Gumbalimba Park, Roatán
Gumbalimba Park packs a guided garden walk with free-roaming monkeys and macaws, a pirate history cave, a zipline and a beach into one site at the western tip of Roatán. This guide explains what is there, the current prices and hours, how the park handles its animals and how to get there from the cruise ports.
What is Gumbalimba Park?
Gumbalimba is a privately run nature park in West Bay, about 10 minutes from West End, laid out around tropical gardens, a lagoon and a stretch of private beach. The visit is built around a guided tour of about an hour and a half: a guide is required to see the monkeys and macaws, and leads you along the garden paths, across a suspension bridge over the lagoon and into the pirate cave. Afterward you can stay at the beach and pool until closing time.
It is open every day from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, including public holidays, and outdoor areas stay open rain or shine. Because it bundles several activities in one place, it is one of the most popular half-day trips for cruise passengers, so expect groups on ship days.
The gardens, the pirate cave and the insectarium
The gardens are the setting rather than the main act: shaded paths, flowering plants and the bridge over the lagoon, with golf carts available if walking is difficult. The Pirate Museum Cave is a man-made cave where a guide walks you through the history of the Bay Islands, from their indigenous peoples to the pirates and buccaneers who used them, the colonial period and modern Roatán. Treat it as an entertaining introduction rather than a museum.
Inside the cave complex, a small climate-controlled insectarium displays preserved butterflies and other insects from around the world. Both are indoors, which makes them the best part of the visit on a rainy morning.
Monkeys, macaws and animal welfare
The animals that draw most visitors are the white-faced capuchins and scarlet macaws, which move freely around the park, along with iguanas and basilisk lizards, known locally as "monkey-lalas". The park no longer offers sloth encounters, in line with the Honduran rules on handling wildlife introduced in 2025, which are explained in our guide to sloth and monkey tours.
Feeding the animals is prohibited, since they are on managed diets, and the park asks visitors not to chase or corner them. Bags are not allowed in the animal areas because the capuchins open zippers and carry things up trees; rent a locker for $5. The monkeys and macaws are used to people and may come very close. Let them approach and leave on their own terms, avoid picking them up or posing them for photos, and prefer a guide who explains their behavior over one who stages close-ups.
The zipline, beach and pool
Gumbalimba's zipline has 13 cables and 17 platforms and takes about an hour and a quarter, with start times from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. The weight limit is 250 lb (113 kg), children can ride from age 4, accompanied by an instructor if young, and once you cross the first cable you must finish the course. Closed-toe shoes are required. Other courses on the island are compared in zipline and adventure tours.
The beach has lounge chairs under the trees, restrooms, outdoor showers and changing rooms, plus a freshwater pool for anyone who prefers it to the sea. There is no lifeguard, and towels and umbrellas are not provided, so bring your own towel. Single kayaks cost $15 and doubles $20 for an hour, paid on site. Food is served at the park's Hungry Monkey restaurant; outside food is not allowed. For a full beach day with more snorkeling, West Bay beach or Tabyana Beach are better choices.
Gumbalimba Park entry fee and hours
On the park's 2026 price list the Park Experience day pass costs $45 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under; infants enter free. The zipline alone costs $45 for adults and $40 for children, and the park and zipline combo $65 and $60, which saves $20 against buying both separately. Golf cart access is $15 per person extra, and carts are first come, first served, with waits of 30-45 minutes when all are out. Some park pages still quote older prices, so check when you book; tax is added to online bookings.
The park accepts credit cards, Apple Pay, Zelle, US dollars and Honduran lempiras, but there is no ATM, so carry some cash for tips and small purchases. For a broader view of costs on the island, see prices in Roatán.
Getting to Gumbalimba from the cruise ports
The park puts the drive at about 30-40 minutes from both the Town Center at Coxen Hole and Mahogany Bay. Its own shuttle, booked online in advance, picks up about a 2-minute walk from the Coxen Hole port gates along Main Street and about a 6-minute walk from the Mahogany Bay gates. Many cruise excursions and private tours also include Gumbalimba, often combined with West Bay beach. By taxi, agree the fare before you get in; our cruise port guide and getting around page explain how taxis work.
Allow at least two to three hours at the park, more with the zipline, and plan to be back at the pier at least an hour before all-aboard. Foldable wheelchairs fit on the park bus, and golf carts cover the whole park with only two short walks, but large electric scooters must stay at the port. If you are staying in West Bay, most resorts are within walking distance or a short ride.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Gumbalimba Park cost?
On the park's 2026 price list the day pass is $45 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under, with infants free. The park and zipline combo costs $65 for adults and $60 for children.
Can you hold the monkeys at Gumbalimba Park?
The capuchins roam freely and may come close, but feeding is prohibited and visitors should not chase, corner or handle them. Sloth encounters are no longer offered.
How far is Gumbalimba Park from the cruise port?
About 30-40 minutes by car from both the Coxen Hole Town Center and Mahogany Bay, according to the park. It is about 10 minutes from West End.
Is there a beach at Gumbalimba Park?
Yes. The park has its own beach with lounge chairs, showers and changing rooms, plus a freshwater pool; there is no lifeguard on duty.
What are Gumbalimba Park's hours?
The park is open every day from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, including public holidays.
