Rope Bridge at the Roatan Jungle Canopy
(Entrance Fee - $45 per person)

The Kennelly Family:
Just wanted to let you know that my daughter and I enjoyed our day with Carlos. He was great with my daughter and also wonderful at showing us the island and getting us places. He had us to the Canopy Tour before anyone else so we had plenty of time to enjoy the experience without the crowds. He also made sure my daughter got to experience the Spider Monkeys up close and personal. She will treasure that experience for some time to come. We were able to see much of the island and places that I do not think the people on the regular cruise excursions have the chance to see. When I come back to Roatan, I am sure to be coming for another tour with Victor Bodden Tours, and I hope to get Carlos for my guide once again. I’ll also be sure to put a good word for you at cruisecritic.com where I heard about your tours in the first place! (Carnival Valor – June 28, 2006)

Spider Monkey's at Victor's House...
Also, an anteater, turtles, birds, deer, and more!

Nikita (cruisecritic.com) - Doylestown, PA:
We just got back from the Valor last week (June 25th-July 2) The 3 teens and I booked with Victor Bodden tours to go to the Iguana farm, and snorkeling. When we got off the ship (no tender here - just wait in line and walk off) we walked out the gate and looked for the sign with our name on it. I asked one of them if they knew Victor Bodden and they said "he's accross the street with the blue cap on". I thought that was nice that they pointed him out to me. There was a guy with a line of people trailing behind him so we just ran up and got in the line. We walked a short ways up the street and he motioned for everyone to get in the van - I asked him if he was Victor and he said "yes". So I asked if my name was on his list and he looked and it was but said I was in the wrong area - he had a walkie talkie and contacted someone who had been waiting for me outside the gate. It was really weird that I missed her, but I just wasn't looking in the right spot. So he went to a car and turned on the air conditioner for us and Theresa our guide met us there. Theresa took us to the Iguana farm and along the way she would point out points of interest. One interesting thing is the Mayor's mansion. It is beautiful and designed after the White House and Graceland. Also, we saw a sunken ship which was interesting. The Iguana farm was really cool and amazing. So many Iguanas and you can be hands on with them as well (if you want). They also have a cage with spider monkeys that were lively. They would stick their hand in your pocket and dig for whatever they thought was in there - it was cute and I got some good photos. Also, down by the water, they have turtles and big fish - fun to see. They have some beautiful parrots and other colorful birds. We had to pay $8 each to get in and I think it was worth it. After that we went to a small snorkeling beach. After that Theresa took us back to the ship and we said good-bye. We paid $25 each for this all day tour plus entrance fee to the Iguana farm and lunch. I tipped her $20 and she seemed pleased to get it. She was great and my kids really enjoyed her as well. I enjoyed Roatan but next time I want to go to a white sandy beach which is more my style. And, I really hope there is a next time. I do recommend Victor Bodden tours - he was really nice and friendly and we really had a lot of fun with Theresa who has grown up on the Island and was full of good information. (Carnival Valor, June 27, 2006)

Centerpoint (cruisecritic.com) - South Central Missouri:
Our second port day was at Isla Roatan, Honduras. We had engaged Victor Bodden’s driver, Enry. He was good to us all day. He showed us some shipwrecks on the way to Sherman Arch’s Iguana Farm. Pretty amazing there. They’re all over the place. Down at his docks, he had some tarpins, turtles, and lobsters penned in shallow water for us to observe and feed. After that, we went to the zip-lines, and after a somewhat annoying wait, (we were in a group with another cruise passenger that just wouldn't stop complaining) we were in the trees. This was an excellent experience, and well worth the wait. However, the ship’s excursion says this is “moderate” activity. I assure you that when you are done, you will not agree. I’m in fairly decent shape, and I was exhausted! After that, we went over to the orphanage to visit and drop off donations. We were very impressed with the program over there, as well as the upkeep and condition of the facilities. For any that have a heart toward these things, it is well worth the stop.(Carnival Valor, June 27, 2006)

Michelle Jones & Family:
I just wanted to let you know how much my family enjoyed our day in Roatan. Theris was our driver. She did a wonderful job. She answered all of our questions. She was very friendly and open. She kept us laughing all day. We loved the iguana farm and snorkeling at West Bay. Thank you for your service. We felt like we got the really see Roatan in a relaxing environment. I will recommend you and Theris to all my cruising friends!(Carnival Valor, June 14, 2006)

Half Moon Bay on the West End

Jay and Shelby - North Carolina:
We just returned from our trip on the Carnival Valor. Roatan turned out to be our favorite port of call, thanks to Bodden Tours and our wonderful guide Enry! After reading all of the wonderful reviews posted on the Bodden website, we decided to book ahead…we were not disappointed! We were greeted at the end of the pier by Theris, Enry’s wife, who also works with Bodden. She was so sweet and made us feel very comfortable. Enry was awesome! He spoke perfect English and took us on a wonderful tour all around the island, telling us about his home along the way. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. We wanted to do the Canopy Tour, so he took us to one he said was the best. We had so much fun! It was an incredible experience, and the scenery was magnificent! I definitely recommend doing this…it’s so worth it! The zip tour that Enry took us to had about 15 zip lines and 5 or 6 rope bridges. It was very safe and our guide Corbin was very professional. This canopy tour cost $45/person. The Canopy tour that Carnival takes you on in Roatan costs about $100/person and is much shorter. I’m glad we had Enry to recommend the best one! Enry waited for us as we came down the last zip line. We wanted to get some vanilla, because we heard that it was very good here. So, Enry took us to a place where he said it was the cheapest…it was less than 1 dollar for a huge bottle! Then he took us to Half Moon Bay to a local lunch joint right on the beach where we ate grilled lobster and veggies. It was awesome…and reasonable! And we were literally right on the beach eating under a thatch hut….life could not have been better! Enry then showed us the rest of the island and its beautiful beaches on the west side on his boat. We had the best time cruising along the shore. We jumped out and swam right up to the beach and relaxed for a while. Roatan is beautiful…I hope we can return someday so that we have more time to enjoy it. Enry made our experience so personal. He went out of his way to make sure we had a memorable time. Thank you so much Enry and Bodden Tours! (Carnival Valor, May 2006)

Chad_G (cruisecritic.com):
We booked a tour thru Bodden tours about a month before arriving in Roatan thru Victor's website. Victor confirmed our tour date and was told Ben would be our guide for that day.

Upon arriving at port on April 18th, there was a stand outside the gates that said Bodden tours. A lady was waiting there with a sheet of names on it, including ours. Victor was there and greeted us. He promptly took us to meet Ben. Within minutes we were in an air conditioned car and ready to go.

Our first stop was one of the canopy zip line tours. Sorry to say I don't remember what the name of it was, but Ben said it was the newest one. We were the first one's to arrive and did not have to wait at all. Once the canopy tour was over Ben was waiting for us.

Next stop was the Iguana Farm. Ben took pictures with our camera of us, gave us some more info on the Iguana Farm. At no point did we feel like we were being rushed, it was all very relaxed.

Next stop was Fantasy Island. While we did not go on the beach, we did get to see the exotic animals they have on the grounds. Ben had sugar with him that he gave to us. The small monkeys in the tree's climbed down and literally crawled over us to get to the sugar. I thought it was a nice touch that Ben had that surprise ready for us.

Next stop was Halfmoon Bay. Again, no rush. We stayed an hour while Ben was waiting casually for us. Nice beach too, not that crowded and lots of shade.

Last stop was shopping in Halfmoon Bay. Your normal trinkets were for sale here, but no high pressue salesmen. My wife's the shopper, so I don't do much more then follow around and wait for it to end.

During our drives on the island, Ben answered any questions we had and gave colorful commentary.

So would I use Bodden tours again? Absolutely. Everyone was very nice, they took us wherever we wanted and never rushed. The cost of going with a private tour versus the cruise tour was much cheaper.

Also, at no point on the island did I feel unsafe. The island itself is very beuatiful and the locals were very friendly. The only place where it was hectic was the shopping right outside the port area. It was your standard high pressure sales tactics, but nothing that was really unsafe. (NCL Jewel, April 2006)

The Kulkin Family:
We just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed your tour service on April 19, 2006. We were on the Magica ship and we contacted you ahead of time and your staff was ready and looking for us as soon as we got into port. Our tour guide was Ben and he was just awesome. He knew every point of interest and timed out tour very appropriately leaving enough time to see all of the key places. He was very personable and myself, my wife and my son had a terrific time during the 3 hours we toured the island with Ben. I would recommend him and your company to anyone in the future. Thanks Again. (Costa Magica, April 2006)