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In the old days, you could not get to Roatan without having come through La Ceiba, however in recent years Roatan has begun to get direct international flights, and this means that you can get to Roatan directly from the USA in a non stop flight out of Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Miami or New York. Scheduled flights are not daily, so normally; you must plan on staying in Roatan for a week. If this is your plan, and you are not a serious Scuba Diver or Snorkeler, then you will soon start looking for activities to do during some of your days.

Hopefully, as you are reading this post, you are still in the planning stage of your vacation, because a great tour option in Roatan is to travel to La Ceiba for one night and spend it in the Cangrejal River Valley. This will give you the option to combine the dense, tropical rain forests of mainland Honduras with the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The Cangrejal River Valley offers the opportunity of diverse activities that you will not find available in Roatan. Examples are World Class white water rafting, hiking in the rain forest and simply relaxing in the refreshing waters of a mountain river with crystal clear water.

Getting from Roatan to La Ceiba is very easy! There are several flights each day between both airports. Aerolineas Sosa and Lanhsa both offer service. They do not use big airplanes, however this is a plus because you get a more scenic trip. The flight is a short 15 minute jump over the Caribbean.

If you do not like flying in small aircraft, then the ferry is an excellent option. The Galaxy wave, and its sister ship, the Tropical Wave are state of the art waterjet catamarans that cruise the sea at 25 knots an hour, fast enough to make the trip in a short 1 ½ hours. The ship has comfortable seating, air conditioning and even a small cafeteria on board where you can purchase a soft drink, water or even a sandwich! With two daily departures from Roatan, I recommend you take the early departure, that leaves at 7:00 a.m. Although it might seem early, it will give the full day to explore and enjoy the Cangrejal River to its fullest.  Since you will be in La Ceiba by 8:30, this gives you plenty of time to get your transportation, a short 35 minutes to the Cangrejal, check in at the hotel of your choice (if you are spending the night) or simply get ready for your rafting tour. I fully recommend both Omega Tours (www.omegatours.info) and La Moskitia Ecoaventuras (www.lamoskitia.hn).  Both offer half day tours that will suit your needs and budget. The experience will be something that you will cherish as fond memories of your trip to Roatan, so you should make sure you do not miss out on the experience!

For your overnight stay, there are several places. Without doubt, the one we recommend is La Villa de Soledad B&B, a lovely boutique bed and breakfast ecolodge facility right on the edge of Nombre de Dios National Park. For more information on the Cangrejal River area visit www.lavilladesoledad.com.

Growing up in Mexico City, I had often heard the expression “Banana Republic” I always related it to the high end clothes store and brand, Banana Republic, one of my favorites due to the comfortable, fresh, light weight cotton clothes, loose fitting and fashionable shirts. For some reason, I always related the concept to some lost African nation, far away, in the middle of nowhere that I would probably never even visit. Little did I know that the original Banana Republic country was actually much closer to home, and that I would actually live not only in the Banana Republic, but in its original capital!

Actually,the original Banana Republic is in Central America, in the lovely, spectacular country of Honduras. Back in the very late eighteen hundreds, the Vacaro Brothers Company negotiated a land lease with the government of Honduras. It was meant to produce bananas that would be exported to the USA. The Government of Honduras gave them a 100 year lease on the land, with few preconditions. The original lease was just outside of La Ceiba, in what today is the municipality of El Porvenir, adjacent to the city of La Ceiba, and one of the few responsibilities that the Banana Company had was to build a railroad. Eventually, the Vacaro Brothers Company turned into the Standard Fruit Company, and the product that was exported out of Honduras through the port city of La Ceiba was done so under the brand name of DOLE.  To this day, produce from La Ceiba is exported out of the area, through the port of Puerto Castilla to the World under the Dole brand name. Bananas are mostly grown in the Aguan Valley area, east of La Ceiba, and there are extensive pineapple fields around La Ceiba. The Standard Fruit Company still has their offices in La Ceiba, a block away from Central Park, and although the original land lease has expired, the relationship between the central government of Honduras and the Fruit Company has allowed for continued production.

Thus, Honduras was the first of several different countries where land leases where issued to the Standard Fruit Company. This corporation had a big impact in the development of Honduras. The first bank in the country, Banco Atlantida was an offspring of the Standard Fruit Company and its first office was actually established in La Ceiba. The beer brewing company, Cerveceria Hondurena was also born in the city as an offspring of the agricultural activity.

Today, La Ceiba has transitioned from being the original capital of the Banana Republic to be a city where services and commerce are the backbone of the economy. It is a major hub from where the departments of Colon, Gracias a Dios and the Bay Islands get most of their supplies, and although it is the 5^th city in terms of population in Honduras, it is the third as far as economic importance.

Its geographical location is ideal, being located between the Caribbean Sea and the Nombre de Dios Mountain Range. It has some outstanding infrastructure, such as an international airport, a port facility that connects it with the Bay Islands of Utila, Roatan and La Ceiba and a paved highway that is in good shape and connects the city with San Pedro Sula, the most important city in the North of Honduras, which is 200 km away.

La Ceiba offers unique eco tourism and adventure tourism possibilities. The dense tropical rain forests of Pico Bonito National Park, the beautiful Cangrejal River Valley, the Mangrove Canals and lagoons at Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge and the pristine Cayos Cochinos coral reefs are all proof of it. (Cayos Cochinos is also known as the Hog Keys).

Without doubt, the Crown Jewel of natural tourist attractions in La Ceiba is the Cangrejal River Valley. Located in the mountains, only 10 km, (6 Miles) from town, you will find a variety of different activities as well as lodging options. There is something for every budget and every taste. Make sure you check out La Villa de Soledad, www.lavilladesoledad.com . A lovely boutique eco lodge located on the Cangrejal River. Perfect to relax as well as to access the different and exiting activities available here. For more information on the Cangrejal River, visit www.cangrejalriver.com

La Ceiba, the perfect escape to recover from “Island Fever”

Need a break? La Ceiba, the perfect escape is your best option!Many people believe that living in Caribbean Islands is paradise. It is in many ways, but sooner than later, and usually much sooner than you would expect, you will develop a serious case of “Island Fever” I lived in Cancun for over 10 years, and would travel to Cozumel on business on a regular basis. There I would continuously run into people that had fallen ill to this infamous fever, where despite the fact that you live on a lovely, peaceful Caribbean Island, you just have to get away for a few days.

It is easy to understand why, the island is small, there are a limited number of people living there, and no matter how far you go on the island, you will always run into the same people who will always be talking about the same things. If you live on the Cayman Islands, you have certainly fallen ill to this fever before. Fortunately, the remedy is readily available: take a short vacation and get off Island for a few days!

The effectiveness of the remedy is of course directly related to where you went on vacations. In the case of the Cayman Islands, the answer is so simple, actually obvious: the shortest, most affordable flight to a non island destination is a simple one hour flight to La Ceiba, in the Central American Country of Honduras.

La Ceiba offers friendly people, and many extremely lush mountains that are teeming with vegetation typical of a tropical rain forest.  Crystal clear rivers and creeks that rush down the rugged mountains towards the Caribbean Sea are found every several hundred yards from each other. The convenience of an international airport provides quick access, plus the first class service by Cayman Airways guarantees a safe, comfortable trip.

La Ceiba offers World Class National Parks, plus a variety of small, bed and breakfasts, inns and boutique hotels within the National Parks. Perhaps the most unique of these mini destinations in themselves is the Cangrejal River. Here you will find properties that go from inexpensive party hostels to deluxe boutique hotels, with a variety of options in between.  This area is only 18 km. (11 miles) from the International Airport, making it a short drive in a very scenic route.

In the case of the Bay Islands of Honduras, it’s even simpler, a short, inexpensive ferry ride brings you to the magnificent mountains in Honduras, and offers affordable options to relax and enjoy nature.

One of these unique boutique bed and breakfasts is La Villa de Soledad, a family run property that offers 4 individually decorated rooms with original paintings by Honduran artists, ample wrap around porches that allow direct access to their grounds. Gardens and access to the Cangrejal River are readily available to the guest. Truly an opportunity to enjoy either a relaxing vacation in nature or a fun filled adventure experience. It is all up to you!

Honduras is divided into 18 departments, each with different municipalities. One of these departments is Atlántida, a region that is located on the Caribbean Sea, bordering the department of Yoro to the south, Cortes to the West and Colon to the East. The department was created in 1902, in an effort to provide the conditions necessary to promote the development of the Banana Companies that had just established themselves here: The Vacaro Brothers Company,( Today the Standard Fruit Company, a division of Dole) and the Tela Railroad Company, which is part of the United Fruit Company, that produces the Chiquita Bananas.

The region is snuggled between the massive Nombre de Dios mountain range, which reaches above 8000 feet at its highest point, known as Pico Bonito, and the Caribbean Sea. Today, Atlantida is subdivided into a total of eight municipalities: Tela, Arizona, Esparta, La Masica, San Francisco, El Porvenir, La Ceiba and Jutiapa. The Capital of the department, and most important city in the region is the City of La Ceiba, a population center for over 250,000 souls that boasts an international airport, a Ferry Terminal for passengers traveling to the Bay Islands of Honduras and is interconnected with the rest of the country through highway CA13, that goes from West to East interconnecting the cities of San Pedro Sula in Cortes with the city of Trujillo in Colon.

Atlantida boasts a unique natural environment, with a total of 8 protected areas or National Parks located within its territory. These are: Jeannette Kawas National Park (also known as Punta Sal National Park); Punta Izopo National Park, Pico Bonito National Park and Nombre de Dios National Park. In addition, you can find the Texiguat Wildlife Refuge as well as the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge in the area. Finally, the Lancetilla Botanical Gardens, considered the second largest and most important tropical botanical garden in the World is just outside Tela, and the magnificent, pristine Caribbean jewel, Hog Keys, known locally as Cayos Cochinos are located just a few miles off the coast of Atlantida, and although politically part of Roatan, its social and economic  liaisons are with Atlantida, not with Roatan.

Atlantida has two big jewels that crown it, Tela and La Ceiba, both the heart of the original Banana Republic, both coastal cities with a huge potential to develop tourism, both home to several Garifuna Villages, whose magnificent and unique culture has been declared a World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO.

Ironically, the Congress of Honduras that created this department back in 1902 gave it an extremely appropriate name, Atlantida, which translated to English is Atlantis, truly a magical lost paradise, with exotic cultures, magnificent tropical rainforests and bathed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea!

More and more, travelers are looking for small hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts that offer an intimate atmosphere in a unique location. They also offer the advantage that you can expect personalized service and a window at life at a particular location. It does not really matter if you are in a large city, a small town or in a remote rural location. Some of these properties are within nature reserves and national parks.

Although the trend is on, there are still only a handful of these inns available to the traveler, and finding them is not always easy. Fortunately, there are now several unique establishments in Honduras, and without doubt, of them is La Villa de Soledad B&B, truly the best boutique bed and breakfast in La Ceiba! Nestled on a small hilltop, overlooking the Cangrejal River, and Pico Bonito National Park, this bed and breakfast is actually located within Nombre de Dios National Park.

Featuring only 4 bedrooms, each decorated in different colors, and offering original paintings by outstanding Honduran artists, an outdoor porch with hammocks and direct access to the gardens that surround the property, you will enjoy the sounds of nature, the sound of the water flowing down the Cangrejal River as it rushes towards the Caribbean and the peacefulness of the location. Fresh natural flowers decorate both the public areas as well as the rooms, and give you a sense of being in a truly tropical setting.

The Hacienda – like layout of the property is spacious, and provides outdoor porches that lookout to the tropical rain forest as well as an opportunity to lie in a pleasant hammock and enjoy the breeze blowing directly from the Caribbean through the Cangrejal River Canyon; a lovely interior courtyard with a nice fountain that provides a fresh environment with the soothing sound of water trickling down provides a setting to help you  unwind after an adventure filled day.

Best of all, is the service, Soledad and John, the owners and innkeepers, will always go out of their way to help you arrange activities, provide you with an outstanding meal, or give you information regarding the country and other destinations within it.  Regardless if you are looking for a place to wind down and relax taking a break from the hurried pace of your vacations, or if you are looking for a variety of activities that can go from hiking in the rain forest to some white water rafting in the scenic and technical Cangrejal River, you will surely enjoy your stay at La Villa de Soledad B&B.

The news has been putting a lot of emphasis on the humanitarian crisis that has begun to unfold in the United States as a result of the huge increase of unaccompanied minors crossing the borders.  The fact is that there are over 40,000 minors that have crossed the borders unaccompanied during this year. Although “experts” and other authorities are coming up with a series of explanations regarding the situation and what is behind it, few have the knowledge and experience, as well as the will to find the truth. The fact is that there are many, many kids travelling without their parents into the USA. It is a dangerous trip, full of perils if they do this on their own, and many do, however most kids are handed over to a “Coyote” a person that dedicates himself to help smuggle illegal aliens into the USA.

As a general rule, the Coyote is someone that is well known and trusted in the community, that has already helped other friends or family get into the US illegally, without having had to deal with the perils of crossing through Mexico or across the US border. The Coyote is hired for somewhere between seven and ten thousand dollars and his commitment is to get the person across the border, into the USA and dropped off at big city that is beyond the border patrol area of influence. Cities such as San Antonio, Houston, Phoenix or LA are the preferred drop off points.

Many Hondurans and Central Americans have left their countries with the intention of pursuing the “American  Dream” and although many don’t make it, many others do, and have established themselves in the US as law abiding citizens who are working and paying taxes.   Most of these successful, though illegal immigrants left their families behind and are looking to ways of reuniting their families, and had only dreamed of getting their children to the US because of the dangers usually involved.

Sometime last year, the rumor spread that unaccompanied minors that were apprehended in the US by the Border Patrol would be processed and allowed to unite with their family members in the USA, and this is what has created the huge influx of kids into the USA.

There is no doubt that these immigrants are pursuing the American Dream, that they are leaving their country due to lack of opportunities, and that there are some areas in their home country that have been prone and subject to the control of gangs and are terribly unsafe, however to say that these kids have fled the country on their own to escape violence is grossly inaccurate. It is also inaccurate to say that these kids are being sold to Coyotes and gang members to be smuggled in the USA!

The truth is that family members that have been separated due to illegal immigration want to be reunited, and the truth is that it has become a huge and lucrative business to help get the minors up to the US border and have them turn themselves into the border patrol. For the Coyotes, getting the minors to the US border is the easy part, getting them into the US territory, beyond the border is much harder, so the option of having them turn themselves into the border patrol is simple, safe and uncomplicated. The expectation is that because of the humanitarian crisis, they will be allowed to stay in the US and that their illegal family members will not be sent back… Can

As a general rule, if you are in Nicaragua and looking to travel towards the Bay Islands, you are probably in Granada or in Leon. If you are in Granada, the best option is to go to Managua and from there take either the Tica Bus or the Transnica Bus to Honduras. If you are in Leon, the options are even a bit more ample.

Despite the fact that the Nicaraguan cities of Granada and Leon are not that far from La Ceiba, if you draw a direct line on a map, the fact is that there are no direct roads. You must travel to Tegucigalpa and then continue on the North Coast of Honduras, specifically to the city of La Ceiba to catch the ferry to the Islands.

The regularly scheduled buses do not normally travel across the borders, forcing you to change buses there. This means picking up your suitcase or backpack, carry it across the border, do your immigration thing and then find another bus on the opposite side of the border to continue your journey. Sound like a hassle? It is!

However, there are two different options that will actually take you to the border, cross you into the next country and then continue on the same bus as far as Tegucigalpa or San Pedro Sula. The bus companies are Transnica (www.transnica.com) and Tica Bus(www.ticabus.com) . Transnica, takes the highway that uses the Las Manos border crossing between Nicaragua and Honduras, and therefore does not travel via Leon, so you will have to either go back to Managua or find your way to Esteli to be able to catch the bus. If you choose this option, I suggest Managua, as it is easier and faster. The bus departs from Managua in the afternoon, so you have no problem leaving Leon or Granada in the morning and getting to Managua in time to purchase your ticket and get on the bus. The bus arrives in Tegucigalpa in the evening, after dark, so if you are not familiar with Tegucigalpa, and are just looking for an option to spend the night, I strongly suggest the Hotel Alameda, which is where the bus will arrive anyway. The next morning you can catch a bus to La Ceiba, for comfort, take the Hedman Alas(www.hedmanalas.com)   or Viana (www.vianatrasportes.com)  companies, they have a stopover in San Pedro Sula, but will get you to La Ceiba in time for the ferry. For a shorter and less expensive trip, catch Transportes Cristina, (www.transportescristina.com) they go direct, without passing through San Pedro Sula, and the trip will be about 7 hours long versus 9 or 10 on the more comfortable companies.

Your second option is to take Tica Bus from Managua or Leon to Honduras. The bus does not enter Leon, but they do have an agent in the city that sells tickets and you can catch the bus at one of the gas stations on the outskirts of town. Tica bus takes the Pacific Coast route, Using the Guasaule Border crossing and will actually take you as far as San Pedro Sula that same day, putting you closer to La Ceiba!

If you have taken the Tica Bus option, you will arrive in Tegucigalpa with daylight and will have time to choose your hotel here, however if you are really trying to get to the Bay Islands, you are better off going on to San Pedro Sula, that will put you only 3 hours from La Ceiba and the ferry to the islands. Tica bus is scheduled to arrive in San Pedro Sula at 6:00 p.m. so you will have to spend the night in San Pedro Sula, as the bus will arrive after the last bus to La Ceiba has departed.  No hotels near the bus terminal, so you will need a taxi to take you to one. I suggest Hostal La Hamaca, but there are many different options.

Last, but not least, you can take a shuttle bus from Leon, Nicaragua twice a week. Tickets can be purchased at the Big Foot Hostel in Leon (www.bigfoothostels.com) . Cost, $80 US dollars one way. Sound expensive? Not really if you consider that it will get you to La Ceiba in time to catch the afternoon ferry to Utila or Roatan!

Whatever option you take, you should not miss out on visiting the Cangrejal River Valley in La Ceiba, a great option to get to know the rain forest, relax in nature and and enjoy some world class rafting! For more information, visit (www.cangrejalriver.com) .

The most popular destination in Honduras are the Bay Islands of Utila, Roatan and Guanaja, three gems located in the Caribbean that retain a unique way of life and outstanding travel options. Most seasoned travelers that are visiting Central America make it a point to visit at least one of these lovely islands during their trip in the region.

Travelers usually fly into San Pedro Sula, and then need to find a way to the islands, and although there are regularly scheduled flights from San Pedro Sula to Roatan, many prefer to take the overland trip from San Pedro Sula to the coastal city of La Ceiba where they take the ferry on to the islands.  This is a great option, especially if you are headed to Utila or Guanaja, as these two islands do not have regularly scheduled air service from San Pedro Sula. (There is no Ferry operating between La Ceiba and Guanaja, but there are regularly scheduled flights from La Ceiba to this island)

There are two outstanding bus companies that provide service from San Pedro Sula to La Ceiba, Hedman Alas, and Transportes Viana. The first actually has an office at the airport and provide transportation to their bus terminal where you will change buses and continue on to La Ceiba. For information on the bus schedules, check out www.hedmanalas.com.  You can even purchase your ticket online with them!

Travelers on the road between Guatemala or Nicaragua usually think it is hard to get to the Bay Islands from either of these countries, but it is actually rather easy.

Overland from Guatemala…

Hedman Alas offers daily departures from Antigua and Guatemala City to Honduras, their service has a stop over in Copan Ruinas, and then continues to their hub in San Pedro Sula. The two morning departures 5 & 8 a.m. connect all the way to La Ceiba, however,  if you are traveling to the Bay Islands, only the first one gets you in town in time to catch the afternoon ferries to the Bay Islands of Honduras. In any case, your best bet is to get off the bus in Copan Ruinas and spend a couple of days there, visiting sites such as the Copan Archaeological Park as well as the Macaw Mountain Bird Park, the two premier attractions in town.  This will also break your trip in two and make it less tiring!

As long as you are going to have to travel to La Ceiba to catch the ferry either to Utila or Roatan, you should consider spending at least a couple of nights here. This is your chance to see what the Tropical Rain Forests of Central America are all about. The Cangrejal River, which flows down the middle of this city, has a spectacular area just 8 miles (12 km) from downtown, where you will be able to do hiking, river rafting, bird watching and zip lining. Best of all, there are several hostels, bed and breakfasts and Boutique Hotels in the area.  Believe it or not, this can actually be one of the highlights of your trip in Central America.

From La Ceiba, there are two daily ferry departures to both, Utila and Roatan, a morning departure at 9:30am and an afternoon departure at 4:00pm. Even though there is air service to the islands, the ferry is much more dependable as far as operating on time, and unless you are traveling during the week of Christmas and New Years, or during the Easter holidays, you are sure to find space on the ferry boats.  A useful tip… the morning trips are usually very smooth and the afternoon ones can sometimes be rough.

If you did not have a chance to spend some time in La Ceiba before your trip to the Bay Islands, you can always do so on the return trip. Some of the Bed and Breakfasts and Boutique hotels in the Cangrejal River area provide complimentary transfers if you are spending several nights with them. This is the case at La Villa de Soledad Bed and Breakfast Boutique Hotel.

Honduras has been bullied by the international press, declaring it the most dangerous country in the World. They have even dubbed San Pedro Sula as the “Murder Capital of the World”. These tags put a serious damper on anyone’s intention of visiting this country. Who in their right mind wants to visit a country where his chances of not getting out alive are that high?

As is the case around the World, you cannot believe everything they say, much less if it comes from the press or the state department of your country! There is no doubt that Honduras has its problems, just as any other country does. But in order to be fair, we should put things in perspective. For example, the USA has had multiple shootings and murders in schools and Universities over the last few years, and these seem to be getting worse and worse. They are also happening more and more often. The logical conclusion is that the USA is without doubt the most dangerous country in the world to attend school in!   So does this mean that US parents should keep their kids at home and not send them to school? (I’m sure many kids would favor this idea!)  Does this reality make university and graduate students shun the US and favor institutions in other countries for their studies? Not really does it?

In Honduras, as in any country in the World, there are dangerous neighborhoods where tourists should not show up. Generally speaking, there is no reason for a tourist to visit these neighborhoods. As a matter of fact, 100% of tourists stay away from these areas, and this is why you do not hear of tourists being attacked, robbed or murdered in Honduras.  I have lived in Honduras for over 20 years, travelled throughout the country extensively, and never, never felt that my life was at risk.

So if your question is: Is it safe for me to go to Honduras? The answer is a definite yes!  If the question is:  Could I get into trouble in Honduras, the answer is yes again. Above all, you must use common sense during your travels. If you are planning to visit the tourist destinations in the country, like Copan Ruinas, Gracias, Lake Yojoa, Comayagua, Tela, La Ceiba, Utila, Roatan, Guanaja, Trujillo and others, you will be perfectly safe. The same can be said for the two big cities, Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula; these should be treated just like any big city around the World, with caution, asking locals which areas are safe and which are not. As a general rule, Hondurans are pleasant, friendly, law abiding people and magnificent hosts. Honduras is also a very beautiful country with lots of charm. If you are interested in visiting the Caribbean Bay Islands, the jungle clad Caribbean coast in the mainland, or the mountainous inland, Honduras will not let you down. “Honduras, the Central America you know, the country you’ll love!”

As a final conclusion, a visit to Central America without including Honduras is a BIG mistake!