Things to do in Pico Bonito National Park
Are you planning a trip to Atlantida and wondering which are the things to do in Pico Bonito National Park?
Pico Bonito is one of the main icons of Atlantida, where the Caribbean meets the Central America. There are many things to do in Pico Bonito National Park, and all of them are easily accessible from both main tourist hubs in Atlantida, Tela and La Ceiba.
Although there are several official entrances to Pico Bonito National Park, there is no doubt that the area with most options and things to do in Pico Bonito National Park is the Cangrejal River Valley, the crown jewel of Atlantida and one of the most unique areas in Central America.
The Cangrejal River Valley, which is the eastern border of Pico Bonito National Park offers easy access from La Ceiba, since it is only 10 km. or 6 miles from downtown La Ceiba. The Pico Bonito visitor’s center located at km 8.5 of the La Ceiba to Yaruca road has a magnificent, Indiana Jones style hanging bridge that spans over 400 feet high above the Cangrejal River, providing access to a network of trails into the park. The most popular trail here is El Mapache trail, that leads to El Bejuco Waterfall, a stunning 300 foot waterfall that plunges down towards the Cangrejal River. The trail takes between 3 and 5 hours round trip, depending on how fast you are hiking. Access to the park is only $8.00 US dollars per person, and nature guides can be hired for about $25. US, although you can also purchase a tour through one of the local tour operators in the Cangrejal River Valley. http://cangrejalriver.com/honduras/activities
One of the most popular things to in Pico Bonito National Park is white water rafting. The Cangrejal River offers some of the best white water rafting in Central America, and there are three different outfitters that proved services. All of them have certified guides and the experience of rafting down the Cangrejal River, with the lush Pico Bonito National Park on the left and the equally lush Nombre de Dios National Park on the right side of the river! If you are a white water kayaker, you can arrange for a kayaking tour down the Cangrejal River. Although the regular commercial run begins at the Village of El Naranjo, and provides a category II & III white water experience, the section between the Village of El Pital and Las Mangas provides a more technical category III and IV run and can be arranged if you have proven yourself in the first run!
Another one of the popular things to do in Pico Bonito National Park is the zip line canopy tour. The tour is available through Jungle River Tours and is located at Km. 8 of the La Ceiba to Yaruca road. This activity zips you across the Cangrejal River to a trail, where you will briefly hike up the hillside to the starting point of the tour. Here a total of 9 cables will bring you flying over the treetops back to your starting point, once again crossing over the Cangrejal River. The tour takes about 1 ½ hours and is a lot of fun.
With so many things to do in Pico Bonito National Park within the Cangrejal River area, you are probably wondering if you should try to find a spot where to spend the night within the area. The answer is of course you should!
There are several different options, but without doubt, the nicest of all is La Villa de Soledad B&B, an award winning boutique bed and breakfast that is located within walking distance of all of the above activities. Featuring 4 lovely rooms, each with a private bath and hot water, as well as direct access to the lovely outdoors, La Villa de Soledad offers the comfort of a home stay with the best of Honduran Hospitality, as well as great home cooking. The fully bilingual staff offers assistance that includes arranging tour activities, providing transfers and even giving you tips about other destinations within Honduras and Central America. Hosts John and Soledad will help arrange all the top things to do in Pico Bonito National Park!
