ATV tour Roatan: Ride, sloths, monkeys and Garifuna villages

Sloths rotate every four hours so they're always rested when you meet them

This ATV activity on Roatan puts you on a brand-new four-wheeler to ride at your own pace through island communities, wildlife shelters and Garifuna fishing villages, with a local guide leading ahead and a private air-conditioned vehicle for transport between stops. The guide speaks English and Spanish, pickup is included, and children from age one can join. It runs about five hours and covers Los Fuertes, the largest Latino community on the island, and Punta Gorda, where you'll see how Garifuna fishers work the early morning catch.

The experience

What makes this different from a standard island tour is that you're the one riding. The ATVs are brand-new and industry standard, and the guide briefs everyone on safety and handling before you start: first-timers feel like pros by the time you hit the road. You ride alone or with a partner at your own pace while the guide leads ahead on their own bike, watching for any issues. The island breeze, open road and tropical sun are the backdrop, but the riding itself is what fills the morning.

Between rides, you stop at two wildlife shelters. The monkey shelter exists because locals used to keep them as pets until the animals' territorial jealousy made that impossible: they'd act out if you paid attention to another pet or even someone's own child. The sloth shelter rotates residents every four hours so they're always well-rested when visitors arrive. Both are working sanctuaries, not performances, and the guide explains what you're seeing as you move through.

The route takes you through Los Fuertes, Roatan's biggest Latino community, and into Punta Gorda, where the Garifuna people live and fish. You'll see the early-morning catch being brought in and sold, and the guide (who is Roatan-born and part of one of the island's nine ethnic groups spanning Latin America, Africa and Europe) talks about what daily life looks like in each place. The vehicle is air-conditioned and waits between stops, so you're not managing your own transport or timing. Pickup from your hotel is included.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned Nissan Urvan.
• ATV rental with brand-new four-wheelers, safety gear and pre-ride briefing.
• guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• access to the monkey and sloth shelters.
• visits to Los Fuertes and Punta Gorda communities.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 80 years) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 13 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Adventures of Roatan

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to drive yourself rather than be driven. You're behind the wheel of the ATV, controlling the pace and route through the island.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (4 to 13 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I ride an ATV if I've never done it before?

Yes. The guide provides safety gear and a full briefing before you start, and the crew is experienced with first-timers. You ride at your own pace with the guide leading ahead, so there's no pressure to keep up with anyone else.

What are the sloths and monkeys like when I visit them?

The monkeys live in a shelter because they were too territorial as pets. The guide explains their behavior as you walk through. The sloth shelter rotates animals every four hours to keep them rested, so you're seeing animals that are alert and comfortable, not stressed by constant visitors.

How long does the whole day take?

The activity runs about five hours from pickup to drop-off, including ATV riding time, stops at the wildlife shelters, and time in the communities.

What's included in the price?

The ATV rental with safety gear and briefing, the guide, private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, and hotel pickup are all included. Entry to the wildlife shelters and community visits are part of the route.