Getting around in Roatan

There are a few modes of transportation to get around the island. Taxis have two ways of charging: collectivo or expresso. In collectivo, they operate on a set route (West End to Coxen Hole via Sandy Bay, and Coxen Hole to French Harbour), and there is a set price per person (eg 25lemps- about $1.50- to go from West End to Coxen Hole). You just flag them down as they pass, and say 'baja' (pronounced 'ba-ha'), when you want to get out. They charge a little more to pull into a side road. To go expresso, you are the only person in the cab, and they'll take you directly to wherever you want to go, and charge much higher: this is what a lot of taxis try to get all tourists to do, but you can just wave them on, and say you are waiting for a collectivo. Expresso is sometimes worthwhile, if you are going a long distance (up to the iguana farm, or need transportation to catch a flight out, or to the ferry dock), and you can negotiate to a price that you think is fair. All fares, collectivo and expresso, are a bit higher at night.
There are also buses (mini-vans) that run on the same route as the collectivos: a little slower, a bit more crowded, and a bit cheaper (15lemps-$1- to Coxen Hole from West End).
To get to West Bay (a beautiful beach) from West End, you're better off going by water taxi. Small skiffs go back and forth, you can flag one down from the end of any of the docks, 40 lemps per person each way (they don't run after dark).