Tours and Excursions in La Ceiba Honduras

La Ceiba is blessed with an abundant variety of natural settings, all very close one from the other, allowing you to enjoy a variety of different habitats in a short period of time. The most outstanding options are the following:

Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge

Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge is located just 33 km from La Ceiba on the Caribbean coast. The area forms a triangle encompassed by the Cuero and Salado rivers, as well as the coast, has an extension of 13,255 hectares, and was designated a protected area in 1986 because of its endangered manatee population, as well as the complex series of saltwater and freshwater wetlands it contains. 15 river basins, originating in the Nombre de Dios mountain range directly influence the refuge, in particular, the Pico Bonito Cloud Forest National Park.

Presently the park is managed by an NGO (non governmental organization), the Fundacion Cuero y Salado, or "FUCSA". Scientists and conscientious citizens of La Ceiba were instrumental in the formation of the park, in response to the critical environmental problem of loss of forest to agriculture and livestock. The park protects about 35 species of animals, including manatees, jaguar, jabirus, whiteface and other species of monkeys, as well as alligators and a great diversity of fish species. The area is also rich in bird life, with 198 different species (about 28% of the total bird species found in Honduras). There is also a rich variety of vegetation supporting the animal life, including primary forests, lush mangroves and different types of palm.

Trips to Cuero y Salado may be arranged by contacting the FUCSA office at Barrio La Merced, Calle 15, next to the Edificio Daytona, tel: 440 1990 the Masapan district, within the premises of the Standard Fruit Company's offices. The staff will assist planning your trip. Small groups often go on weekends accompanied by a guide. Transportation into the park is by small “banana” train that emulates the old days when the only transportation system within the north coast of Honduras was the railroad. The Ferrocarril Nacional de Honduras (Honduran National Railroad) is responsible for the operation of this system, which operates out of the community of La Union and the cost per person is $5.00 USA for the roundtrip. The “banana train” officially operates as follows: Departures from La Union at 7:00; 8:10; 9:20; 10:30 and 11:40 a.m.; and at 12:50 and 2:00 p.m. Return trips are 30 minutes after each La Union departure, with the last official departure at 2:30 p.m. For reservations, you can call Mr. Carlos Martinez at 373 3062.

FUCSA can arrange an overnight stay in a cabin at the park for a small fee per night. They also have some canoes that are available with a guide to show you around the park, allowing you to get closer to mangroves and sneak up on the wildlife. Use of these is limited to those who pay the rental fee and the specific guided service. At this time the rental fee is Lps 100 per canoe plus Lps. 50 per guide. Boat trips in a larger boats for up to 6 persons with an outboard motor cost Lps. 300 per boat plus the Lps. per guide, which is mandatory. Individuals are advised not to separate from the groups as a protection for their personal safety and to reduce their impact on the park. Colorful, attractive T-shirts can also be purchased at the FUCSA office to help support the work of the foundation, which is working with a United Nations Program for Development and the Honduras Tourism Institute to assure good management practices and provide access to tourists. Visitors need to provide their own food, and the guide, small boat and entrance fees are reasonable.

Public transportation to the park entrance is available by bus. Take the bus to La Union, departing from the bus station at La Ceiba. The bus ride takes about 1-½ hours. We recommend that you take the first bus, which departs at 6:30 a.m. to get there early. Once at La Union, find the railroad offices where you can purchase your ticket into the refuge. The ride into the park from here is 9 km. If you have a vehicle, you can drive as far as La Union. To get there, take the highway to Tela, pass the community of El Pino, and keep and eye out for Km. Sign # 174, and take the first road towards the right, through the pineapple plantations, and then when the road ends, take a left to La Union. There is a sign on the main highway, so you can’t get lost.

The railroad track leads to Campamento Salado, an outpost for the processing of coconuts that belongs to the Standard Fruit Co. The brand new Cuero y Salado visitor’s center offers light foods, information for the tourist, and general information regarding the refuge and its natural environment. Good clean bathroom facilities are also available here. This is where you will pay the entrance fee to the refuge and get your guide for your adventure. The beach is only 50 m from the visitors center, so don’t forget to bring your bathing suit to take a swim in the beach!

There are three distinct river trips and one land trail for your enjoyment. Taking the river trips your chances of seeing manatees are slim, but many visitors do get a chance to see them, especially early in the morning or late in the evening in the Boca Cerrada area of the refuge, which is on the western end of the park. In addition, there are many monkeys and a variety of birds to be seen. It is therefore a good idea to stay overnight. It is possible to spend the night in Salado Barra in a cabin, and there is also a camping ground and camping equipment for rent. A comedor serves local food. Reservations should be made via FUCSA. Several tour operators arrange tours in Cuero y Salado, please refer to the section on tour operators. For additional information, check the web site, www.cueroysalado.org.

Pico Bonito Cloud Forest

Unquestionably one of the most diverse parks in Honduras, Pico Bonito covers an extension of land that goes from sea level to as high as 7,500 ft, and in effect boasts the largest change of altitude in Honduras. Named after the mountain that lies just south of La Ceiba, Pico Bonito has become a landmark for La Ceiba, and is will without doubt play an important role in making of La Ceiba an important eco tourism destination in the years to come.

Although access to the park is quite limited, it is possible to visit some of the lower parts of the park. About 19 km west of La Ceiba, on the highway to Tela and San Pedro Sula, just past the El Pino Community, is an entrance to the park. Almost immediately after passing the Quebrada Seca Bridge you will take the second detour to the left and follow the road towards the mountain range for about one mile. Here you will find the start of the Zacate River trail, which is about 1 ½ miles long. The trail leads you up into the forest following the course of the crystal clear Zacate River. At the end of the trail a spectauclar waterfall will reward you. En route, you will find many refreshing and inviting swimming holes. A variety of tropical birds, including the keel-billed toucan are easily seen along the trail. With luck, white-faced monkeys might also be seen.

The tourist committee at El Pino offers tours going into the park. There is also a nice aquatic trail on the lower Zacate River taking you into the mangrove forest and offering a good chance of seeing howler monkeys. For guided tours contact one of the tour operators or the local contact persons in El Pino: Efrain Cuellar, tel: (504) 3386 9878 or Janice Moore, tel: (504) 9872 3446.

A new trail is now in operation on the Cangrejal River side of the park. Access is via an exciting hanging bridge over the river. The trail leads to the beautiful El Bejuco waterfall. The bridge is located on km 8.8 of the La Ceiba to Yaruca highway. For more information, inquire with the leading tour operators in la Ceiba or call FUPNAPIB at 442 3044. Rates for trail access are $7.00 USA dollars per adult and $4.00 USA dollars for children. Discounts are available for groups and volunteers. The visitor’s center here has a small souvenir shop, as well as an exhibit regarding the park. It is a good idea to hire a guide to take you through the trail, as snakes are quite abundant in this “neck of the woods”. In the vicinity of Las Mangas, a group of local young men and women are offering hiking tours into trails into the Pico Bonito National Park. Guaruma, as they are called, can be contacted at telephone 406 6782 and via their website at www.guaruma.org.

The Lodge at Pico Bonito, located near the El Pino Village, west of La Ceiba is considered one of the top ecotourism lodges in the world! Siting within a working cacao and coffee farm; just a few yards from the massive vegetation of Pico Bonito, this lodge, which is built with a true concern for the environment, is actually the first Eco-Lodge in the country, and set an example that others are following. Without doubt, the comfortable rooms, spacious restaurant and meeting rooms, all with ample views of the mountain will have made this a favorite for travelers wishing to experience the Honduran nature. Food at the Lodge is superb!

Until recently, the trails within the Lodge at Pico Bonito were exclusively for the enjoyment of their guests; however they are now offering a tour for non guests that includes lunch at the Lodge, entrance fees to the butterfly farm and serpentarium located within the grounds of this fine hotel, plus a guided hike up the trails into the park. The trails include bird watching towers and access to a lovely swimming hole in the Coloradito River. Prices per person are $30.32 USA with lunch included. Drinks are not included, and transportation to and from the lodge is the responsibility of each individual person. This tour is without doubt the best option at this time to experience the park. Reservations are a must. To make your reservations call 440 0389, 9991 3183, 440 0388.

Other trails in the Cangrejal River buffer zone of Pico Bonito start from the El Naranjo community, such as the “Vampire trail”. For longer hiking tours inside the park, contact the tour operators. For more information regarding the park, visit the offices of FUPNAPIB (Fundacion Parque Nacional Pico Bonito) (504) 442 3044. Their offices are located on the road towards Tela, just past the detour towards the CURLA campus. For additional information, check the web page at www.picobonito.org

Cayos Cochinos

On a clear day, you can see, and almost touch Cayos Cochinos; the small islands are visible to the east-northeast of La Ceiba. Although from this particular viewpoint, what you see is one island, the reality is, that there are two islands as well as a series of smaller keys. Cayos Cochinos is National Marine Park in Honduras and is protected by law. Of the two small islands, Cochino Grande and Cochino Pequeño, only the larger one is inhabited. There is a very nice dive resort, called Plantation Beach Resort located here. On Cochino Pequeño there is a small station of scientists and park rangers, and they strictly control the park.

Although normally difficult to get to, Cayos Cochinos is a worthwhile trip. The Palma Real Resort hotel offers trips to the keys through their in house tour operator, Turaser. Garifuna Tours, specializing in nature tours to coastal and marine natural reserves offers regular departures to Cayos Cochinos. Another great option is Tourist Options, located in downtown La Ceiba. Departures are early in the morning with a return in the early afternoon to insure that the sea is not too rough. Garifuna tours have many years experience and operate with radio communication, back up motors in the boats, and have professional bilingual staff. Their offices in La Ceiba are located on the corner of Avenida San Isidro and 1st street, across from the Banco Atlantida building. Their phone number is 440 3252. Turaser tours depart from the Palma Real Hotel and offers the shortest trip from the mainland to the keys. Tourist Options has their operational base in Sambo Creek, which provides a chance to see a Garifuna Village as part of your tour.

Another option to visit Cayos Cochinos is departing on Weekends at 6:30 a.m. from Gran Marina, located adjacent to the Galaxy terminal at the Muelle de Cabotaje. Return is approximately at 4:30 p.m. Tour is worth $65.00 USA dollars per person and includes a light lunch. Snorkel equipment is available for an additional 5$ USA per person. For reservations on the “Princesa” call 441 5986 or 441 4124 or sign up at the Mango Tango Restaurant in the zona viva.

Los Chorros

Possibly the favorite swimming spot for the locals, Los Chorros is a small crystalline river with many small falls and natural pools. It is located on the highway to Trujillo, just past km sign # 209. As you pass the small bridge you can walk up past the fence and follow the trail less than 100 yards. You will reach a small building that houses a small comedor, which offers good inexpensive food. From here you are only a few steps from the first of the pools, which is usually quite full of people on weekends and holidays. If you follow the river upstream, you will find many more pools. The natural surroundings, cleanliness of the water and the tropical foliage will make of your day a very pleasant experience.

Cacao Lagoon

Located approximately 24 km. east of La Ceiba, on the highway that leads to Trujillo. This small oceanside lagoon is totally surrounded by mangrove forests, where a variety of tropical aquatic birds can be seen. In addition, there are 8 troops of monkeys that inhabit the area, of which some are howler monkeys and the others are white face monkeys. The trip into the area is interesting, as the village makes a living from its cacao and sugar cane plantations. Cacao, a rare tropical fruit native to America was used in pre-Columbian times as money, due to the great value that the native Indians gave to it. Today, it is the main ingredient in the manufacturing of chocolate. Within the town you will have the opportunity to see the cacao bushes, as well as the sugar cane plantations and without doubt, the old, and still in use, ox driven sugar mill will fascinate you.

After a hike through the village, it is possible to proceed to a small canal, where you could embark yourself on a small handmade dugout canoe for a trip through the mangrove canals into the lagoon. The ride will allow you sneak up on a variety of birds, and your chances of seeing some of the monkeys in the area are excellent. After the scenic ride through the quiet lagoon and its mangroves, take a refreshing swim in the beach, from where you have a very beautiful view of the Cayos Cochinos, located only 15 km. away, directly in front of the beach. Your best option to visit the Cacao Lagoon is to hire one of the tour operators in La Ceiba. We recommend Jungle River, La Moskitia EcoAventuras, Tourist Options and Garifuna Tours. You can check their phones out in the telephone directory of our guide.

Glenda's Paradise Hot Springs

A new option in La Ceiba, located just a few steps past the main detour to Sambo Creek on the road to Trujillo. It is clearly marked on the right of the road. A very pleasant setting with natural hot water springs at about 40 degrees centigrade (105 Fahrenheit). Although the facilities are limited, there is also a cold water pool, an area to hang your hammock and limited food and drinks on premises. Entrance fee is approximately $7 USA dollars per adult person and half for children for a full day and half that for half a day. Well worth the trip to experience these crystal clear soothing waters that will help you relax your muscles. Glenda’s Paradise is open daily.

Rio Maria

For a refreshing short trip, the Rio Maria 8 km from La Ceiba is a delight. The area of Rio Maria is the next one after the Playas de Peru on the main road to Trujillo. This is a hike of about 40 - 45 minutes up into the lush vegetation of the foothills along the river. The reward for the hike up is a series of pools in the river with cool, clear water. It's an ideal spot for a picnic, or just a nature break. To get there, drive or take a bus for Sambo Creek / Corozal which leave every 45 minutes from the bus terminal. Ask the bus driver to let you off at the bridge in Rio Maria where there is a large sign that says "Ecological area". As you face the river, take the dirt road on the left, which becomes a trail very quickly. Continue on to where the river crosses the trail and go left before crossing the river. The trail narrows considerably, and continues up for another 10 - 15 minutes. The first clear path, about one foot wide, that you see to the right is the path that leads you downhill to the pools. Excellent views of the ocean and Cayos Cochinos are offered along the way.

If you have your own vehicle, you may want to pay a few lempiras to someone to watch your vehicle at the base of the road. The local people you may see on the trail are very helpful in giving directions also. It is not a bad idea to hire one of the local kids here as your personal guide. A few lempiras will give you the piece of mind of enjoying the different pools while having someone to watch for your things while you do so, you will also be helping out the family economy of these people. If you prefer to hire a guide to take you from La Ceiba, call Jungle River at 440-1268 and arrange a tour.

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Tours and Excursions in La Ceiba

National Parks and Nature Based Tours