Roatan Shore Excursion: West Island Tour

First, the tour was described as lasting several hours, around four if I'm not wrong, but we were back about two hours after the tour started. We chose to have the tour in Spanish when I made the reservations, as most of the people in my group don't speak english. However, our guide Guillermo hardly spoke spanish, but that wasn't the worst part, I could have lived and could've understood a tour in English, if at least he spoke at all. He remained quiet unless you asked for information about which area he was driving us through and tidbits about Roatan. I suppose that the job of a guide is to inform you about the place that you are visiting, not only speak when a question is asked. Besides, the tour description in the voucher we got after paying for the tour stated that it included snacks, but he didn't even offer us a bag of peanuts, zilch. Lastly, he only took is to the top of a hill off a beaten road with about 5 shacks selling souvenirs it could hardly be called a vibrant local market as the tour describes, and with a panoramic view of the bay where the cruise was docked. Then we stopped at a little sanctuary with a few monkeys, birds and deers which was very small but it was the highlight of the trip as it was enjoyable. Then he drove by the beach, which is among fishing boats and nobody else was bathing there, so we decided to skip the beach and continue the tour, but continue the tour meant that he drove us back to the ship. At least I can thank him that he did stop en route to the port at a gas station so I could buy some medication, but we were there not over five minutes, so it isn't as if that consumed the rest of the tour. When he asked what else we would do as we were going back to the ship, I asked if he could show us more of the island and he said that it would cost more because the tour was finished. I'm highly suspicious that the stop at the beach would not have lasted 2 hours for it to justify how in half of the time we were already back at the cruise terminal. So, we paid 55 for a 2 hours tour of a stop at the top of a hill, a stop at the monkey sanctuary, see the beach where the fishermen harbor their boats and be back at the ship. I swear he didn't take us anywhere else, or took us on any kind of scenic tour and didn't even offer any relevant information of Roatan. I don't want to affect his means of earning a living, but he should learn more about being a tour guide and obtain more information about his island. His work was subpar.

I was a little perturbed at first because the folks at Sun Splash Tours did not bother to respond to my email requesting information. However, our ship was 3 hours late pulling into port and the gentleman representing Sun Splash Tours was waiting to meet us as promised. Our guide was an elderly gentleman who was very friendly and knowledgeable. His van had A/C and it worked fairly well so that was a big plus for us. He explained a lot about the area and its people and he took us to monkey preserve and a chocolate factory. It was well worth the 55 price of the excursion and we would recommend this excursion through Viator to anyone pulling into port at Roatan. I don't know how much we saved since the cruise ship did not offer this excursion but I'm betting it was a bundle. My wife took all the pictures with her phone so I don't have them but its a beautiful place to visit and we really enjoyed holding the sloth.

very interesting drive around the island the monkey sanctuary was great very interesting the staff knowledgeable and inviting I only gave it a 4 star account the rainy day didn't allow for beach time our driver was very pleasant

Our guide was amazing! He took us to parts of the island where we could overlook the port and take pictures. He showed us many cool places. He took us to a bird and monkey sanctuary where we got to hold the animals. It was an extra 10 per person but very much worth it. We ended up at the west bay beach which was gorgeous. Be prepared for peddlers but tell them no once with no chance of a maybe and they don't bother you too much more. Overall this was a wonderful trip. We did not gets snack as advertised but we were able to purchase food and drinks at beach. This was an all day tour.

Really????? The tour guide was supposed to wait for us.... We waited...and waited... The guide finally arrived , BUT, did not have any guide for us, so he called in his nephew, James good guy... We were in this small corolla, unable to open the dirtywindow, on the back of this car. He just drived, and talked, we had to call the shots for every single picture we would like to get...Got to the sanctuary, few dozens animals on cage: WHAT!!! that is a sanctuary, lol.... About the nice butteflies.... I have not seen a single one. So where are they, if part of this tour???? Asked James many times to go see a chocolate factory, We thaught He would bring us there, but he could not find it!!!! A Native, who has been doing this more than once, unable to get us to this facility???? I was upset. He stopped on a street, told us where was the beach we were allowed to go. We had a good walk, pretty nice, then we realized the beach was a tiny spot....tired, we decided to go back to the boat, with a big deception. about this tour... We gave him a tip, did not seem to appreciate the amount.... Sorry guys, if you are unable to deliver, don't call yourself excursion tour!!!

Had a fantastic time - it was so great being about to go into the cages with the monkeys birds butterflies. Truly made my birthday memorable. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly.

We had a great time. The Butterfly Garden was closed, so James our guide took us to Bodden's Monkey business. This smaller group tour is just so superior to those 30 person tours the cruise ships arrange.