For those of us who have been used to years and years of white Christmases, there might be something a little confusing about being on a tropical island for the holidays. But getting away from the shoveling of snow, scraping of windshields and bundling up to go outside can be the best antidote to any anxiety about the holiday season. It may feel a bit weird at first, but waking up on Christmas day, putting on a pair of shorts and walking through the sand for a dip in the ocean will be something you’ll never forget. To relieve you of any sense of apprehension that might be caused by a tropical island getaway over the holidays we’ve come up with a list of tips for celebrating Christmas in Roatan.
Don’t Forget Your Christmas Spirit
Just because the temperature will likely be in high 80s or more doesn’t mean Christmas isn’t celebrated Christmas in Roatan. In fact, the warmth and sun can make things easier. You won’t have to worry about icy roads, slippery sidewalks or covering up your fancy dress with an unflattering parka. You can still wear your santa hat, your reindeer antlers and your ugly Christmas sweater – in fact, it’s encouraged! If you’ve always worn an elf outfit on Christmas Eve there’s no reason not to bring it to Roatan. Carry on as you would every Christmas back home.
Celebrate Christmas Like A Honduran
In a country that’s overwhelmingly Christian, Christmas is probably the most important holiday of the year in Honduras. Noche Buena is celebrated on Christmas Eve and typically includes a midnight feast and lots of fireworks. Among toys and other presents, children often receive a new set of clothes and shoes that are proudly worn on Christmas Eve.
When it comes to food, turkeys are quite expensive and may be economically out of reach for the average Honduran family. For those who can afford them, you’ll probably see more pigs roasted than turkeys. Chickens may be roasted as dishes such arroz con pollo (chicken with rice) are very popular at this time of year. The true culinary mainstay of Christmas time in Honduras are banana leaf wrapped tamales. They’ll be filled with pork or chicken along with beans, rice or potatoes.
Get A Picture With Santa In The Tropics
Just like back home you’ll have several opportunities to sit down and have a chat with Santa Claus. And while you may think the shopping mall Santas throughout North America are meant for the kids, in Roatan the adults are also encouraged to tell Santa that they’ve been good over the past year. There’s nothing like a picture of you and Santa in a tropical paradise as the ultimate souvenir of your Christmas vacation.