DESTINATIONS
La Ceiba

History of La Ceiba

Located in the northern coast of the country at the side of the Caribbean Sea, it is the capital city of the department of Atlantida. Its name comes from a large tree called Ceiba (which was sacred to the Mayas), which was located near the mouth of the Cangrejal River. There were several huts in this area before 1877, all of which received the shade of this tree, so visitors got used to calling this area La Ceiba.

This city has been the headquarters for big North American and Honduran companies and it was where the largest and oldest commercial bank in the country started working, Banco Atlantida in 1913. The Standard Fruit Company still has its head office here. They produce a great variety of fruits for exportation including bananas, pineapples and grapefruits.

On August 23 1877 it was declared a county, under the jurisdiction of the Department of Colon, with Mariano Guirard as its first major. On July 24 1893, it is upgraded to the category of port city, dependent on the Trujillo Administration, and finally became the capital city of the Department of Atlantida upon its creation on February 24, 1902, during Terencio Sierra’s presidency. Mestizos make up most of the population, and Spanish is the main language, even though certain groups speak English and the Garifunas speak Garinagu. La Ceiba is Honduras’ third most important city and its definitely the most vibrant of all as it is a young and dynamic town.

General Information about La Ceiba

La Ceiba offers its visitors many attractive places. It is a port with Caribbean beaches; it has an exuberant natural life that is preserved by The Pico Bonito National Park and the Cuero y Salado Wild Life Refuge. It has a good tourist infrastructure and the most important of all, a hospitality tradition and a very nice environment.

La Ceiba holds the potential to become Central America’s Ecotourism Capital city. Its proximity to the Pico Bonito National Park, the largest national park in the country, the Cuero y Salado Wild Life Refuge, and to the Cayos Cochinos Sea National park are just some of its many attractions. Its tourist infrastructure is constantly improving. A sample of this is the Palma Real Hotel in Roma village, 12 miles eastward on the road that takes you to Trujillo, that with its 160 rooms and fine facilities make it one of the best beach hotels in the country since it is located next to Honduras’ first water park, Water Jungle. The first real ecolodge in the country, the Pico Bonito Ecolodge is situated on the slope of the Nombre de Dios Mountain Range, close to El Pino village to the west of La Ceiba. This hotel offers first class facilities to its visitors and it’s just a few steps away from the park, allowing the tourist to interact with the exuberant nature of the tropical jungle.

Location

La Ceiba is located an hour away from the city of Tela, and it’s the third most important city in the country. It is nestled at the foot of the Nombre de Dios Mountain Range, precisely under Pico Bonito’s 7,300 feet and its natural vegetation and banana and pineapple plantations. The Pico Bonito National Park is 3 miles to the south of La Ceiba and is part of a cloud forest. The park is crossed by the Cangrejal and Zacate Rivers and their crystal-clear waterfalls of up to 82 feet high. Among the novelties this river has for tourists is the fantastic rafting which attracts adventure-loving locals and foreigners.

It is easy to move around in La Ceiba since there are two parallel avenues, San Isidro and 14 de Julio that stretch from north to south perpendicularly to the coast. Streets run parallel to the coast, from east to west, with the first street just at the side of the coastline. The ‘live zone’ or ‘zona viva’ is where you find a great variety of restaurants and practically all the clubs and starts in the first street, bordered to the west by Avenida San Isidro.

La Ceiba has an international airport, Golosón, with a 9,186feet long runway. From this city you may easily reach different interesting tourist sites in the country. Among its best known beaches you can find: Turi-centro in Peru Beach, El Porvenir, Sambo Creek, El Venado, and Corozal.

Learning More about La Ceiba

This city also has excellent restaurants, hotels, clubs, shopping centers, good intercity transportation routes and a ferry to the Bay Islands. La Ceiba is blessed by having a central bus station, where most of the companies serving La Ceiba arrive, making it easier for travelers. The only exceptions are Hedman Alas which has its own bus station in the Supermercado Pueblo near the exit to Trujillo, right before the Saopin Bridge and Viana Clase Oro, having its station at the Esso Miramar in the 15 de Septiembre Boulevard. National and international airlines serve the Golosón Airport such as Isleña Taca Regional, Sosa Airlines, Atlantic Airlines, and Rollins Air, all of which have their base at La Ceiba and fly from and to Guanaja, Roatán, Utila, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, and La Mosquitia.

Finally, La Ceiba has a regular maritime service to the islands of Roatán and Utila, leaving on daily from the small ship dock (muelle de cabotaje), located a few miles to the east on the highway leading to Trujillo. For more information about departure and arrival schedules check the transportation section at the beginning of this publication where you will find the itineraries and addresses of the operator.

There are three Spanish schools in La Ceiba: el Centro Internacional de Idiomas, Central American Spanish School, and La Ceiba Spanish School.

Using Credit Cards?

If you wish to obtain cash you may do so using your American Express, Diners Club, Visa, Master Card, and JCB credit cards at the BAC Honduras on Avenida San Isidro, in front of Hotel Iberia. It is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday and from 8 a.m. thru 12 noon on Saturdays. If you wish to pay using your credit cards you may also do it, just make sure you see the sticker telling which card is accepted at the entrance of each store you visit.

Carnivals and Places of Interest

La Ceiba celebrates its carnival on the third week of May each year to honor their patron saint, San Isidro. During this week the festive environment and hospitality of the people overflow with parties in each of the main neighborhoods in the city. The carnival ends on the 24 with a grand parade. Recently they have been also celebrating the city’s anniversary with another carnival in August.

A short distance away from La Ceiba, in the town of Agua Caliente, Jutiapa County, you will find the Usha Medical and Rejuvenation Center, where they apply alternative medicine methods with good results in the treatment of several ailments including cancer and diabetes. The treatment used in the clinic is based on a vegetarian diet and natural medicine in combination with thermal baths. Even though the clinic has no telephones, it is easy to get there since it is on kilometer 225 on the road that goes to Trujillo where you will see a big sign pointing where the clinic is. They offer intensive treatments for those who wish to be admitted and outside consults. Patients may stay in bungalows that have been designed for their relaxation.

Shopping in La Ceiba

La Ceiba is a relatively big town that offers many shopping alternatives. In fact, for many years shoppers came from San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa because there were a large variety of products at good prices due to its position as a port. Nowadays it supplies a vast region with products being sent to the Bay Islands, Tocoa, Bajo Aguán Valley, and Trujillo, the capital city of Colón.

Should you wish to buy clothes we recommend Tiendas Carrión, the largest and most important department store chain in Honduras, which now has stores in other countries of Central America including El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. Tiendas Carrión were born in La Ceiba. For groceries and other supplies you may shop at Super Ceibeño, with 4 stores in the city, the largest of which is in the Mazapán neighborhood. Another alternative is the Supermercados Mega in the Mall Megaplaza. This air-conditioned mall has a variety of good shops and an American-style food court.

During the carnival in May many artisans and merchants from all the Central American Region arrive to offer their goods. Several temporary markets are established so it is wise to ask where they are that you may find an assortment of products at reasonable prices. Remember that in the market haggling is not only permitted, but it an important part of the ritual.

Whatever your shopping needs are in La Ceiba you will find them in this beautiful port city known as the ‘Sweetheart of Honduras’.

Places to visit near La Ceiba

Río María

A short and refreshing trip just 5 miles from La Ceiba will take you to this small village near the Peru beach on the road leading to Trujillo. To reach it you have to walk for about 40 or 45 minutes in a tropical jungle along the river, your reward, a series of pools with crystalline fresh water that make it the ideal place for a picnic or just to enjoy nature. You may get here taking the Sambo Creek-Corosal bus which leaves the terminal every 45 minutes. You just need to tell the driver to leave you in front of the bridge in Rio Maria. Once you get there take the path at the left. The way is narrow and is upward for 10 or 14 minutes. In one of the first clearings at the right you will find some natural pools with an excellent view of the ocean and Cayos Cochinos. If you have your own car and prefer to drive here you will have to leave it at the side of the road where you can just pay one of the children who usually hang around the area so take care of it for you. Once you are on your way the people you meet along will gladly give you instructions so you don’t get lost. If you are doubtful about how to find the pools you may hire a child as your guide. In case you desire to hire a guide from La Ceiba call us and we’ll make the necessary arrangements.

Cuero y Salado

This wild life reserve is just 20 miles from La Ceiba on the Caribbean coastline with an area that forms a triangle with the Cuero and Salado rivers. Having an extension of 32,753.82 acres it was declared a protected area in 1986 to save the endangered manatees in the region. It also has complex salt and fresh water system that includes some 15 rivers that are born in Gracias a Dios and have a direct influence in the refuge and in the Pico Bonito National Park. The reserve is currently managed by an NGO that was established by Cuero y Salado Foundation and the government agency, FUCSA. The park protects around 35 species including manatees, jaguars, white face monkeys and other monkey species and alligators. The area is rich in birds with some 198 different species that represent 28% of the total amount of bird variety in Honduras. To travel to this paradise you need to contact us so we can do the necessary planning with the Cuero y Salado Foundation and FUCSA.

Rafting in the Cangrejal River

One of the best waters to practice whitewater rafting in Central America is definitely in La Ceiba. The Cangrejal River offers type 2, 3, and 4 rapids, all of which are just 45 minutes away from the city, to which you may also add a visit to Pico Bonito, a park with seven different ecosystems due to the change in altitude along the east side of the river, a fascinating reality in the Honduran Tropical Jungle. Meals are included in the tours and guided by expert canoeists. You just need to consult the list of companies who work in the area in La Ceiba’s phonebook or call us so we can prepare the best package for you.

Pico Bonito National Park

It is undoubtfully the most diverse park in Honduras covering an area that starts at sea level until it reaches 7,300 feet above sea level making it the greatest variation in height in Honduras. Its name comes from its physical appearance (Beautiful Peak) and is a symbol of La Ceiba in the important role it has played in ecotourism during the last years. The access to the park is limited to a small number of visitors and it is possible to visit some of the lower areas of the park. The main path is along the Zacate River.

This is what you need to do to get to the park; about 12 miles to the west of La Ceiba, on the road leading to Tela you will pass through El Pino village and after the bridge on Quebrada Seca take the second detour to the left. Advance southward for about a mile moving towards the mountain. The path along the Zacate River is about a mile and a half long and you will find many camping areas, a number of tropical birds including the blade beak toucans and swallows and if you’re lucky enough you’ll spot some white face monkeys. The path offers you many scenic views of the river with its transparent water and gorgeous natural pools where you’ll be able to swim. Later on you’ll find the striking waterfall. Sounds exciting? Get in touch with us and we’ll arrange your tour.

For more information about Pico Bonito National Park visit the Foundation’s offices (FUPNAPIB) in Barrio La Merced 15^th street, between 14 de Julio and Ramón Rosa Avenues or call (504) 443-3824 in La Ceiba.

Sambo Creek

This interesting Garifuna village is about 12 miles to the east of La Ceiba on the road that leads you to Trujillo. Like all Garifuna villages it is by the sea and their main economic activity is fishing. There are two good restaurants, both of them on the beach. La Champa is at the end of the town’s main street and it sells delicious sea food. The second one, Sambo Creek Restaurant is on the east side of the beach. The view of the beach and Cayos Cochinos is the best from here. The food is cooked by a North American of Italian/Armenian origin who has a lot of experience is restaurant and his dishes are a living proof of this. Prices are very affordable.

Los Chorros

Perhaps the most popular watering place among Ceibans is just a few meters off the road that goes to Trujillo. Take the bus to Sambo Creek and tell the driver you want to get off at Los Chorros. If you come by car it is immediately after kilometer 209 by the bridge over a creek. You may leave your car here and walk on the left side of the creek until you reach a hut where food, sodas and beers are sold. From this spot you can see the first natural pool which is usually very visited on the weekends. If you continue walking up the river you’ll find a series of falls and pools. The tropical setting, the transparent fresh water, and the fowl variety make it a true paradise.

Tropical Butterflies Farm

This has become one of La Ceiba’s favorite tourist attractions. It is located at the Pico Bonito Lodge about 6 miles to the west of the Golosón International Airport. To get here the road going to La Ceiba and when you reach El Pino you’ll see a sign that points towards the Lodge. Take the detour and soon you’ll find yourself amidst a beautiful cacao and coffee plantation. The route to the butterfly farm is well signaled. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays so keep this in mind.

The main attraction here is definitely the butterfly house, a 400 squared meters area where you’ll find multicolor butterflies of 40 different species. You’ll also be able to visit the larva house where thousands of them are raised and the nursery where plants the butterflies feed on and lay their eggs in are raised.

The closeness to the Pico Bonito National Park and its leafy vegetation will let you see several strange birds that you’ll rarely see somewhere else. More than 194 birds have been catalogued in the area, including bicolor eaglets, four species of tarragons, the king vulture and more.

Cayos Cochinos

They’re a short distance away from La Ceiba; so on a clear day this beautiful islands and keys may be seen from the coast. They are part of a Marine National Park and are in fact two small islands and a series of small keys, some of which are inhabited by Garifuna fishermen who take advantage of the abundance of fish in the region. The island known as the Small Pig (Cochino Menor) is a scientific research station in charge of the prestigious Smithsonian Institute of the USA. The only hotel in the area is the Plantation Beach Resort located on the Big Pig (Cochino Mayor). Ask us about how you can visit this splendorous place.

How do I get to La Ceiba?

You may reach La Ceiba by land, sea, or air. Whatever your choice is will depend on where you’re coming from so contact us that we can give you a personalized service that will fill your expectations concerning plans and costs. We can also give you new tour options in the entire Republic of Honduras that will not only include La Ceiba but other interesting places such as Copan Ruins.