How Much Money Do You Need to Live in Roatan?
Loida Oyuela
September 3, 2025 · 11 min read
If you’re serious about a Caribbean relocation, your very first question is usually—can I really afford it? Below you’ll find the latest, sourced numbers on groceries, utilities, transportation, and everyday living costs so you can build a budget with confidence as a homeowner in Roatan.
Is it expensive to live in Roatan?
Relative to most U.S. coastal cities, the Bay Islands remain a bargain. Cost‑of‑living trackers put a comfortable homeowner lifestyle in Roatan at ≈ US $1,280–3,200/month depending on household size and lifestyle choices, while locals living frugally get by on ≈ US $630 (nomad.watch).
Lifestyle Tier (USD) | Single | Couple | What It Gets You |
|---|---|---|---|
Essential | $1,300 | $2,100 | Modest groceries, fan‑cooled nights, scooter transport. |
Mid‑Range Comfort | $2,050 | $3,300 | A/C at night, eating out 2×/wk, weekly dive or gym. |
Upscale Islander | $3,400 | $5,300 | Gated villa, full‑time car, weekly cleaning, boat fuel, club dues. |
Biggest variables: how cold you like your bedroom and how often you import U.S. treats.
Mid‑Range Single—2025 Monthly Budget (Homeowner)
Expense | USD | Source |
|---|---|---|
Utilities (power, water, gas) | 180 | Power cost ~6 HNL/kWh ≈ US $0.23–0.25 (cree.gob.hn, xe.com) |
60 Mbps fiber internet | 52 | Numbeo 1,320 HNL (numbeo.com) |
Mobile (10 GB plan) | 12 | Numbeo 286 HNL (numbeo.com) |
Groceries & markets | 320 | Milk $5.6/gal, eggs $2/doz (numbeo.com) |
Dining & entertainment | 250 | – |
Transport (scooter + fuel) | 75 | Gas $4/gal (numbeo.com) |
Diving / gym membership | 140 | Local dive‑shop monthly cards |
Total | ≈ $1,030 |
Note: Homeownership removes rental costs from the budget.
How much money do I need to retire in Honduras?
Retirement Style | Couple’s Budget | Snapshot |
|---|---|---|
Lean | $1,400–1,800/mo | Fan‑cooled home, local clinic care |
Comfortable | $2,500–3,300/mo | Gated villa + A/C nights, private insurance $220/mo, 2 trips to U.S. yearly |
Luxury | $5,000 + | Beachfront estate, staff, 30‑ft boat, quarterly Miami check‑ups |
Rule of thumb: Bring a 15 % buffer for the first six months—newcomers overspend on imported food and spontaneous getaway dives.
Current Grocery Prices (May 2025)
Item | Roatan (USD) | Data |
|---|---|---|
Milk, 1 gal (regular) | $5.6 | |
Eggs, dozen | $2.0–2.5 | |
Fresh mahi‑mahi, 1 lb | $4.50–6.00 | Local fish coop quotes |
Avocado (each) | $0.90 | Market survey |
Craft beer 6‑pack | $10–11 | Supermarket aisle checks |
Utilities & Connectivity Snapshot
Electricity: Residential rate ~6 HNL/kWh (≈ US $0.23–0.25), with recent reductions noted (cree.gob.hn, xe.com).
Solar: Grid‑tied 5 kW system starts US $9,500; 8 kW with batteries ~$13,400 (virtualroatansolar.com).
Water: $20–35/mo by neighborhood association.
Internet: 60 Mbps fiber averages $52/mo (numbeo.com). Starlink is also widely available across Roatan and is quickly becoming the go‑to option for expats seeking reliable, high‑speed satellite service, though monthly costs are higher (around $120) with upfront equipment purchase.
Mobile (10 GB): $12/mo (numbeo.com).
Roatan vs. U.S. Coastal Cities—Couple’s Budget (Homeowners)
Category (USD) | Roatan | Tampa, FL | San Diego, CA | Maui, HI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Housing (owned home) | Property taxes & HOA ≈ $250 | $2,350 | $3,200 | $3,800 |
Utilities & Internet | 320 | 290 | 315 | 410 |
Groceries | 550 | 780 | 820 | 890 |
Dining & Leisure | 550 | 650 | 780 | 860 |
Transport (car + fuel) | 450 | 620 | 640 | 720 |
Total | $2,120 | $4,690 | $5,755 | $6,680 |
Inflation & Tax Snapshot
Honduras inflation (Apr 2025): 4.4 % (tradingeconomics.com).
Sales tax: 15 % standard; zero‑rated for groceries and meds (internationalliving.com).
Property tax: Progressive; most Roatan homes for sale fall near 0.25–0.5 % of assessed value (ncesc.com). Similar to properties for sale in Lawson Rock, Roatan
Quick‑Fire FAQ
Are prices in dollars or lempiras? Housing is almost always listed in USD; daily spending uses lempiras (HNL).
Do grocery prices spike seasonally? Yes—imported goods jump 10‑15 % in December due to container demand.
Is healthcare insurance expensive for seniors? A 65‑year‑old couple pays ≈ $320/mo for MedEvac‑inclusive coverage.
Can I own a vehicle without residency? Yes, but registering requires a Honduran tax ID; most long‑term visitors title cars through a local lawyer until residency approval.
How often do expats shop on the mainland? Quarterly PriceSmart runs to La Ceiba cost $70 ferry + $20 taxi round‑trip.
Next Steps
Grab our Free Ultimate Guide to Buying in Roatan—packed with printable budget templates and currency‑hedging tips. Ready for tailored numbers? Book a free 30‑minute discovery call and we’ll build your personal cost‑of‑living forecast.
All figures use an exchange rate of 1 USD = 25.9 HNL on Sep 3 2025 (xe.com).
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