pelicanluv:
A group of us will be heading down to Copan then Roatan this July. One of the travel buddies is nervous about traveling safely
"travelling safely" depends on where and how you are travelling. Details?
and safety while renting a house in Roatan.
It is substantially greater a risk than if you were at an AI resort. The resorts, certainly any of the established ones, are avoided by banditos. If they get near them they will have to deal with either the obvious or hidden armed security forces. If something happens at one, the Police are very quick to act. It's a non-issue at an AI resort, conversely it is serious consideration in any resident's house, especially those inhabited by North Americans. That's why they hire guards. If you are merely renting a house (here and soon gone), you are viewed obviously as a prime target.
Got any tips or reassuring advice?
As above. If you do get accosted in your house, advise everyone to comply and quietly. Seperate the bulk of your funds and credit cards so that you may hand over a "drop wallet", a common trick in rough neighborhoods.
I was in a group of two other very rough men and we were once accosted by some amatuers in Central America. What we had in terms of professional know-how was equally matched by their ferocity and stupidity. Smile and give them something. Go home and tell the story.
What about dive operations? Which would you recommend for a group of six divers who like small boats and personable dive masters? Thanks in advance
It depends on where you are located. There are any number of acceptable day-dive ops on Roatan, there are a bunch that are obviously lacking. I advise no one to rent a vehicle as the roads are absolute cr@p and there is no hospital facility in reality. If someone is injured, you will most likely be paying large sums of money for a very long time due to the very peculiar Honduran theories of Tort Liability. Hire a driver, call a cab, whatever.
So, where you staying? Many posters here have a lot of information on Roatam, a few diver-moms know the mainland better than any local!
