Roatan Highlights Tour: Private Wildlife & Island Sightseeing
The Roatan Highlights Tour is a private 3–4-hour island sightseeing excursion from US$60 per person (minimum two guests). Visit a wildlife sanctuary to see sloths and monkeys, enjoy panoramic viewpoints, explore West End Village and sample local chocolate and rum—all with a bilingual guide and private round-trip transportation.
Discover the island's character on an easy-paced route featuring The View, a chocolate-making stop, West End Village, a rum tasting and the colorful ROATAN sign. At the wildlife sanctuary, sloths may be observed and photographed without touching or holding them; interactions with other animals follow the sanctuary team's guidance.
Whether you're arriving on a cruise or staying in a hotel, your vehicle and guide are reserved for your group. Pickup is available from Coxen Hole, Mahogany Bay / Isla Tropicale and island accommodations. This Roatan city and island highlights experience focuses on wildlife, culture and sightseeing; beach club passes and snorkeling are available only as optional additions.
Ideal for first-time visitors: See several of Roatán's signature sights in one shorter excursion, with a private guide who can adjust the pace for your family or group. Select your travel date in the booking form below.
Roatan Highlights Tour itinerary & timing
Wildlife, viewpoints, West End and island tastings
The Roatan Highlights Tour normally takes approximately 3–4 hours, including pickup and return. The order of stops may change with traffic and your schedule. Cruise guests should provide their ship name, port and official all-aboard time when booking.
- Start
Private pickup & welcome
Meet your bilingual guide at the confirmed cruise-port meeting point or at your accommodation. Head out in your private, air-conditioned vehicle.
Sloth, monkey & macaw sanctuary
Visit the wildlife sanctuary included in your reservation. Observe sloths without touching or carrying them, and discover the monkeys, macaws and other animals present on the day. Follow the sanctuary's animal-interaction guidelines.
The View — panoramic island scenery
Pause at a scenic viewpoint for photos and an introduction to Roatán's landscapes.
Chocolate factory tasting
Discover local chocolate-making traditions and enjoy the included chocolate samples during your visit.
West End Village
See one of Roatán's best-known coastal communities, with colorful storefronts, local shops and laid-back island atmosphere. This sightseeing stop adds a taste of local village life to your private island tour; free time depends on your schedule.
Rum factory & tasting
Learn about island-inspired rum products and enjoy the tasting offered at the stop, subject to the venue's rules.
ROATAN sign photo stop
Take a photo at the island's well-known sign before returning toward your cruise port or accommodation.
- Return
Return transfer
Your guide coordinates the route and return with your group's schedule. For cruise guests, the team plans a return buffer rather than using the entire port call for sightseeing.
What's included in this private tour?
Included in the base experience
- Private round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Bilingual local guide (English and Spanish)
- Pickup and return from your confirmed cruise port, hotel, resort or Airbnb
- Admission to the wildlife sanctuary on the planned itinerary
- Scenic and cultural sightseeing stops on the base itinerary
- Chocolate samples and rum tasting at the scheduled stops
- Water, sodas and complimentary onboard Wi-Fi where available
Not included
- Beach club day passes or beach facilities
- Snorkeling, ATV, zipline, horseback riding or other optional activities
- Tickets to additional attractions outside the base itinerary
- Meals, extra beverages and personal purchases
- Gratuities
Cruise port & hotel pickup
Coxen Hole, Mahogany Bay / Isla Tropicale and island accommodations
Cruise passengers
Tell us your cruise ship, arrival port and all-aboard time when booking. At Coxen Hole (Port of Roatán), meet our representative outside exit gate 1, along the right-hand sidewalk. At Mahogany Bay / Isla Tropicale, independent operators meet beyond the port's controlled area; the walk is approximately a quarter mile. We will send you the appropriate instructions before arrival.
See detailed pickup instructions for both ports
Planned return: We build the Roatan Highlights Tour schedule around your ship's visit and aim to return to port at least 90 minutes before its scheduled departure. Always follow your cruise line's all-aboard time; the ship is not required to wait for an independent tour.
Hotel, resort & Airbnb guests
Share your accommodation's name and location to coordinate the pickup and return point. Start time may be arranged around your group's plans, subject to confirmation.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for short walks; bring sunscreen, a hat and a camera.
- Sloths are for observation and photography only—no holding or touching. Follow sanctuary staff instructions for all wildlife interactions.
- Tell us about mobility requirements, younger children or preferred walking pace before your tour so we can discuss suitable arrangements.
- Bring swimwear and a towel only if you arrange an optional beach or water activity.
- Request additional activities before the tour; extra stops depend on time, availability and additional fees.
For more background on the island, see the Bay Islands Tourism Bureau's guide to Roatán.
Optional activities & upgrades
Not included · Additional cost and time required
The Roatan Highlights Tour is designed for guests who want to explore wildlife, West End and scenic island stops without committing to a full beach day. If you'd like more adventure, ask our team about these optional upgrades before booking. Each requires additional time and payment:
- West Bay beach club day pass
- Guided coral reef snorkeling
- Zipline or ATV adventure
- Horseback riding
- Iguana farm visit
Want West Bay Beach access included? Compare our Private Roatan Tour with West Bay Beach Day Pass. Prefer snorkeling with wildlife and beach time? Explore the Roatan Shore Excursion.
Roatan Highlights Tour FAQs
Is the Roatan Highlights Tour private?
Yes. Your air-conditioned vehicle and bilingual local guide are reserved for your group; you will not be combined with other tour parties in your transportation. The sanctuary, tasting venues and viewpoints also welcome other visitors.
Is this a Roatan city tour or an island sightseeing tour?
Both. This private Roatan city tour goes beyond a drive through town: you'll experience island viewpoints, a wildlife sanctuary, West End Village, local chocolate, rum tasting and photo stops in one flexible 3–4-hour itinerary.
Can visitors hold sloths in Roatán?
No. You may observe and photograph sloths, but holding or touching them is not permitted. Other animal encounters depend on the sanctuary's rules and staff guidance.
Does this tour include West Bay Beach or snorkeling?
No. The base tour focuses on wildlife, scenery and cultural stops. A beach day pass or snorkeling can be requested as an additional service, if your schedule allows.
Can you pick us up at Mahogany Bay or Coxen Hole?
Yes. At Coxen Hole, our meeting area is outside gate 1. At Mahogany Bay / Isla Tropicale, we meet in the independent operators' area beyond the terminal. You will receive directions for your arrival port.
Is the Roatan Highlights Tour suitable for families or guests who prefer an easy pace?
Yes. The sightseeing itinerary includes short walks and several stops reached by private vehicle. Tell us about children's ages, mobility needs or preferred walking pace before the tour so we can plan comfortably.
Will we be back before our cruise leaves?
We plan your pickup and return around your cruise schedule, with a target of returning at least 90 minutes before departure. Please follow your ship's all-aboard time; cruise ships are not required to wait for independent excursions.
Are drinks and admission fees included?
Wildlife sanctuary admission, water, sodas and the listed tastings are part of the base tour. Meals, personal purchases and admission to additional attractions are not included.
How much does the Roatan Highlights Tour cost, and can I pay a deposit?
Prices start at US$60 per person with a minimum of two guests. Choose full payment or the US$50 advance payment option when available at checkout. The advance payment goes toward your tour total, not a separate security deposit; applicable taxes and any extras appear in your booking total.
Booking & cancellation policy
Full refund with at least 24 hours' notice, subject to the policy
Reserve your Roatan Highlights Tour directly through the booking form on this page. The base experience starts at US$60 per person with a minimum of two guests. You may pay in full or, when offered at checkout, make a US$50 advance payment credited toward the tour total, with the remaining balance payable on arrival. Taxes and selected extras are shown in the booking total.
Cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled tour for a full refund. If your cruise ship cannot dock in Roatán, a full refund also applies. Cancellations within 24 hours are generally non-refundable, with documented medical emergencies and other policy conditions handled as described in the official terms.
Read our complete cancellation and refund policy.
Ready to explore? Select your preferred date in the booking form on this page. If you need extra activities or accessibility adjustments, contact our team before completing your reservation.
See Roatán with a local guide, at your group's pace. If you want wildlife, island views, West End and local tastings in a private half-day experience, choose your date and book the Roatan Highlights Tour using the reservation form on this page.