Skip to content
Voykit

Major city · Honduras

La Ceiba

Use La Ceiba as a 1-night staging stop for the Bay Islands ferry or Cangrejal rafting; 2 nights if you add Pico Bonito or Cuero y Salado.

La Ceiba is Honduras's fourth-largest city and the mainland port for the Bay Islands ferries, 202 km from San Pedro Sula. Travellers use it for one night before Roatán or Útila, or as a 2-night base for Pico Bonito National Park, the Cangrejal river lodges and the Cuero y Salado wildlife refuge. The city itself is a working port town: ATMs, hotels and buses, not a beach resort. Carnival, on the third Saturday in May, fills every bed in town.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
HNL
Best months
Feb–Aug (drier, rafting and park access); Mar–Apr for clear park views
avoid Sep–Nov (wettest, hurricane season); Carnival week if you have not booked
Airport
Golosón (LCE)
Nights
1–2

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for La Ceiba: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
  • Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
  • Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
  • Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
  • Honduras ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Honduras's migration authority or a Honduran consulate; the CA-4 agreement with Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua can make your permitted stay count across all four.
  • Honduras ↗Transit San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa by day and with pre-arranged transport; do not use public buses between cities.
  • Honduras ↗Do not travel to Gracias a Dios (La Mosquitia) except with a specialist operator; several governments advise against all travel there.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for La Ceiba911 ▾
  • Police, fire and ambulance911
  • Cuero y Salado Foundation (refuge reservations)+504 2440-0191

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about La Ceiba, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeL30–60
  • Beerlocal bottleL40–70
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi across townAgree the fare first; airport and port runs cost more.L80–150
  • Metro or bus rideCity bus rideL10–15
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekL200–400
  • Budget bedHostel or budget room, a night, per personHNL 400
  • Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomHNL 1,600
  • High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomHNL 3,000

A day, not counting the bed: Budget HNL 900 · Mid HNL 1,800 · High HNL 4,000

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Bay Islands ferry portPico Bonito National ParkCangrejal river raftingCuero y Salado Wildlife RefugeLa Ceiba Carnival
Airports
LCE Golosón International Airport (About 10 min by taxi from downtown; domestic flights to Roatán, Útila, San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, plus some international services — check current schedules.)

Map of La Ceiba

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

ÚtilaCayos CochinosTelaTrujilloEl Progreso

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • La Ceiba
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    not flagged

    28°C (82°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    29°C (84°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    32°C (90°F)

  5. May

    Best

    32°C (90°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    32°C (90°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    28°C (82°F)

Best: Feb–Aug. Avoid: Sep–Nov. Month by month →

Warmest Apr (32°C (90°F)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F) low), wettest Oct (17 rain days), driest Mar (7). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

La Ceiba: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

28°C (82°F)

20°C (68°F)

10 rd

Feb

29°C (84°F)

20°C (68°F)

8 rd

Mar

31°C (88°F)

21°C (70°F)

7 rd

Apr

32°C (90°F)

22°C (72°F)

7 rd

May

32°C (90°F)

23°C (73°F)

10 rd

Jun

32°C (90°F)

23°C (73°F)

14 rd

Jul

31°C (88°F)

23°C (73°F)

16 rd

Aug

31°C (88°F)

23°C (73°F)

15 rd

Sep

31°C (88°F)

23°C (73°F)

16 rd

Oct

30°C (86°F)

22°C (72°F)

17 rd

Nov

29°C (84°F)

21°C (70°F)

14 rd

Dec

28°C (82°F)

20°C (68°F)

12 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Taxis are the practical way to move: agree the fare before you get in, especially to the port or airport, and expect the driver to pick up other passengers. City buses cost about L10–15 and fill up before they leave. Distances in town are short; walking works by day but not after dark.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Pico Bonito National Park and the Cangrejal river

go

Door to door: 30–45 min

Taxi or shuttle south on the Yaruca road, 7–10 km (4.3–6.2 mi)

Rafting, hiking and waterfall trails; lodges run trips and can arrange transport from town.

Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge

go

Door to door: About 1.5 h

Bus or taxi to La Unión, then the refuge's old fruit-train line to the lagoon

Boat or canoe tours of the lagoon; bring sunscreen, a hat and water. Reserve with the foundation.

El Porvenir beach

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Taxi or bus east along the coast

River meets the sea; freshwater tubing beside the surf and a small restaurant.

Door to door: About 1 h

Bus or taxi west along the coast

Beach town with a calmer seafront; easy half-day or a night.

Door to door: 1–2 h

Ferry from the La Ceiba terminal, or a short domestic flight from LCE

This is the onward hop, not a day trip; book the ferry and confirm sailings.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Downtown / Parque Central

Walkable to buses, banks and cheap eats; budget hotels and the main hostels sit here. Streets are quiet and dark after about 19:00.

Barrio La Isla (east of the pier)

Safer side of the seafront and where much of the nightlife is; mid-range and upscale hotels, including beachside options.

Cangrejal river, south of town

Jungle lodges 7–10 km (4.3–6.2 mi) up the Yaruca road; rafting, hiking and Pico Bonito access. You need a taxi or shuttle for everything.

Airport road / beach strip

Hotels between the airport and downtown; convenient for early flights and the ferry road, less walkable.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
L600–1,000 excl. bed
Mid
L1,200–2,500 excl. bed
High
L3,000+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × HNL 1,600HNL 1,600
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × HNL 1,800HNL 3,600
Taxi across town1 × HNL 100HNL 100
Rafting half-day with a local operator2 × HNL 900 · checkHNL 1,800
eSIM, about a week of data2 × HNL 300HNL 600
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeHNL 770
Trip total≈ HNL 4,235 per person per day, bed includedHNL 8,470

check

2026 estimate in lempiras; flights and ferry tickets excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeL30–60
Plate of the day (almuerzo)L100–180
Beer, local bottleL40–70
City bus rideL10–15
Taxi across townAgree the fare first; airport and port runs cost more.L80–150
Bus La Ceiba → San Pedro Sula3–4 hAbout L100
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekL200–400

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

La Ceiba has lower crime than San Pedro Sula or Tegucigalpa, but the beach west of the old pier is gang territory and night walking outside the lit centre is risky. Use taxis after dark and keep valuables out of sight.
  • The beach west of the old pier, at the end of Avenida de la República, is gang territory — stay away, day or night.
  • Do not walk alone at night outside the lit centre; take a taxi, which is cheap and the safest option after dark.
  • Agree taxi fares before boarding, particularly from the airport or to the ferry terminal.
  • Budget hostels are few and some sit on dark streets after 19:00 — check the walk from the door before booking.
  • Carnival week (third Saturday in May) books out the city; reserve beds and transport weeks ahead.
  • Ferry and domestic flight schedules change with weather — confirm the day before you travel.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire and ambulance
911
Cuero y Salado Foundation (refuge reservations)
+504 2440-0191

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

La CeibaLa Ceiba

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire and ambulance911
  • Cuero y Salado Foundation+504 2440-0191

Embassy

No embassies in La Ceiba; most are in Tegucigalpa, with consulates in San Pedro Sula. Check your own country's list before you travel.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Taxi downtown → airport: L100–200, about 10 min
  • Bus La Ceiba → San Pedro Sula: about L100, 3–4 h
  • Ferry La Ceiba → Roatán or Útila: check the operator's current fare and sailing times

Say or show

  • Buenos días — Good morning (BWEH-nos DEE-as)
  • Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syas)
  • ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
  • ¿Dónde está la terminal de ferry? — Where is the ferry terminal? (DON-de es-TA la ter-mee-NAL de FEH-rry)
  • A esta dirección, por favor — To this address, please (a ES-ta di-rek-SYON, por fa-VOR)
  • ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-do pa-GAR kon tar-HEH-ta)

Cash is king outside hotels; draw lempiras at a bank ATM in the centre by day.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for La Ceiba. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Feb–Aug (drier, rafting and park access); Mar–Apr for clear park views · avoid Sep–Nov (wettest, hurricane season); Carnival week if you have not booked · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Ferry-terminal and airport transfer fixtures: taxi fares, bus times and last-departure checks.
  2. Four sleep clusters with walking notes: downtown, Barrio La Isla, Cangrejal lodges, airport strip.
  3. Place pages for Pico Bonito, Cuero y Salado and El Porvenir with opening and reservation details.
  4. Carnival and storm-season fixtures so arrival gates can go green.

Sources

Ask about La Ceiba

Loading…

Was this useful?