WRITTEN by JOHN MORRIS
On Roatan, it’s easier than you think!
So you did it. You purchased a property – a house or a plot of land – in a foreign country… on the island of Roatan.
What next? (If you plan to build, that’s a whole other blog in itself.)
Questions will fill your head.
Taxes, maintenance, property management, insurance, buying a car, driver’s license, residency, furnishings… the list goes on and on!
Living in the first world, everything is relatively easy. It’s an online world. Now you can even buy a car in the USA via your computer, and have it delivered with a seven-day return policy. They will even take your current vehicle away as a trade in.
Where is the fun in that?
Well, now you are moving to Roatan so be prepared to step back in time and do some things the old fashioned way, which is not that bad. While things can be challenging here, if you look at it the right way, it can be fun and the sense of accomplishment will delight you as if you were a teenager going on your first date.
Don’t get me wrong, we are advancing but at a bit slower pace. We do have online banking and many bills can be paid this way. Yes, I said banking and as a foreigner, you can have local accounts at select banks in both US dollars and Lempiras, the Honduran currency.
With the onset of online transfer services, it is getting easier to move funds to Honduras from the United States and other countries.
Now even PayPal works here with local banks, Davivienda and BAC Credomatic.
First, you have to create a Honduran PayPal account…
Then have a Honduran dollar bank account…
Then get a dollar debit card for your bank account and link it to your PayPal account…
And voila, you can transfer funds from PayPal to your Honduran account.
Most of us retain our bank accounts in our home country, and quite a few businesses like restaurants will accept PayPal. Of course most establishments accept credit cards here, reducing the need to carry around cash.
So, first get that account at a bank like Davivienda or BAC Credomatic and you will be half way there. Keep enough money to cover your bills and transfer as you need… but don’t send your life savings because security tax on bank accounts is quite high here.
With a local bank account, you can pay online for your cell phone, insurance, lawyers and most services you need while living on the island.
Taxes, for now, still must be paid in person at the municipality, but you can use a credit card. Of course, if you are not a full-time resident, there are many property managers available and willing to help.
If you are baffled by anything, folks on the island are always ready to lend a hand, having been through it themselves.
Once again, Facebook to the rescue! When we arrived here some 11 years ago, Facebook on the island was just getting going so we relied on new found friends to help us figure it out… and we did figure it out.
So, fear not brave warriors, march on into this unknown world of Roatan as it is a lot easier than you think!
This Week’s Related Links:
Sign up for our weekly blog!
