La Ceiba, located on the north coast of Honduras, is the third largest city in the country and a tourist destination famous for its festive atmosphere. It is also the gateway to the most incredible beaches, islands and natural parks of the Caribbean. The city also has a rich historical heritage, a legacy of the indigenous and Spanish cultures, which left their mark on the traditions, buildings and gastronomy. Definitely there are a lot of things to do in La Ceiba Honduras.
In this post we will tell you what to do in La Ceiba and the surrounding islands, such as Utila, Roatan and Guanaja, as well as the main natural parks. We have also prepared a travel tips section to help you get around the country, and give you some suggestions on where to eat and where to stay. La Ceiba is an ideal vacation destination and we are sure you will love it.
What are the best places to visit in La Ceiba Honduras?
1. Archipelago Cayos Cochinos
The Cayos Cochinos Archipelago is a group of small islands in the Caribbean where there is a marine reserve with coral reefs and a variety of tropical species. The islands are also home to a small Garifuna community, known for their music and culture, which you can learn about.
The beaches of Cayos Cochinos are one of the main tourist attractions. They are famous for their golden sand and clear waters with more than 100 meters of visibility. In addition, the islands have a unique ecosystem, which is why they are a protected area and why you need a permit to visit them.
From La Ceiba there are organized day trips to Cayos Cochinos for snorkeling, diving, or just getting to know its white sand beaches and clear waters. The excursion costs between $30 and $40.
2. Cocoa Lagoon
La Laguna de Cacao is the perfect place to discover the wildlife that inhabits the mangroves and swampy areas of the country. Whether by hiking through the sugar cane and cocoa plants that cover everything, or by kayak, you can enjoy a pleasant walk while listening to the sound of howler monkeys.
The area is very tourist-friendly, so you can choose from a wide variety of tours to visit the Cacao Lagoon, either by foot, kayak or riding a horse.
3. Sambo Creek Beach
This beautiful beach of white sand and crystal clear waters located a few kilometers from La Ceiba, is an ideal place to swim, snorkel and enjoy the sun and the sea breeze. There are also several restaurants and bars near the beach. There you can try fresh seafood dishes and other local delicacies.
Besides relaxing on the beach, there are several activities that you can do around Sambo Creek, such as boat rides, horseback riding, jungle treks and visits to local indigenous communities.
4. Pico Bonito National Park
This park of 500 square meters is a protected area due to its unique ecosystem where numerous species such as toucans, lions, jaguars, leopards and many more mammals live. In its interior is also located the highest peak in Honduras with 2400 meters of altitude.
In this park, in addition to hiking on trails through its lush jungle and enjoying the views from the top, you can do river activities such as kayaking or rafting.
5. Hot springs in the mountains
Located in the Nombre de Dios National Park, there are two hot springs complexes in the middle of the rainforest. There you will find natural pools where you can bathe and relax in the middle of nature. The resorts also have restaurant and spa.
From La Ceiba it takes approximately 45 minutes by car to get there, but the visit is well worth it as it is one of the most spectacular stops in the surrounding area of the municipality.
6. Lancetilla Botanical Garden
The Lancetilla Botanical Garden is one of the largest and most varied botanical gardens in Latin America where you will find more than 2,000 species of plants from around the world, including fruit trees, medicinal plants, palms, bamboos, orchids, bromeliads and other tropical species. It also has a large number of animals, such as birds, monkeys and reptiles, that inhabit its tropical forest.
The botanical garden was founded in 1925 as an experimental station for the production of tropical fruits. Since then, it has become an important center for biodiversity research and conservation, with a large collection of tropical and exotic plants.
The garden is open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday and admission is $8.
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 La Ceiba
1. Roatan Island and its coral reef
Roatan is a Caribbean island located 1h and 15 minutes by ferry from La Ceiba. It is a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and its coral reef, which is the second largest in the world. There you can practice water sports such as diving or paddle boarding and enjoy the island’s natural reserves, such as the Roatan National Marine Park or the Oak Ridge Mangroves.
The main towns to visit are Punta Gorda and Coxen Hole, where you can book excursions to other parts of the island or do water sports. We also recommend a visit to Gumbalimba Park to discover the wildlife that inhabits the island.
If you want to know more about Roatan Island visit this post: Things to do on a trip to Roatan
2. Utila Island
The small island of Utila is a common destination for a day trip when staying in La Ceiba. The island is populated by barely 4000 people and the main activity is tourism. For this reason you will find a variety of activities and tourist attractions, such as scuba diving, fishing or hiking trails.
Also, Utila is famous for its Caribbean beaches of white sand and crystal clear waters where you can relax in the sun. There you will also find a variety of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy the local cuisine.
To go to Utila you can take a ferry from the port of La Ceiba. The duration of the trip is 3h and the price ranges from 75€ to 130€.
Things to do in 1 day in La Ceiba
The municipality of La Ceiba in Honduras can be seen in one day without any problem. However, the most interesting is in the surroundings, such as the Laguna de Cacao, the Lancetilla Botanical Garden, the hot springs in the mountains or the Pico Bonito National Park. In addition, from La Ceiba you can travel by plane or ferry to the most beautiful Caribbean islands of the country, such as Utila, Roatan or the Cayos Cochinos archipelago. That’s why we recommend spending at least a week there if you want to see all the surrounding natural enclaves.
Where and what to eat in La Ceiba?
The cuisine of La Ceiba is known for having rich dishes that combine influences of the Garifuna, indigenous and Spanish cultures. Among them we highlight the sopa de caracol (snail soup), shrimp tamales, tapado and baleadas, which are stuffed wheat tortillas. In the city you will find many restaurants or street stalls where you can try these specialties. Here are some of our favorites:
- La Palapa: is a nice restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Caribbean food. The atmosphere is friendly and the service is fast.
- North Beach: is one of the best places to eat fried fish. From the second floor there are also stunning views of the beach.
- Malka Restaurant: is a typical Honduran food restaurant where you can eat for less than 17€. It specializes in soups and seafood.
Where to stay in La Ceiba Honduras?
La Ceiba is a very touristic city that offers a wide range of accommodation options for different budgets and preferences. There you will find both luxury resorts and more affordable hotels and a large number of hostels, as the city receives a large number of international backpackers every year. Here are some suggestions for accommodation:
- Omega Tours Eco-Jungle Lodge: is a 5-star resort located in a paradisiacal setting just outside La Ceiba with pool, garden, spa, restaurant and bar. The price per night starts at 70€ and breakfast is included.
- Hotel Las Hamacas: this 3-star hotel is a very well located option in La Ceiba. Among its facilities are restaurant, swimming pool and a playground. The price per night starts at 70€ and breakfast is included.
- Hotel Rio: is a simple little hotel next to the Cangrejal River and has a restaurant and swimming pool. It offers family rooms and the price per night starts at 50€. Breakfast costs 5€.
How to get to La Ceiba Honduras?
La Ceiba is one of the main cities in northern Honduras, and from its port ships leave daily to connect the mainland with the Caribbean islands. To get to La Ceiba you can opt for the bus or a rented car if you are traveling from cities in the country. But the most efficient way is to travel by plane. These are the nearest airports:
- Golosón International Airport: it is only 10km from La Ceiba, but does not have many flights or connections to major European cities.
- San Pedro Sula Airport: is the best connected airport to the rest of the cities, but is almost 200km from La Ceiba.
- Roatan Airport: although the airport is located on an island, the truth is that it is very well connected as it is one of the most common tourist destinations in the Caribbean. Daily boats leave from there in the direction of La Ceiba.
What should I consider before traveling to La Ceiba Honduras
- The official currency of Honduras is the Lempira.
- Honduras has a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. It is important to be prepared for rainfall, especially during the rainy season from May to November.
- The best time to travel to La Ceiba is during the dry season from December to April.
- European 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.
- Have mosquito repellent on hand at all times.
- The official language in Honduras is Spanish.
- The plugs have 110V voltage and A and B plugs, you will need an adapter.
- It is advisable to wear light, comfortable clothing, as well as sunscreen and insect repellent
- The water is potable in La Ceiba, but we recommend you drink bottled water instead
- Always keep an eye on your belongings and use caution if traveling alone.
- Hedge against possible medical emergencies: travel insured
How to prepare what to see on your trip to La Ceiba Honduras?
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 the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers things to do in La Ceiba 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 a trip to La Ceiba Honduras
The best time to travel to La Ceiba is during the dry season which runs from December to April.
La Ceiba has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year round. It is important to be prepared for the rains, especially during the rainy season from May to November.
It is recommended to spend on the island between 4 and 5 days.
The water is drinkable in La Ceiba, but we recommend you to buy bottled water.
There are three airports around La Ceiba: Golosón International Airport, San Pedro Sula Airport and Roatán Airport. You can also arrive by bus from the main cities of Honduras or by private vehicle.
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