La Ceiba

Honduras's carnival city on the Caribbean coast, backed by the Pico Bonito rainforest, with rafting on the Cangrejal River and boats to the Bay Islands.

La Ceiba is a port city on the Caribbean coast of northern Honduras, capital of the Atlántida department and the country's third-largest city. Pico Bonito rises right behind it to the south, and tropical rainforest blankets the land from the shore up to peaks of over 2,400 m, which is why it is called Honduras's ecotourism capital. There are three main things to do. First, head into Pico Bonito National Park to hike to waterfalls and go birdwatching, or go rafting and ziplining on the Cangrejal River. Second, visit Garifuna villages along the coast such as Corozal and Sambo Creek for seafood and hot springs, or take a boat through the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge mangroves to see manatees and monkeys. Third, go west to Tela to visit the Lancetilla Botanical Garden and the Punta Sal headland. The city's seafront promenade and nightlife district are pleasant for an evening stroll. March to August is relatively dry, and the San Isidro Carnival in May is the country's biggest festival; October to January is rainy and flooding is possible. Allow 3–4 days. La Ceiba is also the gateway to the Bay Islands, with daily ferries from the dock to Roatán and Utila, and trips to the nearby Cayos Cochinos usually leave from this stretch of coast (those sights are listed under the Roatán destination). Take care with safety in Honduras: avoid walking alone at night, use licensed taxis and keep valuables out of sight.

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