La Ceiba is a city on the north Caribbean coast of Honduras, 202 km from San Pedro Sula.

Understand

It is the third largest city in Honduras, containing roughly 250,000 people. The town is not particularly attractive, nor does it have a particularly good tourist infrastructure for westerners, and most who do visit do so using the city as a base to visit Pico Bonito National Park, the Cuero and Salado Wildlife Refuge or beaches and ethnic Garífuna villages nearby. Or people just stop off for a night on their way to the Bay Islands or the Hog Islands.

Get in

Get around

Getting around La Ceiba is easy and cheap. A taxi anywhere in the city won't run you more then 3 or 4 USD. Be prepared to bargain with the cabbies though! NEVER take their first price. It's usually half of what they ask. Also, you should be aware that MANY of the streets in La Ceiba do NOT have names. This can complicate things greatly and a basic understanding of Spanish is a must!

There are plenty of buses in La Ceiba. The cost is usually around 10-15 Lempiras. A bus will continue to pick up people until it is full. Be advised that if a bus doesn't stop to pick you up it's because it has reached capacity. Just stand at the side of the road and flag one down when you see it coming. The people who ride the buses are poor locals and are very, very friendly and very curious. Still, it's a good idea to watch your belongings!

See

Do

• La Ceiba Carnival, the biggest in Central America. It takes place on the third Saturday in May, though there are mini-carnivals in the various barrios in the days leading up to it. This is a unique event that completely packs the town out, and is generally very peaceful and good natured.

Buy

Sadly, the majority of items you can buy in La Ceiba come from Guatamela. Still, they're cheap and pretty.

Eat

A great place for tourists and ex-pats alike is Bar Expatriato's. It's been a while since I've lived in La Ceiba but any cab driver or local will know it's roof top downtown location. The hosts, Mark and Eileen are Canadian Ex-pats. They are incrediably friendly and helpful to all. The menu is typical American/Honduran. Great burgers and imported/domestic beer. The cost for a meal is expensive compared to the non ex-pat places but much cheaper then a fancy restaruant. A night of dinner and drinks for 2 will run you about 30$ Canadian.

Drink

Sleep

There are good quality hotels in La Ceiba, including the prestigious Hotel Barceló. Budget travellers are recommended to go to Barrio La Isla, and to avoid Avenida La República.

Hostel called Banana Republic also offers a lot to a backpacker with all kind of facilities, friendly staff and a cute dog.

Contact

Loads of cheap internet cafes are all over the place.

Stay safe

Those not seeking crack or crack addicted prostitutes should avoid the Avenida Republica, on the western side of town, directly down from the Central Park. Also everyone should avoid the beach area to the west of the old dock that juts out to sea from the end of Avenida Republica, as it is the territory of a heavily armed gang. The east side, including Barrio Isla, is safer, and is also where much of the nightlife is to be found.

Get out