There are many great reasons for moving to Roatan. Year-round warm weather, white sand beaches, turquoise blue waters and a vastly reduced cost of living are just a few of them. But what about the practicalities of such a move? In this post, we provide some insight into what you should be thinking about when deciding what to bring when moving to Roatan.
Clothing
Think carefully when packing clothing for your move to Roatan. This is a tropical island where winter clothing will be virtually useless. You should also consider that casual wear is entirely appropriate in almost every setting. There’s no need for multiple fittings of formal wear such as high heels, tuxedos or extravagant jewelry. Bring loose-fitting casual wear that’s wrinkle-proof and quick to dry. As for footwear, you’ll likely be wearing flip flops the majority of the time. A pair of running shoes and hiking boots (if you’re of that persuasion!) are all you really need beyond that.
Electronics
Roatan is not a hotbed of cheap electronics goods stores, so if you own (or want to own) must-have technology, it’s best to purchase it abroad and bring it with you. There have been more than a few tales of digital nomads who had to make an emergency trip to the mainland to replace some much-needed hardware. Ensuring your equipment is up-to-date and well-maintained is something that should be kept in mind. Things like flat-screen TVs, video game boxes and streaming devices are all far more expensive than what you find back home, so bring with you what you believe you truly need.
Sports Gear
Although Roatan is a world-renowned location for inexpensive scuba diving, the equipment that goes along with it does not come cheaply on the island. The same goes with things such as mountain bikes, golf equipment or other specialized sports gear. If you’re an enthusiast and plan to use your equipment regularly, your home country will likely have a larger selection with better prices.
Cookware And Kitchen Gadgets
If you’re a foodie and depend on high-end cookware or kitchen gadgets, pack these along with you or plan to have them shipped. There isn’t a large selection available on the island and for what there is, you’ll pay a premium. High-quality, airtight food storage containers are invaluable in the tropical environment as insects and other pests tend to quickly discover any exposed food. It’s also very unlikely that you’ll regret bringing your good kitchen knife set or favorite food processing equipment with you.
Furniture
It’s probably not worthwhile to worry about shipping furniture to Roatan. A lot of furniture that works well in a temperate climate isn’t actually suitable on a tropical island with high humidity, higher temperatures and surrounded by saltwater. Many islanders work with local materials and produce one-of-a-kind pieces for modest prices. When it comes to furniture, supporting the local economy can benefit both you and the community.
Textiles
Sheets, pillows and blankets might not be the first thing that you think about when considering a tropical island, but they should be on your list of things to bring when moving to Roatan. Aside from beach towels, quality textiles are surprisingly limited on the island. If you’re a connoisseur of high thread count Egyptian cotton sheets or silk pillowcases, it’s best to bring these from home.