Parks in Honduras
Honduras Reserves - Reservies
Marine Reserves |
Reserva de la Biosfera |
|
Honduras Refuges
Bahia de Chismuyo |
Lagunas de Invierno |
Laguna de Caratasca |
Wildlife Refuge |
Erapuca |
Puca |
Punta Lzopo |
Texiguat |
Mosquito Coast - Moskitia |
Honduras National Parks
Honduras in Central America is becoming one of the world's best Eco Tourism destinations. Sparsely populated, much of Honduras is wilderness, home to fantastic bio-diversity.
Honduras has more than 700 bird species including the Harpy eagle, and populations of rare mammals such as jaguars, pumas, ocelots, giant anteaters, tapir and mantled howler monkeys.
Honduras has the region's most extensive tracts of cloud forest and the largest remaining area of primary forest.
In fact the Moskitia region is one of the world's few remaining undisturbed true wildernesses, and visiting it is an unforgettable experience for even seasoned eco-tourists. The government is laying the groundwork for what will certainly become one of Central America's great national park systems. Parks and reserves already protect all eight major life zones in the country of Honduras, yet comprise only about half of the total 25,000 square kilometers earmarked for eventual protection.
Although the eco tourism business in Honduras has yet to adopt the sophisticated marketing techniques of other countries in the region, notably Costa Rica, many Honduras major tour operators are now offering packages to attract the "Green" traveler and eco-tourist.
Parks in Honduras
Barbareta Marine National Park
(in the Bay Islands of Honduras)Barbareta Island has a 1,250 acre private Parrot Preserve. This 5 kilometer long island is protected as the Barbareta Marine National Park. Barbareta is a pristine private island preserve, teeming with wildlife and exotic plants. Sandy beaches and coconut gardens line the coast. It has eight miles of jungle trails, featuring Mayan archaeological sites. This lush tropical island is surrounded by pristine coral reefs, and consists of isolated beaches and virgin rainforest. The island is reached from Roatán by a 20-minute charter flight, or 2-hour boat ride.
Capiro-Calentura National Park and Guaimoreto Lagoon Wildlife Refuge
Capiro-Calentura is an area of tropical forest above Trujillo on the north coast. It features an old semi-paved trail first used by the Spanish that will lead you to a cave. Villa Brinkley has access via a path. The park is administered by the FUCAGUA group which has its office above the cafe in the round building in the center of the town's main plaza.
Celaque National Park
Celaque National Park has the highest cloud forest in the country, four mountain peaks, pine forest and a big complex of hot springs. There are dormitories, campsites and guides. This park has the highest peak in Honduras and requires a three-day trip to the top. Easiest access is by dirt road (approximately 8kms) from Gracias.
Cerro Azul
Cerro Azul is not an easily accessible cloud forest, but the park also protects an area of thermal springs and exciting caves which can be visited without any difficulty. It's located along the north border with Guatemala, app. 10km north of Florida Copan.
Copan
Copan Ruins are located in the western part of Honduras, about 60 kilometers from the border with Guatemala. Copan known as Xukpi to the Maya was the dominant Mayan city in the south of their territory. Its rich stone sculptures and intricate hieroglyphs make Copan a feature attraction along "La Ruta Maya".
Cusuco National Park
Cusuco National Park is noted for a population of resplendent quetzals, best viewed during nesting season in April - May. Located just two hours from San Pedro Sula and easily accessible all year round with a four wheel drive. Cusuco is managed by the Fundacion Hector Rodrigo Pastor Fasquelle offices locatied in San Pedro Sula.
La Muralla
La Muralla is a cloud forest famous for its population of quetzals. It has a visitors' center, clearly marked paths and is easily accessible. It is located at la Union, in the heart of the country, 200km north of Tegucigalpa, and boasts one of the best developed park infrastructures in Honduras.
La Tigra
La Tigra was the first area declared as a national park (in 1980) but has been protected since the early 1950s. It lies just outside Tegucigalpa, is easily accessible and provides dormitories, a visitors' center, guides and good trails.
Montana de Yoro
Montana de Yoro Is a cloud forest 5 miles southeast of Yoro.
Montecristo-Trifinio
Montecristo-Trifinio is a Cloudforest 10 miles west of Nueva Ocotepeque. Access is best from El Salvador, but there are paths in Honduras.
Pico Bonito
Pico Bonito is a dense mountain forest, partly impenetrable because of its steep mountain slopes and home to a large number of endangered species. Pico Bonito is easy to see - looming above La Ceiba, but somewhat hard to access. Most difficult climb in Honduras.
See the Luxury Lodge at Pico Bonito http://www.lascascadaslodge.com/
Photo of Pico Bonito won "Photo of the Week".
Pico Pijol
Pico Pijol is a Cloud forest 20 miles from Morazan. Moderate climb.
Punta Sal
Punta Sal is a tropical forest and mangroves, famous for its population of waterbirds and continental coral reefs - there is good diving. It is located just outside Tela.
Sierra de Agalta
Sierra de Agalta is a 400 sq kms and one of the largest cloud forests in Honduras with spectacular caves and waterfalls. New species have been identified here and it is an important center for ongoing research. There are dormitories and camping facilities, trails and guides. Iit can be easily reached by paved road and lies just two & a half hours from Tegucigalpa. There are points of access in Juticalpa, San Estaban, Catacamas and Gualaco.
Honduras Reserves - Reservies
Honduras Bay Islands Marine Reserves
Hondruas Bay Islands Marine Reserves - Roatan's growing popularity is putting pressure on its natural forested areas and splendid coral reef. BICA, the Bay Islands Conservation Association established the Sandy Bay-West End Marine Reserve in 1989 to protect the reef and its teeming fish populations and the Turtle Harbour Wildlife Refuge and Marine Resrve on Utila in 1992, to protect the island's wetlands. Both islands are easily accessible by air from San Pedro or La Ceiba.
Biosphere Reserve/Reserva de la Biosfera
Rio Platano
Rio Platanos isolation did not protect the reserve, the damage caused to its main components has been severe. We can observe an alarming human penetration in its zone nucleus, which already has caused considerable deterioration of its resources, until approximately 35 km within this zone.
Reserva de Vida Silvestre Laguna Guaimoreto
Reserva de Vida Silvestre Laguna Guaimoreto is a wildlife refuge home to many species of waterbirds, as well as crocidiles, turtles, white faced monkeys, iguanas, and hundreds of species of fish.
Honduras Refuges
Bahia de Chismuyo
Bahia de Chismuyo consists of mangroves on the Pacific coast.
Lagunas de Invierno
Lagunas de Inviernos a winter lagoon forms a series of protected areas. The vegetation predominantly covers the forests with mangles of thorny scrubs mixed with trees of jícaros and noses, guanacastes and ceibos. Lagunas de Invierno Wildlife refuge is made up of following sub units: Bahía de Chismuyo, Jicarito, Guamerú, Guapinol, La Alemania, las Iguanas, Isla del Tigre, Quebrachal, Punta Condega, Punta Ratón, Teonostal e Isla de Exposición.
Laguna de Caratasca
La Muralla is a cloud forest famous for its population of quetzals. It has a visitors' center, clearly marked paths and is easily accessible. It is located at la Union, in the heart of the country, 200km north of Tegucigalpa, and boasts one of the best developed park infrastructures in Honduras.
MAP
Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge
Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge is a large mangrove estuary and one of the most important protection zones for the manatee along the Caribbean coast of Central America. There are several miles of navigable canals and healthy populations of crocodiles and monkeys. An incredible place. Basic accommodation and guided boat tours are available. There is also a beach for swimming. Located just 20km west of La Ceiba, and three hours from San Pedro Sula. An old United Fruit tram takes you from the road to the reserve. The park is administered by FUCSA who have an office in La Ceiba.
Erapuca
Erapuca Cloud forest. Heavily deforested. When are the people going to step forward and protect their childrens inheritance?
Puca
Puca Cloud forest in state of Lempira. Deforested. When are the people going to step forward and protect their childrens inheritance?
Punta Izopo
Punta Izopo is a wetland with high biodiversity.
Texiguat
Texiguat is a cloud forest near Tela. It has high biodiversity in the states of Atlantida and Yoro.
Moskitia
( Mosquito Coast is the most common name )
Moskitia - Mosquito Coast is a mysterious region, of land where the rivers are roads and you travel around in dugout canoes called pipantes.
Please send us any information, knowledge or experiences you may have about the Honduras National Parks Reserves Refuges