Find out everything you need to know about visiting La Ceiba which is one of the most popular destinations in Honduras.
Where to Stay
We had a reservation at Villa Rhina, made through the internet, but I didn’t realize then that the hotel was not really in La Ceiba, but actually a 25 minutes taxiride (at 140 L) out of town in Corozal. So this was a big disadvantage, unless you like to be quiet out of town and spend some time on the nearby beach.
The hotel has some special features, not in the least their natural pools made by a cristal clear river nearby. The rooms were also quite nice with AC, good bathroom, even a fridge, and also TV. The food was pretty expensive and not so good. They have a website. Price is 550 L for a double.
Next we went to the Hotel Partenon Beach. It is also a bit out of the center, but just a short taxi ride at 8 L pp. It’s right on the beach, but that’s not a real advantage since the beach here is not really great. They have 2 types of rooms, the old wing rooms cost 290 L and the new wing rooms cost 335 L including tax (low season).
The rooms in the new wing are pretty big, have AC, TV and a good bathroom, even a small balcony. They also have a nice swimming pool, although unfortunately, they’ve built a bridge with tables and chairs over it.
A reasonable place is the Gran Hotel Paris. A double room costs 580 L. It is located right on the market square, and they have a nice swimming pool.
Where to Eat
We wanted to have a splurge and went to Ricardo’s, as this was supposed to be one of the nicest restaurants in Honduras. And indeed, it was a great place with great food, but their prices match the quality. We paid 500 L for 2 persons. Beware that prices do not include a 16 % tax and a 10 % service charge.
What to Do in La Ceiba
Rafting
La Ceiba is of course well known for rafting. The best season is the rainy season, but they raft all year long. We were there in May, and water was pretty low, but we still had a lot of fun although the trip was pretty short.
We actually rafted 3 hours including lunch. We went with La Mosquitia Ecoventuras and paid 65 US$ pp, bargaining on this price was extremely difficult. The guides were excellent. Instead of a raft, we took 2 inflatable kayaks (1 guide and 1 of us in each kayak). This is more fun when water is low.
In fact, if you’re an experienced rafter, you should definitely ask to do a higher part of the river which will be more spectacular and much longer (cost will be higher, count on 100 US$). Take a waterproof camera, the guides will give you time enough to photograph each other.
If you want to do it cheaper, then go with Jungle tours. It’s actually a one man business (the guide used to raft for Rios Honduras), so that can raise questions on safety, but in dry season there’s no danger anyway. Kayaking however is not possible with him. Price is only 35 US$.
Cuero y Salada
We didn’t do this trip since we thought it was way too expensive (80 US$ pp), and we thought the trip was a bit similar to the one in Punto Izopo.
Pico Bonito
Walking in this park is supposed to be nice with plenty of waterfalls, but again price is pretty high at 65 US$. I don’t know why these companies charge these high prices for a walk in a national park. Probably because some tourists are willing too pay anyway I guess.
Getting around
A taxi costs 8 L pp during the day, 10 L at night.
Getting Out
To the Bay islands
By plane
There are numerous flights to the 3 Bay Islands from La Ceiba. The airport is pretty far outside the city (about 12 km in the direction of Tela), and a ride will cost 100 L (5/2000). For schedules on flights, please have a look at general info 1.
By boat
There is a ferryboat service from La Ceiba to the Bay Islands. The trip doesn’t take too long and costs about 7 US$ for a single trip from La Ceiba to Roatan. This is the schedule of the Galaxy II:
La Ceiba – Utila: 9.30 am
Utila – La Ceiba: 10.30 am
La Ceiba – Roatan: 3 pm
Roatan – La Ceiba: 7 am
To Tela
Numerous buses, the trip takes 2.30 hours
La Ceiba was in my opinion not as nice as Tela. It’s a bigger city, not so cosy. Also a local told us to be careful at night, even with some taxidrivers. What bothered us most though was the fact that tours to nature parks like Pico Bonito and Cuero y Salada were very expensive at 75 and 80 US$, this is much more expensive then the tours in Tela.
View my other guides to top destinations in Honduras:
• Bay Islands travel guide
• Tela travel tips
vCopan travel tips