Whether it is amongst mangroves, cloud or rain forests, mountains or sea, Honduras has over seven million acres of protected territory. The 15 national parks, two biosphere reserves and ten biological reserves, make the country the perfect place for admiring nature’s full splendor.

This kind of diversity is perfect for the observation of all kinds of animals, including several protected species: over 200 birds and mammals. Keep an eye out for viewing manatees, trogons, jaguars, crocodiles, white faced and howler monkeys, among many other creatures around you.

Wild life

Mangroves dominate the tropical scenery and constitute a major part of the Honduran territory, and can be viewed in the North coast –along 230 square miles-, and in the “Choluteca Mangroves”, in the Pacific. This is how this diverse ecological region covers a large segment of the coast, stretching from most of Honduras into part of Guatemala. These particular ecosystems house numerous fish, bird and monkey species, like black-mantled howler monkeys, Geoffrey’s spider monkeys and white-faced capuchins.

Jeanette Kawas National Park (popularly called “Punta Sal”), is well known for its primary rainforest, water bird population and snorkeling in its continental reef. Located in the city of Tela, the park has two well defined areas: the peninsula and the lagoon.

The peninsula can only be reached by sea and provides a beautiful experience in white, sandy beaches, an exuberant jungle and the coral reef. It is likely that during your visit you’ll be able to spot animals up close, like dolphins, monkeys and countless bird species.

The lagoon area is the Micos Lagoon, perhaps the park’s area with the largest bird population. The lagoon is separated from the Caribbean Sea by a narrow tongue of white sand, where the Garifuna village of Miami is located.

Twelve miles West of La Ceiba and three hours by car from San Pedro Sula, the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge is part rain forest, part mangrove and part manatee protection area. Basic accommodations and guided boat tours are readily available.

Punta Izopo Wildlife Reserve, on the Eastern end of Tela Bay, is explored on kayaks, amongst mangroves and exotic animals. The silent boats allow a discrete access that doesn’t disturb the animals and allows visitors to view them up close. Along this same journey, you can visit the town of Triunfo de la Cruz, one of the most populated Garifuna communities. It not only has one of the most beautiful beaches on Honduras’ Northern coast, but during the month of March you can witness some of the most important cultural traditions, like theater, dance and song. The rest of the year these can be seen on and off.

Wildlife

Honduras’ mountainous topography makes it the country with the most numerous cloud forests in all of Central America. A total of 31, they all offer visitors wonders in its flora and fauna, throughout paradisiacal trails for all nature lovers.

Around the city of Gracias, in the Western part of the country, Celaque National Park is the cloud orest with the highest peaks in Honduras. It also has four mountain peaks, pine forest and a big hot springs complex.

Many consider it Honduras’ most impressive forest of its kind, no only because of its large size, but due to its immense biological content. The site protects the largest populations of wildlife of all the country’s cloud forests, as well as various endangered species like the jaguar, puma, ocelote, linnets and wild boar. Quetzals and linnets often nest among the trees. Aside from well informed tour guides, there is a wide variety of accommodation options that include hotels and campsites.

The Mosquito Coast

East of Trujillo, close to the Nicaraguan border, lies one of the most sparsely populated areas in the country. La Moskitia is the home of the largest tract of virgin and unexplored tropical rainforest in North America, as well as of the Pech, Tawahka, Garifuna and Miskito indigenous groups.

Within the department of Gracias a Dios, a large part of La Moskitia is protected by the law, among which you’ll find the five distinct zones of the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, the Tawahka Anthropological Reserve, the Patuca National Park, the Cruta Caratasca Wildlife Refuge and the Rus Rus Biological Reserve (known for the Warunta mountain range and its limestone caves).

Since the area is quite remote, it is perfect for the adventurist tourist. Access isn’t easy and is achieved through boat services from Trujillo or La Ceiba, running on regular schedules, or by air from La Ceiba. Although infrastructure is limited, La Moskitia has everything necessary for experiencing a true adventure amongst walks through the jungle, white water rafting, hiking, interaction with indigenous groups and many more activities for ecotourists.

Nature lovers that prefer to rest and relax in luxury resorts, can go straight to Pico Bonito National Park. There, they can choose from horseback riding, hiking, bird watching, mountain biking and many other activities.

At 7,000 feet about sea level, the Pico Bonito Mountain is the highest altitude change in Honduras. Depending on the altitude, this mountain houses both tropical rainforest and cloud forest habitats.

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