Northern Honduras

Introducing Northern Honduras

The lush, tropical northern region of Honduras has seduced visitors for centuries – its natural wonders and easy Caribbean vibe make it difficult to resist.

Tangled among the beaches are mangrove swamps and tropical vegetation; beyond them lie virgin jungle, slopes and rivers that just scream out to adventure travelers. Whether it is the howler monkeys of www.lonelyplanet.com/honduras/northern-honduras/parque-nacional-jeannette-kawas">Parque Nacional Jeannette Kawas, or the manatees of the wildlife refuge at Cuero y Salado, nature stands strong in this part of the country. All this despite the huge agricultural development on the fertile, narrow coastal plains, which have yielded enough bananas to float an entire economy.

www.lonelyplanet.com/honduras/northern-honduras/la-ceiba">La Ceiba is the region’s party town, and a jumping-off point for the Bay Islands. Its zona viva (party zone) has kept many a good-time gringo under its spell for longer than planned. Beyond its urban core are 1001 outdoor adventures: rafting down the Río Cangrejal, hiking in Pico Bonito or whizzing on a canopy tour in the coastal jungle. Stretching right along the coast are Garífuna villages, bastions of a culture rich with African and Carib heritage. The Garífuna are descendants of slaves abandoned by the British on Roatán at the end of the 18th century.

Most people (rightly) quickly skip through port town of Puerto Cortés, but the two other main towns, Tela and Trujillo, both have their charms – beaches, plentiful seafood and laid-back people to name but a few.

The coast fills up with tourists during Semana Santa (Easter) when Hondurans enjoy a week of holidaying and making merry. Book in advance at this time and beware the prices – they can double. Most places are quiet the rest of the time.

Last updated: Oct 20, 2009