Royal Caribbean passengers traveling to Roatán are in for a surprise, as the country of Honduras recently issued stricter guidance about a popular shore excursion.
Roatán welcomed 1.7 million cruise passengers in 2024, making it the most visited cruise destination in Central America last year. The island is famous for several things, including diving and snorkeling, beautiful beaches, and animal sanctuaries.
Many cruisers like to visit wildlife rescues while in Honduras, including Victor's Monkey & Sloth Sanctuary, AJ's Monkeys and Sloths, and Daniel Johnson's Monkey & Sloth Hangout. In the past, these sanctuaries were more than a zoo, with interactive opportunities to hold animals like sloths, capuchin monkeys, and macaws.
Recently, however, Honduras has cracked down on such activities, implementing regulations on animal encounters aimed to prevent the “over manipulation of wildlife," including, "carrying and holding animals for exhibition and taking photographs."
Companies that fail to comply with the new restrictions and rules face intervention by the FTIA (inter-institutional task force against environmental crime), as well as administrative sanctions.
Cruise passengers with tours booked through Bodden Tours were sent an alert informing them that the popular animal encounters would no longer be available, effective immediately.
"As of March 1, 2025, the Honduran government, through the Wildlife Department of the National Institute for Forest Conservation and Development, Protected Areas and Wildlife (ICF), implemented regulations, which intensified efforts to protect endangered and vulnerable species," the notice reads.
"These new regulations directly impact our operations at Victor's Monkey & Sloth Sanctuary...At this time, we are unable to offer ANY Sloth-Hugs as of March 14, as we have been informed by authorities that TODAY is the [last day] for these interactions."
While visitors can no longer hug sloths, the sanctuary assures that guests can still visit the animals and observe them in a hands-off manner.
"You will still be able to enter the animal's habitats for up-close viewing, photos and selfies, but touching or disturbing the sloths will not be permitted. This means that we can no longer offer fuzzy sloth hugs."
tjcruisers posted on a Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum that some interactions had been paused before Bodden Tours' update was sent out:
"We docked at [Roatán] a few days ago and had that excursion booked. Definitely correct, couldn’t hold the sloths but we’re able to be near them. Before going on the tour, the tour company made sure we were aware and made us sign off that that they told us."
Another popular wildlife rescue, AJ's Monkeys and Sloths, claims that they will allow guests to hold sloths a little bit longer. However, the encounters won't be offered after May.
Read more: Best things to do in Roatán, Honduras cruise port
"It's a bummer as a tourist. But I recognize it's for the better"
Many seem to understand the need for stricter regulations.
"Honestly if these parks and excursions are leading to animal mistreatment and trafficking I'm 100% on board. Ban them, and prosecute the parks. We've done these things before though, and they all claim to be rescue and/or rehab centers," shared emarkd on a Reddit thread.
"I did some zip lines with money & sloth at the end while in Roatan. It was fun and I’m glad I got to do it last August, but I’m also glad they’re doing something to control it," added TXJKU4ME.
Others, however, expressed their disappointment over the changes and wished companies would be more upfront about the situation.
"Whaaaat..... we have an excursion booked at Daniel Johnson's coming up here in a few months, does that mean that's a no-go now?" asked Callec254.
Several-Eagle4141 said, "I’ll admit I’m sad. I had an excellent time with my young son at one of these."
Tom Wrenn went one step further, calling out Daniel Johnson's Monkey & Sloth Hangout on Facebook for not answering questions about the encounters.
"They won't answer the questions you all keep asking about holding the sloths," he commented on a post about the website's technical difficulties.
Roatán offers other tours
If you are worried about paying for an animal encounter and being limited to just viewing them, don’t worry: there are plenty of other memorable experiences on the island.
From zip-lining through lush forests to exploring the underwater world while snorkeling, wild ATV tours, and relaxing all-inclusive beach breaks, Roatán, Honduras, offers a diverse range of activities.
Do not let the new regulations discourage you from finding another tour and making the most of your time in port! The island is beautiful and shouldn't be missed just because wildlife encounters are restricted.
