 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
La Ceiba Honduras is the third largest city in Honduras, and is probably the country's most vibrant. A relatively young city, it got its name from a huge Ceiba tree that was next to the beach and provided shade to the workers at the dock and locals during the afternoon. It is the capital of the department of Atlantida, one of the 18 departments of Honduras. La Ceiba has long been the operation hub of the Standard Fruit Company, producers of bananas, pineapples, grapefruits and many other agricultural goods that Honduras exports. Although La Ceiba is not their port for major shipping activities, it is their administrative hub. The main port for their exports is Puerto Castilla, opposite of Trujillo in the beautiful Bay of Trujillo, 100 miles east of La Ceiba.
La Ceiba is a lot more than a port city with lots of hospitality and charm. In my personal opinion, it has the potential to develop into the Ecotourism Capital in Central America. Its proximity to the Pico Bonito National Park, Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge, Cayos Cochinos Marine Reserve are but a few of the many nature attractions available at just a short distance from the city. In addition, infrastructure to host tourists is slowly, but surely on the upswing. Just recently, The Palma Real Beach Resort opened its doors with 160 rooms and suites at the village of Roma, 20 km east of the City. Offering outstanding installations, spectacular views of Cayos Cochinos and access to all of the attractions in the city, this is by far the best beach hotel in the country offering thet first all inclusive program in Honduras. In addition, the new Pico Bonito Lodge is the first true Eco lodge in the country and offers an outstanding experience for the nature lover.
There are two parallel main avenues that run perpendicular to the coast line: The Avenida San Isidro and the 14 de Julio. Most streets are numbered, with first street being the one running adjacent to the coast. The zona viva, where most of the restaurants and night life is to be found is on this street. The central park is a pleasant shaded area with many of the hotels and restaurants nearby, and is only a few blocks from 1a Calle on the beach. Most banks are located either on the main square or on the Avenida San Isidro. Credit card holders can get cash at the following places: Credomatic, located on Avenida San Isidro, opposite from the Hotel Iberia, honors Visa Master card and American Express. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 12:00 and 1:30 to 7:00 PM. Saturdays from 8:00 to 2:00 PM. Also Visa card holders can go to Honducard, on Avenida San Isidro next to the Farmacia Aurora. Open 8:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 8:00 to 12:00. |
|
Money exchange can be arranged at all banks, as well as at Master
Cambia, across from the Hotel Iberia on Av. San Isidro, open from 8:30
am to 3:30 PM Monday through Friday. Another alternative for money
exchange is the Supermercado Los Almendros, located at the Hotel
Principe in downtown La Ceiba. Normally they offer the same exchange as
you will get at the banks.
Getting around La Ceiba
is easy. You can walk around town, and there are plenty of taxis that
charge a very low fare, making it a preferred mode of transportation.
Taking buses from La Ceiba is much easier than San Pedro Sula or Tegucigalpa, as they have a central bus terminal from where most of the busses arrive and leave. (The only exceptions are the two first class services to San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, Hedman Alas and Viana Express. Hedman Alas departs from their own terminal in Supermercados Pueblo and Viana does so from the Esso Miramar service station) In addition, there is a new dock, located a few miles out of town towards the east, from where regular ferry service between La Ceiba and the Bay Islands of Utila and Roatan operates. There is daily regular ferry service from La Ceiba to the Bay islands of Roatan and Utila. For schedules please check our transportation table and itineraries in the front section of our magazine.
Just outside of La Ceiba, on the highway to Jutiapa and Trujillo, (25 km east of La Ceiba) lies the Usha and the Fig Tree medical center. Operated by the famous Dr. Sebi, this rehabilitation / rejuvenation center is becoming famous for its treatment of diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. Based on a complex vegetarian diet and medication, combined with the natural hot springs in the area, several different clients have reputedly been cured of these diseases. The center has no telephone on site, you can call 440 0041 in La Ceiba, where more information is available, or you can visit the center, which is easily reached by taking the highway leading towards Trujillo. Just past Km. 225, there is sign on the right hand side of the road, with a narrow paved road leading to the center, located about 900 feet from the highway. Access to the hot springs is available for a fee of Lps. 30.00 per person for 15 minutes.
La Ceiba is perhaps the best communicated city in Honduras. The three
domestic air carriers, Aerolineas Sosa and Atlantic Airlines
Isleña Airlines have their operations hub here, and from
here you can fly to Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, Roatan, Utila,
Guanaja, Trujillo, as well as the Miskito Coast.
La Ceiba is famous for its Carnival week, which takes place during the
Month of May to celebrate the patron saint, San Isidro. Although the
word carnival should not be interpreted in the same sense as the
Carnivals in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, but more as a large party,
this is without doubt the largest and most important celebration held
regularly in Central America. During the week of Carnival, different
sectors of town organize night long parties with live bands, plenty of
food and drinks is available and there is a very festive atmosphere.
For those of you interested in learning Spanish as a second language,
there are three schools in the city: the Centro Internacional de
Idiomas, as well as the Central American School offer courses that
include house stays with local families. The Centro Internacional de
Idiomas is located on Calle 13 close to Avenida San Isidro, barrio
Solares Nuevos. Their telephone is 440 1557; The Central American
School is located on Avenida San Isidro, next to Foto El Indio. Their
phone number is 440-1707.
For those travellers
looking to keep in touch with the world through internet and e mail,
there are two establishments that will surely be popular: the Internet
Café, located at the Centro Comercial Panoyotti, in downtown
La Ceiba. They offer email, net surfing and chat lines. Their phone is
443 4152. They are open from Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am till
9:00 pm without closing at noontime; the other establishment is
café@cafe located next to the Plaza del Sol Shopping Center
on Avenida San Isidro. They are open from 7 to 7 from Monday to
Saturday.
The Municipality of La Ceiba has a
visitors information center in the heart of town, located on the first
floor fo the Banco de Occidente building right on Central Park. They
are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m and Saturday
till noon. Staff is friendly and very helpful.