←Honduras travel guide
Atlántida Department, Honduras
La Ceiba
Rainforest gateway between the reef and the mountains
AdventureBeachesNature & OutdoorsWildlife
You arrive in the lively coastal city that sits beneath the green wall of Pico Bonito, the launch point for rafting the Cangrejal River and ferrying out to the Bay Islands. Garifuna drumming, riverside lodges, and jungle trails are all within easy reach.
Check Honduras visa requirements →
Best time to visit
Dry season (February to April)
Region
Atlántida Department
Main airport
La Ceiba LCE (LCE)
Beyond the City
Day Trips from La Ceiba
Nature
Pico Bonito National Park
Rising sharply behind La Ceiba, this park is one of the most biodiverse in Honduras, with rainforest trails, waterfalls, and rich birdlife. Visitors come to hike to viewpoints, raft the Cangrejal River, and watch for toucans and other wildlife in the dense canopy.
UNESCO World HeritageNature
Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve
A UNESCO World Heritage Site covering vast tropical rainforest along the Mosquitia coast, this reserve shelters jaguars, giant anteaters, and West Indian manatees. Reaching it involves river journeys deep into one of Central America's last great wildernesses, home to several indigenous communities.
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Plan Your Trip
Getting Around La Ceiba
Tours, stays, transfers, and flights — curated partner options are on the way.
Tours & Activities
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and day experiences — curated partner options are on the way.
Coming soonWhere to Stay
Hotels, apartments, and guesthouses across every neighbourhood — booking options are on the way.
Coming soonAirport Transfers
Private and shared rides between the airport and the city centre — partner options are on the way.
Coming soonFlights
Compare fares from hundreds of airlines to find the best route in — search options are on the way.
Coming soonTravel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Honduras
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Honduras page at Yoogo.
The official currency is the Honduran lempira (HNL), and cash is essential in markets, small towns, and on the islands. Cards are accepted in larger hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets in cities like Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, though US dollars are also widely accepted in tourist areas such as Roatán.
Honduras has areas with higher crime rates, particularly in parts of the larger cities, while tourist destinations such as Roatán, Copán Ruinas, and Utila see far fewer incidents. Travellers commonly take standard precautions, keep valuables out of sight, and use arranged transport at night, and many consult their government's current travel guidance before departure.
Long-distance travel is served by a network of buses, ranging from comfortable air-conditioned coaches between major cities to local minibuses known as rapiditos. Ferries connect La Ceiba with the Bay Islands, while domestic flights link San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, and Roatán, and taxis or ride apps are common for shorter trips in cities.
The dry season from roughly December to April offers the most reliable weather for diving, beaches, and exploring the ruins. The Bay Islands have their own rhythm, with whale shark sightings around Utila most likely from February to April and again from October to December, so timing depends on what you hope to see.
Spanish is the official language and is used in everyday life across the country. English is widely spoken on the Bay Islands, particularly Roatán, owing to their Caribbean heritage, and you will also hear Garifuna and Miskito along the northern coast, though learning a few Spanish phrases is helpful on the mainland.
Travellers often review routine vaccinations along with hepatitis A and typhoid, and some consider protection against mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue, which is present in lowland areas. It is sensible to drink bottled or treated water, use insect repellent, and consult a travel health professional well before your trip for advice tailored to your itinerary.
Tipping is appreciated but modest, with around 10 percent common in restaurants when a service charge has not already been added to the bill. Rounding up for taxis, leaving a little for hotel staff, and tipping dive instructors or tour guides for good service are all customary.