La Ceiba is the gateway to the Bay Islands of Honduras
La Ceiba, a surprisingly friendly little town, has become the ecotourism capital of Honduras. In fact, it has the potential to become the ecotourism capital for all of Central America! This can seem quite pretentious, especially when you consider that other Central American countries, such as Costa Rica, Panama, and Belize, have earned a great reputation as an ecotourism destination.
Honduras has been left behind, and its unfortunate label as the most dangerous country in the world has prevented tourists from traveling and discovering all that Honduras has to offer. Fortunately, things have changed after the political crisis that got the country into trouble, and I can happily say that the situation is far advanced to regain full control of security. The current government has succeeded in curbing crime, and while much remains to be done, there is no doubt that much is being done! Best of all, tourists are never a target and the main tourist destinations are very safe, as any traveler who has recently traveled to Honduras can confirm.
La Ceiba is located on the Caribbean coast of Honduras, also known as the “north coast.” If you look at a map of Central America, you will understand why: Honduras has a peculiar geographical location that places the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Along with Panama, Honduras is the only country in America with this unique situation. As long as you have a map, you may notice that there is a small archipelago of islands north of La Ceiba. These are the Bay Islands of Honduras. They are close enough to the mainland of Honduras to be seen on a clear day from the beaches around La Ceiba. Of these islands, three are inhabited: Roatán, the largest, Utila, the closest to the mainland, and Guanaja, where Columbus landed on his fourth and last trip to the “Indies.”
If you are looking to get to the Bay Islands, you can affirm, without a doubt, that La Ceiba is the gateway to the Bay Islands of Honduras. From La Ceiba you will find daily ferry service available between this city and the islands of Utila and Roatán. In addition to the ferry service, the Goloson International Airport in La Ceiba offers several daily flights to and from the islands of Utila, Roatán and Guanaja.
Utila has become world famous as the most affordable “diving certified” destination in the world! Roatán has become the fastest growing cruise port of call in the Caribbean, and Guanaja is a laid-back paradise with beautiful green mountains, crystal clear streams and waterfalls, and exceptional reefs. Truly a paradise for anyone who wants to get away from it all and experience the Caribbean for what it is!
These beautiful Caribbean islands take most of the tourist visits to Honduras, with most tourists passing through the city of La Ceiba on their way to the islands. Incredibly, the vast majority of tourists completely bypass the city and simply consider La Ceiba to be the gateway to the Bay Islands of Honduras.
With so much to offer, and being the true ecotourism capital of Honduras, with 4 protected areas within reach: Pico Bonito National Park, Nombre de Dios National Park, Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge and Cayos Cochinos Marine Monument, La Ceiba is A true paradise worth visiting! Regardless of whether you are looking for an adventure vacation or a nature vacation, you will find the perfect ingredients for both, best of all, you can combine them!
One of the most unique areas within La Ceiba is the Cangrejal River Valley. This is a unique and extremely scenic area, where you can find rafting, incredible waterfalls, a network of trails, exceptional bird watching opportunities, and much more, all within walking distance of the many exceptional lodges within the valley.
If you are planning a visit to the Bay Islands of Honduras, you simply must take some time to visit La Ceiba and the Cangrejal River Valley. Passing by and not doing it would be like visiting the Bay Islands and not going out to the beach and swimming in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean! You will find more than 10 different hostels and bed and breakfasts in the Cangrejal River Valley. There is surely one that will suit your budget. This is sure to become one of the highlights of your Honduras Bay Islands trip!