La Ceiba

One hour east of Tela and you will stumble upon La Ceiba, owner of the properly earned title: "the Ecotourism Capital" of Honduras. In La Ceiba you have the chance to visit Pico Bonito National Park, a true paradise for birdwatchers -one of the biggest most intact contiguous forest in this part of the world, with confirmed sightings of more than half of the nearly 800 birds known to Honduras.

The highest elevation in the shortest distance from sea level, Pico Bonito has several nicely maintained nature trails for all levels of hiking and trekking, some canopy tours, and from The Lodge at Pico Bonito -featured in the Small Luxury Hotels of the World list- you can find a few nice bird-watching towers to easily appreciate some of the over 400 species that wander freely in this cloud forest including the elusive Lovely Cotinga.

Cuero y Salado Wild Life Refuge is a coastal manatee and wildlife refuge where the Cuero and Salado Rivers meet the ocean. The refuge contains over 13 square kilometers of tropical wet and mangrove forests. Monkeys, sloths, caimans, crocodiles, iguanas, and turtles are common sights together with over 350 species of birds. The refuge's most famous inhabitant is the elusive and endangered West Indian Manatee with an estimated population of 50 individuals. From the La Ceiba international airport you can fly to Roatan, Utila or Guanaja (the other two Bay Islands), although they can also be reached by a nice passenger's speed-boat.

For those searching adrenaline kicks, the Cangrejal River offers class 4 and 5 rapids for one of the best white-water river rafting experiences. Last but not least from La Ceiba is Cayos Cochinos, an archipelago of several small cays all part of a protected area which has guaranteed a truly secluded experience in one of the most paradisaical spots around.

The Lenca Trail

If your interest is more into the cultural side, the Lenca Trail offers a nice itinerary, covering some of the nicest old colonial towns including Comayagua, former capital city of Honduras. With some nice colonial churches and buildings, one of the Comayagua Cathedral towers holds the oldest clock in our continent.

La Esperanza, a small town in the Honduran highlands where local Lenca people from the surrounding villages gather together on Sundays to exchange market goods; Gracias, former capital city in the days of the Central American Vice-royalty, home to some nice old churches, the San Cristobal fortress dating from colonial times and the Casa Galeano Museum; and Santa Rosa de Copan, a nice small city which flourished greatly during the republican period, right after independence days when the tobacco industry began to take off, the city tour includes a visit to some nice old buildings and a tobacco factory.

Honduras is a little less than 3 hours from main gateways in the United States by flight, with four international airports receiving daily flights from major airlines, being San Pedro Sula the main aerial entry for tourism. Getting around is easy, there is deluxe transportation service available, and private services can easily be arranged as well. There are hotels for every budget, and the locals are very friendly. English is widely spoken in Copan and Roatan and also by the staff of important hotels throughout the country.