Roatan: Sloth & Monkey Sanctuary Tour with Local Tastings

Summary

Roatan city tour with animal sanctuary chocolate tasting and rum cake

You’ll taste fresh chocolate and rum cake made right on Roatan, meet monkeys and sloths up close at a local sanctuary with your guide, snap photos by the famous island sign, and maybe even try some street food if you’re curious. It’s relaxed but full of small surprises—one of those days that lingers in your memory longer than you’d expect.

What’s the experience like?

Hands reach out for a chunk of dark chocolate before I even realize it’s my own. Our guide, Mariela, laughs and says something about “the good stuff” being made right here on Roatan. The place smells like roasted cocoa—warm, almost earthy—and there’s this faint sugary note that sticks to the air. We try three kinds, one after another. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to pick a favorite but honestly, they all blur together after the second bite. Someone asks about the process and Mariela walks us through it, showing us these old machines that look like they’ve seen better days but still do the job.

We pile back into the van (air conditioning is a blessing here) and head toward the rum cake spot. There’s a view out back—green hills rolling down to the sea—that kind of sneaks up on you while you’re busy licking crumbs off your fingers. The woman behind the counter lets us taste two cakes; I try to say “thank you” in Spanish and she grins at my accent. It’s sweet in more ways than one. Then we’re off again, winding through town as our driver points out little things—a mural here, a shortcut there—that you’d never notice if you weren’t with someone local.

The sanctuary is louder than I expected—monkeys chattering somewhere above us, kids giggling at a sloth curled up like a fuzzy question mark. Our guide here (I think his name was Luis?) hands me a leaf to feed one of them and tells me not to move too fast. The sloth blinks at me so slowly it almost feels like time stops for a second. I didn’t expect to feel so calm just standing there watching him chew.

We stop by the big Roatan sign for photos—classic tourist move but nobody seems to mind—and then there’s an option for shopping or grabbing some food in town if you want. I skip the souvenirs but end up trying something fried from a street stall anyway (couldn’t tell you what it was but it tasted like home cooking). On the drive back, windows down now because the breeze feels good, I keep thinking about that slow-motion moment with the sloth. Still makes me smile.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Roatan city tour and wildlife visit

• Drive through the city with guide info
• Learn and taste local chocolate
• See rum cake process and taste
• Visit sloth and monkey sanctuary
• Stop at Roatan Sign for photos
• Optional shopping or local food

Top questions

How long does this Roatan tour last?

The tour lasts a few hours and includes several stops around Roatan island.

Is hotel or port pickup included?

Yes, pickup is included from your hotel or cruise port in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Can children join this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome.

Are food tastings included on this tour?

You’ll get to taste locally made chocolate and rum cake during the tour.

Will we see animals in their natural habitat?

You’ll visit a sanctuary where monkeys and sloths live; guides will show you around.

Is there free time for shopping or eating?

There’s an optional stop for shopping or trying local food in town at the end of the tour.

What should I bring for this day trip?

A camera for photos, comfortable clothes, and maybe some cash if you want souvenirs or snacks.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with air conditioning, pickup from your hotel or port, guided visits to both chocolate and rum cake makers (with tastings), entry to an animal sanctuary with monkeys and sloths, plus time for photos at iconic spots—and if you want, there’s room for shopping or sampling local food before heading back.