MDSue

Do you really get that great of a deal going to Diamonds International? ( specifically Cozumel or grand Cayman). Looking for a marriage band for the dw :)

If your wife is with you to pick it out, you shouldn't have any problems with the quality of the piece. I have bought a few pieces of reasonably priced jewelry from DI and TI. All have held up well and price consistently lower than my local jewelers. However, I would not buy anything that you might want to exchange, as that would pretty much be impossible. I also would not buy anything that is worth a great deal of money [i go with sentimental valued stuff mostly]. For something as important as a marriage band, I think I would choose locally, unless the DW is with you to help choose and finds something she loves.

My boyfriend and I are going on the Carnival Legend in a couple weeks! Wondering what the best excursion to do in Roatan is? Never been there before! Open for anything!:)

To get an overall idea of all your options, I recommend the Best of Roatan tour with Victor Bodden. Basically, the will give you plenty of ideas and you can choose which you prefer. You will get your own guide for the entire day. His home is in the country and he has lots of animals to interact with. The monkees especially are a lot of fun. He also has a nice zipline there. To get an idea of what his tours are like check out his website- boddentours dot com. We have used his guides on both of our visits and have always had a great time. There are plenty of nice beaches to visit or snorkle from and other things to do.

You have to walk a bit outside the new port to get to the private tour guides, but their prices are much less than the taxi drivers that are allowed to pick you up inside the gates.

Enjoy your visit, Roatan is by far my favorite island to visit. We were on the Legend last spring. It has a great itinerary.

I will share my VB experience. We did not like our tour driver Ann. She hardly spoke unless we prompted her. She was very quiet the whole time.

 

None of us had ever been to Roatan before and wanted some information. We had planned on shopping, beach, monkey and island tour. The island tour was not much, or she did not take us very many places and where she did it, she did not tell us much about it. We had to ask her questions to prompt her to talk.

When it came time to shop, she brought us to ONE place, which is apparently one where they all stop, as we saw several other VB tours in the small shop as well. There was not much in the shop anyway. Some carved trunks, some vases, linens etc.. Then she told us the public beach was closed and recommended another place, that was 5.00 to get in and included a drink. We went there, the beach area was very small, she stayed at the car the whole time, did not come down with us, as VB had said they would stay on the beach with you to watch your stuff in his email. There were a lot of peddlars for braclets/massages etc.. We had lunch in the little food place there, which took forever but food was fine.

There were others we saw on VB tours there as well, that we saw at the monkeys etc..

The animals were the best part of our day, we loved seeing them all, there are more than just monkeys, birds, deer, the anteater was funny, as soon as we walked up he assumed the position so we could scratch his back.

To us it just seemed like she took us to places that maybe they get some kickbacks for. (as she was given tickets and gifts at both places)

We expected more I guess. We had a good day overall but it was not anything I would rave about and we would prob just do Mahogany Bay if we go again. Just know exactly where you want to go, we should have gone online here for more tips so we would know the names of places to go etc.. so when she only took us 1 place we could have known there was more etc..

Sorry you had a bad time. I would recommend that you email Victor and voice your concerns. I'm sure he would really appreciate your opinion and it would be helpful for future customers. We loved our guide [Hanno] so much that we requested him a second time on our next visit.

p.s. I loved the anteater! He really did love a good back scratch.

Thanks for the wonderful review! Did you go outside the port area at all?

We will be cruisind for the first time next June, and we are visiting Roatan as our last stop of our Western Caribbean Cruise! We were looking at booking throught the ship being first time cruisers but, I have done my research well and as a result I don't believe we will be booking any excursions throught the ship a TON cheaper.....but is this a smart mover?

 

I stumbled across Victor Bodden Tours on this website and I read more about getting the driver for the day and it just plain sounds like a GOODTIME! There are 3 of us 22, 21, and 21 at the time of the cruise so this just seems like an awesome thing all 3 of us could pick one activity a piece and then if we could agree upon one as a group!

 

If you have taken this tour can you please tell me if you had any problems. Also if you had a tour guide that you disliked or if you had a fantastic guide that you would recommend! If you wouldn't mind telling me which attractions or activities you had chosen.

 

Feel free to infom us of ANY helpful information, not only about Victor Bodden but as I said we are first time cruisers so for all you experts, PLEASE IMPART YOU KNOWLEDGE! lol :o

 

Thanks

Please check out some of the other posts regarding Victor Bodden yours. you'll find 100's of reviews. I have used him on each of my visits and highly recommend him, his guides and his tour. We used Hanno and were very happy with him. I have read positive reviews about many other guides also. Basically, your guide will have plenty of suggestions and will take you to a variety of places and give you some history along the way. You can sepnd as much or little time as you like at any destination you choose. I definitely recommend a visit to see the monkees and animals at his home. He has quite a nice set up. You can also zip-line from there. There are a variety beaches to choose from, some more sandy and clear, others better for snorkelling. The iguana sanctuary is fun also, but I would think zip-lining would be a must for 20 somethings.

Have a great time!

Great shots!

My family of 4 is booked with Victor for Dec 23. We have booked the Best of Roatan knowing DH and oldest daughter want to go on the zipline, my youngest (12) is unsure. Victor has said she can stay with his wife at the store and visit the monkeys with our guide if she decides not to go. I'm a little unsure about this solution - anyone have any thoughts having met Victor and his family? Also need an idea of appropriate tip to give our guide at the end of the day.

The zipline area is right by the little store where his wife and daughter usually work. Their beautiful and simple home and property with the animals are also on the property.

The youngest daughter will probably enjoy talking with his daughter. My sister and I had a nice long conversation with her. She is very freindly and nice. His wife speaks limited English, but is also very friendly. Once you meet them, I think your fears will be gone. She will love seeing and interacting with the animals also.

You will have a great time.

how far in advance do we need to book? I only recently found this site and after reading all the reviews it seems like it would be the best way experience Roatan. The cruise ship doesn't offer as much variety for this island. Our cruise is on Nov. 21st. Would it be too late to book?

Just email him as soon as possible. He'll let you know if he has a guide available. We requested Hanno and had a great time on both of our trips.

Victor Bodden seems like the way to go on Roatan. Some of you may think I'm silly but I really get upset to see lots of stray animals. If we use Victor for snokeling, the iguanas and monkeys are we going to see a lot of stray animals along the way? That would totally ruin my day there.....

Unfortunately, you may see a few. I don't remember a lot though. I hate to see strays also, I've noticed some on other islands also.

I still love Roatan though, I just recognize that they don't have the wealth that most Americans do.

Maybe I'll try sending it from work. Surely booking this tour is more important than working. :D

Agreed:)

I booked with Victor a few days ago for our trip on Dec 1. Will he email the name of our guide or do I need to email and ask who it is? How does the payment part work? We are planning on a tour around the island, snorkeling on the glass bottom boat, seeing the monkeys, and DH and DS are going to do the zipine - do we pay seperately for each part - at the zipline, boat, etc. or do we pay all at the end? Anyone feel uncomfortable carrying that much cash around?

My sister and I have felt perfectly safe when travelling around Roatan with cash. Since you will be travelling with a guide, there is little chance anyone would harass you. We paid cash for everything other than when we shopped in some of the bigger shops, which take credit cards. The charges will appear in Lempiras [sp?], and I had no idea what the conversion rate was, but they were accurate when I checked my statement.

When you are snorkelling or swimming, you can lock your valuables in the guides vehicle. This turned out to be a perfectly safe option as the guides will be keeping an eye out, while you are having a good time. Your stuff is also safe on the glass bottom boat tour.

In Coxen Hole, a few years back, after we had parted with our guide and were shopping on our own, it was a bit intimidating at times. We had some young local men following us back to the dock. We paired up with another woman who was walking by herself and had no issues. I believe there is a much bigger police presence now [the are very friendly and helpful-not threatening].

After your day with your guide, you will be dropped off directly in front of the port. There was absolutely no opportunity for any problems there. So unless you choose to wander off on your own, I would have no worries about your cash.

Jeff ~ what time did you arrive? It says we arrive @12n in Roatan, depart 7p. I would like to book with Bodden and do iguanas but not sure what beach to snorkel from. We would like to see as much as we can in the water just not sure which place is best or how much time to allow. Do they plan all of that out for you? First cruise so any help is appreciated :)

 

Peggy

Just tell them what you'd like to do and ask for suggestions. The schedule is very flexible, since you will have your own individual guide. The guide will have great suggestions, but your whole day will be geared for what you want to do. You can spend as much [or little] time as you want at each location you visit. Victor is very good about answering questions if you email him.

I can't recommend the best beach as I've only been to one- Half Moon Bay. this is a very tropical snorkelling beach with great views. I've read about many other nice beaches also.

Can someone please give me the website, so I can check out the tours he offers. PLEASE

thank you

try: www.boddentours.com

The monkeys have their own enclosure and you can certainly stand outside of the enclosure to watch them. However, we entered their enclosure, let them climb all over us and had the time of our lives:). We leave Saturday for 8 days on the island and will be paying a return visit to Victor's!

I'm so envious! Have a great time!

I can't imagine you would be forced to hold animals you did not want to hold!!! But looks like the monkeys are somewhat on the loose and tend to climb all over the visitors.....not sure how to stay far enuf away so that they don't consider you a climbing post :D.... I personally prefer to see animals in more natural settings than in a cage in someone's yard.....

If you take a western caribbean cruise and want to see wildlife in their natural environment, I highly recommend doing a wildlife tour in Belize. We did a river cruise and saw many monkees up in the trees along with dolphins, crocs, manatees, iguanas and you name it. Of course the monkees are much further away, but very worthwhile.

The monkees are secure at Victor's. The enclosures are fairly roomy and nice.

Not to create a problem - but how do you know the monkeys are 'safe to play with'? In many areas certain types of pets/wildlife require shots/medical visits etc. The probability of the monkeys carrying some disease may be rare but still possible - and just because they look safe to play with does not mean they are....(and in some reviews people do mention being bit by the monkeys).

 

I think caution should always be exercised when handling animals - esp in foreign places (can you tell I have worked with vets?)

You have a good question and point. Even with a domestic animal [anywhere], there is always a chance that one might bite. I would certainly ask what kind of health history they have if you were concerned. I wasn't at all worried myself, but I have a lot of experience with animals in general and felt safe. The monkees we played with were extremely playful and curious, and definitely looking for any pockets to raid.

Stick with your own comfort range, there is so much to see and do on the island. Even if you went to see the animals, they are not running loose, so you would have to choose to enter their cage.

Was the great snorkel spot right near the restaurant or did you need to drive further down for that? Ever since I read MDSue's great description on Half Moon Bay Restaurant and snorkeling I thought my family would love it (thanks again MDsue), but I am wondering if you also snorkeled right by the restaurant. I am thinking my husband might want to sit and have a beer while the rest of us snorkel and then we all get something to eat.

Thanks!

The last picture I posted was from the outside patio of the restaurant. It is very close to the snorkelling area.

 

We told Marty we were interested in a quiet beach for my wife to relax and where the boys could snorkel. Wow! Did he know the spot. He took us to a distal section of Half-Moon Bay. Free lounge chairs in the shade, very secluded, private with only a couple of families. We rented snorkel gear ($7) and could have snorkeled without even moving more than a foot from the shore. We were right on the reef, which was otherwise a 1/4 mile swim from the more public beach. My boys and I snorkeled as long as we could, then we had a wonderful lunch at the nearby Half Moon Bay Restaurant, of lobster and shrimp. The restaurant was a beautiful open-aired, dark wood structure that looked relatively new. It stradled the reef, providing a beautiful view.

 

I recommend any VB driver.

Does this bring back memories?

Just curious - wondering about the vehicles being used? Are they all vans? Or some cars? Air conditioned? Do they provide bottled water/drinks? or do you bring your own?

We were in an air-conditioned car on our first tour and a van with a/c on the second. They are newer, clean and in good condition. I would bring your own water, they don't provide it. However, they will be happy to stop at a store for you if you want to purchase a drink there.

On our first tour, I was dying for a Mt. Dew. Back then no one in the Western Caribbean ports sold it. Our driver stopped at numerous shops to help me find one [never did, but I appreciated his effort]

I am going to be checking in to this tour. I'm sure all enjoyed because the animals were well taken care of. Just want to verify that. What is the experience like where the monkeys are?

 

What other things have you done on the tour. It sounds like all the tour guides are very good and this is a reputable company.

The monkees and other animal are at Victor's home. He also has a zip-line and small shop there. The enclosures were roomy, and spotlessly clean. For a small operation, I felt the animals were very well taken care of. We had a blast with the monkees.

Here are a few pictures from our recent trip:

We have had Hanno twice. We liked him so much on our first trip, we requested him again on the second. His English is very good and he also is very knowledgable about the island and things to do. He is very flexible and will offer a variety of ideas. If there is a certain activity you prefer over another, he will go out of his way to accommodate your wishes. Definitely not pushy at all. All of the guides are just out to provide an enjoyable experience for you. It is a much different experience than your typical planned cruise excursions. You get to decide how to spend your day, but they will provide plenty of options.

To all the people who are asking about snakes. My name is Nacho, I am an independent tour operator here in Belize. As I always tell my guest, "Where is the location for Cave Tubing? In the jungle. Where do snakes live? In the jungle. But, because cave tubing is one of the most popular tours here in Belize, there are thousands of people going there, every week and snakes are afraid of us, just as we are of them, so they keep away or hidden. It is very unlikely that you will see one, they are there, but they rarely come out. So, it is safe to say, that you won't see one.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for the honest answer in regards to snakes. I hate it when I read that one will never encounter a snake in the jungle. I believe that the overall chance is very slim for reasons you stated, however, slim chance doesn't mean no chance.

Yes, I always tip the tour guide. I am sure they depend on tips just like food servers do.

If I'm with a busload of others, then I usually tip $5, but I would tip more for a small individualized tour.

Our bathroom was "occupied" when we returned from dinner one night!

Mine can't compare, but here's a few

Sunrise- St. Thomas

Coki Beach: