Taxi Fares for "rides" vs "tours"

Roatan Travel Tips | Activities on Roatan

Transportation Rates in Lempiras The Real Taxi Fares from Coxen Hole Prices in Lemperias  January 2007 Airport 10.00 Lps Dixon Cove 10.00 Lps Los Fuertes 12.00 Lps French Harbour 18.00 Lps French Harbour Point 20.00 Lps Flowers Bay 18.00 Lps Sandy Bay 12.00 Lps West End Village 18.00 Lps

First thing you will want to do is catch the local mini buses or a taxi cab.  Don't be the fooled by the taxi drivers .... fares are not in dollars and it does not cost $15 per person round trip to West End!  See details below. The fare should be a little over $2/person each way.  The Independent Tour operators have put a sign up at the cruise ship dock.  The "tour operators" for the most part are taxis.  You are supposed to have a licensed guide with "tour" or are you just getting transportation ride? The mini buses serving West End are small vans and have a 2 printed on the front.  Just wave at them, and they stop for passengers.  The mini bus cost is about 20 limperas/person (yes you need local currency) to get to West End.  (1 US dollar is approximately 18 limperas).  The mini buses will take you to the water taxi for a quick ride to West Bay for about $1.50.  Forget the mini buses going towards French Harbour as you will be much better off getting a taxi "for the day and a guide".  After departing the ship, walk towards Coxen Hole past the vendors from the ship terminal gate till you come to the paved road in Coxen Hole. 

Thickett Road on left coming into the main road of Coxen Hole

Turn left on the intersecting paved road (Thickett road) and walk about 1/4 mile till you come to the main island road (no signs indicating main road).   If you go to your left along the main road, you will be heading for West End; if you go to your right, you will be heading towards French Harbour.  Here, you can hail a cab or the "number 2" mini buses.    If you followed these directions, you will be in front of Que Tal Cafe (a great place to catch lunch).  Don't worry, the taxis will automatically come by and beep the horn looking for a fare.  The mini bus will stop if you wave at them.   The "typical real fare" for a taxi from Coxen Hole to Sandy Bay is 20 lempiras.  From Sandy Bay to West End the fare is another 20 lempiras.   This means the taxi rate should be 40 lempiras from Coxen Hole to West End.  This means the cost is a little more than $2 US to get to West End.  However, during Cruise Ship days, you can not get the real fare.  The average rate that you should pay for a taxi during a port call is $7.50/person "one way" to West End from the Cruise Ship terminal.  West Bay is $10/person one way.  You can negotiate a better rate with multiple people in the taxi.  Always ask about the "quoted" rate if it is one way or roundtrip.  This is the favorite trick to get a double fare to West End.  The driver will usually quote a roundtrip rate but you'll think it is one way.  Guess what you will end up paying for a one way trip?  Be sure to confirm the rate before getting in the taxi. The cruise ship dock is located on the edge of Coxen Hole.  The mini bus is approximately $2 for the same distance and they fare is regulated even during cruise ship port call days. Look for a well maintained taxi and confirm your fare for the entire taxi before you get in.  Please negotiate a reasonable rate....paying too much will only lead to another major upward spiral in tour and taxi rates again this year!  Rates have doubled every year since 2004 during cruise ship days!

The mini buses stop running at 6 PM.  Taxi fares go up at 6 PM and all fares become negotiable.

If you find yourself being extorted by the taxi driver, find the nearest tourist police and ask for help.  The tourist police are readily visible in the West End and Coxen Hole during cruise ship days.  Look for the official taxi fares from the cruise ship dock in a few days on this web site.  If you are looking for a good tour operators, check out Victor Bodden at http://www.boddentours.com/ or Averyl at Casi Todo.

"Tour rates" not taxi fare rates

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