Royal Caribbean passengers touring to Roatán are in for a shock, because the nation of Honduras lately issued stricter steering a couple of widespread shore tour.
Roatán welcomed 1.7 million cruise passengers in 2024, making it essentially the most visited cruise vacation spot in Central America final yr. The island is known for a number of issues, together with diving and snorkeling, stunning seashores, and animal sanctuaries.
Many cruisers like to go to wildlife rescues whereas in Honduras, together with Victor’s Monkey & Sloth Sanctuary, AJ’s Monkeys and Sloths, and Daniel Johnson’s Monkey & Sloth Hangout. Up to now, these sanctuaries have been greater than a zoo, with interactive alternatives to carry animals like sloths, capuchin monkeys, and macaws.
Lately, nonetheless, Honduras has cracked down on such actions, implementing laws on animal encounters aimed to stop the “over manipulation of wildlife,” together with, “carrying and holding animals for exhibition and taking images.”
Firms that fail to adjust to the brand new restrictions and guidelines face intervention by the FTIA (inter-institutional job drive in opposition to environmental crime), in addition to administrative sanctions.
Cruise passengers with excursions booked via Bodden Excursions have been despatched an alert informing them that the favored animal encounters would not be obtainable, efficient instantly.
“As of March 1, 2025, the Honduran authorities, via the Wildlife Division of the Nationwide Institute for Forest Conservation and Growth, Protected Areas and Wildlife (ICF), carried out laws, which intensified efforts to guard endangered and susceptible species,” the discover reads.
“These new laws instantly affect our operations at Victor’s Monkey & Sloth Sanctuary…At the moment, we’re unable to supply ANY Sloth-Hugs as of March 14, as now we have been knowledgeable by authorities that TODAY is the [last day] for these interactions.”
Whereas guests can not hug sloths, the sanctuary assures that friends can nonetheless go to the animals and observe them in a hands-off method.
“You’ll nonetheless have the ability to enter the animal’s habitats for up-close viewing, pictures and selfies, however touching or disturbing the sloths won’t be permitted. Which means we will not supply fuzzy sloth hugs.”
tjcruisers posted on a Royal Caribbean Weblog dialogue discussion board that some interactions had been paused earlier than Bodden Excursions’ replace was despatched out:
“We docked at [Roatán] a couple of days in the past and had that tour booked. Positively appropriate, couldn’t maintain the sloths however we’re in a position to be close to them. Earlier than occurring the tour, the tour firm made positive we have been conscious and made us log off that that they advised us.”
One other widespread wildlife rescue, AJ’s Monkeys and Sloths, claims that they may enable friends to carry sloths somewhat bit longer. Nevertheless, the encounters will not be supplied after Might.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Roatán, Honduras cruise port
“It is a bummer as a vacationer. However I acknowledge it is for the higher”
Many appear to know the necessity for stricter laws.
“Actually if these parks and excursions are resulting in animal mistreatment and trafficking I am 100% on board. Ban them, and prosecute the parks. We have carried out these items earlier than although, they usually all declare to be rescue and/or rehab facilities,” shared emarkd on a Reddit thread.
“I did some zip strains with cash & sloth on the finish whereas in Roatan. It was enjoyable and I’m glad I received to do it final August, however I’m additionally glad they’re doing one thing to regulate it,” added TXJKU4ME.
Others, nonetheless, expressed their disappointment over the adjustments and wished corporations can be extra upfront concerning the scenario.
“Whaaaat….. now we have an tour booked at Daniel Johnson’s developing right here in a couple of months, does that imply that is a no-go now?” requested Callec254.
A number of-Eagle4141 stated, “I’ll admit I’m unhappy. I had a wonderful time with my younger son at one in all these.”
Tom Wrenn went one step additional, calling out Daniel Johnson’s Monkey & Sloth Hangout on Fb for not answering questions concerning the encounters.
“They will not reply the questions you all hold asking about holding the sloths,” he commented on a publish concerning the web site’s technical difficulties.
Roatán affords different excursions
In case you are nervous about paying for an animal encounter and being restricted to simply viewing them, don’t fear: there are many different memorable experiences on the island.
From zip-lining via lush forests to exploring the underwater world whereas snorkeling, wild ATV excursions, and stress-free all-inclusive seashore breaks, Roatán, Honduras, affords a various vary of actions.
Don’t let the brand new laws discourage you from discovering one other tour and taking advantage of your time in port! The island is gorgeous and should not be missed simply because wildlife encounters are restricted.
Learn extra: I checked out a non-public island in Honduras —with crystal clear seashores and all-inclusive drinks, it far exceeded my expectations
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