Roatán - A Dreamy Island Off The Coast Of Honduras

This country of lush rainforests, Mayan ruins and diverse wildlife is one of Central America's most underrated destinations. It is not a coincidence though, since the country has gotten such a terrible reputation over the years. With plenty of problems related to gang criminality and violence, Honduras is way off the radar of most tourists. In fact, it is one of the least popular countries to visit in Central America.

But what was all doom and gloom in the past, starts nowadays becoming a more positive image. With the introduction of more police and the country's adaptation to tourism, visiting Honduras nowadays is not at all the same as it used to.

For those wanting to get a light introduction to this beautiful country, it might be a good idea to start by visiting one of the country's islands.

About 65 kms off Hondura's northern coast, Roatán is the largest of the country's famous Bay Islands. The place where Christopher Columbus landed during his 4th voyage in the 16th century, and which later became a place for slave trade by the Spanish, is nowadays an absolute tourist magnet for those looking to enjoy a nice Caribbean vacation with all it entails.

And for those looking to purely enjoy the surroundings without having to discover another language, the Bay Islands are truly perfect: contrary to mainland Honduras where Spanish is the first language, in the Bay Islands it is English that is the native language - due to the islands' History as a British colony.

If I've caught your attention to these wonderful islands in Central America, here are some of the best things to do while visiting the main island of Roatán.

Gumbalimba Park

So you're heading to Roatan and you know there are beautiful beaches but you would also like to do some adventurous activities and perhaps even see some animals? Gumbalimba Park might be the place for you.

Located in West Bay on the island of Roatan, Gumbalimba Park offers water activities and the opportunity to enjoy paradisiac beach, but also different activities which will surely make for a great day if you are looking for some exotic fun. In the Park, visitors are able to enjoy more than 20 acres of Nature where exotic animals live, so if you are fascinated about such biodiversity, you will surely enjoy meeting so many different species in a park. From parrots to the largest population of black iguanas, you are guaranteed to see lots of wildlife when you visit this popular park in West Bay.

If you are more of an adventurous type, Gumbalimba Park offers its visitors the opportunity to go zip-lining. By doing the "Gumbalimba Park's Monkey Trail Canopy Tour", you will be able to both get an adrenaline rush and get amazing views of the Caribbean Sea and the surrounding park.

Make sure to find more information about the park here and book your tickets if you want to embark on an adventurous day at Gumbalimba.

Gumbalimba's slogan: "The Untamed Roatan"

West Bay Beach

Arguably the best beach on the island, West Bay Beach is a truly paradisiac place worth spending some time at while visiting Roatán.

With crystal clear waters and perfectly placed palm trees hanging over the beach's sand, a day there is guaranteed to please any visitor. If you are looking to have all amenities, such as a bar and restaurant close by, restrooms and even WiFi, there are hotels by the beach which offer a day pass for tourists wanting to enjoy its premises even though they're not guests of the Hotel - it's the case of Grand Roatan Resort, where visitors can enjoy a great day at the beach while having access to luxurious infrastructure which even includes a pool by the beach.

Otherwise you can access the long beach at one of the points where it is public and enjoy all the same paradisiac surroundings.

West Bay Beach on Roatán

Learn to scuba dive

Are you done simply enjoying the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea? Do you long for some life-changing experience? Learning to scuba dive might very well be what you are looking for.

The island of Roatan is blessed with the 2nd biggest coral reef in the world, also known as "the Jewel of the Caribbean". The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is located along the coasts of Belize, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico - and Roatan is lucky enough to have it at their shores. With such a unique ecosystem so close by, it would be a pity to go to Roatan without seeing and experiencing it.

If you would be interested in diving and seeing the fascinating underwater world that the coral reef is, here is a list of the many companies in Roatan that can take you diving or even provide courses so that you get a certificate:

• Roatan Divers is a company on the island of Roatan that will take you diving no matter if you are a beginner or a professional. Check their many courses here - there is something for all levels of experience.

• West End Divers is another popular company to dive with. If you are an experienced diver, go for their "fun diving" activities, but fear not if you are unexperienced: for 100$, you can have your first diving experience for 3 hours and you will never have to call yourself a total beginner again. At this company there is anything from wreck diving to shark diving and lionfish hunting. They even have underwater photo courses. What could be better? Check all about them here.

• What about diving in the evening? Diving is already exotic for most people, but doing it in the evening sounds even more exciting. You might get lucky enough to see a unique phenomena: the so-called "Strings of Pearls" - strings of fluorescent lights shinning in the middle of the darkness while you dive. If you are willing to try this unique experience out, check the night dives offered by Sun Divers at Half Moon Bay.