Gumbalimba Park
About Gumbalimba Park
Gumbalimba Park is a locally owned business, opened in the year 2003. It serves as a sanctuary to several species of animals, some endemic (native) to the island. Gumbalimba falls under the category of an animal sanctuary, where all its animals roam freely. Beyond a sanctuary, Gumbalimba is an eco, adventure park, and an educational place where guests can learn the history of Roatan, and try exciting activities over air, land and sea.
Some of the animals that are seen at the park are, the spiny-black tailed iguana, green iguanas, macaws, agoutis, monkeys, turtles, hummingbirds, parrots, basilisk, and other species of birds.
PRICING FOR GUMBALIMBA PARK:
Infants and toddlers only (age 0 – 2) free admission
Children (ages 3 - 10 ) : $35
Adults: $42
Groups of 10 or more ask for details
Free Monkeys
The white-faced monkeys at Gumbalimba roam freely. You can take selfies at close proximity, and are friendly.
Iguanas
The largest population of spiny tailed black iguana (Ctenosaura oerdinia) is located at the park; an endemic species only to Roatan.
Suspension Bridge
Cross on a hanging bridge over a lagoon, that has over thirty turtles. It’s a bit shaky but you’ll enjoy your time on the bridge! Its optional.
Should I purchase?
You can buy our tickets as far in advance as you like. If you feel uncertain due to weather conditions or medical issues, we recommend making a purchase a week in advance, or the latest 24 hours prior to your tour date. It’s important for at least 24 hours, so you can receive instructions to meet our representative.
After purchasing online: You will receive instructions and/or map of how to meet our representative. Instructions will vary depending on your port of entry.
PICK-UP TIMES: You can choose your time of pick-up, preferably Roatan local time. Special Time requests during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Spring Break will depend on availability.
It takes approximately 1 hour for most ships to disembark guests after arriving port.TRANSPORTATION: Transportation is included in the admission fee, from any two cruise ports of Roatan, OR a nearby hotel or place of accommodations in West End, and West Bay.
Cruisers
Cruisers: The pickup area is not inside the port, but outside cruise port gates on the main road or carretera principal. There is a short walk involved to meet Roatan.Tours representative. A representative will be holding a sign, with the customer’s name, so it won’t be difficult to find. After meeting the representative, he or she will direct you to the shuttle which is located nearby. Expect crowds or traffic when exiting the main gates. Your representative will take you to your shuttle that leads to the tour destination. Once at any of your destinations, a staff will assist to fulfill your activities. Once you are ready to return to ship, you will be brought back to the same place of pick-up.
Hotel Guest
Hotel guests: Pick-up will be from your hotel, a representative will ask for hotel name and time of pick-up.
Ports of Entry
Ports of Entry: In the last decade Roatan has become a very popular cruise line destination. Roatan has two main cruise ports, and one international airport.
Mahogany Bay – located in Dixon Cove, near French Harbor. All Carnival Cruise Lines, Sky Princess and Costa ships anchor here.
Port of Roatan- located in Coxen Hole. All Royal Caribbean ships, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Mein Schiff anchor here.
Things to Bring
Your phone or camera to take lots of pictures of your experience. Tennis shoes are recommended and most suitable for the walking tour. Flip flops are suitable for beach activities, but not for the walking tour. Extra clothes, and swimwear to enjoy Gumbalimba’s beach and pool, after your tour. Towels and sunglasses are recommended. Unfortunately, towels are not available for rent. Please bring any other item you might believe is important.
FORMS OF CURRENCY AT THE PARK:
US dollars and lempiras are accepted
(Be aware that dollar bills that are torn or marked may not be accepted according to National Bank policies)
Visa or Mastercard
There is no ATM on site.
Change is returned in US dollars
WIFI:
There is Wi-Fi available for a cost of $5 per device. Only works at a specified location. Pay once inside the park.
Walking Tour:
Once at the park, you will be given your very own tour guide. This is a walking tour.
There are alternatives if anyone in your group has mobility issues, or simply does not want to walk. Check out mobility issues section.
Walk through the gardens
Cross the hanging bridge
Visit a man-made cave and learn about Roatan’s history
Visit an insectarium
Use beach chairs at Gumbalimba Beach
Use of the Gumbalimba Beach
Use of Gumbalimba’s pool
See several animals
Monkey and Macaw Interactions
MOBILITY ISSUES:
Gumbalimba Park offers a solution to any mobility issues by doing the golf cart. You pay an additional $10 dollar per person after the entrance fee and that will include a driver, whom will also be your tour guide.
The largest golf cart can hold up to 7 guests/persons. The driver will take you to see all of the stations that are included in the walking tour. The only 2 places that will require you to get off the golf cart and walk a little is when you enter 2 places.
One, the insectarium, where you can see a collection of preserved bugs and second, inside a man-made cave, where you will learn about the history of Roatan.
The rest of the park is accessible without having to get off the golf cart. So you will be able to see the monkeys and macaws and enjoy the park. Recommended to bring foldable scooters, foldable wheelchairs, or foldable walkers. These must be foldable in order to fit inside the shuttle.
Coxen’s Cave
With the help of your personal guide, learn about the history of Roatan, and the most notorious pirate that hid in the island.
Gardens
Gumbalimba Park has approximately 50 or more species of plants, including fruit, decorative, and exotic plants.
Pool & Beach
Pool and beachThe pool and beach located at Gumbalimba Park premises, is a wonderful last stop after your tour.
Golf Carts
GOLF CART FOR LUXURY:
The golf cart is also available for $10 additional dollars, to anyone that wishes not to walk, or accompany their loved ones. A driver whom is also your tour guide will take you through the tour.
Iguanas
IGUANAS
The largest population of spiny tailed black iguana (Ctenosaura oerdinia) is located at the park; an endemic species only to Roatan. On the Gumbalimba tour, you will spot these reptiles with white spots, sunbathing near rocks, sand or trees. Other iguanas found are, the herbivorous green iguanas, climbing up some of the narrowest and tallest trees at the park, or eating a lettuce snack in their hangout area.
Macaws and interactions
There are two species of birds located at the park, the Scarleth and Buffoon Macaws. The Scarleth macaw, widely known as the National Bird of Honduras, and one of the most attractive and colorful birds you will see. All bird interactions are always supervised by a trainer. Guests will be able to hold a macaw as a baby, or just simply stand on your shoulder, or arm, as you pose for the selfie or picture. The interactions are spontaneous, and sometimes if you’re lucky, these large birds keep your buttons.All the macaws roam freely; some walk near your feet, while others fly around to a nearby tree. Some of the macaws where born at the Park, and you will be able to meet them by name.
Note: Interactions are spontaneous. Pictures are guaranteed.
Monkeys Interaction
There are nearly 30 White-faced or commonly known as Capuchin Monkeys at Gumbalimba Park. All the monkeys play, eat, sleep, roam and interact freely in their neighborhood. These monkeys are used to people visiting them every day, and they know they are the highlight of the park. Each white-faced monkey has a mind of its own, and they love to take selfies. All monkey interactions are supervised by a trainer. Expect the monkeys to spontaneously jump from one person to another, hug your neck, rub your head with their soft hands, search your pockets for any treasures, and maybe even stay long enough on your shoulder for a selfie. Petting the monkeys is not allowed. But guarantee, to have them on your shoulder.
Note: All monkey interactions are supervised by a trainer.
Agoutis
The island folk call it rabbit. It’s a mammal, and they tend to roam freely searching for nutritious snacks in the area. If you happen to see one close by, get your camera quick, cause that forever moment may only last in memories.
Emerald Hummingbird
The hummingbirds arrive on its own to feed. These flap their wings very fast, and if you stay still enough, you can catch it on video at close proximity, and hear its audible chirp. Hummingbirds are spectacular creates.
Plants & Insectarium
PLANTS: Gumbalimba Park has approximately 50 or more species of plants, including fruit, decorative, and exotic plants. From the category of exotic plants include, the African Palm, Red Palm, coyole (soupa), Royal Palm, and areca. Some of the fruit trees are commonly known as mangoes, almond, seagrape, hog plum, cashew, tamarind, and lemon trees. Other plant species include the cinnamon tree, ceiba petandra or kapok, cannon ball tree, and Gumbolimbo tree, where the park derives its name; most islanders call it Gumbalimba.
INSECTARIUM: A collection of bugs and butterflies of different sorts.
Other amenities
Pool and beach The pool and beach located at Gumbalimba Park premises, is a wonderful last stop after your tour. You can easily spend a whole day after the guided tour, and relax on a beach chair while you bask in the sun or under a tree.
The park offers other activities that are not included under this tour, such as golf cart extra, and zipline. Ask for more details
Food
Drinking essentials such as water, sodas, natural fruit smoothies, and drinks are sold at the park. Coca Cola, Pepsi, other soft drinks, and gatorade products are available to purchase. The park offers quick familiar snacks such as doritos, snickers, chips, and fast foods, such as chicken tenders, plain hotdog, chicken sandwich, hamburgers, fries, and homemade baleadas. All foods are cooked the moment you order. Expect a short wait.