Going to Rotan on Valor in June wondering what to do there haven't seen hardly any posts on Rotan Island. I am a little concerned that there is not anything worthwhile seeing there. We would like for someone that has recently been there to share some information about their experience there.

One of the best, if not the best port I ever went to.  Did the Dolphin Encounter and it was the best thing I have ever done on any trip.  Friends did the beach day, check Carnival web site for all of the tours.  Then we had a few hours to shop and visit with the locals.  Carnival hit the homerun on this port when Costa Maya went bust do to the hurricane. Locals are wonderful and security everywhere.  Roatan has the most beautiful beaches and scenery I have ever seen on  ANY caribbean island or Mexico.

Tabyana beach is great if you want to just relax or snorkel right off the beach. I understand there is a kayak excursion that ends at Tabyana beach also.

A tourist on the Norwegian cl, died doing the ZIPLINE last week. Go to cruisecritics.com for more info.

Hi Cruising cajun,

We stopped at Roatan when I was on the Legend last year in October. I agree with the other person here that it is one of the best ports in the Caribbean. We were supposed to stop at Costa Maya, but had to change due to the hurricane Felix and I'm so glad we did. We spent the day at Tabayana Beach and it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Don't worry, you will love it there!

JUST WENT THERE LAST WEEK IT WAS AWEFULLLLLLL

1st - The port we docked at had to be the poorest part of the island. People lived in dirt huts, no clothes, useing the bathroom in the street. It was very sad to see how those people were living...

2. The beach was nice though, very crowed. The food was very expensive if you ate at the island. $5 bucks for a hot dog. There is really no shopping, and the shooping they have is mostly junk. Overall the port was aweful, it was our 2nd cruise and we have been alot of places and that was the worst place we have ever been too.. EVER.

GO SOMEWHERE ELSE

I have to disagree with guyashleigh....

1st - This is a fairly new cruise port and is under development. If you check out the big sign they have at the port it shows the beautiful new cruise port they will be building. Right now, yes, it's just a pier and a few small shops in the city of Coxen Hole. It is a poor country, but the island is gorgeous. I never saw anyone using the bathroom in the streets! The people were awesome.

2nd - I was at Tabayana Beach the entire day and never once felt crowded. There was plenty of beach space and the water and reef are to die for. I'm not sure what beach you went to. As for shopping, it's not junk, it's local crafts as with most any port you go to. This is not a high end shopping port like Grand Cayman where everything is basically imported. If you want high dollar imports, you won't like Roatan. If you want local arts and crafts you love it. As for eating at the port, unless you want to try the local cuisine, I wouldn't recommend eating "hot dogs" anywhere but on the ship where it's included with you cruise.

Go to this island now before it get to be like the other commercialized ports in the Caribbean. On our ride of to Tabayana you could see all the new construction going up. It won't be long before this port becomes overcrowded and commercialized like the others. I've been on 6 cruises and to almost every island in the Caribbean and this is one of the best for natural beauty.

I was there just this February, and I never saw a dirt hutt anywhere or anyone using the bathroom in the streets.

What I did see were children coming home from school in neat uniforms and quite a few frame homes.  The new construction I saw was of high-end homes in gated communities, and Tabayana Beach was prisitine and uncrowded on the day I was there.

It must have changed significantly in just a few weeks!

Hi Guyashleigh,

Sorry to hear you had a bad cruise and visit in Roatan. It sounds like you caught Roatan on a bad day or they had too may ships in port at one time. I was there last year and it was nice for our visit. Yes it is a poor island but tabayana beach was nice. I hope you have better luck on your next cruise. 

Guyashleigh,

You must just have a problem with poor and fat people. You seem to be very self centered. Most of the carribean islands are very beautiful and all of them have poor people. You could have helped build their economy by buying their so called "junk" but instead you choose to be selfish and just witch about them being poor. Poverty is worldwide not just in Roatan. Grow up!

Maybe you need to find the SNOBBY cruises where you belong and stay the He%* off of carnival and leave the good time to us you SNOB> 

Hi Samantha,

I see your cat is a beer drinker. What is it's favorite brand ?

Ok, I went to Tabyana Beach and I did take the bus up the mountian and I DID SEE dirt huts and I DID see a woman peeing in the street and a little child with no PANTS.... Im just trying to say it was glorified up to be a wonderful placeby carnival and I was not impressed I was actually sad and depressed. I have the right to have my own opinion so you all can *** off.

Thanks for your reply. We are looking forward to our visit to Rotan. I must say that most of the posts that I have read have been of a positive nature. I definately want to go to Tabayana Beach. I'm sure we will love it there. Happy Sailing all.

Cruising Cajun