While endlessly exciting, moving to a new country also requires a lot of planning. If you’re moving to Roatan, you’ll want to ensure you’re well prepared. To help make your transition as seamless as possible, we’ve put together a list of tips to help make your journey to paradise simpler.
Residency Considerations
If you plan on staying in Roatan for more than 90 consecutive days, you’ll need some sort of residency permit. While there are various options available to secure Honduran residency, the process often is not as simple as one may think. Even if you meet all the requirements, it still can take months to gather the required paperwork and submit the application.
By doing your research prior to your official move and getting in touch with an experienced residency lawyer, you can be sure that you will have all required documents and be ready to submit your application once you arrive.
Personal Property Considerations
If you’re moving to Roatan, you’ll likely want to bring more than a suitcase or two to help set up your new life. While shipping containers is an option, it can be very expensive. Even if you are not planning to move immediately, now is the time to start researching the costs of international shipping and make a list of what items you want to ship, like vehicles, furniture, etc.
Connect with some international shipping companies (there are several on the island) and start requesting quotes that include shipping, import duties and logistics. Then, you can start budgeting and decide what items may be better to purchase once you move to Roatan.
Real Estate Considerations
It’s always good to be well-informed about the places you might want to live before you arrive. If possible, although not essential, it would be best if you have some first-hand experience with the areas you’re considering. Having a feel for the local climate and pace of life will make your transition much easier.
Also, some precursory searches into real estate will give you a better idea about the availabilities, price ranges and neighborhoods that will be accessible to you. The more research you can do before showing up, the easier your move will be.
Banking Considerations
Not every bank in your home country will be amenable to you living abroad. Therefore, it’s important to find out the rules governing your local bank regarding expats. Some banks will shut down your account completely if you leave the country for more than two years, some banks will simply charge foreign transaction fees and some banks will allow you to carry on as usual. Figure this out well in advance so you don’t find yourself in a financial bind as you put down new roots.
Join Social Media Groups
There are a number of Facebook and other online discussion groups that can be a wonderful resource for those considering moving to Roatan. These are a great place to ask any questions that you may be unable to find answers to and get advice from expats that have been living on the island for some time and can offer ‘inside information’.
Start Spanish Lessons
While it is possible to get by in Roatan without speaking Spanish (especially in the densely populated expat communities) a little basic Spanish can go a long way in makeing your life easier. From ordering at a restaurant, to banking, to hiring contractors or employees for your home, a little conversational Spanish will go a long way. There are many language apps that can be downloaded to help kickstart learning a new language. Once you arrive on Roatan, there are a number of options for in-person Spanish lessons as well.
If you have any questions about moving to Roatan, or how to get started – send us a message. We are always happy to help!
