Roatan, a beautiful island in Honduras, is known for its stunning beaches and vibrant culture. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering relocating or visiting for an extended period.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Roatan, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $7.75 on average, with a range between $5 and $10.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $40, with prices ranging from $20 to $50.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $9, with a range between $8 and $10.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $2 to $3, imported beer $4 to $5, cappuccino $3 to $4.99, and Coke/Pepsi $0.9 to $2.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced at $1.32 per liter.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $2.48 and $3.31, with an average price of $2.89.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs are priced at $2.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2.82 per kg, while oranges are priced at $1.1 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes and lettuce are both priced at $1.1 per kg and per head, respectively.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.06 and $1.12 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $2, with an hourly waiting charge of $10.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $700 to $1000, averaging $850.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $500 to $600, averaging $550.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1800 to $2200, averaging $2000.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1000 to $1500, averaging $1250.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre is $1883.68.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter is $1426.22.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost $150 on average.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $100 to $120, with an average cost of $110.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 9 user contributions, as of the most recent update in December, 2023.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$7.75
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$40.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$9.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.25
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72
Cappuccino (regular)
$3.66
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.32
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$2.89
Eggs (regular) (12)
$2.00
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.02
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$7.75
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.29
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$3.00
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.68
Apples (1kg)
$2.82
Oranges (1kg)
$1.10
Potato (1kg)
$1.10
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.00
Rice (white), (1kg)
$2.20
Tomato (1kg)
$0.55
Banana (1kg)
$1.10
Onion (1kg)
$1.10
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$17.64
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.00
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$30,000.00
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$850.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$550.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$2,000.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,250.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$150.00
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$110.00
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$55.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$20.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$40.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$50.00
Buy Apartment Price
Avg / Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$1,883.68
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$1,426.22
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$575.00
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
17%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$425.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$4,200.00
Roatan Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Roatan offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many Western countries, especially in terms of dining and housing.

While some imported goods and services, like internet, can be more expensive, local products and services remain budget-friendly.

Potential residents should consider the balance between affordable housing and the cost of utilities and imported goods.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Roatan presents a cost-effective living environment, particularly for those who can adapt to local products and services.

The island's natural beauty and vibrant culture make it an attractive destination, with a cost of living that supports a comfortable lifestyle for many.