I've been to Roatan quite a few times (5? 8?) but not since before covid; don't know how things might have changed. Always stayed in West End. I've always taken cash for the entire stay, and so far never had any problems. Usually 3 or 4 week stays and I try to dive my brains out so accom + diving take most of the money. I've stayed multiple different places, and dived with a few different shops. What I do is unload most of cash on arrival to the dive shop and the hotel with the understanding that if I leave earlier / dive less then they return the balance, within reason. What's at risk is the relatively modest amount left over for beer.
That being said, I've never had an incident on Roatan or Utila anyway. My cameras, regs, laptop usually in view in my room, but I suppose that would be a much more obvious theft than skimming cash. I did once start to feel a little iffy (in Mexico) and resorted to carrying my passport cash and cards in a plastic waterproof pouch that hangs around my neck under my wetsuit. I don't notice it at all. I just put the passport in its own ziplock bag first for a little extra protection.
My last 2 or 3 trips I dived with West End Divers and they (previous owners) were always accomodating. Of course plunking down cash to cover 50 dives and diving 42 is one thing but only a jerk would do it after say 7 dives. For accom, I expect to still be subject to their cancellation policy. By the way, Karolina at Posada Arco Iris is an absolute Jewel ...
About surveilance:
And not expect the camera to "malfunction"? I used to shop for rooms with a safe, but lately I figure lack of security is better than the illusion of security.
