What To Buy In Roatan, Honduras

1. Handicrafts and artwork from recycled items

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

In Roatan, you can find beautiful creative handicrafts and artwork made from recycled plastic, metal, wood, and glass with most of the materials collected from the municipal dump. The cool artworks are a means of employment to the ones that need it the most and communicate the strong message of recycling and reusing. Stop by Rusty Fish in Roatan to buy these local artworks as souvenirs and contribute to the well-being of the island’s communities and natural wonders.

2. Locally made honey

Beekeeping is a family tradition in Roatan with honey hunters gathering honey from maintained hives. The typical bee season lasts from April to September in Roatan and there are several honey vendors that make sure they gather honey without jeopardizing the survivability of the bees. The sweet and healthy honey can be used as medicine for gastritis and for consumption.

3. Eco-friendly mosquito repellents

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The eco-friendly mosquito and insect repellents that you can find in Roatan are made up of lemon eucalyptus oil, lemon tree, cinnamon bark, tea tree, and rosemary that protect you from the pesky little flies while not harming the environment. These products are manufactured to counteract the usage of the non-environmental friendly DEET, a common ingredient in many insect repellents around the world. DEET is toxic to the marine ecosystem and it is recommended that you buy locally sourced eco-friendly products to protect your body as you explore some non-touristy things to do in Roatan. You should also use products that are safe for the pristine environment and marine reefs of this slice of paradise.

4. Shell jewellery

Located right on the beach, stalls of handcrafted jewellers sell unique and custom-made silver jewellery made up of freshwater pearls, shells, and corals. These beautiful items of shell jewellery can be personalized to your liking and are ideal gifts for your friends and family back home. The pieces are of high quality, less prone to tarnishing, and properly reflect the beach-themed culture of the island community.

5. Paintings and canvases

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

You can find paintings of the idyllic landscapes and scenic portraits of places around the island on canvases for sale in Roatan. In their works, the painters as representatives of the island’s culture portray the seascapes, landscapes, and the flora and fauna around Roatan. These paintings are great for both decoration and collection and are ideal gifts for your relatives and friends.

6. Wooden bowls

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Wooden bowls made in Roatan are unique souvenirs to take home after your trip around the island. The wooden bowls are crafts that are native to Roatan and mainland Honduras and can be found in small souvenir shops and roadside stalls. The lovely bowls are ideal for serving salads, food, and add a flair to the dining table.

7. Seashell cameos

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The cameo factory situated just a walk away from the dock houses handcrafted jewellers that carve unique and fascinating pieces of cameos for sale. These intricate handcraft creations made of shells are difficult to find anywhere else in the country and are the best souvenirs you can get from the island. The items of jewellery are reasonably priced and you also get to learn about the history of the cameos. It is an interesting excursion to watch the super talented artists at work perfectly carving the delicate details of the body, face, and legs on the shells.

8. Honduran coffee

Honduran coffee includes popular varieties of coffee such as Bourbon, Typica, Caturra, Catuai, and Pacas with tasting notes like apricot, chocolate, caramel, tropical fruits and berries. The growing condition of the coffee beans are similar to those in other Central American countries such as Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica and have a distinctive sweet and mild taste. The best Honduran coffee is usually the Strictly High Grown grade - beans grown at higher altitudes with increased mineral uptake leading it to develop robust flavours.

9. Black clay items

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The ethnic tribes of Honduras produce some of the most beautiful, unique pottery items in all of America. These items made of clay are decorated with geometrical designs with black and white colours and can be used for decorations in houses and offices. These handmade artistic items reflect the traditions of the ethnic tribes’ workmanship and comprise of shapes such as conical pots, flat bowls, and vases.

10. Honduran cigars

Honduran cigars are well-known for their full body and strength. The cigars of Honduras include brands such as Alec Bradley, Camacho, Rocky Patel, Punch and Puros Indios that are well sought-after and offer a range of flavour and strength from mild to full. It usually takes two years of work for the entire process of transforming tobacco to a rolled cigar and cigar aficionados should not miss out on getting their hands on these rich, zesty cigars in Roatan.

Bring home Carribean memories

With eco stores full of Honduran gifts and local seaside stalls selling handmade crafts, Roatan offers a plethora of souvenirs for you to take back home. From fresh local chocolates sold in chocolate factories to Honduran coffee sold in grocery stores, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to getting the best gift or souvenir from Roatan. The above list of things to buy in Roatan includes items that are eco-friendly, support the local traditions, and let you make memories of your trip to the Bay Islands. Pick your favourites and get your hands on the unique set of souvenirs to remember your trip to this slice of paradise. Don’t forget to secure your lodgings in one of the top all-inclusive hotels or Airbnb vacation rentals.