La Ceiba

La Ceiba is known as the hospitality capital of Honduras and is located in the department of Atlantida, some 120 miles east of San Pedro Sula. In this town, where residents live unhurriedly, was named after a majestic ceiba that used to watch over the shoreline in the past, just where the harbor is perched on right now. Today, it's the third-largest city and the second seaport of the country, trailing behind Puerto Cortes. The place is home to the nation's main farming companies and to a fledgling travel destination that really bears watching with top-notch hotels and superb infrastructure. The main street is the San Isidro Avenue, where scores of hotels, restaurants and stores are lined up in rows on both sides all the way to sunset part of town where the central square is located. On the other side of the bridge, you'll find the La Isla, a Garifuna neighborhood packed with ballrooms that shake the whole town every night to the beat of reggae and rock music. In La Ceiba, tourists are captivated by the good-heartedness of the local population and its enchanting beaches of white, powder-thin sands. From here, visitors can drop in on Garifuna villages, visit the Butterfly Museum or the Lancetilla Botanical Garden. La Ceiba is a perfect starting point for those willing to scour and explore the local national parks and wildlife refuges like Cuero and Salado, La Muralla National Park and Pico Bonito. Besides, those who like putting their own limits through their paces. Small planes and boats take off everyday to the Islands of the Bay. If you make up your mind to visit this destination, try to do it early in the morning to make the most of your trip and turn it into an unforgettable experience.