Central America

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The Lodge at Pico Bonito Hotel, La Ceiba, Honduras Vacations, and Travel Package

The Lodge at Pico Bonito is a luxury nature resort located on Honduras' Caribbean coast only 30 minutes from the La Ceiba International Airport and nestled within the magnificent rainforest of the Pico Bonito National Park. The backcountry road leading to The Lodge at Pico Bonito passes through the lush greenery of coffee and cacao plantations before arriving at the handsome wood and stone main lodge set against the backdrop of the towering peaks of the Nombre de Dios Mountain Range. Upon arrival, you begin to feel a sensation of peace and relaxation as you are greeted with a welcome cocktail by our friendly and efficient staff.

Raised wooden walkways join the main lodge to the restaurant and conference buildings, each located with views of the forested slopes of the 8,000 foot Pico Bonito. In the foreground sits the inviting pool and terrace with its own bar shaded by an intricately woven palm thatch roof. Nearby, a river deck overlooks the cascading clear waters of the Río Corinto.

Our restaurant, with its airy ambience and open views, offers exquisite Meso-American cuisine. The adjoining bar and terraces provide the perfect place to meet other guests and share tales of the day's adventures or simply relax with a book from our library. Fresh fruit juices and a complete bar and wine list will satisfy the most demanding of tastes. The spacious conference room, with a capacity for 50 or more people, is used for special activities and can be reserved by our guests for private meetings.

From the main buildings, gravel pathways lead through the lush tropical landscape of the grounds to the secluded guest cabins, tucked within the dense foliage of coffee and cacao trees. The luxuriously appointed cabins are the perfect marriage of rustic elegance and all the comforts of home.

Trails run throughout the 200-acre property and into the adjacent Pico Bonito National Park. Climb our observation tower for a superb view of the dense rainforest that surrounds you or for glimpses of the Bay Islands offshore. Our guides will help you identify many of the more than 400 species of birds that inhabit the area, including the beautiful turquoise Lovely Cotinga and the always popular Keeled-billed Toucan. Jaguars, ocelots, kinkajous, peccaries, and several species of monkey have been sighted. Trails lead to numerous nearby waterfalls where you can swim in the crystal mountain waters, home to wild river otters and tayras. The Lodge at Pico Bonito donates a portion of its cabin charges to La Fundacion del Parque Nacional Pico Bonito, a not-for-profit organization that preserves and promotes Pico Bonito National Park.

The Lodge at Pico Bonito has been designed to offer our guests a wide range of activities and experiences. A short walk takes you to our Tropical Butterfly Farm, you can visit nearby tropical farms on mountain bikes, or you can spend a couple of hours just wandering around our jungle property. The Lodge at Pico Bonito's activities desk will arrange tours to numerous destinations including horseback riding, whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, touring the ancient Mayan ruins of Copán, and snorkeling amidst the coral reefs of the Bay Islands.

Whether relaxing on your private cabin deck, enjoying a drink by the pool, searching for new species for your "life list" of birds, or exploring the rainforest, The Lodge at Pico Bonito is the ideal choice for your next vacation. If you are looking for adventure, nature, and comfort we have the perfect place.

 The Lodge at Pico Bonito- Virtual tour

The Lodge at Pico Bonito Hotel, Activities

The Tropical Butterfly Farm and Serpentarium
The working butterfly farm located on the Lodge's property breeds numerous species of colorful tropical butterflies for export to collectors and butterfly houses around the world. Your tour will take you through the nurseries, larva house, and adult enclosure for a complete understanding of the ecology and breeding of these colorful creatures. You will surely want to spend extra time in the large enclosure, the "Butterfly House", where the adult butterflies will paint a virtual rainbow of colors around you as you take in their beauty. The Serpentarium, located a few minutes from the Butterfly Farm, is a great place to see and learn about Honduras' diverse snake fauna. Here you will be able to safely see some of Honduras' most beautiful and most dangerous snakes. The facility was opened with a focus on educating both locals and foreigners about the myths and truths of these feared and frequently misunderstood creatures. The pleasant and short walk from the Lodge to the Butterfly Farm and Serpentarium takes you through areas of cacao trees (from which chocolate is made), plantain plants (a relative of bananas), and orange trees. You may take a tour of the butterfly farm either with one of our guides or with the use of a written self-guide available at the activities desk. Visits to the serpentarium are with a Lodge guide only.

Bird Watching and Star Gazing
Nestled within the rainforest on our property are observation towers and platforms specially located for the pleasures of the serious bird watcher. A list of sited birds on our property and our immediate surroundings has now exceeded 400 species. One of our most popular activities for the avid birdwatcher and first time birder alike is the "Early Bird Walk". On this trip the emphasis is on birding and not hiking. The early morning guided walk is a great opportunity to see and learn about the many colorful and interesting avian species of the area. At night, some of our observation towers offer our guests opportunities for magnificent glimpses of the universe beyond. (Additional charges apply for the guided Early Bird Walk.)

Pico Bonito National Park - Hiking in the Rain Forest
Bordering The Lodge at Pico Bonito is the Pico Bonito National Park, Honduras' largest and most beautiful national park with over 100,000 hectares of virgin rainforest and cloudforest. Seven different ecosystems exist within its borders. The Park is home to over 400 species of birds as well as jaguars, tapirs, deer, puma, white-faced and spider monkeys. Hiking excursions into the forest with local naturalist guides are a must for the nature lover. Abundant mountain rivers and streams provide wonderful opportunities for a swim in deep crystal clear natural pools and under small waterfalls. It is possible to visit virgin rainforest and crystal clear swimming holes with as little as 15 minutes of walking while the Lodge also offers several half-day hiking options deeper into the national park. The Lodge at Pico Bonito is actively involved in the protection of this natural wonder. Visits will support conservation efforts in the region. (Additional charges apply for guided hikes.)

Rural Village Visit with the Adelante Foundation
The La Ceiba-based Adelante Foundation is doing its part to eliminate poverty by providing "micro-credit" loans to extremely poor women in rural Honduras who never before had access to money. The women use the money to start their own businesses. Eventually as the women’s businesses grow, their loans increase. Over time many can work they way out of poverty. The Lodge has developed a unique and educational excursion where you travel into the backcountry of Honduras, rarely seen by tourists, with an English speaking Adelante staff person. You attend an "Assembly" which is where 30 – 50 Adelante borrowers meet to learn new business skills and important health or nutrition information, and you stop by a client’s business to discuss her life of struggles and opportunities. The women’s courage and warmth are inspirational and you will come away optimistic that poverty can be overcome. (Advance reservations are required and additional charges apply. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Adelante Foundation which is a U.S. registered non-profit foundation.)

Horseback Riding Along the Caribbean Coast
A short 20 minute drive takes you to the small seaside community of Bonitillo where you will meet "El Chino", the famous local "Horse Whisperer" and Sylvia, your guide for this adventure. El Chino is a well-known horse trainer, and the horses that are available here are a real pleasure to ride, for beginners and experts alike. Sylvia’s enthusiasm for riding is contagious and, after a cruise through the village, the open beach allows opportunities to run, gallop and canter to your heart’s content. After leaving the village and heading west for a couple of kilometers and crossing two small rivers, you will come to the coastal town of El Porvenir which provides an opportunity to stretch the legs and have a soda or beer at a local beach-front cantina. Later Sylvia prepares a picnic, and the return to Bonitillo is via a back route through agricultural and rural residential areas. For those looking for more adventure, a longer ride can be arranged, taking you from the beach to the mountains and ending back at the Lodge. (Additional charges apply.)

The Cuero y Salado Wildlife and Manatee Refuge
Named for two rivers that feed this estuarine mongrove forest wildlife refuge, the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge is famous for its abundant wildlife and birding opportunities. Your trip into the refuge starts on a narrow gauge rail car that takes you to the river's edge. From here motorized skiffs and canoes are available for guided tours through the complex of estuaries and mangrove forests where one can expect to see howler and white-faced monkeys, iguanas, alligators, dozens of species of birds, and -with a little luck- manatees. After the boat tour, wander down to the white sand beach where the rivers meet the sea for a swim and a fresh fruit snack. (Additional charges apply.)

Kayaking and Rafting the Cangrejal River
The Río Cangrejal is one of Central America's most accessible and beautiful rivers. Flowing from the depths of the cloudforests of the Pico Bonito National Park down to the Caribbean Ocean, the 20 mile river has become known as a world class whitewater destination in recent years. With rapids ranging in difficulty from class II to class V, the Cangrejal River offers something for everyone from the first time rafter to experienced kayak enthusiasts. Generally the river runs highest from September to February, but is runnable almost all year. Breaks in the white water action are taken for a brief excursion into the rainforest, lunch by the riverside, and the opportunity to swim and play on the large rocks by the river's edge. (Additional charges apply.)

Lancetilla Botanical Gardens and Biological Reserve
Just south of Tela this remarkable botanical collection was established in 1925 by the famous American explorer and tropical botanist, Wilson Popenoe. He was given the task of establishing an experimental garden where fruit trees and ornamentals from around the world could be cultivated and eventually brought to market by the United Fruit Company. Today Lancetilla boasts over 630 species of plants and has the world's largest collection of Asian fruits. With such diversity, there are always some forms of exotic tropical fruit ripe for tasting and you can always find orchids and flowers in bloom. Lancetilla is now part of Honduras' protected areas and has grown to include a forest preserve behind the gardens where trails lead to some of Honduras' best birding opportunities. The guided trip to the botanical gardens includes a stop in the small banana port town of Tela for a seafood lunch on the beach. The trip to Lancetilla and the Tela can also be complemented by a visit to the local Garifuna village in the area. (Additional charges apply.)

Copán - Visiting the Mayan Ruins
The extensive Mayan Ruins of Copán are stunningly beautiful and wonderfully preserved. These ruins have gained international attention recently with discoveries of hidden tombs and buildings buried by the Mayans themselves. Recently opened tunnels let you go under the impressive ruins to see new discoveries, uncovering many mysteries of these ancient people. Copán has always been known among Mayan archeologists as one of the most important ruins of the region due to the exquisite detail of its carved stellae and extremely well-preserved temples. Numerous smaller archeological sites provide further opportunities for exploration by foot or horseback. Nearby natural hot springs and the impressive new Copán Sculpture Museum, said to be the best of its kind in Central America, round out any visit to western Honduras. (Overnight stay in Copan required. Additional charges apply.)

The Bay Islands - Snorkeling in the Bay Islands
Honduras' Bay Islands, long known as one of the premier snorkeling locations of the world, are just a 20 minute flight from the La Ceiba International Airport or a 90 minute ferry ride. The islands offer unparalleled coral reefs and white sand beaches and are the perfect complement to a stay in the rainforest. The Lodge offers three great options for day-trips snorkeling on the reefs of the Bay Islands. One trip flies you to West End, the primary tourism area of the island of Roatan, where you can explore the small beach side community of restaurants, hotels and dive shops before and after a boat trip to the reef for snorkeling. Another trip, also to Roatan, takes you to he secluded north shore, where you are likely to have the beach and reef all to yourself. The third trip takes you by boat from La Ceiba to the uncharted and pristine reefs of the Cayos Cachinos, a group of smaller islands that are part of the Bay Islands. (Additional charges apply.)

In the south along the Gulf of Fonseca are a myriad of wetlands that are important for many migrating waterfowl. To the east, the remote La Mosquitia region is home to rarities such as the Agami Heron, Harpy Eagle, Macaws, Ant birds, Snowy Cotinga and the recently discovered Green-and-Rufous Kingfisher. Throughout the remainder of the country are rugged mountains that comprise some 85% of the territory. These are home to a huge diversity of species such as the Resplendent Quetzal, Three-wattled Bellbird, White-ruffed Manakin, various Euphonias, Chlorophonias and a host of migratory Warblers. In the huge Aguan Valley, south of Pico Bonito National Park, one can find Honduras' only endemic species, the Honduran Emerald hummingbird (Amazalia luciae).

The single richest area for bird watching in the country is the North Coast of Honduras and the area in and around Pico Bonito National Park. The park itself a virtually unexplored 270,000 acres of low to mid elevation tropical wet forests, cloud forests and an unknown number of associated micro habitats. The nearby, bird rich Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge, comprising some 35,000 acres, offers wetland and coastal mangrove habitats. A thorough study of both areas would probably render more than 500 bird species, possibly 600. We have counted 425.

The Lodge at Pico Bonito is uniquely located at the foot of Pico Bonito National Park and is nestled between the Corinto (east) and Coloradito (west) Rivers. Our 400 acre preserve borders the park and is comprised of various habitats including plantation areas (coffee, banana, orange and cacao), riparian habitat, and lowland tropical wet forest. Each area harbors its own set of bird species with some being confined to very specific areas, while others can be seen at several sites. The lodge's three, strategically located observation towers offer maximum viewing and photography opportunities. The adjacent mountains, rising to nearly 8000 feet, enable us to enjoy a host of altitudinal migrants which descend seeking more favorable conditions during the cooler winter months. Many species which are rarities elsewhere, (Lovely Cotinga, Keel-billed Motmot, Green Shrike-Vireo, Emerald Toucanette) are happily common around the Lodge.

The Lodge is the ideal place where one may relax after a morning or afternoon of birding our nearby system of nature trails. It can be used as a base for excursions to Pico Bonito National Park, Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge, the Rio Aguan Valley, and other areas of Honduras, all of which provide excellent birding opportunities.

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