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When Americans fancy a beach vacation, they tend to search their favorite travel apps and book a flight to Mexico.
Mexico is great and all, but there are so many more wonderful places in Latin America for a sunny beach holiday… and a little more adventure.
While Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos are all great for booking a beach holiday, Mexico has few islands for an exotic tropical escape.
For winter travelers looking for sunny destinations, neighboring Central America is the perfect alternative. One island in particular has one increase in popularity but is still overlooked as a prime beach getaway.
Welcome to Roatan
Honduras is a trigger word for some travelers who immediately consider this country a danger zone. Although it is certainly not known as the safest place, the beautiful island of Roatan is completely safe to visit.
About 40 miles from the mainland, where most crime reports occur, Roatan is the antithesis of what you may have heard about Honduras.
Central America alone is a backpacker haven where most people around Honduras remain unscathed despite its reputation for being unsafe.
For the record, the US State Department currently refers to Honduras as a whole Level 3: Rethink travel without mention of Roatan.
The island is a safe place for tourists and is easily accessible. Those who have been there before know that it is extremely underrated, where beginners will fall in love as soon as they set foot here.
New luxury resorts
Honduras is a very diverse country, but luxury wouldn’t come to mind if you’ve never been there.
Travelers will find luxury hotels in the major cities of San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa and even better options on the island of Roatan.
One of the newest additions is a name you’ll recognize: Kimpton. It radiates luxury 5 stars Kimpton Grand Roatan Resort & Spa has opened doors in recent months and is enough reason to stop reading this article, switch tabs and book a trip immediately.
Located on the beach with an amazing swimming pool overlooking azure waters; you’ll wonder why you didn’t visit Roatan sooner.
For now, Kimpton is the only hotel with brand recognition until the under-construction Margaritaville resort opens its doors in 2025.
Despite unfamiliar names, there are still plentiful, impeccable beachfront accommodations with prices comparable to regular vacation hotspots.
If you’re dreaming of a luxury escape to Roatán but worried about spending too much, travel credit cards with generous rewards points can help you offset the cost of luxury stays and unlock exclusive perks, making your Roatán getaway a true VIP experience is becoming. Here are some of our favorites.
Let the good vibes roll
The island aspect of Honduras’ diversity is one you’ll want to experience. This narrow stretch of land, approximately 8 km wide and 65 km long, offers a lot of sights and a mix of atmosphere between fishing villages, small towns and several beaches.
The most tempting option is of course to spend your time here in pure luxury in a nice resort, but cozy Airbnbs and hostels are also ideal for the right traveler.
Roatan is home to an abundance of pristine beaches, with many tourists’ favorites being Tabyana Beach, West Bay Beach and Half Moon Bay – each with their own personality.
If one thing is certain: Roatan is a diving paradise. The crystal clear waters are perfect in every way to see the Caribbean teeming with life.
The country is home to the second largest barrier reef on the planet, making Roatan even more attractive.
Australia may steal the shine from Honduras with the Great Barrier Reef, but Honduras is a much quicker journey from the US
Whether you spend your day exploring or recharging, Roatan comes alive at night with tiki bars, beach gatherings, and nightclubs.
Non-stop flights to this underrated paradise
How far would you travel for a dreamy beach vacation? Some choose the Maldives on the other side of the world, others choose to stay closer to home.
If the latter suits you more, non-stop flights to Roatan are entirely possible, depending on where you live.
Roatan is the only Honduran island with an international airport. Americans can fly direct via Delta, United, American or Sun Country, while Canadians are limited to WestJet.
Read more:
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
