Our time spent in Roatan was magical! And one of the highlights of the whole vacation was the time spent at Gumbalimba Park.
Our first day on the island ended with a walk through West End where we saw a sign for zip-lining. Despite my resistance (I’m terrified of heights), my husband eventually talked me into it and we booked a canopy zip-line tour at Gumbalimba Park.
What we originally thought was ‘just a zip-line’ ended up being SO MUCH MORE!
Little did we know that Gumbalimba Park would be so much fun and offer dozens of photo opportunities.
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Photo Ops at Gumbalimba Park
The Zip-Line Tour
I am TERRIFIED of heights. As in my legs shake when climbing the ladder into the attic.
I agreed to do this zip-line tour because my husband really wanted to and I thought I could make it down one {little} zip-line without losing my shit.
What I didn’t realize that Gumbalimba Park offers a Zip-Line Canopy TOUR. It’s not just a zip down one little line, it’s a literal tour of the jungle canopy on SEVENTEEN different zip-lines that travel at speeds up to 48 miles per hour!
So, this zip-line tour wasn’t my favorite part of the day. My husband, on the other hand, LOVED it!
Careening through the jungle at insane speeds, whizzing by iguanas and tropical birds, and terrorizing the love of his life is, apparently, right up his alley.
I have to admit, that despite my fear, I’m glad that I went. Not only was it an experience that I’ll never forget, but the pictures turned out pretty cool too!
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The Monkeys
Gumbalimba Park is not only a tourist attraction, but an animal preserve. The free-range capuchin monkeys are native to Central America and roam around the 20-acre park.
They are curious and friendly enough to jump right on your shoulder, pick your pockets, and play with your hat or sunglasses.
Photo opportunities abound with these cute little creatures! The guides at Gumbalimba are patient and willing to take tons of pictures for you or wait while you take a hundred selfies with your new furry friends.
The Exotic Birds
The macaws and other exotic birds are free-flying and can be seen all over the park. (The only birds kept in cages are those with injuries.)
However, there are guides along the way with birds trained to sit on your shoulder for pictures. These birds, like their monkey pals, are friendly and curious.
The island of Roatan is home to several species of macaws and you can spot them all over Gumbalimba Park. We also saw hummingbirds and a toucan on our tour through Gumbalimba Park.
Fun Fact: The scarlet macaw is the National Bird of Honduras.
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Coxen’s Cave & Insectarium
Coxen’s Cave is a man-made cave full of museum-quality pirate exhibits. Here you’ll learn about notorious plunderer John Coxen and the rest of Roatan’s pirate-filled history.
Gumbalimba’s Insectarium is where you’ll become educated on all of Central America’s creepy crawlies! There are frames full of giant beetles, shiny butterflies, and camouflaged moths.
Fun fact: Central America is home to one of the largest and shiniest butterfly species in the world – the blue morpho butterfly.
One of the best features of Coxen’s Cave and the Insectarium is that it is air-conditioned!!! We probably spent too much time looking around and reading all of the informational plaques, just because escaping the heat and humidity felt so good!
Bridge of Pirates
If you search Gumbalimba Park on Pinterest, you are sure to find gorgeous pictures of the Bridge of Pirates.
It is 237 feet of swinging suspension bridge that separates the main park area from the animal sanctuary. So, if you want that Insta pic with a monkey or macaw, you have to cross it!
It was shaky and normally I would have been terrified, but I had already survived seventeen freakin’ zip lines, so I was feeling pretty invincible! However, there is a ‘Chicken Bridge’ (a.k.a a normal, stable bridge for sane people) if you don’t think you’ll make it across this one!
If you do brave the Bridge of Pirates, make sure you capture a picture for your Instagram. It’s sure to be a hit!
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The Beach
Gumbalimba Park is located in West Bay, which has some of the best beaches on the whole island!
Their cabana on the beach offers snorkeling, SNUBA, and Sea Trek tours, clear-bottomed kayaks, lounge chairs, and hammocks. Or for the little ones or those tired of the beach, there is a kid-friendly fresh-water pool.
Your Instagram and Facebook feeds will explode after you post pictures of Roatan’s beautifully blue Caribbean water and colorful fish!
Roatan’s Gumbalimba Park is truly a unique experience!
My favorite pictures from the whole trip were taken at this beautiful park. From the monkeys and macaws to the lush surroundings, to the beautiful beach, Gumbalimba Park is sure to captivate and impress your social media followers!
