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What to Pack & Bring

What to Pack & Bring

Bay Islands, Honduras

Clothing Recommendations

Year-round, prioritize lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, or quick-drying synthetics. These materials help you stay cool and dry in the humidity.

Season-Specific Attire

  • Dry Season (Feb-Sep): Pack shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, sundresses, and multiple Swimsuits.
  • Wet Season (Oct-Jan): Add a lightweight, packable Rain jacket or a compact Poncho.
  • Layering: A light sweater or long-sleeved shirt is useful for cooler evenings or mosquito protection.

Cultural & Activity Attire

Roatan's tourist areas are generally casual. However, a degree of respect for local customs is appropriate. Swimwear and beachwear are fine on the beach and around resorts.

Specific Dress Codes

  • Local Towns: When visiting local towns, wear a cover-up over swimwear. Opt for more modest clothing.
  • Swimming/Snorkeling/Diving: Pack multiple swimsuits. A rash guard provides excellent Sun protection.
  • Hiking/Exploring: Pack lightweight pants or long shorts and Moisture-wicking shirts for protection from sun and bugs.

Footwear Recommendations

Beach & Water

Sandals, flip-flops, or Water shoes are ideal. Water shoes are useful for rocky beach entries or boat decks.

Practical for wet environments

Walking & General Use

Comfortable walking sandals or lightweight Sneakers are suitable for exploring towns and resorts.

Comfort for exploring

Hiking

For uneven terrain or jungle paths, pack closed-toe shoes with good grip. Trail shoes or Light hiking boots are suitable.

Grip for varied terrain

Essential Documents

Travel Documents

Have copies stored separately from the originals.

  • Passport and Visa: Carry valid passport with at least 6 months validity. Include visa documentation if applicable.
  • Travel Insurance Policy: Print and digital copies of policy details, emergency contact numbers, and policy numbers.
  • International Driving Permit (IDP): Needed if renting a car and your license is not in English/Spanish. Carry with national license.
  • Vaccination & Health Records: Yellow Fever certificate if required. Doctor's note for prescription medications.
  • Reservations: Printed and digital copies of flight tickets, accommodation, and pre-booked tours.
  • Digital Copies: Store on phone, cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox), and email them to yourself.
  • Emergency Contacts: Physical list of family, friends, embassy/consulate, separate from your phone.
  • IDs for Discounts: Student/Senior/Press IDs may offer small discounts at some attractions.

Technology & Electronics

Power & Connectivity

Plan for charging, connectivity, and capturing your memories.

Electrical Needs

  • Voltage: Roatan uses 110V (same as North America).
  • Plug Type: Mainly Type A (two flat parallel pins) and Type B (with grounding pin).
  • Adapter: If from outside North America, a Universal travel adapter is needed.

Mobile & Apps

Ensure your mobile phone is "unlocked" to use a local SIM card. Purchase local SIM cards from Tigo or Claro at the airport or larger towns.

Essential Apps & Services

  • Local SIMs: Data packages are affordable. You need your passport to register. Airalo offers eSIM options.
  • Navigation: Google Maps (download offline maps).
  • Communication: WhatsApp (widely used by locals/businesses).
  • Translation: Google Translate (offline Spanish pack).

Camera & Data Backup

Camera Gear

A Waterproof camera like a GoPro Hero 12 or similar Action camera is valuable for underwater. A Compact mirrorless camera or DSLR for land photography. Consider B&H Photo for gear.

Portable Power

A High-capacity power bank is useful for charging devices on the go. This is especially helpful during excursions or in areas with limited outlets. Consider a small portable power strip.

Data Protection

Use cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud) for backing up photos and copies of documents. An External hard drive provides local backup for large media files. Consider VPN services like NordVPN or ExpressVPN for secure browsing.

Health & Wellness Items

First Aid Kit & Medications

A prepared health kit brings peace of mind and handles minor issues quickly. Assemble a Compact first aid kit.

Kit Contents

Prescription & OTC Needs

Carry all prescription medications in original containers with labels. A doctor's note for controlled substances is advisable. Pack enough for your trip plus a few extra days.

Over-the-Counter & Other

Sun & Insect Protection

Insect Repellent

  • Repellent with DEET (30-50%) or picaridin (20%) is valuable for mosquitoes and sandflies.
  • Apply repellent to ankles, especially on beaches without much breeze.
  • Consider products from Adventure Medical Kits.

Sun Protection

Activity-Specific Equipment

Diving & Snorkeling Gear

While gear rental is available, many divers prefer to bring their own Dive computer, mask, and dive skin/rash guard for hygiene and comfort.

  • Rent: BCDs, regulators, wetsuits (3mm shorty), and fins are available for rent from dive shops.
  • Bring: Mask, snorkel, and dive computer for personalized fit. Snorkeling sets.
  • Prescription dive masks: Bring your own.
  • A dive skin provides sun and minor abrasion protection.

Beach & Boat Trips

A Waterproof dry bag is useful for protecting electronics, towels, and other valuables from sea spray or rain on boat excursions.

  • Protects cameras, phones, and documents.
  • Different sizes are available to fit your needs.
  • Valuable for any water-based activity.
  • Keeps items dry in unpredictable weather.

Hiking & Exploring

A Small daypack for water, snacks, and a camera. Binoculars for birdwatching or wildlife spotting.

  • Comfortable for daily excursions.
  • Room for essentials and small souvenirs.
  • Choose a lightweight, breathable pack.
  • Consider one with external water bottle pockets.

Gear: Rent vs. Bring

Consider Bringing

  • Mask and Snorkel: A personal Snorkeling mask and snorkel provides comfort and hygiene.
  • Dive Computer: Familiarity with your own computer can be an asset for dive safety.
  • Rash Guard/Dive Skin: Rash guards offer sun protection and abrasion protection.
  • Prescription Dive Mask: If you require corrective lenses for diving, bring your own.

Consider Renting

  • BCD (Buoyancy Control Device): Readily available for rent from dive shops.
  • Regulators: Rental options available, saving luggage space.
  • Wetsuits: A 3mm shorty is often sufficient for warm water diving, available for rent.
  • Fins: Easily rented to match your shoe size.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Comfort & Security

These items contribute to comfort, security, and general convenience.

Essentials for Travel

Reusable & Region-Specific Items

Sustainable practices are supported on the island, and certain items are tailored to the local environment.

Sustainable & Practical Items

  • Reusable Water Bottle: For reducing plastic waste and staying hydrated. Many hotels offer refill stations.
  • Reusable Shopping Bag: Practical for market visits or groceries.
  • Reusable utensils: Good for frequent street food consumption.
  • Quick-dry towel: More practical than cotton for beach days and boat trips.

Travel Bags & Essentials

Luggage

Consider lightweight and durable luggage. Nordace offers modern travel bags.

Reading Material

A good book or e-reader for relaxation on the beach or quiet evenings.

Lighting

Headlamp or Small flashlight for walking at night in dimly lit areas.

Local Currency

Small denominations of HNL or USD for small purchases and tips.

Items Hard to Find Locally

Specialty Items

  • Specialized medications that may not be available.
  • Specific brands of toiletries you prefer.
  • Particular sizes of clothing or shoes that might be hard to find.

Costly Items Locally

  • Some imported goods can be significantly more expensive.
  • Shopping for certain items might reduce your travel budget.
  • Bringing these items from home generally means a more comfortable trip.

Packing Pro Tip

Pack light. Roatan's relaxed vibe means you will wear mostly comfortable, casual clothing.