Roatan: ATV, Sloths, Monkeys & Zipline Day Tour with Pickup

Summary

Roatan adventures with ATVs sloths monkeys and ziplining all in one

You’ll ride ATVs across Roatan’s backroads, meet sloths and cheeky monkeys up close in a local shelter, then fly over treetops on a zipline — all with pickup included and a guide who actually knows everyone along the way. Expect laughter, unexpected moments, and a real sense of island life.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t know what to expect from Roatan — I mean, you see pictures of beaches but nobody tells you about the way the air smells like salt and fruit as soon as you step out. Our guide, Luis, met us right at the hotel in his Nissan van (he joked it was his “second home”), windows down so we could catch the breeze. He drove us through Los Fuertes first — it’s the biggest Latino community here — and I remember seeing kids waving from doorways, music playing somewhere behind a wall. We stopped for a second because a chicken crossed the road. Not kidding.

The ATV part was honestly more fun than I thought it’d be. I’m not exactly an adrenaline person but they gave us helmets and a quick rundown, and then we were off. The tires kicked up dust that smelled like warm earth and something sweet I still can’t place — maybe mango trees? Luis rode ahead, calling back tips when he saw me slow down on the turns (“You’re doing great! Just don’t hug the edge!”). I got mud on my jeans but didn’t care at all. The main keyword here is freedom — you just go at your own pace.

After that we headed to this animal shelter where sloths hang out (literally). They rotate them every few hours so they’re never too tired from visitors. One of them blinked at me so slowly I almost laughed; it felt like time paused for a second. There were monkeys too — apparently locals used to keep them as pets until things got too wild at home (Luis had stories). The zipline came last; honestly my hands were shaking before I jumped off the platform but halfway through I was just yelling into the green blur below.

We drove through Punta Gorda where Garifuna families live — some folks waved as we passed by, and Luis explained how fishing shapes their mornings here. It’s weird how quickly you feel part of things when someone local shows you around. By sunset my hair was full of salt and dust and I kept thinking about that slow-blinking sloth. If you want a day trip in Roatan that’s not just beaches, this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — ATV ride and local community visits

• Drive around Roatan island
• Enjoy open road and island breeze
• Ride ATV with safety briefing
• Visit sloth shelter and see sloths
• Visit monkey shelter
• Drive through Los Fuertes Latino community
• Visit Punta Gorda Garifuna community

Top questions

How long is the ATV ride on this Roatan day trip?

The exact duration isn’t listed but you can ride at your own pace with guidance from your local guide.

Are sloths and monkeys handled ethically during the tour?

Yes, sloths are rotated every 4 hours in shelters so they stay well-rested; monkeys are cared for in special shelters now instead of being kept as pets.

Does this Roatan tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, private transportation with hotel pickup is included in your day trip.

Is lunch or food included on this ATV & animal tour?

No lunch is mentioned in the inclusions for this specific tour.

Can infants or small children join this Roatan ATV tour?

Infants and small children can join if they ride in a pram or stroller; check with your guide for details.

Are there any health restrictions for joining?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health.

Will we visit Garifuna communities on this day trip?

Yes, you’ll drive through Punta Gorda where Garifuna families live and learn about their daily life from your guide.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup by your local guide; all entry fees for ATV riding, animal shelters to meet sloths and monkeys (with ethical care), plus time to explore different communities before heading back after your adventure-filled afternoon.