Roatan Honduras Sloth and Monkey Sanctuaries: Which Stop Is Which
The short answer. Most shore days on the island include a sloth and monkey stop, but not the same one, and not always with the entry paid. Manawakie Park, Mayan Eden, Jungle Top and a small family-run hangout in French Harbour are the ones named most. Several private days use an eco-park near Coxen Hole and leave the entry unstated. Check the stop and the entry line before you compare the best tours in Roatan.
Quick facts
- What you see: sloths, white-faced capuchin monkeys and macaws at almost every stop; spider monkeys, butterflies and hummingbirds at some.
- How long: 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the day.
- Entry: in the fare on most shared days; US$15 extra on one private day; unstated on several others.
- Holding a sloth: no fare promises it, and many visitors are not allowed to.
- Where: near Coxen Hole and the west end, or east towards French Harbour and beyond.
Why the animals are in sanctuaries
You will not see many sloths or monkeys in the wild on a cruise day. The wildlife park on the ATV day by Henry Tours describes them as animals of the mainland jungle that are rarely spotted on the island. So the sanctuaries are where the days go: rescue and eco-parks where the animals live in enclosures and feeding areas. TNaige W. noticed the cages at one stop and still gave it five stars, and that is the fair expectation to bring.
Most of these stops are family businesses, and the size and feel vary a lot. What they share is close contact with the monkeys and the macaws, and a guide who knows each animal by name. The wider list of the island's stops is on the things to do page.
Manawakie Park
Manawakie is the sanctuary on the sloths, rum and West Bay beach day, where the entry is in the fare and you get about 45 minutes. It keeps monkeys, sloths and scarlet macaws, and a park guide talks you through each species. Don S. held out an open hand of sunflower seeds, and a monkey hopped across to take them.
It is also the park on the VIP private island day, where the entry is listed as US$15 per person on top of the fare. Same animals, different fare structure, so count the extras when you compare.
Mayan Eden
Mayan Eden sits towards the East End, and it is the sanctuary on both of the longer adventure days. On the zipline, ATV buggy and beach club day you get about 45 minutes with rescued sloths, spider monkeys and tropical birds. On the wildlife park and ATV day it comes after the ride, with butterflies added to the list. Entry is in the fare on both.
Jungle Top
Jungle Top is the stop on the private snorkel, sanctuary and beach day from Breakaway, a 20-minute drive east from the port. You get 45 minutes there, time enough for photos with the animals before the reef and the beach club. Its entry is in the fare.
The hangout in French Harbour
A small, family-run sanctuary in French Harbour, called the Monkey and Sloth Hangout, turns up on several days under slightly different names. It is the sanctuary on the zipline, sanctuary and beach club day, with the entry fee included. The private ATV day from Breakaway spends an hour at a sloths and monkeys hangout in French Harbour too. Marc A. found it crowded, but the monkeys walked along everyone's arms.
The eco-parks near Coxen Hole
Several private days stop at an eco-park close to the port, with sloths, monkeys and scarlet macaws. The Tucan days give it 30 to 45 minutes, and the private wildlife, chocolate and rum day starts its tour with the animals near Coxen Hole. The family day stops at the Roatan Eco Park for an hour. On all of these the entry line is silent, so ask when you book. Dalitza L. named the animals the best part of the Tucan park day.
The on-site animals at the zipline
The zipline course on Bodden's day has its own animals beside it: white-faced capuchins, sloths, tropical birds and hummingbirds. You see them after the lines and before the beach, and the visit is in the fare. Gwendolyn L.'s group of eight met a macaw there and warns that its talons are sharp. For the island's botanical side, the customizable full day can add Gumbalimba Park or Carambola Botanical Gardens, with the entry paid on the day.
Stop by stop: where each day goes
| Sanctuary | Where | Time there | Entry in the fare? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manawakie Park | Near the west end | About 45 minutes | Yes; US$15 extra on one private day |
| Mayan Eden | Towards the East End | About 45 minutes | Yes |
| Jungle Top | 20 minutes east of the port | 45 minutes | Yes |
| The hangout in French Harbour | French Harbour | Up to 1 hour | Yes |
| Eco-parks near Coxen Hole | Near the Port of Roatan | 30 minutes to 1 hour | Not stated: ask |
| Beside the zipline | Sandy Bay | Part of 2 hours | Yes |
Can you hold a sloth?
Not reliably, and no fare here promises it. Candace M. and Wendy D. were not able to hold the sloths on the private day, and asaleeva had no chance to either, though the animals were fed up close. The monkeys are another matter: at most stops they climb onto your arms and shoulders. If the photo with a sloth is the reason you are booking, set your hopes on seeing one close, not on holding it.
Photos at the sanctuaries
The best pictures come from the feeding moments, so keep your phone out and your bag closed. Most parks are shaded by trees, which softens the light but can leave faces dark: turn to face the open side of the enclosure. A phone on a wrist strap is safer than a camera round your neck when a monkey lands on your shoulder. Ask the keeper before using a flash, and let them place the macaw on your arm rather than reaching for it. On the private days your guide will usually take the group photo for you, so everyone is in it.
How to choose
- Short on time: a stop near the port, such as the eco-parks or Manawakie.
- Adventure day: Mayan Eden, paired with an ATV ride or a zipline.
- Reef as well: Jungle Top, on the private snorkel and beach day.
- Fewest extras: a shared day with the entry in the fare.
Which port your ship uses changes the drive to each stop: the sanctuary on the West Bay and sanctuary day is about 15 minutes from Mahogany Bay and 25 from Coxen Hole. The ports are explained on the cruise port page, and every meeting point is on the Roatan map. What else a fare can leave out is in the visitor guide, and the busiest months are on the best time to visit page.
Days built around the animals
Roatan Monkey and Sloth Sanctuary and Beach Break
A monkey and sloth sanctuary and time on a beach, from either port, with the fees and taxes paid. Lunch and drinks are extra.
From $55 per person
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Roatan Sloth and Monkey Sanctuary with West Bay Beach Break
Your own driver-guide, a monkey and sloth sanctuary, then West Bay with loungers in the fare, and back to your ship or hotel.
From $79 per person
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Roatán Island Tour: Sloth & Monkey Park, Rum, and Chocolate
Your own driver to an eco-park with sloths, monkeys and scarlet macaws, then chocolate and rum tastings and West End. Ask whether the park entry is in.
From $58 per person
Check AvailabilityNext: Plan the swim that follows in our post on whether West Bay is free. Every fare sits side by side on Roatan Honduras Tours.