We are excited that you have decided to travel to Clinica Esperanza Roatan to experience a medical mission trip in Honduras.

Fundraising

Fundraising can be a great way to assist you in funding your trip. Many students are able to pay the required donation and to cover a lot of their other expenses simply by telling their story and asking for assistance. Consider one of the many online resources that are available but also consider asking friends and family to donate to your fund in lieu of gifts for birthday, Christmas or graduation.  Churches. employers and civic organizations also can be a great source of help. By giving others the opportunity to give, you are allowing them to participate and to help others, when they would not normally be able to go themselves.  

CLICK HERE  to view our Honduran NGO and US 501(c)3 status for tax deductions.

Travel

Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras and is located 30 miles off the coast. It is accessible by plane and ferry. There are airlines who fly direct to the island but these flights can be very expensive. It is usually cheaper to fly into San Pedro Sula, Honduras (SAP) and then get a local flight over to the island via CM or Sosa airlines. Galaxy Wave runs a ferry service between La Ceiba and Roatan.

You will be issued a Visa upon arrival to the airport in Honduras. If coming from countries other than the US or Canada, please check visa requirements for your particular country of origin.

Please check the recommendations of your CDC for vaccines and malaria prophylactics.

Housing

The Refuge – Volunteer housing for Clinica Esperanza

What to Pack

Temperatures are typically mid to upper 80’s by day and drop only on a little at night. Summer attire is recommended. Rainy season Oct-Feb can be a little cooler. Please bring a rain jacket and long sleeves and pants for the evenings, if you are visiting during these months.

Dress for the clinic is sharp-casual.  Scrubs, street clothes and sandals are appropriate. Dress for the community is scrubs pants/shirts or jeans/pants and t-shirt and closed shoes. We also recommend a hat/cap and water bottle. We ask that you do not wear sleeveless tops or shorts in the clinic or while representing the clinic in the community out of respect for the culture. Please dress in a professional manner.

Snorkeling and diving is a favorite pastime on Roatan. Please bring 2 swimsuits, towel, snorkeling gear, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

Around the Island

You are traveling to a tropical island which is surrounded by the Meso-American barrier reef system. It is a dive and snorkeling destination for many vacationers from around the world. Make sure you pack swim and snorkeling equipment. Dive gear is provided by local shops. It is also very reasonable to obtain dive certifications while on the island. Roatan is also a cruise port.

Taxi’s, buses, and water taxis are available to assist you in traveling around the island.

US dollars are widely accepted on the island. Credit cards are only accepted at larger stores and restaurants. The lempira is the local currency and can be easily obtained on the island and will usually get you a better rate.  We suggest that you use the ATMs in the airport or inside one of the Coxen Hole banks.  Standing in a line at a bank will usually entail over an hour wait.

Upon departing the airport you will be taken to Eldon’s, a large well stocked grocery store. There are also small pulperias around the island and one large store near the clinic for your shopping convenience.

There are restaurants nearby in West End as well as West Bay. Meals here range from $6 -$20. If you are on a tight budget, baleadas (a homemade flour tortilla with beans, cheese, & eggs) can be bought widely for $1-$2. There is a small restaurant on site at the clinic who serves these and typical plates for around $3 for your convenience while working.

For more information:  Volunteer Orientation and Guidelines