La Ceiba is the gateway to the Bay Islands of Honduras

La Ceiba, a small town that is surprisingly friendly, has become the ecotourism capital of Honduras. It actually has the potential to become the ecotourism capital for all of Central America! This may 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 put the country in trouble, and I can happily say that the situation is well on the way to regaining full control of security. The current government has succeeded in curbing crime, and although much remains to be done, there is no doubt that much is being done! Best of all, tourists are never attacked 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’ll understand why: Honduras has a peculiar geographic location that puts the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Along with Panama, Honduras is the only country in the Americas with this unique situation. As long as you have a map, you might also notice that there is a small archipelago of islands just 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 voyage to the “Indies.”

If you are looking to get to the Bay Islands, you can say 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 Roatan. In addition to ferry service, Goloson International Airport in La Ceiba offers several daily flights to and from the islands of Utila, Roatan, and Guanaja.

Utila has become world famous as the most affordable destination to get “scuba certified” in the world! Roatan has become the fastest growing cruise ship port of call in the Caribbean, and Guanaja is a tranquil paradise with beautiful green mountains, crystal-clear streams and waterfalls, and outstanding 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 the lion’s share of 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 bypass the city and simply consider La Ceiba to be the gateway to the Honduran Bay Islands.

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’re looking for an adventure vacation or a nature vacation, you’ll find the perfect ingredients for both, and best of all, you can combine them!

One of the most unique areas within La Ceiba is the Cangrejal River Valley. This is an extremely scenic unique area, where you can find rafting, amazing waterfalls, a network of trails, excellent bird watching opportunities, and much more, all within walking distance of the many featured lodges within the valley.

If you are planning a visit to the Honduran Bay Islands, you simply need to set aside some time to visit La Ceiba and the Cangrejal River Valley. Going through here and not so much 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. Surely there is one that fits your budget. This is sure to become one of the highlights of your trip to the Honduran Bay Islands!