La Ceiba

La Ceiba is the fourth largest city in Honduras with roughly 250,000 people and serves as the main gateway to the north Caribbean coast. The city offers good hotels, ATMs, and internet cafes while functioning as a base for visiting Pico Bonito National Park, the Cuero and Salado Wildlife Refuge, and nearby Garifuna villages. Many travelers also use La Ceiba as an overnight stop on their way to the Bay Islands or Hog Islands.

Golosón International Airport (IATA: LCE) serves the city with flights from Aerolineas Sosa (Roatan, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, Utila), Cayman Airways (Grand Cayman, Roatan), and CM Airlines (Tegucigalpa). The city lies 202 km from San Pedro Sula along the Caribbean coast.

Taxis are the primary way to get around La Ceiba and are cheap and abundant. Always confirm the fare before entering, particularly when traveling from downtown to the port or airport. Prices are typically quoted per passenger except from the airport. Drivers may stop to pick up additional passengers. Buses cost around L10-15 and run throughout the city. Stand at the roadside and flag down approaching buses; if one does not stop, it has reached capacity.

La Ceiba Carnival, the biggest in Central America, takes place on the third Saturday in May, with mini-carnivals in various neighborhoods in the days leading up to the main event. The festival is generally peaceful and good-natured, though accommodations fill up completely. For lower prices and fewer crowds, avoid the carnival period.

Quality hotels include Quinta Real, La Quinta, Hotel Paris, and Aurora, with mid-range options like Hotel Iberia. Budget travelers will find limited hostel options; the Catracho and Lastenia offer safe budget accommodations. Lastenia Hotel provides rooms with A/C or fan for about US$15 for three people per night, with airport/bus station transfers available for approximately US$3 per room. Hotel Gran Ceiba has quality rooms but has reported security issues.

Ricardos on Avenida 14 de Julio serves some of the best food in Central America, winning multiple awards, though at higher price points still half of what you would pay above the Rio Grande. Bar Expatriados in Barrio El Iman (end of Calle 12) offers American/Honduran cuisine with imported and domestic beer, costing about US$30 for dinner and drinks for two. The Iguana Bar & Restaurant near the airport serves local seafood and grilled beef on the beach at moderate prices.

Villas Pico Bonito near Rio Cangrejal south of town offers hiking, mountain biking, white water rafting, and zip lining within Pico Bonito National Park. Hotel Rio (+504 9946-7994) provides full rafting services with direct access to the national park via a hanging bridge, plus trips to a 300-acre black pepper and tropical tree farm. Omega Tours Adventure Company and Eco Jungle Lodge (+504 97456810) is another rafting operator.

Most souvenirs in La Ceiba originate from Guatemala but are cheap and attractive. The Rain Forest shop northwest of the stadium in Colonia El Naranjal has the largest selection including local art and artisan work. Local hammocks are available around central park; start negotiations at half the asking price.

Avoid the beach area west of the old pier at the end of Avenida de la República as it is allegedly controlled by a heavily armed gang. The east side, including Barrio la Isla, is safer and hosts much of the nightlife. Walking alone at night in some parts of the city should be avoided due to robbery risk, though La Ceiba generally has lower crime rates than the other two major Honduran cities. Taxis are abundant, cheap, and represent the safest nighttime transport option.

Digitec Internet on the 2nd floor of Uniplaza Mall provides internet and email services. The cafe can be reached at +504 3355-1271.

From La Ceiba, travelers can continue to Puerto Cortes (north along the coast), Tela (east along the coast), or Pico Pijol National Park (inland). The city is also the main departure point for ferries to the Bay Islands (Roatan, Utila) and Hog Islands.