Lauriskov Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 Hey everyone!! I'm looking for some of your amazing advice. We're going on the Wonder in less than 2 weeks and I am still at a loss for what to do in Roatan. I have contemplated a RCI shore excursion, booking something through a third party, just winging it on our own and wandering around (which I've heard is ill-advised at this destination), or just staying on the ship and enjoying a low-key day. Ideally, we would like to see some of the highlights of Roatan, like a scenic driving tour that hits some nice spots for taking photos, but not an all-day event and not a beach day. Has anyone ever found or booked a private driving tour of some type with these types of stops? If so, what do you recommend or how did you do it? Or, should we just skip it altogether?? I keep seeing mixed reviews of Roatan in general and that's what's led me to be so indecisive on planning out the day. Thank you for any help you can offer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 You're very late in the game, but try Victor Bodden. https://www.boddentours.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCSC Mike Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 Another option is Rony's Tours... https://ronystours.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCG Teacher Posted September 6, 2023 Report Share Posted September 6, 2023 3 hours ago, Xaa said: You're very late in the game, but try Victor Bodden. https://www.boddentours.com/ +1 for Victor Bodden. Used them last month and were quite happy. Have also heard several good things about Rony's as @OCSC Mike suggested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted September 7, 2023 Report Share Posted September 7, 2023 Viator had great private tours, but I'm not sure what offerings they have for Roatan. Definitely don't wander the port area on your own. While the neighborhood doesn't look terrible, it doesn't look great either. The scary part is more the vendors that are lining the streets pushing their wares on people as they come by. Some of them appear to be quite aggressive. Just my interpretation, others may see it differently, but if you want to do something in Roatan, definitely have it arranged ahead of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzy85 Posted September 7, 2023 Report Share Posted September 7, 2023 We used Bodden Tours in March. They can customize a tour for you. It was very easy to find their kiosk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montemy2419 Posted September 8, 2023 Report Share Posted September 8, 2023 We loved our snorkeling trip with Jolly Roger. Best snorkeling we have ever done and plenty of staff onboard to help everyone. https://jollyrogerroatan.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbrinkm Posted September 8, 2023 Report Share Posted September 8, 2023 I absolutely love Roatan. We had great experiences with Roatan Getaway Tours, two years in a row. These are the options they have for a private tour day: Xaa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLK Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 For those recommending Bodden - we've been encouraged to pay in cash the day of...that would be a significant amount of cash and makes me a little nervous. Did you pay in cash as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obdave Posted February 26 Report Share Posted February 26 Yes paid in cash, they prefer newish bills as the local banks sometimes won’t take weathered currency.. we loved Roatan, had a driver through Daniel Johnson. We did not find the vendors aggressive in the least, a simple no thanks given with a nod of respect for their efforts was universally met with a smile. Also found that the gas stations sell local fast food for super cheap. Three passitos, sort of an empanada, two local beers, a diet soda and a Honduran chocolate bar for $5 american. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted February 26 Report Share Posted February 26 20 hours ago, FLK said: For those recommending Bodden - we've been encouraged to pay in cash the day of...that would be a significant amount of cash and makes me a little nervous. Did you pay in cash as well? It seems to be a thing in the Caribbean countries to prefer cash payments. It seems weird to us Americans, I know, but it's totally legitimate. Our best tour ever in Cozumel was cash only, and I would do that again in a heartbeat. OCSC Mike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCSC Mike Posted February 26 Report Share Posted February 26 14 minutes ago, Cactus527 said: It seems to be a thing in the Caribbean countries to prefer cash payments. It seems weird to us Americans, I know, but it's totally legitimate. Our best tour ever in Cozumel was cash only, and I would do that again in a heartbeat. Agreed. The only tour I pay for in advance via CC is on St. Martin but it's owned by a family from NY who moved there a long time ago and I'm pretty sure they still process their business banking via the US. My upcoming tour in Roatan with RonysTours offered PayPal for a deposit if I preferred but they were happy to just accept the entire payment in cash when we get there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbrinkm Posted February 26 Report Share Posted February 26 I paid via PayPal for Roatan Getaway Tours (credit card the year before when we booked with them on Viator for the "mass" tour, not private). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wordell1 Posted February 26 Report Share Posted February 26 This is very common in Roatan. Cash is preferred at restaurants also. Cactus527 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCG Teacher Posted February 27 Report Share Posted February 27 If they even accept them, most businesses I've come across on Roatan charge a fairly massive CC fee, like 10-25%. Cash is your friend here. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarvinS Posted February 29 Report Share Posted February 29 As I mentioned in another thread, yes, those tour companies in Roatan highly encourage you to use cash. The country of Honduras (according to their one of the local tour business's excursion confirmation paperwork) states that the country tacks on a HUGE percentage as a credit card service fee. They were also indeed very picky even about the nice clean crisp new-looking $100 bills I brought for payment of the excursion. Here is a clip from Bodden's excursion confirmation: ====================================== There is no prepayment or deposit required for your tour. Our preferred payment method is US CASH once you get to the island. However, additional payment options are available: We accept MasterCard, Visa and American Express at our tour office -- however, there is a Credit Card Fee: The Honduran government requires credit card machines to automatically add 19% Honduran Tax onto every credit card transaction This fee is broken down on the receipt as 15% Honduran Tax + 4% Honduran Tourism Tax The only way to avoid these credit card taxes is to Pay in US CASH Honduran banks do not accept US Currency that is worn, taped or torn...so, try to save your BEST dollars for your Roatan visit! ====================================== Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted March 19 Report Share Posted March 19 On 2/26/2024 at 12:53 PM, jbrinkm said: I paid via PayPal for Roatan Getaway Tours (credit card the year before when we booked with them on Viator for the "mass" tour, not private). Did you have the added CC fees when you paid via PayPal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbrinkm Posted March 19 Report Share Posted March 19 47 minutes ago, melmar02 said: Did you have the added CC fees when you paid via PayPal? We have our PayPal linked to checking and only have the credit card as a backup so I'm not sure what the fees might have been if we wanted to use credit, but the invoice doesn't say anything about it (what we got before paying). They are very responsive if you want to reach out directly to ask! melmar02 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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