- Sarah Johnson Harmacek moved from Denver to become the beverage director at a resort in Honduras.
- She struggled at first with loneliness and the lifestyle change but came to appreciate island life.
- Now she lives in a two-bedroom apartment with space for family to visit and has no plans to leave.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sarah Johnson Harmacek, the 33-year-old beverage director at Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort and Spa in Honduras. It's been edited for length and clarity.
I'm the beverage director at Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort and Spa in Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras. I moved here from Denver in 2023.
I worked in hospitality in downtown Denver for over 10 years. Restaurant work provided the flexibility in my schedule that I needed to work through my two degrees. I'm also a certified sommelier.
After four years in various front-of-house restaurant positions, I applied at the then-Kimpton Hotel Born. I worked there for five years, with three as the beverage manager for the entire hotel property.
Denver is my hometown
I grew up in a suburb just west of the city and moved to the downtown area when I was 19. Denver has professional sports, a world-class performing arts center, a dynamic restaurant scene, and diverse cultural festivals, but the culture is still extremely connected to the natural wonders of the state. People who live in Colorado love being outdoors.
However, the secret is out. In the last 10 years, the influx of people moving to Denver has impacted traffic, the cost of living, and the sustainability of urban growth.
In November 2022, I attended one of Kimpton's internal conferences
One night, during a social event, I sat with one of our corporate directors of restaurant openings. As I was telling him about my travel background, my fluency in Spanish, and my willingness to move, he just asked me out of nowhere, "Would you be willing to go to Roatán?" Without hesitation, I said, "Yes!"
One month later, we discussed the details of the property and the job, which offered a comparable salary to my Denver position. I would receive a relocation package, onboarding support, and work visa assistance. In February 2023, I made plans to pack up and move.
I was excited but also nervous about moving across the world, sight unseen, by myself. I was sad to be moving away from my hometown and my friends, family, and professional community. Still, I was happy and proud for taking a leap of faith.
I got rid of everything in my small apartment
What I could, I sold, gave away, or donated, and I stored the rest at my best friend's dad's house. I brought two suitcases and a backpack with me here.
Once I arrived, I stayed on the property for a few months, which gave me a nice landing pad and time to figure out permanent housing and transportation. The property market is geared toward vacation homes and short-term rentals, but with the help of my local coworkers and diligent prowling of Facebook groups and ads, I found something decent.
Rent in Roatán is cheaper than in Denver, but it varies. I live in a two-bedroom apartment on a quiet hill above one of the main towns, 15 minutes from work, with plenty of space for friends and family to come visit. My rent is $1,200 a month, and cable, hot water, a parking space, and a washer/dryer are included. I also bought a car.
In Roatán, life is completely different
In Denver, I would pack my days with a morning trail run, errands, a matinée at the theater, and dinner with a friend at a new restaurant. Driving 100 miles daily from one small adventure to the next wouldn't be uncommon.
Here, the island itself is only 35 miles long. There's no movie theater, bowling alley, or mall, but only a few discotecas and a handful of decent restaurants. My leisure time has become more slowly paced and centers on scuba diving, reading a book by the pool, or a sunset cruise on the water.
I had never been comfortable in the ocean and didn't like seafood much before moving. I've overcome my fear of the water and its creatures and became someone who now compulsively jumps off boats.
When I first arrived, I struggled with loneliness and boredom
I spent many days and nights feeling alone, questioning what I was doing with my life and why I was putting myself through this. However, I have no problems sitting at a bar alone watching sports or chatting with my neighbor. Although it took longer, I've made some good friends outside work.
What I love most about Roatán is the people. Their innate warmth and hospitality, love for visitors and each other, and a genuine sense of community and mutual care make me want to never leave.
I still get island fever, but making regular trips to get off the island has helped. La Ceiba is just a quick flight or ferry across the channel. Miami is also an easy direct flight away and fills my city needs with a little nightlife and shopping. I've also visited San Pedro Sula on Honduras' mainland for work and events, and the culinary scene there is bustling.
Moving abroad is hard
There have been many cultural differences to navigate: communication styles differ, time is perceived much more relatively, and language and how people relate to one another are more personal. But for me, the most shocking change was environmental: going from high altitude to being at sea level, from snow to beach.
The bug bites were terrible initially, but my body has adjusted, and they don't bother me as much anymore. Regulating my body temperature was hard at first, too, but over time, I got used to sweating and drinking more water. After a while, you get used to sand being everywhere.
The girl who spent every Sunday at the theater is now eating fried chicken on the side of the road in a faraway village, listening to punta music, and watching the sun dip far away into the horizon. My ability to adapt, grow, and change continues to surprise me.
My contract doesn't have a set timeframe, so I'll stay as long as there are opportunities for me to grow in my career and have a good work-life balance so I can enjoy the island life.
Want to share your relocation story? Email Lauryn Haas @[email protected]