Explore Roatan Excursions — Local services in Bay Islands

I heard about this company on Griff & Alyssa’s YouTube channel and was pretty excited since it’s was our first cruise trip to Roatan. Google reviews were also promising. But overall our experience was just ‘okay’. Would we book with them again? No.

First, the directions are clear as mud. And there are a large amount of aggressive tour booth workers, so if you get lost you have no choice but to ask one of them or some other stranger for directions; we had one follow us down the street asking for a tip because he helped us cross the street. The real directions should say “follow the exit out of the port…until you get to a quiet creepy path…keep going…when it looks even sketchier keep going…then exit the back parking lot onto the street of a large group of aggressive vendors and pray you can see a staff member with a sign, they will be standing across the street so good luck, then follow them down to a alley and hope your in the right place”. That’s basically how the directions played out.

We booked the Little French Key and sloth park. In the tour group it was my husband and I, and one other couple. We had originally booked with our 11 year old daughter, but she was sick with COVID so she didn’t come because as a nurse I don’t think it would have been responsible. The tour guide called her boss, and they said sorry but they are charging me the $50 for her anyway, which I didn’t think was fair considering it was due to sickness. SO IF YOU GET SICK GOOD LUCK CANCELING RESERVATIONS. They said I still needed to pay for her to account for her reservation space. However When we got to the sloth park and little French key they did not purchase a ticket for her ‘reservation’ (we stood right there with the tour guide when they paid for our ticket) which means that money went straight into Explore Roatans pocket.

Im giving them 3 stars for the driver and tour guide. They got us there and back, on time, so they did their jobs.

My advice: just go to each place on your own and pay directly to the establishment. The sloth park is Daniel Johnson’s and as far as LFK, just go to Big French Key since cruise excursions can get you there safely for cheaper- and will refund you if you’re sick with COVID.

**Reservation was 3/1/23 under Patricia Fuller. LFK & Sloth Park. Two adults and one child. If this company reaches out I will gladly update my review.

**UPDATE: As of today, 3/14, no direct communication from company other than a response here, and no refund received. So...

My wife and I sailed on Royal Caribbean with a stop in Roatan, Honduras. We booked with Explore Roatan in advance for the Daniel Johnson Monkey and Sloth Park, Rum and Chocolate Factory excursion. Upon entering Roatan for the first time, we were taken back by the level of poverty of the area and the hordes of people trying to sell us something. Thankfully, the Explore Roatan crew wore bright blue shirts that were clearly identified and they guided us to our tour guide and vehicle. Our tour guide, Keisha, was fantastic! Very down-to-earth, friendly, and knowledgeable of the area as a lifetime native. She recognized that Daniel Johnson's park would have been a very long wait and brought us to another park that was great! We got to interact not only with monkeys and sloths but also with parrots - all of whom we either held or had on our shoulders and heads. However, the time at the park felt a bit rushed and we were not aware that we could have requested additional animals to hold (PS this was the fault on the part of the park, NOT Explore Roatan). Keisha then gave us a tour of two separate chocolate factories - one of which was not impressive and hounded tourists for tips while the other was far more upscale. Keisha wanted us to see both for comparison which we appreciated. We then explored the Rum Factory, which was cool. All the while, we had great conversation with Keisha and truly enjoyed her company. She even decided to take us to a tourist area with an amazing view of the ocean as a bonus to our tour. Keisha then suggested we stop for lunch at a local restaurant and asked if we wanted her to join us or wait in the car. Given our positive interaction with her, we had no issues with her joining us for lunch. The three of us dined on coconut shrimp and pigs feet (a first for us but it was good). The ONLY downside of the entire tour is when the bill came. The bill for the entire table came to me, which I paid for myself, my wife, and our tour guide - who did not offer to pay for her own dish, to our surprise. We intended on giving a cash tip at the end of an otherwise great tour but were taken back by this and decided the paid lunch would be in lieu of an additional tip. We were then taken back to our ship with plenty of time to spare. Overall, I highly recommend this tour with the one caveat to be aware that if you dine with your tour guide, you may be paying a little more than...

Our recent tour in Roatan was absolutely incredible! From start to finish, the service was top-notch, and every detail was handled with professionalism and care. The guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and went above and beyond to ensure we had an unforgettable experience.

The itinerary was well-planned, allowing us to explore the beauty of Roatan while also enjoying some hidden gems. Our first stop was an amazing wildlife sanctuary where we got up close with macaws, sloths, monkeys, and other tropical animals. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable, guiding us through each exhibit and sharing fascinating facts about the animals.

Next, we had the thrilling experience of walking on a suspended bridge over the lush tropical jungle. The views were breathtaking, and there were plenty of opportunities for stunning photos along the way.

Afterward, we visited a chocolate factory, where we learned about the chocolate-making process and enjoyed tasting rich, locally made chocolate. It was a delicious and educational stop that gave us a new appreciation for the craft.

From there, we set out on a relaxing horseback ride along the beach. The horses were gentle and well-trained, making the ride enjoyable even for beginners. One of our friends, who was a bit hesitant about riding, was guided on a donkey by our tour guide, ensuring he felt safe and comfortable the whole time.

The adventure continued with an unforgettable snorkeling experience in the crystal-clear ocean. The coral reefs were absolutely stunning, teeming with vibrant marine life. It was truly a breathtaking sight and a highlight of the trip!

To end the day, we explored a local village and did some shopping, picking up beautiful keepsakes to bring back for friends and family. The local artisans had so many unique handmade items, making it the perfect way to remember our amazing time in Roatan.

Be prepared for a lot of walking, so comfortable shoes, light clothing, sunscreen, and plenty of water are a must! The transportation was comfortable, and everything ran smoothly. We felt safe, welcomed, and completely taken care of the entire time.

If you're looking for a hassle-free, exciting, and memorable tour in Roatan, we highly recommend this service. Five stars all the way! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Greg & Nancy...