Sarah Johnson Harmacek has lived in Roatán, Honduras, since 2023. Manuel Chinchilla
I left Denver for island life in Honduras, and my life has changed entirely. I’ve gone from the hustle of a big city to the tranquility of a small island, and I love it here. It all started in November 2022 when I attended a conference organized by Kimpton Hotels. I was working in downtown Denver as the beverage manager at Kimpton Hotel Born. I loved my job, but I was ready for something new. When one of our corporate directors casually asked if I would consider moving to Roatán, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. By February 2023, I was packing up my life in Denver and preparing to move to a place I had never seen before.
Leaving Denver was bittersweet. It’s my hometown, where I grew up and built my career. The city has everything – professional sports, a vibrant restaurant scene, and breathtaking natural beauty. But the rapid growth in recent years had made living there more challenging. Traffic was worse, the cost of living was higher, and the urban sprawl seemed never-ending. So, even though I was sad to leave my friends and family, I was excited to take this leap of faith.
I sold or gave away most of my belongings and stored the rest with a friend. I moved to Roatán with just two suitcases and a backpack. When I arrived, I stayed on the property where I work, which gave me time to find a more permanent place to live. Roatán is small, only about 35 miles long, and the housing market is geared toward tourists, so finding a long-term rental wasn’t easy. But with the help of my new coworkers, I found a two-bedroom apartment on a quiet hill, just 15 minutes from work. The rent is cheaper than in Denver, though not by much – I pay $1,200 a month. It includes cable, hot water, and a parking space, so I’m happy with it.
Living in Roatán is completely different from life in Denver. In the city, my days were packed with activities – morning runs, errands, theater visits, and dinners with friends. I was always on the go. But here, life moves at a slower pace. There’s no movie theater, no shopping malls, and only a few restaurants. My free time is spent scuba diving, reading by the pool, or taking a sunset cruise. It’s a much simpler life, and I’ve learned to enjoy it.
When I first moved here, I struggled with loneliness and boredom. I didn’t know anyone, and the slower pace of life took some getting used to. There were days when I questioned my decision to move so far from home. But over time, I started to appreciate the island’s charm and the warmth of the people who live here. I’ve made friends outside of work, and I’ve become comfortable exploring the island on my own.
One of the biggest changes for me has been learning to live in such a different environment. Denver is at high altitude with cold winters, while Roatán is at sea level with a tropical climate. The bugs were terrible at first, and I had to adjust to the constant heat and humidity. But now, I’ve gotten used to the sand, the sweat, and even the occasional bug bite. I’ve also overcome my fear of the ocean and have become an avid scuba diver. Before moving here, I wasn’t comfortable in the water, and I didn’t like seafood. But now, I find myself jumping off boats and enjoying the local cuisine.
The biggest surprise for me has been how much I’ve adapted to this new life. I never imagined that I would be living on a small island in the Caribbean, working as the beverage director at a luxury resort. But I’ve grown to love it here, and I can’t see myself leaving anytime soon. The people of Roatán are incredibly welcoming, and the sense of community is strong. Even though I still miss some aspects of city life, like going to the theater or dining at a new restaurant, I’ve found a new rhythm here that suits me.
Of course, there are challenges. Moving to a new country is never easy, and there have been cultural differences to navigate. Communication styles are different, and time is perceived much more flexibly here. But I’ve learned to adapt, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to experience life in a new way. My contract doesn’t have a set end date, so I plan to stay as long as I’m happy and can continue growing in my career. For now, I’m content with my island life and all the surprises it brings.
#IslandLife #HondurasLiving #ExpatJourney #TropicalEscape #RoatánLife