Coxen Hole to West End Village- Questions!!

We would like to spend the day snorkeling, eating and shopping. From what I read it seems that West End Village has all this. Is it safe to get a taxi by the port? Do you know about how much this would be ?I know that it is important to decide the price in USD before we get in the car!Or is this a port where we need to hire a driver? Is there shopping in the port area ? Is there shopping outside the port area and is it safe to be out there on our own? We have never been to this port and we are excited to see this beautiful island! We are open to all information about your own experience here. I know I just asked A LOT of questions so thank you for your time! !

Taxi to the West End from Coxen Hole is around US$25. More recent cruisers can comment on this or tell what they paid to West Bay (similar distance). The advantage of hiring a driver is you'll be guaranteed a return trip to the port. But if you'll be out on the water for an extended period of time, it may be a loss of $. Check with both Victor Bodden and with Rony of RonysTours and see what they'll charge for what you want to do. You might find a cheaper taxi outside the cruise port, but you do need to get a guarantee on Round Trip $ and on pick up time for the return and try not to pay until you are returned.

Check out either Roatan Divers or West End Divers for good dive masters/guides and PADI approved diving. There are other dive shops along the West End waterfront too.

The port area has shopping, typical cruise port shopping with some local items. It is safe to walk around Coxen Hole, you will get the typical Caribbean hawkers trying to get you to take their taxis or go to their places there a small street with a few stores (local crafts, wooden items, cigars, etc.). Prices will be slightly higher in West End Village as they tend to cater to expats and longer term vacationers. But the dive shops and the deep sea fishing boats are out of there. Let the locals guide you to a good lunch spot. Many places there are only open for dinner and others cater to the tourist trade. The locals will steer you to good local spot with good local food at decent prices.

Taxi to the West End from Coxen Hole is around US$25. More recent cruisers can comment on this or tell what they paid to West Bay (similar distance). The advantage of hiring a driver is you'll be guaranteed a return trip to the port. But if you'll be out on the water for an extended period of time, it may be a loss of $. Check with both Victor Bodden and with Rony of RonysTours and see what they'll charge for what you want to do. You might find a cheaper taxi outside the cruise port, but you do need to get a guarantee on Round Trip $ and on pick up time for the return and try not to pay until you are returned.

 

Check out either Roatan Divers or West End Divers for good dive masters/guides and PADI approved diving. There are other dive shops along the West End waterfront too.

 

The port area has shopping, typical cruise port shopping with some local items. It is safe to walk around Coxen Hole, you will get the typical Caribbean hawkers trying to get you to take their taxis or go to their places there a small street with a few stores (local crafts, wooden items, cigars, etc.). Prices will be slightly higher in West End Village as they tend to cater to expats and longer term vacationers. But the dive shops and the deep sea fishing boats are out of there. Let the locals guide you to a good lunch spot. Many places there are only open for dinner and others cater to the tourist trade. The locals will steer you to good local spot with good local food at decent prices.

THank you!!

We booked through Rony's Tours in January, and went to the orphanage in Sandy Bay, West Bay beach, and West End Village. I give a detailed, picture-intensive, review of the tour beginning at post #76:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2169332&page=4

Rony's Tours was a great choice and we would definitely use them again! It was only $100 for my family of four and our tour guide stayed with us (or waited on us) the whole day.