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Frequently Asked Questions

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Activities - Front office staff sets up your individual and group tours, car rentals, and special arrangements. Sign up for an all day whale shark trip to Utila, white water rafting in La Ceiba, or the jungle canopy tour here on Roatan. Tour offerings vary and may depend upon weather conditions, group minimums, etc.

Airline Requirements - Please check with the carrier you are flying on for specific questions. While we cannot stay on top of airline requirements, we will answer some general questions here based on our own experience.

Boats Our specially designed 50 foot dive boats are unique in the industry. Originally built for the US Navy, we have redesigned and re-powered the vessels especially for divers. Each even has a mid-ship entry way, a CoCo View invention, that allows divers to enter straight up through the keel - the most stable part of any boat - and no banging ladders or platforms to contend with. No bathrooms or heads are on the dive boats as trips are short, usually no more than 20 minutes away from the resort.  

BUGS You should be prepared to find hungry "no-see-ums" any time of year. There is no particular season when the bugs are better or worse. The "pest factor" is going to depend primarily on the critters state of life cycle at the time you visit. There are 2 species of sand fly, each with a 21 day life cycle. Insect repellents containing deet work well. Some people swear by Avon Skin-So-Soft diluted 50% with water. The CoCo View Boutique sells a natural local product that also works well for most people. Mosquitoes and assorted other pests are also present on Roatan.

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CANCELLATIONS at any time are subject to a $25 handling fee. $50 per person penalty for cancellations or group size reductions within 60 days of travel date. No refunds are given for cancellations made within 45 days of travel date. Cancellations within 45 days incur $150 per person penalty. Remaining pre-paid funds can be used for travel within 1 calendar year. No shows and cancellations within 7 days forfeit all monies and credits.

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CHAMBER FEE
The local chamber is supported by $2/day tourist donations. This is voluntary, but a worthy cause that has saved many lives, and prevented injury to tourists and local divers. Your donation assures that you will not be charged the expensive fees should treatment be required, and ensures that the local chamber remains in operation and available for emergencies. Unless you waive the fee, CCV will add $2/day to your final bill. 

CHILDREN Children must be under parental supervision at all times. Children 10 and older are welcome at CoCo View. Children of all ages are welcome at Playa Miguel Beach House Rentals. Children must eat with parents in the CCV clubhouse. Families with small children will be given special seating. Children are not permitted at the bar, but are welcome in outdoor bar seating area. Use of clubhouse facilities, ping pong, games, pool table, is permitted up to 7 pm. Use of kayaks is permitted with parental approval and supervision. See special rates for children meal and dive plans. 

CREDIT CARDS Island wide there is a % service charge for the use of credit cards. 4% at this writing. CoCo View accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Discover is not accepted.

CRUISE SHIP GUESTS: CoCo View invites cruise ship guests and others who are on the island for only a short time to come by for to visit. Transportation to the resort, snorkeling, diving, and many other special activities can be arranged by contacting activities@cocoviewresort.com. Advance reservations are required. 

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Dockside Dive Center is the independently owned and operated PADI 5 Star retail store located on east end of the boat dock. Scuba instruction courses, gear rental, batteries, supplies, photo and video services are offered.

Discussion group - Do you need the guest perspective of a particular question or issue? CoCo View has an active independently moderated discussion group. You can access it from our home page, or click here.

Diving Plan
Your dive package includes the island's only 24/7 unlimited beach diving. Sites accessible from shore CoCo View Wall, Newman's wall, the wreck of the Prince Albert, and the CoCo View Channel. All of the above sites are boat dives for other resorts on the island. 2 boat trips daily include 1 tank at the site with an optional "drop-off" dive on the route back to the resort for up to 4 boat tanks daily. On a drop-off dive, your boat will heave-to and guests who have requested a drop off tank will exit. The boat will then continue to the marina and divers can follow the wall back to the CoCo View beach on their own. All shore dives are accessible at night as well. 

• During the week you may be offered some optional dive trips for additional cost. This can include a night boat dive, an all day whale shark siting trip to Utila. We also offer an all-day to the West End of Roatan and to the East End (Port Royal) of Roatan. These 2 local all day trips happen weather permitting as well- 3 tanks, lunch provided (or guests can opt to take money and eat at local restaurant.)

• An orientation dive is required if you have not been to CoCo View within the past year. Basic rules are explained, you will be informed of reef structure and routes to the walls, and will be warned of any conditions that could be hazardous. It also allows you to re-familiarize yourself with your gear and refresh your skills. Orientations are normally given on the morning following your arrival. 

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ELECTRICITY
CoCo View runs on the same 100volt 60 cycle electricity that North Americans are accustomed to. No special adapters or transformers are required. Guests from countries may need to adapt to US style plugs. CCV  uses power supplied by the local electric company with backup power from our on site generators. Expect power to fail and be out for short periods. While we have not had a problem with surges or low voltage conditons causing damage to electrical appliances, CCV is not responsible should such a condition occur.

EMERGENCIES
Roatan has a competent medical staff, chamber and hospital services on the island. We have emergency supplies, O2 and an AED unit. Thus we are able to handle most emergencies on the spot, while arranging for continued care, or evacuation. There is no 'organized' 911 system, but we do have our own 'island' version, and have more than 1 contact method for all critical medical personnel & services. There are several pharmacies on the island. Critical medications should be carried on your person, rather than in a bag which an airline might delay or lose. While most medicines are available, anything new on the market, or used for rare disorders might be hard to come by. All medications require a prescription for refill. A copy of your current label's information will usually serve as proof of prescription and refill status. 

There is no fire department, but rather a system specific to each community. For the resort, we have a hose & pump system, with the well/water supply located off property, in addition to our own 'bucket brigade'. There are two offices for our police (Focep). One is in French Harbor (town next to us), the second is in the main town of Coxen Hole. There are a few dentists on the island, but most folks prefer to have their dental work done on the mainland in La Ceiba, as the equipment is more modern. La Ceiba can be reached by a 15 minute plane ride. All emergency services can be coordinated through the resort office, and management does live on property. 

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FISHING
Fly fishing: A few bonefish tail the flats in front of the beach houses, and guests who bring their own equipment have been known to catch a few. If that is not successful, you might take a day off from diving and hook up with the folks in Oakridge who have skiffs and guides. The resort can make the reservation for you.
Tarpon and permit are caught more frequently at CoCo View in the channel and canal.

Fish Life - North Shore versus South
You will see everything on the south side that you'll see on the north. Because of deep walls (over 12,000ft drops) you are not going to find large schools of bottom dwellers. Nowhere in the islands will you find the quantities that you see on the contained bottoms of Belize or the Bahamas.
There are protected areas in the park where no fishing is permitted and fish are fed and in those areas you'll find larger schools. The south shore park is now being established. Nobody feeds fish on the south side because it would alter behavior and put the animal in danger of local fishermen.
However, as I mentioned, they are all there and you will definitely see everything and when it comes to the large pelagics these rare sightings occur more frequently on the south side where the drops are steeper.
On occasions CCV has taken groups around to dive the park and other north shore sites. Response has been mediocre. Guests have generally enjoyed the opportunity, but did not feel it was worth the hassle, and many expressed the quality of the dive suffered.
And when it comes to ease of diving among tremendous reef formations and macro life, you cannot beat the diving right in front of CoCo View. I've taken kids snorkeling and spotted 5ft green morays, loads of grunt, grouper, snapper, octopus, lobster, and of course all your smaller tropicals.

No dive gloves of any kind are permitted when diving with CoCo View. We have been enforcing a "no gloves" policy for over 20 years, and can proudly state that our reefs, and your diving pleasure, is much the better for it. Please help preserve this fragile marine environment. 

Hitchin' Post - For snacks, ice cream, cigars and local fare, visit the tienda tipica located on the runway near the workshops.

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INTERNET ACCESS is available free to CoCo View guests as long as our WDSL access is up and working. Unlimited internet access for your laptop includes 802.11b WiFi hub if required.  Or you may use access in the new internet cafe at your convenience. Ethernet jacks for standard RJ45 laptop connections are also available in the internet cafe. 

INSURANCE Since we cannot be responsible for airline, weather, sudden illness and accidents that can adversely affect your travel plans we highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. 

LAUNDRY No regular laundry service is offered by the resort. Please check with the main office if you have an unusual situation.

LUGGAGE
Regulator & Mask (especially prescription lenses), swim suit, change of clothing, medications, contact lens supplies, anything important to your well-being in the event your luggage is delayed. HINT: Some airlines 'Valet Check" your carry on at the gate. Place tickets, passports, and medications in a Ziploc bag, and you'll be able to have all your documentation and critical medications in one grab.

Lockers Your personal gear locker is located at the on the boat dock a few feet from your dive boat. 

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MEALS The full meal plan included in every CoCo View package includes breakfasts to order: bacon, eggs, pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit, omelets, cereal etc.. Lunches include a soup, salads, entrees, sandwiches and a variety of soup. Dinner offers 2 entrees a meat and a fish or chicken, with a salad bar and fresh made desserts. You'll find a wide variety of local island and "typico" dishes (black beans and rice) as well as familiar North American fare. Weather permitting, there will be one or two Bar-B-Ques on the key. Coffee is out early and bottled water is always available in the clubhouse.
Let us know in advance about dietary restrictions. While we cannot be responsible for special diets, low salt restrictions, vegetarian diets, allergies etc. we offer enough variety at each meal that most guests are able to choose to suit their needs. If we know of potential problems in advance, we can sometimes make special arrangements. Meal Hours: Breakfast: 7:30 - 8:30 am Lunch: 12:00 - 1:30 pm Dinner: 6:20 - 7:30 pm

NIGHT BOAT DIVE
Night Boat dives are $ 25.00/pp and arranged on arrival. Generally we do them on Wednesday night, weather permitting. If enough people are interested, we will send 2 boats the same night rather than 2 different nights.
If we have people interested in 2 different nights & sites, something can be worked out but due to a full itinerary (BBQ's etc.) the guests will have to decide what other activities to give up.

NITROX DIVING Nitrox is available for anyone wanting to use it while they are here.Guest must be certified, or doing check out dives with a Nitrox certified instructor who presents his instructor card, and signs for his students & their fills. Nitrox certification is available at CoCo View through Dockside Dive Center. Tank fills are $ 6.00 each for CCV guests, $ 8.00 each for non-CCV guests. This is in ADDITION to their dive package price. Dive package price includes compressed air fills only. No Nitrox.

There is a weekly Nitrox package available for those who wish to dive Nitrox all week, but don't want to pay by the dive. $100.00 for CCV guests only.

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MONEY Things to bring money for:
Boutique (t-shirts, snacks, etc.), Soda, Beer, and optional island activities such as Island Tour, Chamber Fees ($2/day), Departure Taxes ($32), River Rafting, Dolphin Snorkel or Dive, Shark dive, Taxis, Gratuities ($70 - $90 / person is typical. Your tip is divided between service staff: maids, dive staff, kitchen etc.), Vendors - A different vendor visits CoCo View each day presenting for sale local crafts, black coral jewelry, embroidered clothing, etc. Small bills necessary, vendors do not accept credit cards.

CoCo View accepts Cash, Travelers Checks, MC, Visa, and American Express. Note on traveler's checks: The resort accepts traveler's checks for bills only but does not keep enough cash on hand to cash your traveler's checks. Some, but not all local vendors accept traveler's checks. Local banks will cash traveler's checks for Lempiras, but not dollars. You must have passport with you when you cash the checks.

There is an ATM machine located at Credomatic in Coxen Hole.

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PHOTO PROCESSING  
E6 processing is done overnight. The photo shop, located inside Dockside Dive Center does not  handle print processing for the guests. While there is a facility on the island that does handle prints, we have had enough complaints about the quality of prints done here on the island that we recommend guests carry their film back home to have them processed for best results. We also recommend to all underwater photographers that they shoot at least one roll of slide film early in the week so they can confirm camera setup...you would hate to shoot 20 rolls of print film and find out the strobe aim was wrong or there was a camera problem that could have been worked out before getting home with a ton of bad shots.

As you know, we offer camera instruction from beginner to national geographic hopefuls and everywhere in between.

REFUNDS
Unused portions of land packages are not refundable for any reason including airline delays, cancellations, weather, or acts of God. If you are due a refund for any services not delivered make the arrangements on site. DO NOT wait until you return home to file a claim.

Rental Gear is offered through Dockside Dive Center located on the boat dock. Dockside prides themselves on having excellent quality equipment that is replaced annually. 

Return flight confirmation - If you leave your passport and return tickets with the front desk when you check in, we will reconfirm your return flight. For groups we can usually issue boarding passes.

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Security - Security staff is on CoCo View 24/7. The head of security lives on CoCo View.

SHOPPING - Local artisans and vendors will be visiting the resort daily. Wares on display include local handicrafts, clothing, hammocks, and jewelry. Most do not take credit cards. The resort boutique sells tee shirts, gift items, candy and some personal essential like sunglasses, toothbrushes etc. For some local snacks, cigars, and products, visit the Hitchin Post. Day trips to West End or local towns can be arranged through the activities office.

SPA SERVICES Massage, facials, manicures, pedicures and other spa services are available at CoCo View. Some services require advance reservations.

SAFE  There is no office safe available to guests. A small lock box with padlock is provided in each room for personal valuables. 

SNORKELING

Telephones  There are none in the rooms. Guests may place calls from the phone in the office. Honduras. Your U.S. based cell phone will not work on Roatan. 

TELEVISION Located on 2nd floor of the Clubhouse. Satellite service and VHS video player are available. 

TAXES:  Departure taxes approximately $32.32 is not included in your package. Hotel taxes of 12% are charged separately. 

TIPPING: Suggested tip is 10% - 20% of the package price, about $100/person. Tips are usually paid at the front desk at the time of check out. Tips are distributed to CCV staff including maids, cooks, and dive staff.

TRAVELER'S CHECKS
The resort accepts traveler's checks for payment of bills but does not keep enough cash on hand to cash your credit cards. Local banks will cash traveler's checks for Lempiras, not dollars. You must have passport with you when you cash the checks.

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Towels for Beach and boat: Bring the towels you plan to use on the beach and boat. Rentals are available for $3.00 fee and includes a midweek exhange for a fresh towel.  Unfortunatly, due to water constraints on an island, we're unable to
launder the beach.boat towels daily. Also, there are a limited number of rental towels available.

WALK-IN GUESTS: See "Cruise Ships"

WATER (DRINKING) Bottled water is available in the clubhouse 24 hours a day,  and a 5 gallon bottle is placed in your room on arrival. Room tap water comes from a well on the hillside a mile away from the resort. In the past, tap water, though it tested safe, had a high salinity content. A new well installed in September 2002 is now providing the resort with sweet fresh water.  

WEATHER Of course the weather varies quite a bit, but you can count on SSE trade winds during most parts of the year. Because of this, many people find air conditioning unnecessary. September is the warmest month, with daytime temperatures in the mid 90's. Most of the island rain falls between October and January. Tropical storms are most common in late summer to fall in the Western Caribbean, but fortunately Roatan lies south of the normal track. Water temperatures vary between 76 - 86. If you are prepared for 78 F, you should be comfortable.

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WEDDINGS
REQUIREMENTS TO CONTRACT CIVIL MATRIMONY at Roatan, Honduras
- Note that this list is obsolete. An updated list is being compiled. -
-Copies of Birth Certificates of contracting parties, including parents names
-Copies of current Passports
-Statement of Marital Status, signed by a Notary
-Copy of Court Settlement, if divorced
-Authorization of parents, if under (21) years of age
-Copy of HIV Test, completed within (6) months prior to marriage date
-Names of (2) Witnesses, Foreign or Honduran
If Foreign, Copy of Passports and Profession of each Witness
If Honduran, Copy of ID Card and Profession of each Witness
-Professions of the contracting parties
-Marriage License Fee - 150 Lempiras if marriage performed at Municipal Office downtown
-500 Lempiras if performed at CoCo View
Matrimonial Edict Fee - 15 Lempiras
-Mayors Fee - 1,200 Lempiras plus transportation to Co Co View (approximately $25.00 roundtrip) if ceremony is to be performed at CoCo View or location other than at Municipal Office downtown.
NOTE: If you want the Mayor's office to come to CoCo View, the above fees will need to be prepaid by Money Order payable to CoCo View Resort, and sent to Roatan Charter, ATTN: Lauray, P.O. Box 877, San Antonio, FL, 33576-0877.

CoCo View makes a great place for a Honeymoon!

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WHAT TO BRING
Boat towels (rental towels $3/week)
Insect Repellent
Medications & Toiletries
Common Items
Small Bill (ones, fives, and tens)

Things you'll need money for:
Night boat dive ($20.00)
All day trip ($40)
Boutique (t-shirts, snacks, etc.)
Internet access (unlimited access can be prepaid)
Soda, Beer, etc.
Night Dive ($25)
Island Tour ($25)
Chamber Fees ($2 per day per person)
Departure Tax ($32.32)
River Rafting ($120)
Dolphin Snorkel or Dive ($87-$112)
Taxis
Gratuities (10% of package / person is typical. Your tip is divided between service staff: maids, dive staff, kitchen etc.)
Vendors - visit CoCo View each day selling local crafts, black coral jewelry, embroidered clothing, etc.
Small bills necessary, credit cards not accepted.

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