Cayos Cochinos is an archipelago made up of two small islands and 13 cays located in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Honduras. It is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, stunning beaches with crystal clear waters and rich marine biodiversity. It is a popular destination for adventurous travelers seeking to escape the big city and enjoy nature at its purest.
The Cayos Cochinos archipelago is a protected area and has a rich culture that you can visit on your own or with a tour. Our recommendation is to book a tour with one of the many companies that organize them. It is more practical and you will just have to enjoy your trip since it is a quite remote place with few services and accommodations.
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What are the best things to do in the Cayos Cochinos?
1. Visit Cayo Cochino Grande
As you know, Cayos Cochinos is an archipelago of 13 cays of coral origin and two larger islands. One of them is known as Cayo Menor and the other as Cayo Grande. Most of the cays are uninhabited, but Cayo Grande is one of the exceptions. On Cayo Grande you’ll find the few accommodations on Cayos Cochinos. We’ll tell you more about an ecoresort there later, as well as about many beautiful nature trails.
2. Practice scuba diving or snorkeling
As we said, these Honduran islands are famous for their rich marine biodiversity, in addition to its striking coral reef. Therefore, one of the most popular activities whether you go on your own or on tour is snorkeling or scuba diving. There you can observe the species of fauna and flora that populate the seabed of Cayos Cochinos. In addition, its crystal-clear waters make it very easy to observe the colorful corals, tropical fish and other marine life.
Most tours that organize visits to this archipelago include the snorkeling experience and many of them also include the necessary equipment. The tours will take you to the best areas of Cayos Cochinos where you get the best views and, if you have an underwater camera, the best photos.
3. Tour the islands by boat or kayak
Undoubtedly the star experience in the Cayos Cochinos is to make a tour from island to island and from cay to cay, enjoying its breathtaking scenery and beaches. If you travel with a day tour, you’ll have it all taken care of, as these organized tours will take you to those places you can’t miss.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to do around Cayos Cochinos
1. La Ceiba
La Ceiba is a city located on the north coast of Honduras known for being a gateway to destinations such as the Cayos Cochinos, which are about 40 km away.
The city has a beautiful beach called Playa de las Palmas, where travelers and locals enjoy the sea and good weather and practice water sports such as kayaking, paddleboarding and kitesurfing. La Ceiba is also home to the Lancetilla Botanical Garden. It is one of the largest botanical gardens in Central America. There you’ll also find several museums and art galleries that present the rich history and culture of the region.
Also, if you travel to Cayos Cochinos in the month of May, you can see the famous Carnival of La Ceiba, and enjoy the music, parades and Honduran culture.
2. Roatan
Roatan is another island near the Cayos Cochinos on the Honduran coast, more frequented and crowded by tourists, but equally beautiful and paradisiacal. The island is located 40.2 km from Cayo Cochino Grande and is one of the main lodging options in the area. It is also one of the most common points from which to go by boat to Cayos Cochinos.
In Roatan you can do many excursions, as well as water activities such as diving and snorkeling and even horseback riding on dreamy beaches and canopy tours through the jungle. Among its fabulous beaches you cannot miss West Bay Beach, Sandy Bay Beach and Half Moon Bay Beach, all of them with crystal clear waters and fine white sand. In addition, Roatan stands out for its lively atmosphere and its many dining and lodging options.
What and where to eat in Cayos Cochinos
Garifuna cuisine is an important part of the culture and daily life in Cayos Cochinos. The Garifuna are known for their fused Caribbean and African cuisine, which combines sweet and spicy flavors, and for their fresh seafood dishes and coconut-baked rice, as well as their love of cassava. It is not easy to find restaurants in the Cochinos Cays as it is a sparsely populated and protected place. The restaurants often belong to the few hotels, such as Turtle Bay Eco-resort or Hospedaje Xiomara. However, it is not uncommon for the locals themselves to offer tourists to taste their food. A real opportunity to get a first-hand experience of Garifuna culture.
Where to stay in Cayos Cochinos
Cayos Cochinos does not stand out as a destination with a wide variety of accommodations. Being a protected area, there are hardly any hotels to stay in. However, this is not usually a problem since most travelers choose to visit the Cayos Cochinos on a day tour and do not usually stay overnight there. Despite this, we offer you information on one of the few hotels available in Cayo Grande in case you want to spend more than one day.
- Turtle Bay Eco-resort Cayos Cochinos: Located in Cabo Grande, this is the only accommodation in the archipelago and its mission is to offer a place to sleep, but always respecting the biodiversity of the area. It is a small resort, with 8 rooms overlooking the sea, so if you plan to stay here, you’d better book in advance. It also offers a private beach area, restaurant and internet access. Also, at the resort you can book guided tours and activities around these wonderful islands.
What should I know before traveling to Cayos Cochinos?
- The official currency of Honduras is the Lempira.
- Spanish citizens do not need a visa for a stay in Honduras of up to 90 days.
- Always carry cash on you, not all stores accept credit cards.
- Always have mosquito repellent on hand, this area is considered a risk area for the transmission of diseases such as dengue fever.
- The official language in Honduras is Spanish.
- The plugs have 110V voltage and A and B plugs, you will need an adapter.
- Respect wildlife. Keep a safe distance from animals and do not disturb them.
- Keep the Islands clean and don’t throw trash outside the dumpsters. This will help to preserve the natural beauty of the islands and their biodiversity.
- Hedge yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
- Electricity, water and internet connection are unstable in the Cayos Cochinos.
How to organize a trip to Cayos Cochinos
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we present in the post).
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travelers what to see in Cayos Cochinos, Honduras
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter..
Frequently Asked Questions about Cayos Cochinos
The climate in Cayos Cochinos is tropical and humid throughout the year. Average temperatures range between 24 and 30ºC and humidity is high, especially during the rainy season, which is usually from September to January. During this time, heavy rains and tropical storms can occur, so it is important to be prepared. The dry season, from February to August has drier and sunnier weather.
The dry season, from February to August, is generally considered the best time to visit Cayos Cochinos. During this period, weather conditions are more stable and dry, which favors outdoor activities. It is also the busiest time of the year.
The only way to get to Cayos Cochinos is by sea from the coast of Honduras. There are boats that leave daily from Roatan, La Ceiba and Sambo Creek. From these places the trip takes about an hour and a half. Also, if you hire a tour they will take you directly and often include not only the transfer but also some activities such as snorkeling or diving.
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