A Taxi from the airport to West End costs $10. This is a
fixed fare so trying to negotiate is a waste of time. However for
this they should take you to the door of your hotel, even if it is
somewhere out of the way like Seagrape Plantation.
The ferry is now operating out of a new terminal at Dixon Cove.
A taxi will cost $15 to West End/West Bay.
In the West End the taxis hang around outside Coconut tree divers.
A few prices are as follows: lps=Lempira
West End - Coxen Hole - 25-35lps Collectivo, 60-100lps Express
West End - Anthony's Key Resort - 15lps Collectivo, 50-60 Express
West End - Airport - $10
West End - West Bay 100lps
There are also collectivo vans. These are minivans which drive
between West End and Coxen Hole. The basic idea is to flag down any
minivan you see, if its a collectivo it will stop, if it isn't it will
ignore you! They will charge 20lps from Coxen Hole to West End or
West End to Coxen Hole.
These run between West End and West Bay. The best dock to go to to
get a ride is the one opposite Twisted Toucan, near Sueno del Mar.
These things are small skiffs with 20-50hp outboard engines.
From West Bay there are a few docks. The best thing is to wave at
any passing boat, if it is a taxi it will stop!
West End to West Bay or West Bay to West End it should cost 40lps per
person.
Contact Enrique - He is an excellent Bilingual taxi driver. His car
seats seven (Dodge Caravan) and is properly maintained, he also drive
sensibly unlike most!
Contact him on (540) 9180766, email -
j8kike@yahoo or here is his
website
You really can't find a better guy for the job - book him
early
Internet on the island is quite fast for downloading and browsing the
internet but upload speeds are painfully slow.
There are quite a few internet places in West End, prices are now getting
quite a lot more sensible. The best option is to have an account if
you stay for a week or longer.
The cheapest account access is Barefoot Charlie's Opposite
Fosters Bar and Grill (One of the buildings out over the water).
They do a connection for 3lps a minute. 2 People
unlimited access for 2 weeks is $20. You only have to use
the internet for 1.5 hours to make this worthwhile. An account for 1
person for 2 weeks is $15 and it is another $5/week for additional weeks.
Paradise computers have locations all over - More Expensive than Coconut Joes
Paradise Computers has a few locations one at sundowners and one near the
galley. It is usually a terrible connection and only worth while when is
cannot be avoided.
The best fruit and vegetables comes from trucks. They park in
various locations in West End. There is no schedule and no fixed
parking places. Select each piece yourself they don't mind you doing
it that way and it makes you look more local meaning you'll get a better
price. They will be covered in DDT so wash them carefully.
If you can't find a veggie truck the best place is the little grocery
store next to the church called Jackson's supermarket on the map it is
close lighthouse restaurant.
Another place to try is Woody's.
There is a market in Coxen hole off the main strip. It is on Calle Ocho
which is opposite a big shop called Carrion. This is good for all fresh
produce.
There is a place near Black pearl that sells Lobster and Shrimp.
There is also a truck which drives around West End selling it. It is black
and often stops near the Jackson and Twins supermarket (Captain Vans).
The name of the guy is Lexi. The lobster is usually under size
though, so you are not being environmentally friendly if you buy lobster.
Grouper is also a severly threatened species - please don't eat it.
There is a market in Coxen hole off the main strip. It is on Calle Ocho
which is opposite a big shop called Carrion. This is good for all fresh
produce.
For non fresh produce there are a few places in West End. Woody's
(near sundowners) is the biggest.
The convenience store at coconut tree divers is very good.
The Jackson's supermarket and the Twins supermarket are small but worth a
try. They are near the church and captain vans.
The best place in Coxen Hole is H B Warrens it is in the centre of the
main street.
The best grocery store on the island is Eldon's in French Harbour.
Captain Van's this is the best place by far for bike and scooter rental.
The rent decent Yamaha scooters which are very reliable. Don't go
anywhere else.
I Like Caribbean rent a car - they seem to have the best prices. There is
also an Avis and a National on the island amongst many others.
Best Car Rental has better cars, but are more expensive.
There are now a whole host of rental companies based around the airport as
well.
There is an ATM next to Coconut Tree Divers in the little grocery store.
There is also one in the dolphin resort. In West Bay there is one at Mayan
Princess, they seem to be popping up all over at the moment! However
I have been hearing reports that they sometimes don 't actually give you
your money so it is still best to go to Coxen Hole for money.
There are three in Coxen Hole. Two are outside banks on the main
strip and hard to miss. The third which works on the Cirrus network
is hidden away in the corner of a tiny shopping mall near woods medical
centre.
There are a few in Coxen Hole. One is near Woods Medical Centre the
same place as the third ATM. Another is opposite Carrion on the road in
to Coxen hole.
Yes there are sand flies and they can be annoying. Personally I
don't think they are as big a problem as many people make out - BUT I
don't spend hours lying around on the beach! In my experience the
best thing for sand flies is either an oily sun cream lotion (the flies
then drown in the oil). Cactus JuiceTM
Sun cream seems to work quite well also.
Bug Guard is environmentally friendly and available in the marine park
office - as is reef friendly sun cream which you should use if you are
going in the water.
There is Malaria on the island - I have had it! As with most of the
rest on Cntral America Chloroquin is the required anti-malarial. Do
not take Chloroquin for longer than 6 months.
The two best places are:
Anthony's Key Resort (on the road from West End to Coxen Hole)- the doctor
here works during normal office hours plus Saturday and Sunday morning.
This is great for anything non-emergency. Telephone 445 1049
Woods Medical Centre is good out of hours or for emergency situations.
Telephone 445 1080
Ambulance 445 1500
Police 445 1138
Fire 445 1198
