The sea, the beaches, the weather, the reefs and several activities make the islands a choice destination. For more on the activities on each island, please see:

• Things to do on Roatan
• Things to do on Utila
• Things to do on Guanaja
• Things to do on Cayos Cochinos

However, in order to make the most of your vacation, here are a few things you should take into account when preparing for your trip:

Currency

On the Bay Islands, Lempiras and US Dollars are used interchangeably, with a changing rate of about 19 Lempiras to a dollar (it can be anywhere from 18.85 to 19). Euros are accepted by certain banks but Canadian Dollars and other currencies are not accepted, even on the mainland.

Weather

The climate is rather sunny and humid. There are only 2 seasons on the islands: the rainy season - winter - and summer. The rainy season is from September to December. The rainy season means that it rains more often but the sun aften comes out between rainfalls. Temperatures go from about 75F in winter up to 95F in summer but most of the time they stay between 79F to 85F year round. The water temperature on the beaches is around 85F in the winter and around 90F in the summer.

Clothes

No formal clothes are worn anywhere except at a few special events, such as the Concert for the Angels at Christmas when (almost) everyone take out their sequins and tuxedos.

Normally, clothes are very light because of the heat, but it is a good idea to have long pants for the evenings when there are moskitoes. Shoes are rarely worn and the best are thick waterproof sandals for rough terrain. A lot of streets are dirt streets and can get messy when it rains. Dirt streets have rocks and potholes, so thick soles will allow you to walk comfortably without feeling the rocks and bumps so much. A hat and sunglasses are also a good idea. You will not need much to fit right in!

A waterproof windbreaker or light rain poncho is adviseable during the rainy season, because when it rains, it pours! You might also benefit from rubber boots depending on where you stay. Some areas occasionally get flooded.

Bugs

Bugs seem to come in waves. Moskitoes often appear at dusk but they are more present throughout the day during rainy days. Sand fleas can be encountered on beaches towards the end of the afternoon. Ticks are sometimes found in bushes.

Food

On an island, the food supply is sometimes limited in the sense that you may not find everything you want at a specific time. This situation tends to be more acute when the weather is very bad and the delivery ships cannot come to the islands because of rough seas. This happens occasionally. Also, do not necessarily expect to find everything that you have at home in grocery stores. And the fact that you find it once does not guarantee that you will find it again the following week...

Shopping

The Bay Islands have a selection of souvenir shops but not much in terms of clothing or shoe stores. There are a few clothing stores and some souvenir shops sell beachwear. But, compared to North American stores, the selection is very limited. There are no shopping malls on the islands, although one is being constructed near French Harbour on Roatan. So bring everything you need with you for your vacation.

There is no book store, although you will find some new and used books at the Que Tal Cafe in Lawson Rock. Some Internet Cafes offer used books. The Cool Beans Coffee Shop in West Bay has a selction of used books and magazines offered on loan.

Hotels, Resorts, House & Apartment Rentals

If you rent a room in a hotel or resort, it may be a good idea to verify whether they have a generator or not. Not all hotels and resorts do and not all of them have air conditionning. You may find it quite hot in case of power failure. Also verify the access and whether the roads around the resort gets flooded.

If you are renting a house or an apartment, inquire about how the water supply is provided. Most houses and apartments have cisterns that are filled by the municipal service, but some are at the end of the line and do not get much water at all. This may mean having to call the water truck to fill the cistern. Verify whether there is hot water and air conditioning or fans. Also ask about access and safety. Screens are not always present on windows and when they are, they sometimes are very badly fitted, allowing bugs to come into the house. Also verify if the place is furnished and supplied with everything you are expecting (dishes, bedding, etc.). Serious rental places are usually well organized: however, do not take anything for granted, as conditions can be quite primitive in certain places.

Going Out

West End is the main "happening place" for going out. It is the area where there are the most restaurants and bar and some of them have live entertainment.

There are other activities throughout the islands: take a look at our Social Activities Calendar to see if you find anything that would suit your needs.