Mayan Eden — Attraction in Roatán

This was probably my favorite thing that we did on our cruise. This place was really interesting... The monkeys, the birds, the sloth. Beautiful park area. Lots of shade, so even though it's hot, you're not just standing in the sun. Definitely wear shoes that are comfortable to walk up very, very steep and uneven trails. My kids loved the zipline. The people there that guide you down the zip line took my phone and recorded. Really great video of my kids on the zipline. I did not purpose. I did not purchase through the cruise line. I wasn't planning on doing an excursion here. But of course, they have people. Selling excursions when you get off the ship. We met a. Very nice. Lady who convinced us to purchase this excursion... She told us how much it would be and and that was supposed to be everything included. At least, that's what she told us. She took us to the place and waited there for us until we were done, maybe an hour and a half and about half an hour drive there and back. And it appeared she was using her own vehicle.... Once I got to the park, I believe I was charged one 103 dollars for what was supposed to be everything included. I don't remember the price in. I don't remember what price it would have been had I purchased through the cruise line. But I felt $103 was a great price. We loved it.... My problem was when she got us back to the cruise port, I tipped her twenty dollars. And then she said... "Oh, what about the money for the transport?" She said, "Didn't I tell you about that?.... Which she did not.... and I know that this was not a miscommunication. Because of language... I speak both spanish and english... And we communicated primarily in spanish... so i'm sure there was not a problem with a language barrier. She said. Forty dollars for transport per person... That was another. Hundred and twenty dollars... So I wasn't. Against paying for transport. Because I understand that we need to pay her for her time and use of her vehicle and gas. But that should have been discussed up front. She said that it slipped her mind, she guessed. I find that hard to believe since this is her livelihood. I felt forty dollars per person was a little much... So she agreed on eighty dollars altogether for all 3 of us. Twenty dollars per person would have been sufficient. It was not that far. Even if she had said up front $40? Per person I would have probably gladly paid it but the fact that she didn't mention that and specifically told me the price I was getting was all included I'm sure this is one of the tactics employed to squeeze extra money out. I will say. That I do at least feel better that the money went directly in her pocket and it wasn't something she had to split between her and the...

I'll be honest, this review isn't easy, however, I feel I need to be honest; I was disappointed/let down after our visit. Here's the description of the park according to Google via the owner, "Animal park with guided tours where guests can hold & feed parrots, monkeys & other native species." Hold and feed is 100% incorrect. A tour guide attempts to get the animals to sit on guests while using a treat; guests do not feed them. I felt what little time we had with the monkeys was very rushed; take a picture, don't touch the animal and the interaction is complete. While there is a sloth at the park, we were only allowed to take pictures of it as it climbed a tree. Once again, no holding it, feeding it or even touching it. While I understand they didn't want to, "stress" the sloth, I was under the impression we would have more interaction with it. Guests MIGHT be lucky to see parrots, or other types of birds, depending on where the tour guide takes guests. I was really looking forward to seeing parrots and having our picture taken with them; we didn't even see parrots. My husband and I saw other birds, in cages, and wanted to see them. My husband asked the tour guide if we were going to get to see them and we were told no. While we were taken into a giant enclosure with toucans, due to the pouring rain, none of the birds were interested in sitting on anyone. Speaking of rain, if it rains during the tour, be prepared for muddy shoes and legs; wear older shoes you don't mind getting dirty, or waterproof shoes, just in case. Because there are numerous uneven surfaces (steps, roots, rope bridges, dirt paths) make sure your shoes are enclosed and also comfortable. Also, if you walk with a cane, have issues with stairs, have knee or hip pain, or get winded easily, I wouldn't recommend visiting here. If you're not interested in Mayan history, or don't retain information easily, this is another reason I wouldn't recommend visiting here. I honestly wished we had more interaction with the animals (the whole purpose of our visit) and less stopping to talk about the Mayan sculptures; our group was also large so it was hard to hear the information being shared. Due to everything listed above, I wish we had chosen another cruise excursion to experience, or gone back to the preservation park we visited a year ago. I'm not saying not to book an excursion here, or not to visit it, I'm saying the description...

We came on a cruise boat and picked this as our excursion. We were not disappointed. I try to travel responsibly, and here was an opportunity to support a place that is helping animals. For once, I felt comfortable getting some great pictures with animals on me. For no extra charge, our guide had toucans land on me, got a monkey to perch on my head, and let me pet and take pictures with a sloth! The butterfly area was a little underwhelming. I enjoyed the suspension bridge, and even my husband (who is not a fan of heights) managed it. It felt perfectly safe. They do have a little store with snacks, and a couple stands with souvenirs. Nobody was trying to get tips or upsell you on any additional experiences, though, which was nice. It seemed like a close-knit family of people who have kind of grown up there caring for the animals. I'd say to bring bug spray, but it's not safe for the animals. So wear...