatan in about 75 minutes.
Near the pier
At Coxen Hole, the shops and shore excursion information at Town Center are right at the pier, and the main road is a short walk away. Fort Consolation overlooks the Town Center and can be reached on foot from the port area. ATMs are at the cruise center, and US dollars are widely accepted, though change is mostly given in Honduran lempiras. Carry some cash for smaller vendors outside the port. The official passport stamp booth is there for a courtesy stamp. At Isla Tropicale, the Plaza and the Beach hold dining at Hurricane Hole, Captain's Galley, Playa Tortugas Chill 'n' Grill and Fat Tuesday, plus the Mangrove Bay pool with swim-up bar. Two rusting shipwrecks are in view from the beach.
Questions people ask
Where do cruise ships dock in Roatan?
Ships dock at the Port of Roatan in Coxen Hole or at Isla Tropicale, formerly Mahogany Bay, near French Harbour. The Port of Roatan can hold one ship alongside and two at anchor, so tendering is possible when ships coincide.
How much is a taxi from the Roatan cruise port?
Fares are per trip by group size, with a per-person surcharge for groups of three or more. The Taxi Association publishes the rates in the port parking area. Ask the price in advance and ask for group discounts. From the Coxen Hole pier, West End is about 20 minutes by taxi.
Can you walk from the Roatan cruise port into town?
At Coxen Hole, yes. The pier opens onto the Town Center with shops, and the main road is a short walk away. The port is flat and easy to walk around. At Isla Tropicale, walking out to the main road makes taxis a third to half cheaper.