What to Do in Roatan Honduras in One Day: Guide & Itinerary
Roatan is a popular cruise port and vacation destination in Honduras. If you are wondering what to do in Roatan or how to plan a day in Roatan, this guide is for you.
I visited Roatan twice in 2022, on two different 7-night Royal Caribbean western Caribbean cruises. In fact, Roatan was my favorite port! After the first trip, I knew I had to go back which led to me booking the same itinerary for later in the year.
On the first trip, we spent the day on an ATV island tour that had stops at some of the best attractions on the island. On the following trip, we visited an eco reserve and beach club. Both visits were amazing and gave me a great idea of the top things to do in Roatan.
If you are visiting Roatan as a cruise port or a standalone vacation, this guide will explain what to do during your time, where to stay, and other travel tips to make your planning easier.
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11 Top Things to do in Roatan Honduras
With only one day in Roatan, it’s important to prioritize what you want to do. This list of the best things to do in Roatan will help you prioritize what to see and help you practically fit a ton of activities into your port day.
If you are visiting Roatan on a cruise, you need to decide whether to take a cruise-line excursion, a private excursion, or spend the day on your own. This list of what to do in Roatan will help you decide what you want to do, and if it’s easier alone or with a tour.
When deciding between a cruise excursion or local tour, compare price, flexibility, and offerings to decide what works best for you. In the following section, I share my favorite local tours, including the one I took during my day in Roatan.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Customizable Private Island Tour
✅ Local guide
✅ Flexible & customizable
✅ Pickup & drop off from cruise port
Snorkeling the Mesoamerican Reef
✅ 3 snorkeling spots
✅ Roundtrip transportation
✅ Light refreshments
1. Customizable Private Island Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.8/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 6 hours | ✅ Book it!
This tour is a great way to do a lot of the top things to do in Roatan in one day with the help of a local guide. The tour includes a visit to a local community with time to shop and explore.
After this, you can customize your tour to do any 3 of the following activities: zipline, animal sanctuary, horseback riding, glass-bottom boat, snorkeling, parasailing, botanical garden.
While you can do most of these activities on your own, doing them through a customizable tour will make it easier to get between activities and learn about the island from your local guide.
“Very nice tour! Mary told us a lot of interesting things about the island! I can only recommend!” -Thorsten from Germany (Read more reviews)
2. ATV Island Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.3/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5 hours | ✅ Book it!
One of the best ways to tour the island is on an ATV. The roads around the island circle the coast and wind through the mountainous jungles. On an ATV, you can visit local sites, see local neighborhoods, and check out the amazing views.
This combo ATV tour is what I did during my day in Roatan, and I highly recommend it. This tour includes an ATV tour of the island with stops at an animal sanctuary, ziplining, a run and chocolate factory, and a beach club to round out your day. I love this tour because it allows you to see nearly every highlight of the island in only one day.
“We were super excited to see the animals and hold a sloth !! Wow…. We were all blown away.” -Courtney from USA (Read more reviews)
3. Snorkeling the Mesoamerican Reef
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours | ✅ Book it!
The Roatan Barrier Reef is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest reef in the world. Because of this, Roatan is a fantastic destination for snorkeling.
This snorkeling tour visits three spots – natural starfish habitat, a blue channel coral reef, and a shipwreck. Between these three locations, you will witness the best of Roatan’s reef.
The tour includes roundtrip transportation from the port or your hotel, the boat ride, snorkeling equipment, and a light snack.
If you plan to snorkel, be sure to utilize reef-safe sunscreen.
“This was our favorite excursion. Our driver Desmond took good care of us. Instructions for meeting point was clear. The snorkeling was very nice with beautifully clear water.” -Cris (Read more reviews)
4. Beach Horseback Riding Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour | ✅ Book it!
I’m a self-proclaimed horse girl. I grew up with my own horse and rode all the time. I love whenever there is an opportunity to ride on vacation. This Mahogany Bay horseback riding tour is hard to beat.
If you want a shorter tour during your day in Roatan, this is a great option. It can be combined with a beach day or just extra time on your cruise ship.
This horseback riding tour is 60 minutes and includes a beach and jungle ride with roundtrip transportation from the port.
“By the end of the ride our son was asking to go again. The staff was also friendly enough to include a free ride from the boat and back to it. I highly recommend this place.” -John (Read more reviews)
5. Local Cuisine & Island Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4-6 hours | ✅ Book it!
This tour is a great way to get a “taste” of the island. It combines stops at local eateries to sample local cuisine with a traditional island tour.
The tour starts with a visit to the city, rum factory, and chocolate factory to taste local delicacies. Then, you will head to a beach bar for lunch and relaxation time.
I love that this tour includes sightseeing with relaxation.
“Hayman Webster was our tour guide and our new friend. He was so knowledgeable, accommodating and fun. We enjoyed seeing the island, the culture and meeting the locals.” -Mary (Read more reviews)
6. Cooking Class from a Local
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | ✅ Book it!
This cooking class is the perfect way to experience local culture. Learn from a local chef how to make popular Honduran dishes such as Stewed chicken in coconut milk, rice and beans, chimol and fried green plantains.
The chef will teach you how to prepare a three course meal, then you will be able to enjoy your feast. There’s even an option to help shop for the groceries at a local market.
Note that this tour takes place in your own condo or hotel, so may not be the best option for a cruise passenger. Reach out to the host for more details.
“Carrie was super friendly and happy cooking, explaining the recipes, and sharing about local life in Roatan. Definitely glad we did this experience!!! “-Dawny (Read more reviews)
7. Scuba dive Tour with 2 stops
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | ✅ Book it!
If you are scuba certified, this tour cannot be missed. As I mentioned above, the Roatan Reef is one of the highlights of the island.
While snorkeling is great, scuba allows you to get even closer to the amazing wildlife. This tour is for certified divers only, and visits two amazing locations.
The tour includes all of the scuba equipment, the boat ride, and roundtrip transportation from the cruise port or your hotel.
“May and the team provided the best dive experience we ever had. The equipment is very nice and well maintained and having May as a guide really gave our family the best of the best dive experience we’ve had so far!” -Jonathan (Read more reviews)
8. Spend the day at one of the best beaches in Roatan
A relaxing beach day is one of the best ways to spend your time in Roatan. The aqua blue Caribbean waters and fine, white sand make it a true tropical oasis.
I recommend taking a taxi to one of the below beaches, renting a beach chair, and spending the day with a drink in hand. You can also spend a half day at the beach and half your day doing another activity on this list.
Some of the best beaches in Roatan are:
- Little French Key
- West Bay Beach
- Maya Key
We spent a half day at Tabyana beach club at West Bay Beach. The beach club offers great service at your beach chair and a restaurant with good food. In addition, it has some of the best snorkeling on the island.
In fact, some fellow cruisers shared that they take this same cruise itinerary multiple times a year solely to visit this specific beach club for snorkeling. Snorkels can be rented from a vendor at the beach club at an hourly or daily rate.
9. Sloth and Monkey Sanctuary
The Sloth and Monkey sanctuary near the port is on almost every tour itinerary. The sanctuary allows you to interact with rescued animals and learn all about them.
I am always tentative to recommend animal experiences because it is hard to know if the animals are treated well and if they should be in captivity.
Based on my experience, the animals are cared for, have thoughtful enclosures, and are at the sanctuary due to medical conditions that aren’t compatible with the wild. However, you should do your own research before visiting this location.
10. Chocolate Factory Tour
While chocolate isn’t produced in Roatan, it is very popular in mainland Honduras. There are a few chocolate factories on the island that have tours that explain how chocolate is produced and provide tasting. While many tours include a stop at a chocolate factory, you can easily do this on your own.
The best chocolate factories on the island are:
- The Roatan Chocolate Factory
- Mayak Chocolates
11. Chocolate Making Class
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2-3 hours | ✅ Book it!
If you’re a chocolate lover, go one step past visiting a chocolate factory and take this chocolate making class. In this tour, you will learn all about the history of choclate, learn how to make it, and have a chocolate tasting experience.
Following the tour, you will be able to take your homemade chocolate bar home as a super tasty and unique souvenir.
This tour also includes roundtrip transportation from the cruise port.
“We had a WONDERFUL time with Dani in the Chocolate Making class. He is a wealth of knowledge and shared so much with us” – Tracy (Read more reviews)
Where to Stay in Roatan
If you aren’t visiting Roatan on a cruise, the below resorts are amazing options of where to stay on the island. Both have great beachfront access and pools which are my two priorities when choosing where to stay in a tropical destination.
Grand Roatan Caribbean Resort– The Grand Roatan Caribbean Resort is a smaller, boutique hotel with the pool area of a mega-resort. The resort in on one of the whitest sand beaches I’ve ever seen, and they offer snorkeling and other ocean activities on-site. Each room is apartment style with a separate bedroom and kitchen area, making it feel like a home away from home.
Barefoot Cay Resort– The Barefoot Cay Resort is another great hotel in Roatan. The grounds are bright, white, and tranquil. The resort has traditional hotel rooms and oceanfront Villas. The Villas would be the perfect place to stay for a special occasion such as a honeymoon.
How to Get to Roatan
In addition to arriving on a cruise ship, there are two main ways to get to Roatan. The first is flying into the international airport. There are domestic flights from mainland Honduras and even some direct flights from the United States.
If you are visiting Roatan from mainland Honduras, you can opt to take the Galaxy Wave ferry with two daily trips between La Cieba and Roatan. The ferry ride is just over an hour long and costs around $20-$30 per person.
Transportation around the Island
The best way to get around Roatan is by taxi. They are easy to find, safe, and reliable. Before you begin a trip, be sure to agree on a fare or ensure the meter is running.
If you are visiting for more than one day, you can choose to rent a car. However, drivers in Roatan are very aggressive and I would not personally feel safe driving. If you decide to drive, keep an eye out for oncoming traffic passing in your lane.
Quick Facts about Roatan
When to Visit– Roatan has consent temperatures of around 80 degrees all year. Outside of hurricane season, from August to November, Honduras is a great year-round destination.
How Long to Visit– One day in Roatan is enough time to get a taste of the island, but I recommend visiting for a long weekend to allow yourself time to explore. If you aren’t visiting a cruise, you will likely want to spend at least 3full days to make your transit to and from the island worth your time.
Currency– The official currency in Roatan is the Honduras Lempira which is valued at 1 USD = 25 Lempira. However, US dollars are widely accepted.
Language– The official language in Roatan is Spanish, but English is spoked in every tourist site, on tours, and in most stores.
Safety– Roatan is a generally safe destination. As with any foreign country, keep minimal valuables on you, be aware of your surroundings, and avoid going out alone after dark.
Summary of What to Do in Roatan in One Day
Overall, if you are wondering what to do in Roatan, the focus should be on seeing the island, exploring the water and jungle, and getting to know the local culture.
If you only have one day in Roatan, I highly recommend the above ATV combo tour to achieve this. Your day will be busy, informative, and adventurous. You will leave the island with a good understanding of what it has to offer.
If you are staying in Roatan for a weekend or longer, I highly recommend hitting all the above activities. Roatan is a beautiful, tropical, destination with so much to explore and discover.
For more information on cruising and other nearby ports, check out my complete guide to a Western Caribbean cruise.
FAQ- The Top Things to Do in Roatan Honduras
Roatan is an island located just off the coast of Honduras in Central America. It’s known among tourists for its pristine beaches, lush jungles, and vibrant coral reefs. The island’s crystal-clear waters are home to a variety of marine life, making it a popular destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. Roatan also offers adventurous activities like zip lines and kayaking tours through its mangroves.
Roatan Honduras is an island that offers the perfect escape for travelers who want to experience a relaxing yet exciting vacation. With pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and plenty of activities, Roatan is a great cruise port or vacation destination.
Roatan, located off the coast of Honduras, is considered one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. The cost of living on the island is quite high, and that’s reflected in everything from accommodation costs to food prices. This is because Roatan is an island and everything must be imported, which adds additional costs.
Roatan is a great Caribbean island destination, and one of the best places to stay on the island is West Bay Beach. This area offers stunning views of the pristine white sand beaches along with an abundance of activities including snorkeling, jet skiing, and parasailing. The resorts here are top-notch, offering luxurious amenities like outdoor pools and beachside bars. The nightlife scene in West Bay Beach is lively as well, with plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from.
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