Roatan, Honduras, boasts a variety of attractions that cater to different interests:
West Bay Beach: Known for its powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters, West Bay Beach is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. It's often considered one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.
Gumbalimba Park: A popular eco-park where you can interact with monkeys, parrots, and other exotic animals amidst lush tropical gardens. The park also features zip-lining and nature trails.
Carambola Botanical Gardens & Trails: Explore this tranquil botanical garden showcasing a diverse collection of tropical plants, flowers, and trees. Guided tours provide insights into the local flora and fauna.
Little French Key: A private island resort offering a range of activities including snorkeling, kayaking, and animal encounters. It's a popular spot for day trips and relaxation.
Roatan Butterfly Garden: Discover a variety of colorful butterflies in a serene garden setting, along with educational exhibits about butterfly life cycles and conservation efforts.
Mayan Jungle Canopy Zip Line: Embark on an exhilarating zip-line adventure through Roatan's lush jungle canopy, offering breathtaking views and an adrenaline rush.
These attractions provide a mix of natural beauty, wildlife encounters, and adventure opportunities that showcase the unique charm of Roatan, Honduras. Each link leads to more detailed information about the attraction and how to plan your visit.
Gumbalimba Park is a privately owned, eco-adventure and history park on the island of Roatan. The park was established in 2003. The name Gumbalimba Park comes from a tree native to the island called, gumbo limbo, but, the islanders know and call it Gumbalimba.
West Bay is what many consider the picture-perfect Caribbean destination: white sand, clear, calm waters and full service resorts. The variety of water activities include scuba diving, fishing charters, snorkeling and parasailing. Scuba diving and other outfitters leave directly from the beach so starting your water-based activities is easy and convenient.
Surrounded by the World’s second largest barrier reef and a preferred place for divers for its clear waters with ease of access to more than 120 scuba diving sites. Roatan´s West Bay Beach has been recognized by FORBES Magazine as “one of the Top Caribbean Beaches for 2020 and one of best places to vacation in the world” Incredible sunsets, aquatic activities, zip lining, dolphin encounter, fine local cuisine, animal sanctuary and an incredible nightlife. You can´t leave Roatan without trying it´s famous local drink “the monkeylala”. Hosts more than 90% of the known marine species in the Caribbean such as rays, eels, sharks, dolphins, amongst others; perfect for adventurous night diving.
West End Village is a small town located right on the beach in the western tip of the Island of Roatan. This is without doubt the area that offers the highest concentration of tourism related services in all of the Bay Islands of Honduras.
West End Village is a hub where you will find many different dive shops. Restaurants, bars and even a couple of night clubs is you are all here. The village stenches out along the beach for a couple of miles. It offers much diversity, from basic back packer hostels to boutique bed and breakfast inns. From beachfront properties to small hotels located on the small hill just behind the first line of properties along the beach. The same can be said for restaurants, you can find gourmet restaurants next to basic, very affordable eateries. Beach bars are waiting for you with an ice cold beer. Competition between the different establishments is fierce.
Many newcomers to the island fall in love with West End Village. Then they decide on opening a business here and then find that success can be somewhat elusive. This prompts them to sell out and move on. Because of this, having an up to date list of restaurants and bars in West End is difficult. This list is a full time chore that is hard to keep up with!
The main road is between the beach and the different properties. This allows you to have a clear and easy access to the beaches and docks. Some of the more iconic establishments actually have built up over the water. Such as Fosters and Eagle Rays, making for a unique setting in the West End.
Regardless of whether you are staying in West End Village or not, you should not miss the opportunity to visit it during your Roatan vacation. You will find a unique atmosphere that is worth experiencing. Some of the best restaurants in Roatan are in this area. I found an Oasis in Paradise that offered superb food just outside of West End on the road to West Bay.
We are a small family run animal sanctuary nestled in the small community of French Cay, Roatan, Honduras. What started out as a hobby for Daniel many years ago, has over the years grown into a safe and loving environment for many animals.
All of our animals have a little different history, but most of them have came from local people that have realized they are not capable of having the responsibility of owning these animals any longer. So now they call The Hangout, “home”
We are a humble family who loves animals and dreamed of a way where we could be heroes for some amazing animals. We got the chance to rescue some beautiful animals and spent countless hours earning their trust. We saw that the more love we gave them, the more love and trust we got back and how important constant attention was for them. Now we want to help others experience the joy these animals can bring.
The 100% natural 40 acres of the Carambola Botanical Gardens and their many jungle trails offer a perfect place for hiking, wildlife and scenic photography, eco tours, Professor/student tours, bird watching, nature studies, and of course, relaxation. So, "take a walk on the wild side" and watch the playful Monkey La La scurry along jungle trails as you enjoy flowering plants, orchids, medicinal plants, exotic spices, fruit and nut trees, including the very popular "Chocolate Tree" and the world famous Honduran mahogany tree.
Plan to make your way to the summit of Carambola Mountain where along the way you will see an area where nature has provided a near sheer cliff, thus protecting natural Iguana species and parrot breeding grounds historically known as "Iguana Wall".
Up on top, sit and relax on the summit deck and enjoy Roatan's most magnificent views with all the color and splendor the distant coral reef awards you...
"Be sure to bring a camera and whether you spend 30 minutes or all day - Carambola Botanical Gardens is truly an unforgettable experience!" Bill & Irma Brady.
Visit our Gardening & Home Improvement pages for more great advice from the team.
Located in French Cay, Roatan, this popular iguana excursion is a short distance from both cruise ship ports. Arch’s Iguana & Marine Park is one of the oldest animal park’s & sanctuary on the island of Roatan. Mr. Sherman Arch established the sanctuary back in 1980 to protect the iguanas. Today, there are over 4,000 iguanas in the sanctuary, including the indigenous Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana that is native to Central America.
While visiting Arch’s Iguana Farm, you will have the opportunity to interact with the iguanas. You may feed and hold them if you wish, don’t worry they are more gentle than they look. Other animals you will encounter are Capuchin Monkeys, Scarlet Macaws, and Amazon Parrots. The animal park also offers a small seaside marine park where you may feed Tarpon, Sea Bass, and other fish. A small gift shop with local goods for purchase may be found on location.
Welcome to Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum, Roatan’s working ”Tropical Eden” covering over 160 eco-friendly acres. Our location offers gorgeous tropical botanical gardens and fruit orchards for you to explore, plus amazing local nature and stunning ocean vistas from our hiking trails. Come see our extensive grounds that highlight the best of Roatan’s natural beauty and splendor.
Our tours include guided tours of our botanical gardens, conservatory and fruit orchards, nature hiking, bird watching, and even a mud run and obstacle course for more active travelers. With our tropical gardens and miles of walking trails maintained year-round for guests and locals to enjoy, Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum provides a safe and stunning location to appreciate the natural wonders of Roatan.
A visit to Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum should include a tour of our hydroponic farm, which is leading the way in water conservation and sustainable farming practices. We believe that hydroponic farming is the future for safer, fresher, longer-lasting produce in your kitchen. Because of our eco-friendly focus we use no pesticides on our produce and herbs, and we are very sensitive to our use of the island’s resources.
If your cruise ship stops in at either the Port of Roatan in Coxen Hole or at Mahogany Bay, you can take advantage of the beauty and convenience of Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum. We offer shuttle service to pick you up and drop you back off at your port in a timely manner, making your visit a convenient and enjoyable shore excursion.
Whether you want a relaxing day exploring our botanical gardens or an active day hiking through the gorgeous tropical jungle, visit Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum for a day of outdoor fun with your family and friends. Plan your visit today!
Our Attractions:
Philosophy:
We are planting the future and recalling Roatan’s heritage.
Vision:
To share the art, enjoyment and knowledge of tropical horticulture with an eco-friendly sensitivity that improves our natural resources while providing for education and research using sustainable agricultural methodologies.
Mission:
Have fun, help diversify Roatan’s economic oportunities and teach those that are wanting to learn
Our Promise:
The Arboretum has something for everyone in every season. We will leave the land better than we found it, for generations to enjoy.
You are invited to Explore and Enjoy the tropical nature of Roatan. Visit us Today !
The rich waters of Roatan abound with stories. Tales of life, growth and change are all waiting to be told. More importantly, they are waiting to be heard. The starring roles are the fish and other marine organisms who call this place their home. The Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences knows these stories. After all, they unfold right offshore. Keep reading and we'll tell you about what RIMS has to offer. It’s not just another Caribbean Marine Laboratory!
The Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS) was established in 1989 by the owners of Anthony's Key Resort. The primary objective of this facility is the preservation of Roatan's natural resources through education and research. RIMS has established itself as a dedicated teaching institution, and our facility is visited year-round by colleges, universities, and high schools from abroad to study tropical marine ecosystems and the bottlenose dolphins at our facility.
RIMS is ideally located for marine study on the northwest coast of Roatán where over 30 miles of fringing and barrier reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and shoreline are home to an astonishing profusion of life. For many students, this may be the first encounter with coral reefs and the underwater world and Roatán's coral reefs provide an incomparable realm of beauty, excitement, and endless opportunity for study. A field course at RIMS also allows students to travel abroad, become immersed in a new culture, and experience the simple way of life that has existed for hundreds of years on this small Caribbean island.
Indulge in this pristine beach with its crystal blue waters and very relaxing atmosphere. |
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The day is yours; as you lay in a private cabana listening to the warming sound of the gentle waves. Take the time to enjoy the vast view of tropical trees and a distant shipwreck on Mahogany Beach. We also offer complimentary beach loungers or mats for our guests. Relax and revive yourself in our massage area or visit one of our retail outlets. Eat an exquisite meal over at our 17,000 square foot of Food and Beverage center. How to get there?Two ways, enjoy and ride on The Magical Flying Beach Chair, which transports guests of all ages who are at least 32 inches tall from Mahogany Bay's main plaza, through the treetops, across the turtle grass flats and lets you gently off directly on the warm white sand of Mahogany Beach. Our $14 ALL DAY PASS will allow unlimited rides on the chairlift (inquire about special children pricing). You can also take the shaded walking path that will get you to the beach in a matter of minutes. Beach Rental HutVisit our Beach Rental Hut where you will find a variety of non-motorized water sports equipment available to rent for the day. |
Sandy Bay is a long stretch of northern shore between Coxen Hole and West End. This area boasts tons of fun tourist activities, an array of accommodation options, and a true sense of the island community here in Roatan. Sandy Bay is one of Roatan’s most beloved areas.
Sandy Bay is a popular residential area for both locals and expats, so tourists aren’t separated from island life as they may feel at other island resorts. In Sandy Bay, you can find plenty of hotels and vacation rental opportunities.