Honduras Nature and Wildlife
Located in the heart of the tropics, Honduras is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. Much of the country is sparsely populated and as such, a great deal of the countries remains as wilderness allowing for incredible biodiversity. A haven for nature enthusiasts, Honduras is emerging as an important ecotourism destination. With mangroves, cloud forests, two coasts and the largest rainforest north of the Amazon, there are many opportunities to explore the immense flora and fauna of Honduras.
With more than 700 bird species, Honduras is considered by many to host world-class birdwatching. Many of the bird species in the country are decorated with beautiful bright-coloured feathers that make them easier to spot. Toucans, swallows and parrots are common, however, the national bird of Honduras is the Scarlet Macaw, instantly recognizable by its red, yellow and blue foliage. There are approximately 202 mammal species found throughout the country and in its waters. Honduras’ rainforest provides a habitat for many monkey species including spider monkeys, howler monkeys and white-faced monkeys. Big cats like jaguars, ocelots and pumas are standard on the Mosquitia coast, yet these cats are elusive and not easy to find. The country’s plains are home to tapir and deer while the shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea provide habitat for manatees.
In Honduras, there are 91 protected areas that include accessible and inaccessible national parks, reserves, biospheres, mangrove preserves, coral reefs and more. Honduras's government is actively promoting ecotourism; as such, they are preserving the incredible natural landscape by aiming to protect more than 25,000 acres. Some of the national parks in the country include Pico Bonito National Park, Barbareta Marine National Park and Celaque National Park.
Pico Bonito National Park is located on the north coast of Honduras near La Ceiba. It is the second-largest park in the country and is renowned for its diversity. Pico Bonito’s terrain can be challenging meaning the park has not been explored as much as others in the country. As such, much of the park remains in its natural condition. It hosts tropical rainforests as well as cloud forests and the Nombre de Pios Mountain Range with the highest point being Pico Bonito at 2,436 m (7,992 ft).
Barbareta Marine National Park is located in the Bay of Islands and hosts a 1,250-acre parrot reserve. A privately owned island preserve, Barbareta Marine National Park is very diverse with exotic wildlife and plants. The park is surrounded by coral reefs, many beaches and rainforests. An excellent but remote spot for hiking, the area is also known for great diving and snorkelling opportunities. Visitors will see a great deal of marine life including fish, rays, starfish and conch among others.
Finally, Celaque National Park is located in western Honduras. The name Celaque is said to mean “box of waters” and the nine rivers in the park supply water for 120 nearby villages. The park includes Honduras’ highest peak, Cerro Las Minas which reaches 2,850 m (9,350 ft) and a cloud forest. It provides habitats for elusive cats like jaguars, pumas and ocelots. As there are some local communities who live in the park, there have been many efforts dedicated to sustainable farming as well as ecotourism. These are only a sampling of the many incredible parks available in Honduras that are just waiting to be explored.
Honduras Travel Information
At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Honduras.
Learn about the history and culture of Honduras, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Honduras's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Honduras for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Honduras tours today!
Extend Your Trip
After your Honduras Tour, why not consider another of Goway's Latin America tours. These include a large selection of other exciting countries in Central and South America. We offer Chile vacation packages and Easter Island tours, Ecuador vacation packages which include Galapagos cruises, Peru vacation packages which include Machu Picchu tours and Brazil tours including Iguassu Falls tours among many others.
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LATIN AMERICA by Goway is an exclusive division that specializes in planning and organizing Honduras tours and experiences. Choose from one of our independent stopover modules and more, We want to be your first choice when next you go globetrotting to Honduras.
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