Coxen Hole is Roatán's main town and the capital of the Bay Islands, a busy, unpolished place of banks, markets and government offices, with the Town Center cruise terminal on its waterfront. This guide explains what there is to see, where to shop, how safe it feels and how to get from Coxen Hole to the beaches of West Bay and West End.
Coxen Hole is the largest town on Roatán and the capital of the Bay Islands department of Honduras, with 8,307 inhabitants at the 2021 census. It takes its name from John Coxen, a buccaneer said to have lived on Roatán in the late 17th century, but the town itself was founded later, in 1835, when British families arrived from the Cayman Islands. Their descendants still speak Bay Islands English, and today it is heard alongside the Spanish of the many islanders from the mainland.
This is where islanders come to bank, shop and deal with paperwork, so the town has supermarkets, pharmacies, hardware stores, clinics and government offices rather than sights. The island's airport is just outside town on the road east, and the main highway runs from here to West End and West Bay in one direction and to French Harbour and the east in the other.
Roatán Town Center, also called the Port of Roatán, was inaugurated at the end of 2008 by Royal Caribbean together with the Roatán municipality and the Honduras Institute of Tourism. A second pier, with a 330-meter berthing platform, opened in December 2019, so two large ships can berth alongside at the same time; on busier days a third ship may anchor and tender its passengers ashore.
Royal Caribbean ships use it, as do most other lines that are not part of the Carnival group, which docks at Mahogany Bay. Inside the gate, a small open-air plaza has duty-free and jewelry stores, souvenir and beachwear shops, a coffee shop, a pharmacy, a bank ATM and car rental desks, and the taxi and tour pickup area is next to the exit. Our Roatán cruise port guide compares both terminals and explains how to get back on time.
Be realistic: Coxen Hole is a working town rather than an attraction, and most cruise passengers only pass through it on the way to a beach or a tour. Still, an hour on foot shows a side of Roatán that the resorts do not. Main Street, which starts at the port gate, is lined with souvenir stalls, small bars and simple restaurants that are busiest when a ship is in.
Short city tours add a park with statues of Honduran national heroes, the local market stalls with island crafts, and the El Mirador lookout above the harbor. A quick bite of local food, such as a baleada (a folded flour tortilla with beans and cheese) or fried fish with plantains, costs much less here than at the beach clubs; see our restaurants and food guide for more. Ask before photographing people and their homes.
The terminal plaza is the easiest place for duty-free, jewelry and branded souvenirs, with prices in US dollars. For a more local choice, the craft stalls in town sell carved wooden bowls, woven textiles, black clay pottery and Honduran coffee; prices are often negotiable, but keep bargaining friendly, as margins are small.
Do not buy black coral, shells, turtle shell or starfish, however they are presented: they come from the reef, and sea turtle products are illegal to bring into the US. Carry small bills, as change may come in lempiras, and use a bank ATM inside a branch or at the terminal rather than a stand-alone machine on the street.
The US State Department rates Honduras as a whole at Level 3, Reconsider Travel, mainly because of crime on the mainland, and the resort areas of the Bay Islands have a stronger police presence. By day, the streets near the terminal are busy and used to visitors, but this is still a town with petty crime, so keep phones and cash out of sight, leave valuables on the ship and stay on the main streets.
Do not wander into residential side streets or walk around after dark, when the shops close and the streets go quiet; take a taxi from an official stand instead. Our page Is Roatán safe? explains the realistic precautions for the whole island.
Coxen Hole is the island's transport hub. Taxis wait at the terminal and in the center; they are not metered, so agree the fare first and confirm whether it is per person or for the car. West End is about 15-20 minutes away and West Bay about 20-30 minutes, longer on multi-ship days. Shared taxis, known as colectivos, pick up several passengers along the main road and cost less, but they are not always easy to tell apart from private ones.
Minibuses run along the main road in daylight, west to West End and east toward French Harbour and beyond, for a small fare paid in lempiras; they are cheap but slow and crowded, so they rarely suit a tight cruise schedule. Rental car desks are at the terminal and the airport. See our airport and getting around guide for details, and Roatán excursions for tours that pick up at the Town Center gate.
For an hour, yes, if you want to see the island's everyday side and buy crafts at local prices. For a beach or the reef, take a taxi or tour to West Bay or West End instead.
The streets around the terminal are busy and generally fine by day. Keep valuables out of sight, stay on the main streets and do not walk around after dark.
About 20-30 minutes by taxi. Agree the fare before you set off and ask whether it is per person or per car.
Royal Caribbean, which built the Town Center terminal, and most other lines outside the Carnival group, such as Norwegian, MSC and Celebrity. Carnival ships dock at Mahogany Bay.
Suits groups who prefer to set their own pace and stops instead of following a fixed itinerary. The service lasts about five hours and is private.
from ~$157 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
A simple option for cruise passengers who want a relaxed beach day without crowded attractions. Direct transportation runs between the port and the beach.
from ~$20 per person
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A good fit for travelers who want a chocolate stop, time in the water and a relaxed beach break in one outing. The whole activity runs about 4 hours.
from ~$85 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
Suits travelers who prefer to choose their own stops instead of following a set route. The local guide can suggest places based on your interests and the time you have.
from ~$46 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Suits visitors who want a mix of local history, scenic viewpoints, tastings and beach time. Includes a walk in West End and a stop at West Bay.
from ~$50 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
A relaxed sightseeing day for first-time visitors, with a lookout, souvenir shopping, two tasting stops and free time at West Bay. Stops can be adjusted to your preferences.
from ~$56 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
A relaxed beach day in West Bay for travelers who want a comfortable base with reserved loungers, umbrellas, showers and changing rooms. Food and drinks cost extra.
from ~$56 per person
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A guided day with local hosts for travelers interested in tastings and off-the-beaten-path spots. The operator emphasizes eco-friendly practices and supporting local communities.
from ~$59 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Prices are indicative and may change. The final price is shown by the booking platform. Prices checked: October 29, 2026.
