The coastal city of La Ceiba is an adventure activity hub in Honduras. If you’re visiting Roatan and the Bay Islands, your access point may be via La Ceiba if you choose to take the ferry or a short domestic flight. But there are so many adventure activities in La Ceiba that you should book a stay in the area before heading to the islands.
Whitewater Rafting in La Ceiba
From La Ceiba you can access four national parks and the Cangrejal River, which offers excellent whitewater rafting opportunities. Several tourism operators in the area offer trips down the Class II-IV rapids. Keep in mind that, unlike many rafting areas in the U.S., the Cangrejal River is not controlled by dams, so rafting is very much weather-dependent. A popular trip itinerary to La Ceiba includes both whitewater rafting and hiking through the lush park area to El Bejuco waterfall.
The Lodge at Pico Bonito in La Ceiba
The Lodge at Pico Bonito has been repeatedly recommended by international press as a picturesque tropical resort to explore. If you’re seeking a luxurious stay offering privacy and tranquility amidst extensive private grounds, the Lodge at Pico Bonito provides that and more. The Lodge also accepts day visitors to its grounds, offering hiking and birdwatching opportunities with lunch at their on-site restaurant.
The Pico Bonito National Park is one of the four surrounding La Ceiba, offering visitors to the city an easy escape into nature. Pico Bonito itself stands at 2,435 meters high, making it visible from the Bay Islands on clear days. To summit Pico Bonito takes around five days at least, so most visitors opt to enjoy the beautiful view of the mountain from below. Part of the Nombre de Dios mountain range, Pico Bonito rests inside the second-largest national park in Honduras.
Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge
Another national park just outside of La Ceiba offers s peek into the past. Head to the town of La Union, where you’ll hop onto an old train reminiscent of earlier plantation days in the region. Once you arrive in the refuge, you can explore extensive mangroves, keeping a watchful eye for monkeys, manatees, crocodiles, and tropical birds aplenty.
Hiking and Natural Beauty in La Ceiba
With such easy access to a variety of park areas around La Ceiba, it’s no wonder this coastal city enjoys a growing tourism industry. Thrill-seekers can’t get enough of this easily accessible natural beauty. With a litany of hiking trails varying in degree from easy to nearly nonexistent amidst the wild jungle, people of all ages enjoy the beauty of La Ceiba.
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