Roatán Island, Honduras – Like a string of pearls, the Bay Islands curl along the world’s second largest barrier reef off the coast of Honduras.

Roatán, the largest of the island group, has long been a diver’s paradise but is now becoming the Caribbean’s new hot spot. And it’s not just vacationers who are finding it attractive. Travel, cruise, and vacation real estate businesses are investing in one of the Caribbean’s last desirable and exceptionally affordable islands.

NuWireInvestor.com named Roatán one of the Top 5 Places to Buy Caribbean Real Estate in 2007 and the Wall Street Journal reported that Roatán is entering a real-estate boom. Roatán offers year-round temperatures of 27°C (80°F), white-sand beaches, lush valleys, a low cost of living, safe environment, friendly locals, English speaking and has weekly non-stop flights from Miami, Atlanta and Houston with other markets to follow.

Infinite Possibilities

The most upscale resort on the island is the new Infinity Bay Spa and Beach Resort, which opened this week. This luxury development of 145 condominium villas, the largest on Roatán to date, is both a vacation destination and a real estate opportunity.

Located on West Bay beach, Infinity Bay is the island’s greenest resort committed to the preservation of the magnificent reef system - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered by many the best spot for scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing in the world. The villas are fully furnished and decorated with fully-equipped modern kitchens, in-unit laundry, satellite TV, wireless internet and 100 percent potable tap water in the rooms and throughout the resort. It features state-of-the-art septic facilities and solar assisted water heating.

Phase I of 55 units is now complete with Phase II of 90 units scheduled to complete in April 2009. Rates for completed units range from $260,000 for a studio to $575,000 for a premium two bedroom villa. Preconstruction prices begin at $215,000.

Free Port for Business

Recognizing their potential, the Honduran government has just made the Bay Islands a Duty-Free Zone, which is good news for vacationers and investors alike. It is a remarkable law with long-reaching consequences for Roatán. All activities, investments and business opportunities related to tourism will now be tax free, and travelers will enjoy the island’s amenities tax and duty free.

Cruise ships have already noticed Roatán. Carnival Cruise Lines’ new terminal, Mahogany Bay, opens in 2009, at a cost of $50 million and a capacity of 7,000 passengers per day. Royal Caribbean has also allocated $30 million to extend the island’s current terminal. Within five years, cruise ship calls are expected to grow to 225 annually. While houses on Roatán are still comparatively affordable ($300,000-$400,000 compared to well over a $1 million in the Cayman Islands), real-estate agents are already talking about how many sales they are making. Prices can only go up.

Add into the mix a stable Honduran government promoting private enterprise, a 4.4 per cent GDP growth in 2007 and capital appreciation of 15-20 per cent per annum over the last three years, and you know investors will move quickly. Even with the impressive appreciation of the last few years, most investors on the island are betting that it’s only the beginning.

IF YOU GO: 
1-866-369-1977 in the US and,
011-504-445-5016 internationally
buy@infinitybay.com or
reservations: reservations@infinitybay.com.

Honduras Tourism: www.letsgohonduras.com