Roatan: A Scuba Diver's Dream

A ferry ride between Roatan and La Ceiba, on the Honduran mainland, costs about $12 and takes less than two hours. Otherwise, an international airport now services Roatan, flying TACA jets directly from Houston and Miami or a puddle jumper from the large mainland city of San Pedro Sula. Travel, lodging and general Roatan information can be found here and here, while Lonely Planet's Honduran guide can be found here.

Dive packages are plentiful, and generally a good value, at the island's resorts. Some of the recommended ones include the well-heeled Anthony's Key Resort, CoCo View, Las Rocas and Fantasy Island. Otherwise, find yourself a cabana, house or room at one of the quaint inns along West End, West Beach or Half Moon Bay. Casa Calico, Posada Arco Iris or Chillie's are all exceptionally friendly choices. A slew of reputable dive shops located nearby will guide you on dive sites all around the island, train new divers in PADI certification and help experienced divers expand their education.

A single paved and pitted road runs along Roatan's mountainous spine, while winding dirt paths drop into cozy fishing villages. A day out of the water makes this a perfect shore-bound adventure -- complete with an island-top lunch stop at The View, and plenty of time for swim breaks. Start the morning at Anthony's Key Resort for a memorable frolic with the dolphins at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences. Then check out real local Island life -- slowly. Travel down the island all the way to Punta Gorda, the oldest Garífuna settlement in the Caribbean, where traditional fishermen still travel far out to sea in their dugout canoes, then throw up a sail to speed their daunting trip home.

And if you mysteriously find yourself at Hole in the Wall, a peculiar and remote island bar dominated by paddle portraits of the islands' more infamous characters, you've discovered one of the coolest joints on the planet. The seafaring owner and his glorious scarlet macaw hold court over decadent Sunday afternoon suppers, while the lively waterside atmosphere is anything but sobering. You're likely to be served more lobster tails than you could ever possibly devour.