Roatan: Gardens, Garífuna Culture and Marine Life

Roatan combines beaches and lush coastal vegetation with places where nature, history and marine science take center stage. Punta Gorda tells the story of Garífuna history and artisanal fishing; gardens and protected areas offer their own attractions. When choosing a vacation rental, you can consider whether garden and nature themes, cultural history or marine science will shape your stay.

Tropical Gardens and Wildlife Conservation

Orchids, medicinal plants, exotic spice plants, fruit and nut trees, and a Chocolate Tree grow in the Carambola Botanical Garden. The garden offers hiking, ecotours, birdwatching and nature studies. The diversity of plants and opportunities for nature observation give this place a distinctive focus among the varied experiences Roatan has to offer.

Arch's Iguana and Marine Park is a wildlife sanctuary dedicated to protecting coral and marine life. The park is reported to have a population of more than 4,000 free-roaming iguanas. Monkeys, rescued sea turtles and tarpon also live there. Each year, iguanas are released into the wild to help support the island's population of native reptiles. The conservation mission encompasses marine life as well as native reptiles.

At Gumbalimba Park in West Bay, visitors can walk through tropical gardens, encounter free-roaming wildlife and explore a cave with a pirate history. The park brings together gardens, wildlife and a cave whose history is linked to pirates.

Garífuna Culture and History

Punta Gorda is considered the Garífuna people's point of arrival in Central America: the ship that brought them there after the English removed them from San Vicente following their rebellion arrived there. The town's population is predominantly Garífuna, and its people have long been engaged in artisanal fishing. The Punta Gorda Carnival combines an April celebration with Garífuna traditions, Punta music and dance. In the broader destination of Islas De La Bahía, more and more people in Punta Gorda are taking part in tourism.

The Roatan Museum presents the history and culture of the Bay Islands through artifacts, murals, maps and historical documents. It was founded in 1992 by the resort's owners, with guidance and expertise from the Honduran Institute of Anthropology. The museum is housed in the RIMS facility at Anthony’s Key Resort.

Marine Science and Getting There

The Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS) welcomes college and high school groups from abroad year-round for structured programs. Colleges, universities and high schools study tropical marine ecosystems and bottlenose dolphins there. Other program areas include marine science, coral reefs, oceanography and biology.

Visitors can reach Roatan by scheduled flights, cruise ships, domestic flights from the mainland and a ferry from La Ceiba. Before your trip, check routes, operators and schedules, especially for the ferry service.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Brick Bay, Los Fuertes, Jose Santos Guardiola.

Return to the main travel overview: Bay Islands.