The
port city of
La Ceiba has a population around 150,000 and
lies on the Northern Caribbean coast of Honduras. La
Ceiba has your typical Central American climate and
terrain. Its economy is largely dependent on bananas
and other fruits, as well as tourism. It is politically
stable. The local currency is the Lempira,
easily exchanged for U.S.
dollars at airports and major banks in the city.
La
Ceiba is a lively, busy, small city served by several local
airlines, with connections through San Pedro Sula to the USA and
Mexico. For people visiting the city who are on business, there are
several hotels that are cheap yet clean. Throughout
the city, one has spectacular views of the Pico Bonito mountains.
Pico Bonito National Park behind La Ceiba, is not
well known to birders, although there is a luxury lodge for
eco-tourists in the Park, with a list of over 300 species of birds. La
Ceiba has a large expanse of beach in the Zona Viva area. It
is kept clean in various areas by the local hotels or restaurants who
are on the beachfront. La Ceiba also has many
beaches in the outlying areas, such as Corazal and Sambo Creek. |
La Ceiba is
all about the outdoors. One beautiful
area to visit is the Rio Cangrejal. A winding, dirt road
heading to "Yaruca" will provide more amazing views as it twists along
the river itself.
We suggest you stay at some cabins along the Cangrejal River, in the
mountains of La Ceiba. Omega Tours, is one such location. It is run by
Udo and Sylvia Witteman, and is very
cheap and basic, but comfortable; with wonderful home-cooked Honduran
food and a spectacular location. It is surrounded by rugged but
tree-covered
mountains. The grounds are full of orange and lime trees, and numerous
flowering trees and shrubs. Take a guided hike along the river. You
will travel
up a steep trail to a spectacular waterfall, with a few birds, and a
most
interesting explanation of the local forest ecology.
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