The Caribbean Coast

San Pedro Sula

San Pedro Sula is the economic capital of Honduras and a natural arrival point for visitors headed to Copan, the Caribbean Coast, and Bay Islands.

Its international airport (SAP) receives flights from Atlanta (3.5 hours), Houston (under 3 hours), and Miami (just over 2 hours).

San Pedro Sula is a down-to-business city, with most vacation travelers passing through quickly.

Beaches of Tela

A short drive to the northeast of San Pedro Sula, you’ll reach the sweeping beaches near Tela.

These shores are the biggest draw on the Caribbean Coast of Honduras.

Here you’ll find a quaint collection of beach hotels, restaurants specializing in fresh seafood, and a museum dedicated to Garifuna culture.

Lacetilla Botanical Garden

Just southeast of Tela is the Lacetilla Botanical Garden.

Founded in 1925, Lacetilla is billed as the largest botanical garden in all of Latin America, and the second largest in the world.

Lacetilla’s 6.25 square miles are home to more than 1,600 plant species from four continents.

World-Class Birdwatching

Hundreds of bird species have been observed here.

More wildlife can be found at the Jeannette Kawas National Park, nine miles west of Tela.

Jeannette Kawas protects over 300 square miles of pristine coastal habitat: mangrove, tropical dry forest, river, reef, and beach.

Dolphin and Turtle Watching

Dolphins and six species of marine turtles swim offshore, with howler monkeys and hundreds of bird species in the surrounding forest.

Most day trips from Tela arrive by boat, allowing visitors to explore the mangroves, snorkel and sunbathe on the white sand beaches.

Wildlife Watching in the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge

To the east, midway between Tela and La Ceiba, is the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge—a protected mangrove area.

Motorized skiffs and canoes take visitors through the estuary, with observable species including:

Howler Monkeys
White-faced Monkeys
Iguanas
Alligators
Nearly 200 Bird Species
West Indian Manatees

Gateway to Pico Bonito

La Ceiba is a gateway to the cloud-forest of Pico Bonito, and regional flights put Roatan and the Bay Islands within easy reach.

The world class whitewater of the Rio Cangrejal is under an hour to the south.

What to do in The Caribbean Coast

Relaxing on wide, palm-fringed beaches
Tasting fresh seafood by the shore
Visiting botanical gardens and coastal reserves
Exploring mangroves and estuaries by boat
Wildlife watching in forests and wetlands
Learning about Garifuna culture and traditions
Hiking cloud forests and tropical trails
Rafting world-class whitewater rivers
Snorkeling and swimming in protected waters

What is the Weather Like?

The Caribbean Coast of Honduras is warm and humid year-round, with daytime highs averaging near 90°F and nights dipping to the mid-70s. Trade winds keep coastal areas comfortable, though humidity is ever-present. The dry season, from February to June, is the most predictable for sun-filled days, while September and October bring heavier rains and the possibility of storms. Travelers seeking calm seas and steady weather often choose spring, though the lush greenery of the wet season has its own appeal.

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