LDS Shore Excursions - Roatan, Honduras

In between all the hustle and bustle of Mayan ruins it is sometimes nice to have a slower paced relaxing day and Roatan, Honduras fits the bill. Roatan is an island and understandably its strong points are the beach and the ocean. When you visit Roatan take my advice and leave the port area, either on our tour or with someone else because the port doesn't reflect the real beauty of the island or the people. One of the first distinguishing things you will notice is mountains. Most all the other Western Caribbean ports we visit are flat so mountains are a nice surprise and offer an outstanding view of the ocean and beaches. There are many improvements going on at the port now, including a new facility just down the road for the older dock that will open soon. Just outside the port gates you will find some shopping areas.

The shops seem to be growing each visit. I can remember several years ago when there was a collection of handicraft shops gathered under one roof and that was about it. Today that same collection of shops is across the street from the port but now the entire main road into the port area is lined with every imaginable product.

This is one of the few ports where we offer 2 private tours and both start off right from the pier. Our first option is a nice city tour with a local guide aboard to show us and explain to us the sights of Roatan. You will see the city, visit one of the mountain tops for a photo opportunity, see some of the resort areas and eventually end up at the Iguana Farm. Now forget what you know about zoos because here the Iguana's run loose and there are hundreds of them, big ones, little ones, green ones, red ones and the list goes on and on. If it is a warm day they will be sunning themselves on the concrete walk where you can feed them leaves, touch them and take close up pictures. From the Iguana area you can walk down to the beach and observe some sea life in a contained area and view the coastline. There are a couple of monkeys in a cage but hold on to anything loose, they have a way of reaching outside the cage and grabbing anything they can!

After this visit we move on to a private beach resort and are allowed to use their facilities. There are places to change and even an outdoor shower to wash off the saltwater. There are beach chairs available for those that want to lie back and watch the world go by, or you can rent snorkel gear and visit the coral reef and there are several small shops to visit to pick up that special souvenir. If you are hungry there is a restaurant on the beach that serves good food but at a very slow pace (at your own expense). We usually have close to 2 hours at the beach resort and then we begin the journey back to the ship.

Along the way we stop for pictures at the LDS church perched on one of the hills and the ship is below in the harbor. This is a beautiful church and the members are very proud to have such a facility in which to meet. If we are lucky the church will be open and we can look inside for a few minutes and maybe even sing a hymn together. This chapel has special meaning for Cruise Lady and many of our past guests as the piano inside the chapel was purchased and shipped to the church from donations made over several months by our clients. What a special privilege that was for all of us as we visited the island of Roatan. From the church it is only 5 minutes to the shopping area where you can be dropped off to visit the stores for 30 - 45 minutes, or you can continue on to the pier and board the ship.

Option #2

If the slow paced tour above doesn't suit your lifestyle you can get some action by choosing the "Indiana Jones" zip line tour. Instead of the city tour / Iguana farm you go straight to the hills for this jungle canopy adventure. When you arrive they will fit you with a harness and safety gear and a few instructions to help you prepare for the ride. It takes a while for everyone to get fitted so stop by and visit the monkey Pancho off to the side of the fitting room. He isn't in a cage but rather runs loose slowed down only by a long chain around his foot. One word of caution for the ladies, he doesn't particularly like you. Sorry, but he loves to cling to the men and will sit on their shoulders or arms but when a woman approaches he will hiss and run away. Still you will get some great pictures while you wait for everyone to get ready.

Once we are in the harnesses we go via mini-van to the top of the mountain and prepare to slide down cable wires and endure rope ladders, suspension bridges and tightrope wires. There will be at least 2 guides to help and you will always have a safety cable attached to the wires. It does take some energy and you need to be physically fit to accomplish the course but it is great fun sliding through the jungle.

Once the course is completed this group goes to the beach resort and joins up with the city tour group for some swimming and relaxing. Please be aware that the speed of completing the zip line course determines how much time this group gets at the beach. It can be anywhere from an hour to just 30 minutes. You will also visit the church and then be dropped off for shopping or return to the ship just as the first group will do.